Saudi Arabia Signs Renewable Energy Cooperation Program with 3 Countries at COP29

Saudi Energy Minister with Presidents of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan (Ministry Website)
Saudi Energy Minister with Presidents of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan (Ministry Website)
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Saudi Arabia Signs Renewable Energy Cooperation Program with 3 Countries at COP29

Saudi Energy Minister with Presidents of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan (Ministry Website)
Saudi Energy Minister with Presidents of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan (Ministry Website)

Saudi Arabia has signed a joint agreement with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to boost cooperation on renewable energy during the COP29 climate summit in Baku.

The deal focuses on developing and sharing renewable energy technologies, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s push for sustainable solutions under its Vision 2030 strategy. The partnership aims to strengthen regional collaboration and advance clean energy projects.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed the joint energy agreement with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan during COP29 in Baku.

The signing, attended by the presidents of the three nations, aims to boost cooperation on renewable energy projects.

The new agreement focuses on building regional electricity connections using renewable energy to improve energy infrastructure and integrate clean energy into national grids, according to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy.

It also aims to explore joint investment opportunities, supporting regional electricity projects and renewable energy initiatives led by Saudi firm ACWA Power in the three Central Asian countries.

The countries also agreed to share expertise through knowledge exchanges, conferences, and joint working sessions to strengthen cooperation.

This latest signing follows previous energy agreements between Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan, signed in June 2023, and with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan in May and August 2023, respectively.

At the event, Prince Abdulaziz also oversaw two strategic deals between ACWA Power and local entities to support renewable energy projects.

One agreement with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy focuses on developing battery energy storage systems (BESS) to improve grid stability.

The other deal, with Azerbaijan’s SOCAR and UAE's Masdar, aims to develop offshore wind projects in the Caspian Sea, the first of its kind in Azerbaijan.

The Saudi Electricity Company, along with network operators from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop regional interconnection projects.

Additionally, the company signed another MOU with Azerbaijan’s AzerEnergy to collaborate on electricity transmission and the integration of renewable energy sources into the electrical grid.



China Issues Tax Refund Policies for Foreign Tourists to Boost Inbound Consumption

People walk in the Central Business District (CBD) area in Beijing in Beijing, China, 24 April 2025.  EPA/WU HAO
People walk in the Central Business District (CBD) area in Beijing in Beijing, China, 24 April 2025. EPA/WU HAO
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China Issues Tax Refund Policies for Foreign Tourists to Boost Inbound Consumption

People walk in the Central Business District (CBD) area in Beijing in Beijing, China, 24 April 2025.  EPA/WU HAO
People walk in the Central Business District (CBD) area in Beijing in Beijing, China, 24 April 2025. EPA/WU HAO

China said on Sunday it will improve tax refund policies for foreign tourists to boost inbound consumption, part of efforts to boost the economy as domestic demand remains tepid.

China will promote the expansion of tax refund stores in shopping areas, scenic spots, airports and hotels, according to a statement released jointly by the commerce ministry and other departments.

The minimum refund point for one overseas traveler in the same tax-refund shop on the same day will be lowered to 200 yuan ($27.45) from 500 yuan before, the statement said.