Press Release
Prince Turki AlFaisal and senior German and Gulf representatives to meet in Berlin amid regional conflict
Berlin, 16 September 2026 - As war in the Gulf region continues and its political and economic consequences become increasingly visible, senior representatives of the Gulf states and Germany will meet in Berlin on 21 and 22 September for the 8th German-Arab Gulf Dialogue on Security and Cooperation.
Under the theme “GCC–Germany–EU: Strategic Partners in Volatile Times”, experts, politicians, diplomats, business representatives and members of civil society from both regions will discuss security in the Gulf and the future of relations between Germany, Europe and the Arab Gulf states.
The conference brings together its Honorary Chairman, H.R.H. Prince Turki AlFaisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and DAFG President Dr. Otto Wiesheu, a former Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs.
Organised by the German-Arab Friendship Association (DAFG), the Dialogue has connected Germany and Europe with all six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) since 2019. Against the backdrop of current events, its eighth edition focuses on political coordination, economic cooperation and the development of new partnerships. The aim is to turn the shared interests of both regions into joint action.
The far-reaching consequences of months of conflict in the Gulf are already visible. They directly affect security, energy supply and people’s economic circumstances. The outcome could reshape the regional security architecture and redefine relations between Europe and the Gulf states for years to come. The conference will focus on security, energy and critical infrastructure, industry, technology and the development of political relations.
Senior German participants named in the programme include Omid Nouripour, Vice President of the German Bundestag, and Bundestag members Alexander Radwan and Lamya Kaddor. Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder will contribute a video message. Middle East expert Prof. Dr. Volker Perthes, a former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Senior Distinguished Fellow at Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), will also take part.
Participants from the Gulf states include Prof. Dr. Saad Bin Tiflah Al Ajmi, former Minister of Information of Kuwait; H.E. Dr. Ahmed Albanna, former Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to India; and Dherar Belhoul Al Falasi, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of Al Majlis Group and a former member of the UAE Federal National Council.
Prince Turki AlFaisal, a former Saudi Ambassador to the United States, will discuss current developments in the Gulf and strategic perspectives for cooperation in a Spotlight conversation with moderator Ali Aslan.
21–22 September 2026 · JW Marriott Hotel Berlin Stauffenbergstraße 26, 10785 Berlin Programme: https://german-gulf-dialogue.org/en/programme Media contact: Raimund Reinecke raimund.reinecke@german-gulf-dialogue.org · +49 162 4086 352