Following two days of high-level dialogue and expert analysis, the inaugural IMF MENA Economic Annual Research Conference co-organized by the International Monetary Fund and AUC, concluded with a strong call for coordinated, evidence-based policy responses to the region’s old and new pressing economic challenges.
Held on May 18–19, 2025, the conference served as a critical platform for advancing rigorous research tailored to the realities of the Middle East and North Africa. It brought together global policymakers, academics, government officials and thought leaders to bridge the discussion on global economic issues with regional realities. The event marked a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the IMF and a leading University in the region, reflecting a shared commitment to deepening the link between academic research and policy development.
"This is about generating ideas that are globally informed but deeply rooted in the realities of our region."
Jihad Azour, director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, noted that trade tensions and increasing uncertainty affecting the global economy, alongside ongoing regional conflicts and climate risks, are creating new layers of complexities for MENA policymakers. Azour called for building a regional platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas that connects MENA to world-class research centers to provide reliable analysis and develop workable and innovative policy responses to old and new economic issues facing the region. “We are deeply grateful to President Ahmad Dallal and AUC for their commitment to fostering dialogue, research and policy innovation in the region,” Azour said.
AUC President Ahmad Dallal highlighted the event’s role as a vital platform in fostering collaboration between governments, academia and the private sector. "This is about generating ideas that are globally informed but deeply rooted in the realities of our region," Dallal noted.
Dallal affirmed that this type of multi-stakeholder engagement is at the heart of AUC’s mission and reflects the University’s commitment to research, education and open dialogue as drivers of stability, resilience and inclusive growth.
“We are deeply grateful to President Ahmad Dallal and AUC for their commitment to fostering dialogue, research and policy innovation in the region."
Under the theme “Steering Macroeconomic and Structural Policies in a Shifting Global Economic Landscape,” discussions centered on four pivotal issues shaping the future of the MENA region and the global economy:
Throughout the sessions, there was a clear consensus that the MENA region’s economic resilience depends on institutional reforms, cross-border cooperation, and investment in skills and innovation. Participants also underscored the importance of embedding policy in local realities — an approach that both the IMF and AUC pledged to champion moving forward.
In addition to prominent global and regional academics, as well as economists and government officials from across the region, and representatives of international and regional organizations, the conference brought together policymakers, including Egypt's Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat '95; Youssef Boutros-Ghali, member of the Specialized Council for Economic Development; Mahmoud Mohieldin, United Nations special envoy on financing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda; and Martin Galstyan, governor of the Central Bank of Armenia.
As Nigel Clarke, IMF deputy managing director concluded, "This conference is a milestone demonstrating the IMF's commitment to deepening engagement with the research and academic community, as we strive to ensure that the IMF support is not only responsive to the needs of member countries, but also built on rigorous tested analytics and importantly, it's aligned with local realities. Through this kind of multi-stakeholder dialogue, we aim to better understand how all our expertise and resources can be directed towards the most pressing challenges of the region.”
Visit the conference website for more details and to watch Day 1 and Day 2 of the discussions.
Mahmoud Mohieldin, United Nations special envoy on financing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda; Egypt's Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat '95; and Youssef Boutros-Ghali, member of the Specialized Council for Economic Development
“My interests in this region have been instilled in me since my childhood through conversations with friends, peers and family, and hearing about it on the news,” said Allan Feldman, an economics and Middle East studies junior on an exchange semester from Brandeis University.
Feldman’s interest in the Arab world took on an academic fervor when he began studying the region at his home institution. “I decided to take Arabic classes at Brandeis and enjoyed the challenge of the language, which naturally grew into my being more interested in the local Arab culture and people,” he said.
Living Egypt
When he decided he wanted to move to the Middle East to immerse himself in the Arabic language for a semester, he knew he wanted to be at a high-quality institution where he could continue taking diverse courses in his fields of study; this helped him choose AUC. Now, Feldman is not only a student but also a research assistant for Professor Mona Said in the Mohamed Shafik Gabr Department of Economics.
“The faculty at AUC and the economics department are great. If you look at the research these faculty members have produced, they’ve done really reputable work for organizations like the Economic Research Foundation and other international research institutions. They’re very experienced,” said Feldman. “In my interactions with Dr. Mona Said and Dr. Abeer Elshennawy, my Economic Development course professor, both were super welcoming,” he added.
“You can make a lot of connections here if you put yourself out there. I found that all the professors were very willing and happy to help me out.”
The Brandeis student was also impressed by the networking opportunities on offer at AUC — even the implicit ones. “You can make a lot of connections here if you put yourself out there. I found that all the professors were very willing and happy to help me out,” he said. As a matter of fact, Feldman first connected with Said for his assistantship through the faculty network.
In his free time, Feldman volunteers with the student group Help Club, packing food boxes for those in need during Ramadan and working with underprivileged children.
Feldman was also a member of AUC’s track and field team last semester, which trained four days a week. In an impressive feat, Feldman placed third in the 3000-m track event at Cairo Governorate regionals and fifth at nationals in the 5000-m event. He also ran a spontaneous 10,000-m event around the Saqqara pyramids with another AUC track and field member.
A Cairene Summer
Since finding his footing at AUC, Feldman has gone on to secure opportunities in Cairo that will extend his stay into the summer. He also wants to continue studying Arabic and move downtown for greater immersion. “I want to meet more locals,” Feldman said.
For this summer, Feldman won a $10,000 grant from Middlebury College’s Davis Projects for Peace program to work with an Egyptian transportation startup. The company, Tink, graduated from the AUC Venture Lab and will create a program this summer addressing female sexual harassment through automobile and mobility workshops located in Cairo, the North Coast and potentially one more governorate for now.
“Since coming to AUC, my interest in Arab culture has only grown.”
“Through this program, I hope to gain experience doing community programming in Egypt, working with a startup and meeting as many people as I can,” said Feldman. He also shared his hopes to reach Egyptians across different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Another summer goal for Feldman is to immerse himself in the local cycling community. He recently invested in a bike and began riding with Egyptian teenagers and adults in the Cairo Crit Club, a local club that meets every Friday morning at 5 am. He has also ridden with an expat-based club, the Cairo Cycling Club.
Cairo and Beyond
Alongside his studies, Feldman has gotten to explore Cairo and learn from the locals, feeling welcomed by Egyptian people’s deep family values, relaxed attitude and collaborative ambiance.
“One thing that shocked me was the pure chaos of the city juxtaposed with people’s extreme kindness. People are not afraid to just interact with you on the block, spontaneously, and I think they do that out of love,” said Feldman, who felt a personal need to talk to as many locals as possible coming into his exchange semester — a goal he feels he has accomplished.
“I had a few experiences during Ramadan where I was invited to iftar with some Egyptian friends and their families, and that was both enriching and fascinating because I could see really how important this family gathering was. To be part of that has been very special,” he said.
After graduating from Brandeis next year, Feldman envisions himself focusing on the region in his career, be it through economic research or public and private sector work. In the long term, Feldman aspires to familiarize himself with Arabic’s various dialects while continuing to learn Modern Standard Arabic. “Since coming to AUC, my interest in Arab culture has only grown,” he said.
Last fall, economics junior Ahmed Ayman quickly fell into step with Milan’s unique rhythm of life. “Milan is more than just a city; it’s a mood. Mornings start with a quick espresso, afternoons are spent strolling through streets rich with history, and nights are filled with energy.”
Whether enjoying an enthusiastic football game at the San Siro or having a deep conversation about life in Navigli, Ayman’s experience was nothing short of exceptional.
Ayman spent the Fall 2024 semester studying at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, exploring Italy’s rich history and, of course, indulging in the food.
Thrilled to immerse himself in another culture, Ayman was led across the Mediterranean Sea by his philosophy on learning: “I’ve always believed that real learning happens when you step out of your comfort zone, and what better way to do that than studying abroad?”
Ayman was drawn to study in Italy due to the country’s unique economic positioning as part of the European Union economy. He also wanted to learn from a different academic perspective and interact with international faculty. “I didn’t just want to read about different cultures; I wanted to experience them,” Ayman said. “And let’s face it — who wouldn’t want to spend a semester in Milan?”
“Studying abroad didn’t just teach me about Italy; it taught me about myself."
The Milanese balance between tradition and modernity was what Ayman most loved about the city. “It’s visible in the architecture, the way people dress and even in how they party.”
While abroad, Ayman took every chance to visit other sites in Italy like Lake Como, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre and the Dolomitic Alps — “all nearby yet each offering a different slice of Italy’s magnificence.”
“AUC has this way of making you feel like you’re already part of a global community before you ever set foot outside Egypt."
He also viewed studying abroad as a way to challenge himself and prove that he could thrive in a completely new environment. “I became more independent, learning to navigate everything from public transport mishaps to cultural misunderstandings. I learned the value of spontaneity: My best experiences happened when I ditched the plan and went with the flow,” Ayman said.
Ayman credits the International Programs and Services Office and Office of Student Financial Affairs and Scholarships for securing his trip’s logistics. “They guided me through the application process and ensured I had everything I needed before departure. Even when my experience became stressful (because, let’s be honest, no international process is ever without stress), IPSO had my back,” he shared.
But it was AUC’s global focus that most prepared him for life abroad. “AUC has this way of making you feel like you’re already part of a global community before you ever set foot outside Egypt,” he said. From the diverse student body and discussions about international affairs to an emphasis on critical thinking, Ayman said, “AUC gave me the confidence to adapt quickly in Milan.”
AUC’s liberal arts education was also an asset. “I learned to approach topics from multiple perspectives beyond my major, which helped me navigate courses taught from a completely different angle.” Socially, being a resident adviser and interacting with students from different backgrounds also made it much easier to connect with people in Italy, “even if it sometimes meant throwing in some broken Italian here and there,” he said.
Unexpectedly, being abroad even strengthened Ayman’s love for Egypt. “I became more appreciative of home. There’s something about being away that made me realize the beauty in my own culture too,” he said.
Overall, Ayman’s takeaways were wide-ranging and life-changing. “Studying abroad didn’t just teach me about Italy; it taught me about myself,” he said.
