How CIPS responded to the Middle East crisis to support its members
When the conflict in the Middle East escalated on 28 February 2026, CIPS saw the value in providing real-time analysis and guidance to support members facing an uncertain and rapidly changing situation. This response has been recognised by Memcom for Best Membership Support.
What we did
The first major response to the crisis was an emergency webinar series, the first of which brought together CIPS regional and global leadership, Middle East expert Sir Simon Mayall and business people working on the ground in the region to explore the immediate fallout.
The second looked at the wider economic impact, featuring CIPS Global Economist Dr John Glen alongside leading experts including David Shillingford.
At the same time, we created the CIPS Situation Room, a dedicates online hub bringing together the latest guidance and resources relating to the crisis. It combined existing crisis-management resources with newly commissioned content responding to developments as they unfolded. It also brought together relevant social media content and webinar recordings, giving members a single place to find trusted information.
Listening to what our members needed
Importantly, the series evolved in response to what members were asking for. Questions raised during the first sessions highlighted a need for practical guidance around contracts, disputes and force majeure. The third webinar therefore focused directly on these issues.
Across the first three webinars, more than 5,000 people from over 110 countries registered, with more than 60 questions submitted for each session.
Join The Great Conversation
This response also formed part of CIPS’ wider campaign, The Great Conversation, which brings the global procurement and supply community together to explore the major issues shaping the profession and the world around it.
This year, we launched a worldwide dialogue that will explore the different dimensions of change that the world is facing – thinking about the skills and capabilities that we will all need to meet the challenges of the future.
As the professional body for procurement and supply, CIPS is committed to leading this global conversation, with the ambition of shaping the future of the profession - with the profession.