The Centre of Development and Governance in the Middle East of IWAAS was founded in June 2020 with the approval of Bureau of Scientific Research Management of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

The center focuses on research of issues relating to the development and governance in the Middle East. This non-profit research center is committed to conducting research projects, academic seminars as well as national and international academic communication and cooperation. 

Director of the Centre of Development and Governance in the Middle East is Tang Zhichao, a research fellow of the IWASS.