Beirut-Baghdad, 28 May 2025--Competition policies are fundamental to both advanced and developing economies, enhancing market efficiency and driving economic growth. Countries worldwide, including in the Arab region, increasingly recognize the importance of competition laws and policies in fostering market dynamism, improving product and service quality, attracting investment, and encouraging innovation. In this context, the Sixth Arab Competition Forum kicked off this morning in Baghdad, bringing together ministers and senior officials from regional and international competition authorities, along with leading experts, academics, and private sector representatives.
Under the theme "Competition Law Enforcement in the Arab Region", this edition of the Forum is organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in partnership with the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Competition and Antitrust Council (CAC) of Iraq.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Council of Advisors Abdul Karim Al-Faisal highlighted the importance of this year's forum. "It comes at a time when both global and Arab economies are undergoing rapid transformations-particularly amid the digital and artificial intelligence revolution-which present new challenges and opportunities that require adapting legislative and institutional frameworks to ensure fair competition, protect consumers, and foster innovation," he stressed.
The two-day forum serves as a regional platform for knowledge and experience exchange on strengthening the enforcement of competition laws and facilitating coordination and cooperation at national, regional, and global levels. Competition authorities will benefit from international case studies and best practices, supporting the development of their policies and operational frameworks.
In a video message, ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti highlighted the role of the forum in raising key technical and operational challenges in law enforcement, faced by many competition authorities in the Arab region. "While facing these challenges, our common goal remains clear: to build strong institutional capacities, deepen a culture of transparency and accountability, and establish sustainable competitive markets that serve citizens above all," she underscored.
Key discussion topics at the 6th ACF include the monitoring of mergers and acquisitions, especially cross-border transactions and their impact on regional market structures; the role of market studies in detecting anti-competitive practices and enhancing enforcement mechanisms; and legal challenges, including standards and burdens of proof in competition cases. Through these sessions, the forum aims to empower competition bodies to enhance their institutional frameworks, reinforce transparency, and foster a competitive and sustainable economic environment in Arab countries.
In a recorded statement, UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan emphasized the importance of regional and international collaboration to protect both consumers and businesses. "In a world where markets are deeply interconnected, anti-competitive behaviour in one country doesn't stop at the border-it affects us all. That is why it is so important that every country has the tools they need to enforce fair competition," she said.
Similarly, CAC Chairman Ahmed Younis Qasim, emphasized the need to enhance the integration of competition policies, share successful experiences, and work towards developing more efficient and effective legal and regulatory frameworks. He expressed hope that the forum would go beyond theoretical recommendations and lead to practical initiatives that promote sustainable growth, invigorate markets, attract investment, and safeguard consumer rights.
"All the authorities present at today's meeting acknowledged that competition leads to better outcomes for consumers, including lower prices, higher-quality products, greater economic efficiency, increased productivity, and ultimately stronger growth," Chair of the OECD Competition Committee, Benoît Cœuré pointed out. "Competition agencies around the globe are increasingly required to engage in and participate in the formulation of the country's economic policies, which can adversely affect competitors, business conduct, and economic performance," he added.
The opening session was followed by a special discussion on "Arab youth in competition", during which awards were granted to winners of the Student Competition Challenge launched by ESCWA and CAC. A team of students from the American University of Baghdad ranked first, followed by a team from Israa University in second place, and a student from Al-Nahrain University in third. The challenge was an opportunity for students to learn about the concepts and values of competition and become involved in dialogue and research on competition issues.
