The conference “The Future of Governance and Development Policymaking in the Global South: Perspectives from the Arab Region” will open on Monday 2 November 2026, at the United Nations House in Beirut. It is organized by Hikama, the journal of public administration and public policy published by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (ACRPS) and the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The two-day conference will bring together researchers, academics, experts, and specialists in governance, public administration, and development policy.

The conference takes place against a backdrop of structural challenges to development in Arab countries, compounded by armed conflicts, shifts in regional and international power dynamics, mounting climate and economic crises, digital transformation, and the rise of artificial intelligence. These developments call for a reassessment of the capacity of existing institutions and governance systems to respond to societal needs and advance social justice and sustainable development amid persistent uncertainty. The conference therefore seeks to offer a critical, forward-looking assessment that moves beyond describing crises to examining their structural and contextual causes. It will explore practical alternatives for development policymaking that reflect the historical, political, and social contexts of Arab countries and draw on the experiences of the Global South.

The conference’s scientific committee received 126 research proposals, approved 97, and subsequently received 74 completed papers. Following a dedicated peer-review process for conference participation, the committee selected 22 papers for presentation and discussion, organizing them into thematic sessions.

The conference agenda comprises eight academic sessions. The first examines institutions and the governance of development policies, including the factors hindering public policy implementation. The second addresses governance and resilience in conflict settings and the roles of civil society, while the third explores knowledge and the governance of education policy through experiences of education reform. The fourth session focuses on participation, women, and representation. The fifth examines digital transformation and AI governance and their implications for development and public policy. The sixth addresses administrative and public service reform, focusing on institutional responsibility, accountability, and trust. The seventh explores the relationship between security and development policies, including strategic knowledge, the use of algorithms, and arms expenditure. The eighth is devoted to state-building, reconstruction, and local governance in post-conflict settings.

*** For more information about the conference, please see the conference booklet​.