Rethinking MENA Integration in a Fast-Changing Global Environment
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Rabat, Morocco
June 29, 2026
Amid a challenging regional and global context marked by war, economic uncertainty, and rapid structural shifts, the IMF will hold its second annual MENA Economic Research Conference in Rabat, Morocco, on June 29–30, 2026, in partnership with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University.
Under the theme “Rethinking MENA Integration in a Fast-Changing Global Environment,” the conference will examine the implications for the region of evolving global trade patterns, geoeconomic fragmentation, and technological transformation, including artificial intelligence. It will also explore the role of monetary, fiscal, and labor market policies in maintaining macroeconomic stability and supporting resilient and inclusive growth.
Last year, the IMF held the first annual economic research conference co-organized by the IMF and the Onsi Sawiris School of Business at The American University in Cairo, Egypt. This conference series is in partnership with leading universities in the region and aims to establish a forum for dialogue and knowledge exchange among academics, researchers, and policymakers on significant regional and global economic issues. It also seeks to strengthen economic research capacities in ministries of finance and central banks in the region.
Agenda
Monday, June 29
9:00–9:30 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Karim El Aynaoui, Executive Vice-President and Dean (Mohammed VI Polytechnic University)
Jihad Azour, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department (IMF)
9:30–11:00 AM
Session 1 – Geoeconomic Fragmentation and Economic Integration
Chair: Karim El Aynaoui (Mohammed VI Polytechnic University)
The Remains of the Trade: The U.S.–China Trade War and its Aftermath Authors: Pol Antràs (Harvard University) and Andrea Presbitero (IMF)
Connector economies in a fragmenting world Authors: Chuan-Han Cheng (University of Cambridge), Oleg Konovalov (EBRD), and Alexander Plekhanov (EBRD)
Connectedness Without Complexity? Geoeconomic Fragmentation and Structural Transformation in the MENA Region Authors: Zein Alamah (Concordia University) and Ali Fakih (Lebanese American University)
Discussant:Francesco Grigoli (Georgetown University in Qatar)
11:30 AM–1:00 PM
Session 2 – Artificial Intelligence
Chair: Ferid Belhaj (Policy Center for the New South and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University)
Technological Change, Occupations, and Labor Markets in MENA Authors: Gustavo Leyva (Center for Latin American Monetary Studies) and Carlos Urrutia (Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, ITAM, Mexico City)
AI in a Fragmenting World Authors: Barry Eichengreen (University of California, Berkeley), George Cui (IMF), Asmaa ElGanainy (IMF), Yevgeniya Korniyenko (IMF), Elyad Shojaei (IMF), Li Zeng (IMF), and Frank Zhang (IMF)
AI and Productivity in the MENA Region and Beyond: Opportunities and Challenges Authors: Filiz Unsal (OECD), Francesco Filippucci (OECD), Peter Gal (OECD), and Matthias Schief (OECD)
Discussant:Antonio Spilimbergo (Deputy Director, Research Department, IMF)
2:30–4:00 PM
Session 3 – Trade Policies
Chair: Dorothée Boccanfuso (Mohammed VI Polytechnic University)
What Do Market-Access Subsidies Do? Experimental Evidence from Tunisia Authors: Nadia Ali (Columbia University), Giacomo De Giorgi (University of Geneva), Aminur Rahman (Asian Development Bank), and Eric Verhoogen (Columbia University)
Conditional Trade Policy: Economic Effects of Qualifying Industrial Zones in the Middle East Author: Ayman Tibi (University of Mannheim)
The Impact of Global Trade Policies on MCD Countries and Regional Integration Prospects Authors: Koralai Kirabeva (IMF), Lorenzo Rotunno (IMF), and Michele Ruta (IMF)
Discussant:Mehdi Bartal (Mohammed VI Polytechnic University)
4:30–5:30 PM
Session 4 – Labor Market Policies
Chair: Taline Koranchelian (Deputy Director, Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF)
Job Amenities, Adverse Selection, and Women's Labor Supply in Jordan Author: Bailey Palmer (University of California, Berkeley)
Do Employment Subsidies Affect Skill Intensity and Capital Formation? Evidence from Turkish Manufacturing Firms Authors: Güneş Aşık (Middle East Technical University, Ankara) and Çağlar Yüncüler (TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Ankara)
Discussant:Nisreen Salti (American University of Beirut)
5:30–6:30 PM
Keynote Lecture – "Economic Principles for the 21st Century"
Keynote Speaker:Andrés Velasco (Dean of the School of Public Policy, London School of Economics)
Tuesday, June 30
9:00–9:15 AM
Best Graduate Student Paper Award and Acknowledgment of Graduate Students
Laudatio: Jihad Azour (Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF)
Winner: Bailey Palmer (University of California, Berkeley)
Special Mentions: Nadia Ali (Columbia University) and Ayman Tibi (University of Mannheim)
9:15–10:15 AM
Policy Panel
Moderator: Jihad Azour (Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF)
Panelists:
Nadia Fettah Alaoui (Minister of Finance, Morocco)
Rania Al-Mashat (Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of UNESCWA)
Hasan Alhasan (Senior Fellow for Middle East Policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies)
Andrés Velasco (Dean of the School of Public Policy, London School of Economics)
10:45 AM–12:15 PM
Session 5 – Monetary and Fiscal Policies
Chair: Mohamed Taamouti (Bank Al-Maghrib)
Transmission of Global Monetary Shocks in MENA and CCA Economies Authors: Giancarlo Corsetti (European University Institute, Florence), Michele Castegini (European University Institute, Florence), Zeina Hasna (IMF), Simon Lloyd (Bank of England), and Nadine Yamout (American University of Beirut)
Does Inflation Targeting Matter in Achieving Long-term Price Stability? Evidence from Egypt and Georgia Authors: Nasser Badra (American University of Beirut), Salim Chahine (Central Bank of Lebanon), and Ugo Panizza (Geneva Graduate Institute)
Fiscal Rules at Risk: Debt Structure and Fiscal Adjustment in Times of Geopolitical and Economic Uncertainty Authors: Sami Ben Naceur (IMF), Abdelhamid Moustabchir (Hasan II University, Casablanca), and Sara Loukili (Bank Al-Maghrib)
Discussant:Roberta Gatti (Chief Economist for the MENAP region, World Bank)
12:15–12:45 PM
Closing Remarks
Nadia Fettah Alaoui (Minister of Finance, Morocco)
Jihad Azour (Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF)
The times listed in this agenda are shown in local time (Rabat, Morocco).
Program Committee
Giovanni Melina, IMF
Antonio Spilimbergo, IMF
Touhami Abdelkhalek, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University
Francesco Grigoli, Georgetown University in Qatar
Kamiar Mohaddes, University of Cambridge
Nisreen Salti, American University of Beirut
Organizing Committee
Roberto Cardarelli, IMF
Asmaa El-Ganainy, IMF
Sascha Buetzer, IMF
Zeina Hasna, IMF
Angham Al Shami, IMF
Conference Coordinators
Joanna Zaffaroni, IMF
Sofia Cerna Rubinstein, IMF
Hana Benslimane, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University
