On 1 May 2025, UAE Aid and the Office of Development Affairs hosted the New Frontiers Roundtable in Abu Dhabi. The roundtable opened the second day of the Behavioral Exchange 2025 (BX2025) conference, the largest behavioral science conference, held for the first time in the MENA region. The roundtable convened over 50 senior leaders to discuss how behavioral science can enhance and shape the future direction of international development.
The roundtable created a unique space for cross-sector and cross-regional collaboration, reflecting a growing global commitment to strategic, evidence-driven approaches in development. Participants included senior leaders from government, philanthropy, academia, and social purpose organizations, with strong representation from the UAE government and homegrown charities, alongside supranational institutions and global thought leaders focused on the Global South.
Discussions highlighted the importance of activating partnerships, enhancing systematic evidence sharing, and scaling proven behavioral innovations.
As a key outcome, the roundtable marked the launch of the Global Behavioral Evidence Network for Development (GBEND). GBEND is a vehicle for sustained collaboration, open knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships to co-develop and fund solutions to address pressing development challenges.
