



The Gulf States have become one of the world's major hubs of international migration, with migrant workers playing a central role in economic growth, urbanisation, and social transformation. Migration has been fundamental to Gulf development, shaping labour markets and demographic structures and contributing significantly to infrastructure development, service provision, and global economic integration. At the same time, migration governance faces mounting challenges related to labour rights and social protection, demographic sustainability, climate stress, technological change, and shifting geopolitical and economic conditions. These current challenges require innovative, evidence-based policy responses that balance national development priorities with migrant well-being and rights. As Gulf states advance ambitious national visions-such as UAE Vision 2031, Saudi Vision 2030, Qatar National Vision 2030, and Oman Vision 2040-there is growing recognition that migration policies must align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inclusive growth, and long-term regional transformation. Migration is no longer solely a labour market issue but also a central dimension of sustainability and human development. In this context, the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, in collaboration with the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs (PCLA) Dubai, the Middle East Centre for Training and Development (MECTD) Dubai, and the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD) India, invites academicians, researcher scholars, activists, and practitioners to submit original research for presentation at the 2nd International Conference on Shaping Migration Futures in the Gulf States on 04-05 November 2026. The conference will provide a multidisciplinary platform to examine migration futures in the region and to generate evidence-based insights for reimagining migration governance in support of sustainable development and shared prosperity.
Authors are invited to submit abstracts covering, but not limited to, the following areas.
We invite abstracts of 300 words and author biographies of 100 words to be submitted via the Google Forms link attached to the flyer by July 31st, 2026. The abstract should include the study objectives, methodology, and main findings. The papers must be submitted in Microsoft Word format only. The submissions will be reviewed by a panel of expert reviewers for acceptance to the conference. The authors of accepted abstracts are expected to submit a full paper by October 20th, 2026. The conference will be conducted strictly in offline mode from 4th to 5th November, 2026.
| July 31, 2026 | Abstract Submission Deadline |
| August 15, 2026 | Acceptance Notification |
| August 20, 2026 | Conference Registration Begins |
| October 20, 2026 | Full Paper Submission |
| November 04-05, 2026 | Conference Dates |
| Student | AED150 |
| Faculty/ Academicians | AED300 |
| Practitioner | AED400 |

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Selected unpublished high-quality research papers addressing and in line with the conference themes will be shortlisted for publication in a special issue of a journal/book with a reputable Scopus-indexed publication. All papers will undergo a rigorous "double-blind peer review" process.
SHAPING MIGRATION FUTURES IN THE GULF STATES: POLICY,
SUSTAINABILITY, AND REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION
SHAPING MIGRATION FUTURES IN THE GULF STATES: POLICY,
SUSTAINABILITY, AND REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION
SHAPING MIGRATION FUTURES IN THE GULF STATES: POLICY,
SUSTAINABILITY, AND REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION