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  • sustainable development goal 6

    SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

    Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development,
    provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

  • SDG 5: GENDER EQUALITY

    Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

    Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

    Reduce inequality within and among countries


Overview

In 2020, ESCWA, in partnership with United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), launched the Arab Competition Forum, aimed at establishing a continual knowledge-sharing platform on competition policy and enforcement for Arab stakeholders. The Forum is an important platform for advancing advocacy and knowledge, and for building capacity on best practices in competition across the region. The Forum provides a common channel for advancing knowledge and best practices in competition, and facilitating coordination and collaboration at the national, regional, and international levels.

The Fourth Arab Competition Forum is organized by ESCWA, in collaboration with UNCTAD, OECD, and the General Authority for Competition of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (GAC), and other partners. The two-day event will build on the momentum of the previous forums. Competition authorities in member States will benefit from peer learning based on international case studies and best practices provided by their counterparts from different countries.

This year's Forum will focus on discussing mergers and acquisitions, as well as enhancing the effectiveness of competition authorities in developing and least developed countries. In addition, it will examine best practices for planning and conducting market studies as well as concerns arising from abuse of dominance in digital markets.

The objectives of the Fourth Arab Competition Forum for the Arab Region are to:

  • Provide a substantive contribution towards improving economic growth and governance in the Arab region, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals
  • Strengthen collaboration and coordination between competition authorities in ESCWA member States
  • Inform competition policy making and enforcement in the Arab region, guided by international best practices
  • Collect concrete recommendations on future activities related to advancing competition policy and enforcement in the Arab region



Daily Schedule

Day 1 | 23 May 2023

Session-DAY-1 Download

Day 2 | 24 May 2023

Session-DAY-2 Download

1. Student Challenge in Competition

Mergers and acquisitions refer to the consolidation of companies or their major business assets through financial transactions between companies. These processes have a direct impact on the structure of markets, and therefore on competition in these markets. Therefore, monitoring and accepting mergers and acquisitions is one of the most important tasks undertaken by competition authorities around the world.

These tasks that the competition authorities carry out with the aim of controlling mergers and acquisitions are of great importance in regulating markets and controlling anti-competitive practices. These tasks are also considered one of the main principles in effective competition law and policy and their enforcement. However, awareness about the importance of such interventions is still limited in the Arab region, especially in academia and among consumers. Therefore, this challenge provides an opportunity for universities to conduct research in the field that needs more focus in the Arab region. The Student Competition Challenge in the Arab Region offers a unique opportunity for college students to enter the field of competition.

The Fourth Arab Competition Forum provides an opportunity for university students majoring in studies related to economics, business, and law to participate in the challenge by submitting a research paper that includes a case study before the deadline set in April 2023. The paper, which will be produced in the Arabic language, presents case studies on mergers and acquisitions from the Arab region and/or outside the region, with an explanation of the impact on competition resulting from these operations. The paper will also present the interventions of and the roles of competition authorities, in addition to presenting recommendations, solutions, and innovative methodologies to protect competition and ensure the effective enforcement of competition policies in this regard. Winning students will have the opportunity to attend the Forum and attend the ceremony in a special event on the first day of the Forum.

It is worth noting that this is the second edition of the Challenge after the first edition was held in the Sultanate of Oman, as part of the activities of the Third Arab Competition Forum.

Challenge objectives:

  • Increasing students' awareness and understanding of the field of competition, especially mergers and acquisitions
  • Engaging students in dialogue and research on competition issues in the Arab region
  • Building relationships between researchers, academics, competition bodies, and authorities
  • Contributing to the studies on competition and mergers and acquisitions






Register for the challenge


We have extended the registration deadline until 16 March 2023




Submit your Paper


Submit your paper by 20 April 2023

2. Opening Session

Opening remarks and introductory comments



Ahmed bin Abdul Kareem Al-Kholifey

Chairman of The Board of Directors, The General Authority for Competition, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Dr. Rola Dashti

Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)

Rebeca Grynspan

Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Carmine Di Noia

Director for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

3. Plenary and Thematic Sessions

Day 1

Session I. Enhancing the effectiveness of competition authorities in developing and least developed countries
watch session

Date and time (Riyadh Time – UTC+3)
Tuesday, 23 May, 10:30am-12:00pm
Session coordinator: ESCWA
Format: Open session / Hybrid

Synopsis: Every competition agency must overcome obstacles to enforce its competition law. But for developing jurisdictions these obstacles are often more acute, numerous and reinforced by challenges specific to these jurisdictions. A lack of a competition culture, or even a hostile environment, created by government, business and society at large can hinder the work of an agency with few resources. Relations with regulators as well as other parts of government can take on a particular complexity when competition authorities are young, lack resources and influence. This lack of resources, along with other institutional design issues, or inadequate legislation can further distance these authorities from success. The session will also discuss the challenges of young authorities, particularly those in developing countries and suggest mechanisms to address these challenges. The panellists will bring international, regional and national perspectives and examples to the discussion.

Moderator

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Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Zoom , Chief Executive Officer of The General Authority for Competition, KSA

Speakers

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Frederic Jenny , Chairman of the OECD Competition Committee, Emeritus Professor at ESSEC Paris Business School, France

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Nathalie Khaled , Coordinator of the competition and consumer protection project, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCWA
Presentation download

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Willard Mwemba , Director, and Chief Executive Officer of the COMESA Competition Commission
Presentation download

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Mahmoud Momtaz, Chairman of the Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA), and the President of the Arab Competition Network (ACN)

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BabaTunde Irukera , Executive Vice Chairman, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Nigeria
Presentation download

Session II. Abuse of dominance in digital markets
watch session

Date and time (Riyadh Time – UTC+3)
Tuesday, 23 May, 1:30pm- 3:00 pm
Session coordinator: UNCTAD
Format: Open session / Hybrid

Synopsis: Many digital markets exhibit certain characteristics, such as low variable costs, high fixed costs and strong network effects, that result in high market shares for a small number of firms. In some cases, these lead to “competition for the market” dynamics, in which a single firm captures the vast majority of sales. This session will discuss the main types of abuse of dominance concerns that can emerge in digital markets, what makes these markets unique, and how competition authorities around the world tackled the challenges described above.

Moderator

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Teresa Moreira , Head, Competition and Consumer Policies Branch, Division on International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD
Presentation download

Speakers

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William Kovacic, Professor George Washington University
Presentation download

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Natalie Harsdorf , Acting Director General, Austria Competition Authority
Presentation download

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Uğur Bilgehan Burhan , competition expert in the Supervision and Enforcement Department, Turkish Competition Authority
Presentation download

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Saurabh Mishra , Joint Director (Economics), Competition Commission of India
Presentation download

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Cristina Caffarra , Expert Economist, Keystone Europe, and Visiting Professor UCL London.


Day 2

Session III. Cross-border merger control
watch session

Date and time (Riyadh Time – UTC+3)
Wednesday, 24 May, 9:00 - 10:30 am
Session coordinator: ESCWA
Format: Open session / Hybrid

Cross-border merger control is complex involving jurisdictional, procedural and substantive issues. These types of mergers raise specific challenges for competition authorities reviewing the transaction in multiple jurisdictions. Most importantly, the countries involved must have effective merger control regimes. For an effective review of cross-border transactions, and to ensure consistent decisions, a high degree of co-ordination and co-operation between the competition authorities involved is essential whether multilateral, regional or bilateral. This session will discuss cross-border merger control and also provide examples of regional efforts.

Moderator

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Nathalie Khaled , Coordinator of the competition and consumer protection project, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCWA

Speakers

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Paul Lugard , Partner at Baker Botts LLP
Presentation download

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Willard Mwemba , Director, and Chief Executive Officer of the COMESA Competition Commission
Presentation download

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Mohamad cheikhrouho , general rapporteur, Competition Council of Tunisia
Presentation download

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Sabine Zigelski , Senior Case Manager, Bundeskartellamt, Germany

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Esteban Greco , Former President, Comisión Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia (CNDC), Argentina, director, GAMES Economics
Presentation download

Session IV: Best practices in planning and conducting market studies
watch session

Date and time (Riyadh Time – UTC+3)
Wednesday, 24 May, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Session coordinator: OECD
Format: Open session / Hybrid

Synopsis: Markets do not always work efficiently, harming consumers and society. When this happens, competition authorities may seek to better understand the dynamics of competition in a given market or sector, in order to identify the reasons for poor performance and recommend policy options for dealing with them. Market studies usually involve an in-depth assessment of market structures or competitive conditions in a given sector; and aim to detect inefficiencies arising from weak competition, even if they do not identify behaviour violating competition laws. There are conceptual and procedural differences regarding market studies among competition authorities. This session will examine different approaches in identifying target markets, planning and conducting market studies.

Moderator

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Lynn Robertson , Competition Expert, OECD

Speakers

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Antonio Capobianco , Deputy Head of the OECD Competition Division, OECD
Presentation download

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Hesham Fahad Alogeel , Deputy CEO– Economic Affairs, General Authority for Competition, KSA
Presentation download

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Anaid González Hernández, General coordinator of economic analysis in the General Directorate of Economic Studies, of the Federal Economic Competition Commission, Mexico.
Presentation download

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Ana Sofia Rodrigues , Board Member/Commissioner at the Portuguese Competition Authority
Presentation download

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Benkhelifa Djallal , Rapporteur, Competition Council of Algeria
Presentation download

Session V. Roundtable Discussion: Competition developments in the Arab region
watch session

Date and time (Riyadh Time – UTC+3)
Wednesday, 24 May, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Session coordinator: tbd
Format: Closed Session / Hybrid

In this session, competition authorities from member States will present national case studies and/or competition developments since the 3rd Arab Competition Forum, held in May 2022.

Moderator

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ESCWA AND GAC

Speakers

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Nathalie Khaled , Coordinator of the competition and consumer protection project, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCWA
Presentation download

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Teresa Moreira , Head, Competition and Consumer Policies Branch, Division on International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD
Presentation download

4. Special Event

Special Session: Arab Youth in Competition
watch session

Date and time (Riyadh Time – UTC+3)
Tuesday, 23 May, 9:45 - 10:15 am
Format: open sessionBroadcasted live

Participating Saudi Arabian universities have been invited to prepare an original case study on a subject related to mergers and acquisitions. During this special ceremonial session, awards will be granted to the winners of the competition challenge

5. Closing Session

Closing Session. Way forward on enhancing competition in the Arab region
watch session [ coming soon ]

Date and time (Riyadh Time – UTC+3)
Wednesday, 24 May, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Session coordinator: ESCWA and partners
Format: Open session / Hybrid

During this session, participants will point out the lessons learned, and main intervention areas needed to advance competition in the Arab region. The session strives to bring about an agreement on concrete recommendations for enhancing competition policies and enforcement in member States. ESCWA and its partners will present their plans moving forward, highlighting the important role of international cooperation in improving competition.

Moderator

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ESCWA and partners

6. Documents

Perspectives on the Arab region

1
Perspectives on the Arab region: Competition policy and market environment

Sessions presentations

1
Nathalie Khaled
Day 1 session 1
2
Willard Mwemba
Day 1 session 1
3
BabaTunde Irukera
Day 1 session 1
4
Teresa Moreira
Day 1 session 2
5
William Kovacic
Day 1 session 2
6
Natalie Harsdorf
Day 1 session 2
7
Uğur Bilgehan Burhan
Day 1 session 2
8
Saurabh Mishra
Day 1 session 2
9
Paul Lugard
Day 2 session 3
10
Willard Mwemba
Day 2 session 3
11
Mohamad cheikhrouho
Day 2 session 3
12
Esteban Greco
Day 2 session 3
13
Antonio Capobianco
Day 2 session 4
14
Hesham Fahad Alogeel
Day 2 session 4
15
Anaid González Hernández
Day 2 session 4
16
Ana Sofia Rodrigues
Day 2 session 4
17
Benkhelifa Djallal
Day 2 session 4
18
Nathalie Khaled
Day 2 session 5
19
Teresa Moreira
Day 2 session 5

Sessions Background Notes

1
Enhancing the effectiveness of competition authorities in developing and least developed countries.
Day 1 session 1
2
Abuse of dominance in digital markets
Day 1 session 2
3
Cross-border merger control
Day 2 session 3
4
Best practices in planning and conducting market studies
Day 2 session 4

7. Media Corner

coming soon

Photo Gallery

Social Media


Join the Arab Competition Hub Linkedin group

Powered by UN-ESCWA, the Arab Competition Hub Linkedin group seeks to connect stakeholders involved in the field of Competition in the Arab region and across the world, including competition authorities, experts, academics, and other professionals in the private sector, with the purpose of sharing knowledge, experience, and best practices, and thus, facilitating dialogue. Join the group here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14037017/

Ask ESCWA experts, Nathalie Khaled, Economic Affairs officer

Ms. Nathalie Khaled, coordinator of the Competition and Consumer Protection Project at ESCWA, talks about the third Arab Competition Forum, which was held in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, on May 24 and 25, and the most prominent recommendations that emerged from it, and the importance of competition for the economies of the region.

Section I. Promotional Videos and Posts:
Promotional Video 1
  1. Arabic
    • promotional Video 1 [instagram] link 1
    • promotional Video 2 [Facebook] link 2

  2. English
Promotional post 2
  1. Arabic and English
Promotional post 3, Save the date
  1. Arabic and English
  2. English
  3. Arabic
Promotional post 4, Save the date
  1. Arabic and English
Promotional Post 5
Promotional Post 6
Promotional Post 7 Save the date
Promotional Post, press conference
  1. Arabic and English
Section II. Nathalie Khaled’s Interview with Al-Horra TV:
Section III. Short Interviews with Participants and Experts on the sidelines of the forum:
  1. Arabic
    • [Twitter] Interview with Mohamad Abu Haidar, Director General of Economy & Trade, Lebanon. link
    • [Twitter] Interview with Al Anoud Al-Fahad, Director of the Monopolistic Investigations Department, Competition Protection Authority, Kuwait. link
  2. English
    • [Twitter] Interview with Professor Frederic Jenny, Chairman, OECD Competition Committee, France. link
Section IV. ESCWA short interview with H.E. Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit: (Arabic)
  1. Arabic
Section V. Quotes by Dr. Rola Dashti, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), during the opening speech on 24 May:
  1. Arabic
  2. English
Section VII. “Happening Now” Posts / Last Reminder to Join the sessions:
  1. Day 1
  2. Day 2
Section VIII. Key messages:
Section IX. Concluding Posts of Day 1 of the Forum:
  1. English
  2. Arabic
Section X. Concluding Posts of Day2 of the forum:
  1. English
  2. Arabic
Section XI. “The status and future of Arab competition from the participants' point of view” video in Arabic
Section XII. Student Competition Challenge videos and posts
  1. English
  2. Arabic
Section XIII. Recording of sessions
  1. Opening session
  2. Day1, Session1
  3. Youth session
Section XIV. A note of thanks and gratitude to His Majesty the Sultan, submitted by the participants in the Third Arab Competition Forum
Section XV. Articles related to the forum
  1. Arabic

8. Report

Report