WASHINGTON, DC – September 17, 2025 – The Atlantic Council announced today the launch of the MENA Futures Lab, a flagship initiative of the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, and human capital to build a more prosperous future for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The Council has appointed Khalid Azim, a seasoned financier, academic, and public servant, as the Lab’s inaugural director. The MENA Futures Lab will serve as a collaborative hub and intellectual engine, bridging traditional wisdom and future possibilities across one of the world’s most dynamic regions. “The Middle East and North Africa are undergoing dynamic economic, financial, cultural, and social change, unlocking innovation, entrepreneurship, and human imagination,” said Khalid Azim, director of the MENA Futures Lab. For more information and details on how to engage with MENA Futures Lab, please contact szaaimi@atlanticcouncil.org.