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Saudi Arabia Expands Global Aviation Network with 17 New Agreements at ICAO Assembly

The ICAO Executive Council has renewed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s membership for the 2026–2028 term - SPA
The ICAO Executive Council has renewed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s membership for the 2026–2028 term - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Expands Global Aviation Network with 17 New Agreements at ICAO Assembly

The ICAO Executive Council has renewed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s membership for the 2026–2028 term - SPA
The ICAO Executive Council has renewed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s membership for the 2026–2028 term - SPA

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), concluded its participation in the 42nd General Assembly of the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), held in Montreal, Canada, from September 23 to October 3.

The delegation’s participation resulted in the signing of 17 air transport agreements and memoranda of understanding and held 40 bilateral meetings to boost international cooperation in aviation.

These efforts underline the Kingdom’s commitment to expanding its global presence in air transport, establishing regulatory frameworks for air traffic, enhancing aviation safety and security standards, and broadening travel options for passengers, SPA reported.

Additionally, the Kingdom submitted 31 working papers covering a wide range of topics aligned with its leading role in civil aviation and air transport facilitation at both regional and international levels.

These papers addressed aviation safety and security, airport infrastructure development, passenger transport facilitation, sustainability initiatives, environmental stewardship, carbon emissions reduction, and investment in biofuels and clean technologies, all in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub.

The ICAO Executive Council has renewed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s membership for the 2026–2028 term. The Kingdom received 175 out of 184 votes, maintaining its uninterrupted membership since 1986.

Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser announced a $1 million donation from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to support the ICAO.

The contribution is dedicated to advancing the strategic objectives of the “No Country Left Behind” initiative during the 2025–2028 cycle, which aims to assist developing countries in implementing international standards and recommended practices to enhance civil aviation safety and security.

ICAO also honored Saudi Arabia, represented by Chairman of the Cooperative Aviation Security Program–Middle East (CASP-MID) Mohammed Alfozan, in recognition of his leadership and management of the program and his contributions to enhancing the aviation security capabilities of countries in the region.

The recognition reflects the Kingdom’s pioneering role in supporting ICAO programs and global initiatives to strengthen civil aviation security and its commitment to ensuring that “no country is left behind.”

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia hosted a reception attended by more than 450 participants from various countries, including representatives from the aviation sector, diplomats, and ICAO member states.

The event featured an exhibition showcasing participating entities, traditional handicrafts such as weaving and leatherwork, and performances of Saudi folk music and dance.

A documentary film was also screened, tracing the history and development of civil aviation in the Kingdom and its progress toward becoming a modern aviation powerhouse.

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Business

Saudi Arabia Underlines Commitment to Responsible Mineral Sourcing at Paris Peace Forum

Saudi Arabia Underlines Commitment to Responsible Mineral Sourcing at Paris Peace Forum
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Saudi Arabia Underlines Commitment to Responsible Mineral Sourcing at Paris Peace Forum

Saudi Arabia Underlines Commitment to Responsible Mineral Sourcing at Paris Peace Forum

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to responsible mineral sourcing and sustainable resource governance at the 8th Paris Peace Forum, held at the Palais de Chaillot under the theme “New Coalitions for Peace, People, and the Planet.”

Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Development Eng. Turki Al-Babtain represented the ministry in a high-level panel session titled “Security vs. Sustainability: The Hidden Costs of a Geopolitical Race for Minerals.” The panel featured President of the National Assembly of Serbia Ana Brnabić and former European Union Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson.

Al-Babtain emphasized that advancement in the mineral sector requires collaboration rather than competition, said a Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources statement on Sunday.

“The world’s energy transition depends on a coordinated global effort,” he added. “The world today faces not only a shortage of minerals but also a shortage of coordination. To avoid fragmentation and ensure stability, we must build a new compact of collaboration — one that links transparency, finance, and technology under shared responsibility.”

Saudi Arabia’s mining transformation under Vision 2030 seeks to balance economic diversification with environmental and social responsibility, he went on to say. The Kingdom is unlocking an estimated $2.5 trillion in mineral resources through the Regional Geological Survey Program, one of the region’s most extensive geochemical and geophysical mapping efforts of the Arabian Shield, covering 600,000 square kilometers.

To date, more than 33,000 square kilometers have been tendered for exploration, with an estimated 50,000 square kilometers of mineralized investment opportunity expected by 2025.

Al-Babtain stated that the transformation is guided by a reformed Mining Investment Law that enforces strict ESG standards, mandates community engagement, and requires comprehensive environmental rehabilitation by investors.

These measures, along with other competitive incentives, have attracted leading global mining companies, including Ivanhoe Electric, Vedanta, Hancock Prospecting, Zijin Mining, Discovery Group, and Kuya Silver, into the Kingdom’s mining sector, he stressed.

The sector has witnessed significant growth in exploration spending, which increased from $133.5 million in 2023 to $280.5 million in 2024. The number of active mining companies also rose from six in 2020 to 226 in 2024.

Al-Babtain highlighted the Future Minerals Forum (FMF), hosted annually in Riyadh, as one of Saudi Arabia’s key platforms for advancing global cooperation in the minerals sector. The forum convenes over 90 senior government officials from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas to promote responsible mineral development, strengthen supply chains, and foster dialogue on policy and sustainability.

He noted that the FMF and its government-led Ministerial Roundtable have advanced three flagship initiatives: establishing a network of Centers of Excellence across Africa and Asia to drive capacity-building, developing harmonized regulatory frameworks, and enhancing sustainable investment in critical minerals.

Business

Venezuela Says ‘Extraordinary’ Opportunities Available for Tourism Cooperation with Saudi Arabia

A view of Riyadh during Riyadh Season. (SPA)
A view of Riyadh during Riyadh Season. (SPA)
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Venezuela Says ‘Extraordinary’ Opportunities Available for Tourism Cooperation with Saudi Arabia

A view of Riyadh during Riyadh Season. (SPA)
A view of Riyadh during Riyadh Season. (SPA)

Venezuela’s Minister of Tourism Leticia Gomez said “extraordinary” opportunities for bolstering tourism cooperation with Saudi Arabia were available in line with the joint economic vision aimed diversifying sources of income and ending reliance on oil.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, she said the Kingdom was a strategic partner to Venezuela, especially given the alignment of their visions on investment and tourism development.

The minister is in Riyadh to attend the UN Tourism General Assembly.

“Our inbound tourism is an undeniable success story. The indicators reveal sustained growth of over 71% year-on-year average variation in the flow of international visitors,” Gomez told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“We project to go from 62,000 visitors in 2019 to a goal of almost three million (3,048,759) by the end of 2025, which is a testament to international confidence in our safe and peaceful environment,” she added.

On her participation in the General Assembly, she stated: “Our main purpose is twofold: first, to reaffirm Venezuela's commitment to positioning itself as a destination with great potential due to its natural beauty, sustainability, and excellent service; and second, as a destination of peace, megadiversity, and hospitality, open to investment and the future, in line with the 2030 Agenda.”

Venezuela’s Minister of Tourism Leticia Gomez. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

“The central theme of this Assembly, ‘The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Innovation on the Future of Global Tourism,’ is our top priority for discussion,” she went on to say. “In Venezuela, we are promoting the intelligent use of Artificial Intelligence and technology to modernize the tourism experience with a focus on sustainability.”

“Technology should serve to improve efficiency and traveler satisfaction, allowing people to focus on what is essential: relaxation, healthy recreation, intimacy, and contact with other cultures,” she stressed.

“The fundamental challenge is maintaining stability and security while embracing global innovations,” continued the minister. “In this regard, we have attended various specialized tourism fairs showcasing the authentic and true face of Venezuela, dismantling a negative media campaign.”

“Regarding technological and human integration, the greatest challenge is how AI and innovation can enhance the experience without diminishing the value of intimacy and cultural connection that travelers seek. We overcome this by applying technology with a focus on sustainability that prioritizes human satisfaction,” added Gomez.

“Similarly, we want to consolidate Venezuela as a gateway to and from other countries in the region. We are actively seeking to develop multi-destination packages with sister nations so that tourists can combine our sun and beaches, mountains, plains, rainforest, snow, nature, and cultural experiences with other Caribbean and Latin American destinations,” she said.

Business

US Airlines Brace for Third Day of Government-mandated Flight Cuts

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 8: A display board shows canceled flights at Denver International Airport on November 6, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images/AFP
DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 8: A display board shows canceled flights at Denver International Airport on November 6, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images/AFP
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US Airlines Brace for Third Day of Government-mandated Flight Cuts

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 8: A display board shows canceled flights at Denver International Airport on November 6, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images/AFP
DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 8: A display board shows canceled flights at Denver International Airport on November 6, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images/AFP

Major airlines braced for a third day of government-mandated flight cuts Sunday after rising air traffic control staffing shortages snarled thousands of flights on Saturday.

The Federal Aviation Administration instructed airlines to cut 4% of daily flights starting on Friday at 40 major airports because of air traffic control safety concerns. The shutdown, which has reached a record 40 days, has led to shortages of air traffic controllers who, like other federal employees, have not been paid for weeks.

Reductions in flights are mandated to reach to 6% on Tuesday and then hit 10% by November 14, Reuters said.

The FAA said on Saturday there were air traffic control staffing shortages impacting 42 airport towers and other centers and delaying flights in at least 12 major US cities including Atlanta, Newark, San Francisco, Chicago and New York.

Some 1,550 flights were canceled and 6,700 flights were delayed on Saturday, compared with Friday when 1,025 were canceled and 7,000 were delayed.

Airline officials privately said the number of delay programs made it nearly impossible to schedule and plan many flights and expressed alarm about how the system would function if staffing issues worsen.

The cuts, which began on Friday morning, include about 700 flights from the four largest carriers: American Airlines , Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. The airlines are due to cancel about the same number of flights Sunday.

During the government shutdown, 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security screeners have been forced to work without pay.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said it was possible he could require 20% cuts in air traffic if more controllers stop showing up for work. "I assess the data," Duffy said. "We're going to make decisions based on what we see in the airspace."

Republican Senator Ted Cruz said he was told by the FAA that since the shutdown started pilots have filed more than 500 safety reports about mistakes made by air traffic controllers because of fatigue.