Naser Alsayed
Contributor
Naser Alsayed is a policy researcher specializing in environmental policy in the Gulf region, with a focus on water and energy. He has a strong track record of leading research programs that examine climate and environmental challenges across the Gulf states, with particular emphasis on the intersection of resource management, economic transformation, and sustainability.
In addition to academic publications, his work has appeared in international media outlets, including The Telegraph, Al Jazeera, Al-Monitor, New Lines Magazine, and the Middle East Institute. His research and commentary focus on water security, energy transition, and climate policy in the Gulf, contributing to both academic and policy debates in the region.
He is part of the 2025–26 cohort of the Leadership Masterclass at Chatham House. He has experience working in think tanks, where he has helped launch and contribute to research programs focused on the Gulf’s climate and economic landscape. He has also worked in the private sector, advising on Gulf-related policy, regulatory frameworks, and strategic consulting projects.
Alsayed holds a PhD in environmental law and policy and an LLM in economic law, both from SOAS University of London.
Analysis
A Silent Casualty of War: The Rising Risk of Ecocide in the Gulf
In one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, the threat to the environment will extend far beyond the “day after” the war.
14 min read
Rethinking Gulf Water Security
True water security in the Gulf involves finding a balance between water security and tradeoffs with other goals.
The UAE’s Path to Food Self-Sufficiency
While under current conditions achieving food self-sufficiency is likely to remain aspirational, taking bold steps could radically improve the UAE’s food security in the interim and make the goal of food self-sufficiency more achievable down the line.
Privatizing the Gulf Utility Sector
Gulf governments are looking to privatize their energy-intensive utility sectors, aiming to make public utilities more environmentally and financially sustainable.
