Plenary Session: Economy and Energy Diversification in MENA 

Breaking the resource curse is not an easy task, but diversifying energy sources and the economies built upon them is necessary to create
resilience for the future. This session aims to explore this problem and propose remedies such that emerging economies, including MENA, can
achieve higher levels of diversification, sustainable economic growth, and the energy stability they crave.
Keynote: Roberta V. Gatti, Chief Economist, Middle East And North Africa, The World Bank
Panelists:
Abdulla Al-Abbasi, Director of Energy and Environmental Studies Program, DERASAT
Nouf Alsharif, Managing Director, Economic Research, Jadwa Investment
John Defterios, Professor of Business NYU Abu Dhabi & Energy Fellow, World Economic Forum
Fuad Hasanov, Senior Economist, International Monetary Fund
Moderator: Raja Almarzoqi, Chief Economic Advisor, Ministry of Economy and Planning, Saudi Arabia