A rare occurrence in this year’s annual meeting of the World Economic Forum: cautious optimism about the Middle East.
Participants are often positive about major economies such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, yet the big picture is usually a concerning one.
There are no rose-tinted glasses. Several countries in the region suffer from conflict, such as Palestine, Syria, Libya and Yemen, others such as Lebanon face political dysfunction, and economic troubles are impacting the likes of Egypt.
Yet, undoubtedly, there is a reduced level of violence and regional tension that leads to a sense of optimism. It happens to coincide with a reduced American presence – in Davos and the Middle East.
Cautious optimism was the main message in a number of sessions, including one entitled “Middle East: Battleground or Meeting Point”.
While the Minister of Finance for Jordan, Mohamed Al-Ississ, warned of a “hope deficit”, he did remark that there was a chance to build on the regional momentum of co-operation that several countries have developed together.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud echoed the sentiment, saying: “I am optimistic” and stressing the dynamic of a “can-do” attitude in the region. He also floated the possibility of a resolution of the Yemen war through a negotiated settlement. The resolution of a conflict that has brought so much suffering would indeed spark major hope in Yemen itself and the region.
UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg was also present, being careful not to give false hope but stating that an extension of the truce and “building step by step” towards a lasting peace was possible.
Several senior Arab officials were present in Davos, speaking of solutions, and possibilities of regional integration, in a way that has not been seen for some years.
On a panel entitled “Arab Economies Converging”, Jordan Prime Minister Bisher Al Khasawneh spoke of the numerous regional projects, including some with Iraq and Egypt, that can create the nucleus for longer-term convergence.
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Lawrence Summers, president emeritus and professor at Harvard University, speaks during a panel session on day three of the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Bloomberg -
Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Tanzanian President Samia Hassan during a panel discussion in Davos. AP -
EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks at the forum. AP -
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, speaks to CNN journalist Fareed Zakaria at the Congress Centre in Davos. AFP -
Iranian-American journalist and women's rights activist Masih Alinejad takes part in an interview with a TV news channel in Davos. AFP -
Mr Mitsotakis is seen on a TV camera viewfinder at the Congress Centre in Davos. AFP -
Faisal Alibrahim, Saudi Arabia's Economy and Planning Minister, speaks during a panel session in Davos. Bloomberg -
Climate activist Greta Thunberg addresses journalists in Davos. Reuters -
Mary Erdoes, chief executive of JP Morgan Chase's asset wealth management arm, listens during a panel session in Davos. Bloomberg -
Officials take part in the World Economic Forum's Busting Business Barriers session. Photo: World Economic Forum -
Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, is among the senior officials in Davos. Photo: WEF -
Former US vice president Al Gore, who is also a member of board of trustees of the forum, at a session titled Leading the Charge through Earth's New Normal. Photo: WEF -
Famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs at the event. Photo: WEF -
Deemah Al Yahya, secretary general of the Digital Co-operation Organisation in Saudi Arabia, at the forum's Turning Technologies into the Markets of Tomorrow session. Photo: WEF -
US climate change envoy John Kerry at the Keeping the Pace on Climate session. Photo: WEF -
Shoes worn by Rodrigo Oliveira, founder of Brazilian group Green Mining, emphasise support for environmental initiatives. Photo: WEF -
Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor in Chief of The National, moderates a session on the Middle East that featured Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Foreign Affairs. Photo: WEF -
Officials and delegates take part in the Middle East: Meeting Point or Battleground? session. Photo: WEF -
Polish President Andrzej Duda speaks at the Restoring Security and Peace session. Photo: WEF -
Mr Duda, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg, Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Yuliia Svyrydenko, first deputy prime minister in Ukraine, and US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines attend a session hosted by broadcaster Fareed Zakaria. Photo: WEF -
Olena Zelenska, Ukraine's first lady, watches as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the forum. Photo: WEF -
Mohamad Al Ississ, Jordan's Minister of Finance, takes part in the session titled The Middle East: Meeting Point or Battleground? Photo: WEF -
Mr Zelenskyy gives a video address to the forum in Davos. AFP -
Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger appears on screen during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, in Davos. AP -
US governors Brian Kemp and JB Pritzker, senators Chris Coons, Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema and representatives Maria Salazar and Mikie Sherrill take part in a panel discussion at Davos. AP -
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attends a session in Davos. AFP -
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on the opening day of the forum. Bloomberg -
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, left, and Patrice Motsepe, billionaire founder of African Rainbow Minerals, arrive at the forum's venue in Davos. EPA -
Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin, right, is interviewed by Fareed Zakaria in Davos. AP -
Delegates visit the refreshments area between sessions in Davos. Bloomberg -
Singer Angelique Kidjo performs in Davos. EPA -
From left, WEF founder Klaus Schwab, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska and Swiss President Alain Berset pose together during the 53rd annual meeting of the forum in Davos. EPA -
Ms Zelenska hit out at Russia and said 'we cannot allow a new Chernobyl to happen'. AFP -
Mr Berset addresses delegates in Davos. EPA -
Ms von der Leyen said the 27-nation bloc would become much more forceful in countering unfair trading practices. Reuters -
Ferdinand Marcos, President of the Philippines, arrives to attend a session in Davos. AP -
Former US vice president Al Gore is expected to discuss decarbonisation, as well as efforts to build clean energy infrastructure and ensure equitable growth. EPA -
From second left, WEF president Borge Brende, Carbon Direct vice chairwoman Nili Gilbert and US climate envoy John Kerry with other delegates in Davos. EPA -
Credit Suisse chairman Axel Lehmann speaks during the 53rd WEF Annual Meeting. EPA -
DP World chief executive Sultan bin Sulayem in Davos. Bloomberg -
UBS chief executive Ralph Hamers speaks during a television interview on the opening day of the forum. Bloomberg -
From left, Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd chairwoman Laura Cha, Banco de Portugal Governor Mario Centeno, Bloomberg TV anchor Francine Lacqua, Credit Suisse chairman Axel Lehmann and S&P Global president and chief executive Douglas Peterson during a panel session on the opening day of the forum. Bloomberg -
Mr Kerry delivers a speech at the Congress Centre in Davos. AFP -
Musicians take part in a concert during the official opening of the forum. Photo: WEF -
Jordanian vocalist Farah Siraj, centre, and Egyptian-Australian multi-instrumentalist Joseph Tawadros, left, perform during the I Sea You concert. Photo: WEF -
Tawadros is one of the world's leading oud performers and composers. Photo: WEF -
WEF managing director Alois Zwinggi speaks during a session called 'In Harmony with Nature'. Photo: WEF -
Gail Whiteman, left, a professor of sustainability at the University of Exeter Business School, speaks during the 'In Harmony with Nature' panel discussion. Photo: WEF -
Mr Schwab delivers a speech during the 'Crystal Award' ceremony in Davos. AFP -
Actor Idris Elba, right, and his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba, left, smile on the podium during the Crystal Award ceremony. AP -
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko attends the Crystal Award ceremony. EPA -
Singer Renee Fleming, right, receives a Crystal Award from Hilde Schwab, wife of WEF founder Klaus Schwab. AP -
Delegates at the welcome reception before the official start of the forum. Bloomberg -
Food for attendees at the welcome reception. Bloomberg -
A kiosk serving hot chocolate from the UAE at the forum. Bloomberg -
The Infosys pavilion at the forum. Bloomberg -
Ukraine's pavilion in Davos. Reuters -
Swiss police officers on patrol in Davos. Reuters -
From left, German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck with Swiss ministers Guy Parmelin and Albert Roesti before the start of a bilateral meeting in Davos. EPA -
A delegate passes a digital display in Davos. Bloomberg
Iraq’s President Abdul Latif Rashid held several bilateral meetings, stressing his country was open for business. He also noted on a panel that the region could do well without foreign intervention.
Regional collaboration, attracting foreign direct investment and securing long-term planning are all difficult tasks that require commitment and continued agreement between the various actors at play.
Most participants from the region agreed that the momentum developing in the Middle East is fragile and nascent. As futurist Amy Webb said in a session on “strategic forecasting”, future preparedness is crucial to long-term success.
Long-term regional co-operation is still some way off. From climate change to generative AI, the world is changing, and the Middle East must develop its own domestic capabilities to keep up with global developments and meet local needs.
