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Arab Strategy Forum Discusses Economic, Political Matters in Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the inuguration of Arab Strategy Forum (Arab Strategy Forum official site)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the inuguration of Arab Strategy Forum (Arab Strategy Forum official site)
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Arab Strategy Forum Discusses Economic, Political Matters in Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the inuguration of Arab Strategy Forum (Arab Strategy Forum official site)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the inuguration of Arab Strategy Forum (Arab Strategy Forum official site)

Prominent economic and political analysts and experts come together this year for the "Arab Strategy Forum" which will be held in Dubai on Tuesday under the patronage of the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The 10th edition of the forum, which will be be held under the theme ‘The State of the World in 2018’, brings together prominent economic and political analysts in the region such as: former French President Francois Hollande, former US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and economist and Nobel Laureate in Economics Joseph Stiglitz.

The forum aims to enable leaders in both private and public sectors to better anticipate future developments with the aim of fostering an analytical discussion of the state of the world in 2018.

The Arab Strategy Forum also seeks to create a platform for leaders to share their short-term forecasts, through leadership and insights, and aims to enable leaders in both private and public sectors to better anticipate future developments.

Chairman of the Arab Strategy Forum Mohammed al-Gergawi indicated that the world is rapidly changing and UAE believes that it is necessary to prepare for the future with all its changes.

"This is why we are creating platforms that will help the region and the world.The Arab Strategic Forum is an important platform and an accurate tool that hosts leading thinkers of politics and economy from around the world to create a forward-looking map that will help decision-makers face the challenges and seize opportunities," he added.

Gergawi stated that this year's forum takes place amidst highly influential political and economic events globally and regionally.

Speaking about the forum, Hollande said that the world needs such a forum to build a common perception about what is going on today and what can happen tomorrow in order to help decision makers adopt preventive policies.

"We must be well aware of the importance of agreeing on common visions and close cooperation for a better future," he added.

Also at the forum, Robert Gates, who also worked for the CIA for 26 years, declared that the world faces many issues affecting the political landscape, international relations and the global economy.

"The Arab Strategic Forum plays an important role in bringing together thinkers and influencers in international relations and economics to identify global trends, new developments and set a vision of the world situation in 2018" he added.

President of Eurasia Group, Ian Bremmer, will be speaking on "Mega Trends in 2018" at the forum. He described the forum as an opportunity to strengthen the principle of cooperation and build partnerships between institutions and decision makers.

"This is why our partnership at Euro-Asia Group with the Arab Strategic Forum is to provide a model about these partnerships, hoping that it will expand and become more effective," added Bremmer.

Nobel Prize laureate in economics Joseph Stiglitz said that Arab Strategic Forum is a tool for exploring the future of the global economy and determining its direction.

"We hope that it will contribute to the formulation of common policies that support sustainable development goals," indicated Stiglitz.

Former General Manager of al-Arabiya News Channel, Abdulrahman al-Rashid stated that the Arab region witnessed in the past few years serious events that have affected the overall political and economic situation.

"This is why I consider my participation in this year's Arab Strategic Forum as part of a collective vision in a way we hope it lead to the development of solutions that will alleviate the suffering of innocent people and reduce damage created by conflicts," concluded Rashid.

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Gulf

Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee Kicks Off 12th Session in Riyadh

Alkhorayef stressed that the convening of the 12th session comes at an important time that requires intensified coordination in growth-driving sectors - SPA
Alkhorayef stressed that the convening of the 12th session comes at an important time that requires intensified coordination in growth-driving sectors - SPA
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Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee Kicks Off 12th Session in Riyadh

Alkhorayef stressed that the convening of the 12th session comes at an important time that requires intensified coordination in growth-driving sectors - SPA
Alkhorayef stressed that the convening of the 12th session comes at an important time that requires intensified coordination in growth-driving sectors - SPA

The 12th session of the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee kicked off Sunday in Riyadh, organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and bringing together representatives from government entities of both countries to discuss opportunities for expanding cooperation and developing strategic partnerships across various economic and development sectors.

The committee session was co-chaired by Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef and Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning Dr. Samir Abdelhafidh, attended by official delegations and government sector representatives from both countries, SPA reported.

In his opening remarks, Alkhorayef emphasized the strength of Saudi-Tunisian relations and the brotherly and economic ties between the two countries, which span more than 70 years. He noted that these ties are reflected today in shared visions and ambitious work programs that align with the aspirations of both countries’ leaderships and peoples, as well as their mutual interests.

He pointed out that the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee, launched in 1998, represents an institutional framework aimed at translating cooperation into executable programs and initiatives. He expressed his hope that this session would serve as a new starting point for joint strategic projects and more impactful agreements that contribute to the economic development of both countries.

Alkhorayef stressed that the convening of the 12th session comes at an important time that requires intensified coordination in growth-driving sectors. The minister called on companies in both countries to build practical partnerships in promising industries and value chains. He also highlighted the outcomes of the third meeting, held in Tunisia in July 2025, namely the agreements on mutual recognition of product conformity certificates, which positively contributed to a 38% growth in trade exchange through September 2025 compared with the same period last year.

The committee’s current session focused on boosting cooperation mechanisms, discussing investment opportunities, and exchanging expertise in key sectors, including industry, mining, tourism, transport and logistics, and the judiciary and justice sectors. These efforts aim to enhance trade efficiency, support the access of Saudi products to international markets, and strengthen economic and investment cooperation.

Gulf

77th Saudi Relief Plane for Palestinian People in Gaza Arrives in Egypt

This assistance is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian support to alleviate the difficult living conditions faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza - SPA
This assistance is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian support to alleviate the difficult living conditions faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza - SPA
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77th Saudi Relief Plane for Palestinian People in Gaza Arrives in Egypt

This assistance is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian support to alleviate the difficult living conditions faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza - SPA
This assistance is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian support to alleviate the difficult living conditions faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza - SPA

The 77th Saudi relief airplane, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in coordination with the Ministry of Defense and the Kingdom’s Embassy in Cairo, arrived Sunday at El Arish International Airport in Egypt.

The airplane carried food baskets and shelter kits destined for those affected in the Gaza Strip, SPA reported.

This assistance is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian support, provided through the center, to alleviate the difficult living conditions faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Gulf

Saudi Defense Minister: Time for STC to Withdraw from Yemen's Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Defense Minister: Time for STC to Withdraw from Yemen's Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said on Saturday it “was time for the Southern Transitional Council in Yemen to listen to reason and prioritize public interest and unity of ranks and respond to the Saudi-Emirati mediation to end the escalation.”

In a post on the X platform, he called on the STC to withdraw its forces from the eastern Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces and restore control to the National Shield and local authorities.

Prince Khalid said Saudi Arabia formed the Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen to help the country reclaim control over all of its territories.

The liberation of southern provinces was a pivotal development towards that goal, he stressed.

Saudi Arabia “views the southern issue as fundamental” to Yemen and it will not “exploit it in conflicts that do not serve” the nation, he added.

The Kingdom had brought together all Yemeni components to the Riyadh conference to come up with a clear path for a comprehensive political solution, including the southern issue, he went on to say.

The conference paved the way for a “just solution to their cause through dialogue and without the use of forces.”

“Saudi Arabia approved the decision to move the base of power so that the southerners could have a greater role in state institutions. It consolidated partnership instead of elimination or imposing a status quo through forces. Saudi Arabia also presented Yemen with economic support, as well as development and humanitarian initiatives that helped ease the suffering of the people,” Prince Khalid added.

“Saudi Arabia and its partners in the coalition offered sacrifices with their Yemeni brothers in liberating Aden and other provinces,” he noted. “The Kingdom has always sought that these sacrifices be made in the name of reclaiming territories and restoring the state, not as a path towards new conflicts.”

It had hoped that these sacrifices would have been “invested in the security of all Yemeni people, not exploited for petty gains, whereby the unfortunate developments in Hadhramaut and al-Mahra since the beginning of December 2025 have led to the division in ranks that should be united against the enemy.”

“The developments have laid waste to the sacrifices of our sons and Yemeni people and have harmed the just southern issue,” stressed Prince Khalid.

He noted that several southern leaderships and figures have exhibited “awareness and wisdom in supporting efforts to end the escalation in Hadhramaut and al-Mahra and prevent the secure southern provinces from being dragged into futile conflicts.”

“They are aware of the major challenges facing Yemen and will not allow saboteurs to achieve their goals in the country and the region,” he remarked.

He declared that the “southern issue will remain part of any comprehensive political solution. The cause will not be neglected or marginalized. It should be resolved through consensus, adhering to commitments and building trust between all Yemeni segments, not through adventures that only serve everyone's enemy.”