On May 6, 2026, the CEO of MENA2050, Eli Bar-On, participated in the Yerevan Dialogue 2026, where he joined discussions on the evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics shaping the Middle East and the wider region.

During the conference, Mr. Bar-On took part in the panel discussion titled “Geoeconomics as the New Battlefield: Sanctions, Supply Chains, and Economic Statecraft in a Fragmenting World,” where he addressed the growing importance of economic resilience and regional connectivity at a time when the region continues to face instability, security pressures, and increasing uncertainty surrounding global trade routes and supply chains.

His intervention focused particularly on the role of emerging connectivity initiatives, including the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), as well as on the broader need for stronger coordination between regional infrastructure, energy, transport, and economic strategies. He emphasized that the long-term effectiveness of regional connectivity efforts will depend not only on infrastructure development, but also on greater coordination, institutional resilience, and practical frameworks for cooperation.

The discussion also examined the strategic importance of maritime chokepoints, the vulnerability of global supply chains to regional crises, and the growing need for states to invest not only in physical infrastructure, but also in governance mechanisms and cross-regional coordination capable of supporting long-term stability and resilience.

The conference brought together policymakers, diplomats, academics, and regional stakeholders from across different countries, reflecting the increasing international focus on connectivity, economic security, and regional integration across both the Middle East and the South Caucasus.

MENA2050 was honored to take part in these discussions and to engage with participants from across the region on issues that will continue to shape the broader strategic environment in the years ahead.