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Saudi Arabia to Host Regular World Economic Forum Global Meeting

A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)
A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)
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Saudi Arabia to Host Regular World Economic Forum Global Meeting

A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)
A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia will host a regular high-level World Economic Forum (WEF) global meeting in Riyadh, with the first slated for the Spring of 2026.

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim and WEF President Børge Brende, made the announcement on Friday - the final day of the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The global WEF meeting in Riyadh will serve as a vital platform for global leaders, experts, policy- and decision-makers from diverse fields including the public and private sectors, academia, international organizations, and civil society to convene and address the challenges defining the world.

“Hosting a regular global World Economic Forum meeting in the Kingdom is a testament to the global platform for dialogue, collaboration and innovation that Saudi Arabia has become, and that the World Economic Forum continues to be. This meeting represents a significant opportunity to further unite the world in capturing the immense potential that lies ahead,” said Alibrahim.

“In this critical juncture for the global economy, we are not only inspired by the opportunities before us, but also deeply confident that our collective efforts will forge a brighter, more inclusive and more prosperous future for all. We look forward to welcoming the global community again in Saudi Arabia in the spring of 2026,” he added.

For his part, Brende said: “The World Economic Forum is looking forward to coming back to the Kingdom in 2026. To close the 55th World Economic Forum with this announcement puts us on a strong course for the years ahead. Years that will have immense consequences. Because the progress we make over the coming months will not only deliver results in the near term, but will shape our course for years to come.”

Building on the success of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting held in Riyadh in April 2024, this new development solidifies Saudi Arabia’s position as a central player in shaping the global agenda. The Kingdom’s bold leadership and determination to foster global dialogues between developed and developing economies and drive inclusive global growth make it an ideal host to address complex global challenges with the WEF community.

The World Economic Forum Global Meeting in Riyadh is set to become a cornerstone event in the global calendar, reflecting the Kingdom’s position as a key bridge between the north and south, east and west, and a beacon for constructive dialogue and action.

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Business

Kuwait Makes Precautionary Cut in Oil Production

The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (X)
The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (X)
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Kuwait Makes Precautionary Cut in Oil Production

The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (X)
The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (X)

The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said on Saturday it has implemented a precautionary reduction in crude oil production and refining throughput as part of its risk management and business continuity strategy.

The decision came “in light of the ongoing aggression by Iran against the State of Kuwait, including Iranian threats against safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” KPC said in a statement.

KPC affirmed the adjustment is strictly precautionary and will be reviewed as the situation develops.

“The corporation remains fully prepared to restore production levels once conditions allow. KPC stresses that all domestic market needs remain fully secured in accordance with established plans,” the statement said.

It added that KPC remains committed to prioritizing employee safety, safeguarding Kuwait's national assets, and promoting stability within global energy markets.

The statement said further updates will be provided as appropriate.

On Friday, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed more than 10%, pulling closer to Brent as buyers sought available barrels, with Middle Eastern supply constrained by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the expanding US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Brent crude futures were up $5.42, or 6.35%, at $90.83 a barrel, while WTI was up $7.81, or 9.81%, at $89 a barrel.

Kuwait’s reduction in crude oil production will put pressure on crude prices, which analysts said could hit $100 per barrel as the security situation in the Middle East spirals.

Qatar Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times in an interview published on Friday that his country expects all Gulf energy producers to shut down exports within weeks if the Iran conflict continues and drives oil to $150 a barrel.

Qatar halted its production of liquefied natural gas on Monday, as Iran continued to strike Gulf countries in retaliation for Israeli and US attacks.

Oil supply equal to about 20% of world demand usually passes through the Strait of Hormuz each day. With the Strait now effectively closed for seven days, that means about 140 million barrels of oil — equal to about 1.4 days of global demand — has been unable to reach the market.

Business

Mawani Adds Hapag-Lloyd’s SE4 Service to Jeddah Islamic Port

Mawani Adds Hapag-Lloyd’s SE4 Service to Jeddah Islamic Port
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Mawani Adds Hapag-Lloyd’s SE4 Service to Jeddah Islamic Port

Mawani Adds Hapag-Lloyd’s SE4 Service to Jeddah Islamic Port

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) announced the addition of Hapag-Lloyd’s SE4 shipping service to Jeddah Islamic Port, a move designed to bolster the Kingdom's maritime competitiveness and global trade connectivity, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.

This new route links Jeddah to major international hubs, including Tianjin Xingang, Qingdao, Ningbo, and Shanghai in China, as well as Busan in Korea and Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia.

Boasting a capacity of up to 17,000 TEUs, the service aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy to establish Saudi Arabia as a leading global logistics hub connecting three continents.

Jeddah Islamic Port continues to expand its operational footprint, utilizing its 62 multi-purpose berths and specialized terminals to support a total handling capacity of 130 million tons.

Business

Shipper MSC to Introduce Emergency Fuel Surcharge

A drone image shows an aerial view of MSC Ela registered in Panama (IMO 9282259) leaving Antwerp harbor, near Hansweert, the Netherlands, 04 March 2026. (EPA)
A drone image shows an aerial view of MSC Ela registered in Panama (IMO 9282259) leaving Antwerp harbor, near Hansweert, the Netherlands, 04 March 2026. (EPA)
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Shipper MSC to Introduce Emergency Fuel Surcharge

A drone image shows an aerial view of MSC Ela registered in Panama (IMO 9282259) leaving Antwerp harbor, near Hansweert, the Netherlands, 04 March 2026. (EPA)
A drone image shows an aerial view of MSC Ela registered in Panama (IMO 9282259) leaving Antwerp harbor, near Hansweert, the Netherlands, 04 March 2026. (EPA)

Shipping ‌company MSC said on Saturday it would implement an emergency fuel surcharge to all cargo from the Mediterranean (including West Mediterranean, Adriatic, East Mediterranean, Greece and Türkiye) and Black Sea to the Indian ‌sub-continent, Red ‌Sea and ‌East ⁠Africa, effective March 16.

It said ⁠the surcharge would be $30 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) from the Mediterranean and Black Sea to the Red Sea ⁠for dry containers, ‌and $50 ‌per TEU for refrigerated containers.

Dry containers ‌from the Mediterranean ‌and Black Sea to East Africa will be charged $60 per TEU, while refrigerated containers will ‌be charged $90 per TEU, the world's largest carrier ⁠of ⁠ocean container cargo said.

MSC will also impose a surcharge of $40 per TEU from the Mediterranean and Black Sea to the Indian sub-continent for dry containers, and $60 per TEU for refrigerated containers.