Sibel Kulaksiz is a Senior Economist with the World Bank Group South Asia Region, based in Washington, D.C. She also served as Country Economist for Middle East and Africa regions task-managing macroeconomic policy work with a focus on economic growth, fiscal policy and management, and regional economic integration issues. Ms. Kulaksiz is the lead author of numerous World Bank publications including the “Over the Horizon: A New Levant,” a sub-regional economic integration vision which proposes comprehensive economic and social development reforms and multi-country investment projects to benefit from significant untapped economic potentials in the Middle East region. She has in-depth experience in leading analytical and operational work, including large budget support operations, while providing policy advice to governments in the areas of economic policy, trade competitiveness, and public spending efficiency. Ms. Kulaksiz is experienced in post-conflict stabilization operations with a focus on addressing economic impacts of conflicts and refugee flows. She is currently the focal point for corporate priorities such as women’s empowerment and climate change. Ms. Kulaksiz holds a masters degree in Economics from Hacettepe University as well as a masters degree in International Development from the Johns Hopkins University. She completed the executive education program in Economic Growth at Harvard University Kennedy School Government.