The Second Annual MENA Research Conference, jointly organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Africa Institute for Research in Economics and Social Sciences (AIRESS) officially opened today at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) - Rabat Campus.

Held under the theme "Rethinking MENA Integration in a Fast-Changing Global Environment," the conference brings together leading economists, researchers, and policymakers to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the MENA region in an increasingly uncertain global landscape.

The conference was inaugurated with opening remarks by our Dean and Executive Vice-President of UM6P, Karim El Aynaoui , and Jihad Azour, Director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia Department.

The morning sessions set the tone for two days of high-level discussions, beginning with a panel on Geoeconomic Fragmentation and Economic Integration, which explored the evolving global trade landscape, the implications of the U.S.–China trade tensions, the role of connector economies, and the prospects for structural transformation and regional integration across the MENA region.

The second panel focused on Artificial Intelligence, examining how AI is reshaping labor markets and productivity, its implications in a fragmenting global economy, and the opportunities and policy challenges it presents for MENA countries.

As the conference continues, participants will engage in evidence-based discussions aimed at advancing research and informing policies that foster resilience, economic integration, and sustainable growth across the region.