Key Terms: Economic Diversification in Oil-Exporting Arab States

Before starting research on policy and solutions within the wide scope of economic diversification, it is important to be familiar with a few key terms. This list is not exhaustive, but it is a good place to start with your research for Topic B.

Middle East-North Africa (MENA): MENA encompasses countries within the Middle East and North Africa. In the scope of oil trade and economic diversification, they are very economically diverse. Therefore, when considering the issue at hand, it is important not to propose blanket solutions. Instead, try to tailor to specific needs, or make your changes flexible according to circumstance. 

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC): An intergovernmental organization of 13 oil-exporting states, OPEC works to coordinate petroleum policies among its Member-States. In 1968, it issued a Declaratory Statement of Petroleum Policy that, as expressed by the United Nations, gives all countries permanent sovereignty over their natural resources within the interests of their national development. 

Paris Climate Agreement: The Paris Climate Agreement (signed on December 12, 2015, and enforced on November 4, 2016) is a legally binding international treaty meant to combat the current climate crisis. It is the first binding document that unites all 196 Member-States that have signed the treaty to tackle climate change. While this can be seen as an instrument for good, it is also important to consider the impact that this has on economies that heavily depend upon oil exportation. Is it possible to keep these economies afloat while pursuing a more sustainable future?

2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The 2030 SDGs were created as a set of zero-carbon objectives to reduce global carbon emissions while creating a unified platform for worldwide peace and prosperity. They called for a global focus to tackle issues such as education disparity, inequality, poverty, and preserving the environment, 

Pan-Arab Clean Energy Initiative: In 2013, the Arab League adopted the Pan-Arab Clean Energy Initiative that set regional unity and cooperation to bring renewable energy to the Arab region. This is important to consider when thinking about ways in which the Arab League can come together to tackle the issues of renewable energy and economic diversification. 

The Rentier State Theory: The Rentier State Theory theorizes that the accumulation of revenue through external factors, such as through the export of oil, rather than through taxation of the local population fosters inevitable political, social, and economic ills. A key focus point in considering this theory is the concept of human capital. Where are the majority of domestic workers located? Expatriates? How might this feed into trends that we see in individual countries and the region at large? This concept may seem tricky, but we will be sure to spend a bit of time covering it in committee! 

As always, please do not hesitate to comment on the blog or email us at albmunlxx@bmun.org if you want to share your thoughts or clarify any points of uncertainty. 

Work Cited

Schliep, Rebekka. "The Implications Of The Rentier State Theory Regarding The Major Oil-Producing States Of The Middle East". Grin.Com, 2022, https://www.grin.com/document/369472. Accessed 12 Feb 2022.

"Pan-Arab Clean Energy Initiative". Irena.Org, 2022, https://www.irena.org/mena/Pan-Arab-Clean-Energy-Initiative. Accessed 12 Feb 2022.

"THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development". Sdgs.Un.Org, 2022, https://sdgs.un.org/goals. Accessed 12 Feb 2022.

Unfccc.Int, 2022, https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement. Accessed 12 Feb 2022.

"OPEC : OPEC: Vision, Mission And Development". Opec.Org, 2022, https://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/903.htm#:~:text=In%201968%2C%20OPEC%20issued%20a,interests%20of%20their%20national%20development. Accessed 12 Feb 2022.

"Middle East And North Africa". The World Bank, 2022, https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena.