A recent study conducted by insurance brokerage Lockton has shed light on a persistent "resilience gap" affecting 47 percent of organizations throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Despite the region's ability to maintain operations through various geopolitical and economic shifts, only 39 percent of the 140 surveyed HR and business leaders feel truly prepared for major disruptions. While 86 percent of these firms claim to have a firm grasp on their workforce-related risks, the data suggests that external pressures are testing their long-term stability and strategic planning.

The challenges are multifaceted, with 66 percent of respondents identifying the loss of essential talent and specialized skills as their primary concern. This issue is compounded by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and the ongoing digital transformation, which requires constant upskilling, as well as an increasingly fierce war for top-tier talent. According to Adeeb Al Naser, UAE CEO at Lockton, these risks are deeply interconnected; the rise of new technology places unprecedented strain on talent pools while simultaneously forcing companies to accelerate training programs. To thrive in this volatile landscape, leaders are being urged to prioritize workforce engagement and mitigation strategies that foster long-term growth.