Iraqi FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We’re Trying to Bring Syria Back to AL by Consensus

A general view shows the Foreign Ministers of Arab countries during a meeting of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit at Phoenicia hotel in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
A general view shows the Foreign Ministers of Arab countries during a meeting of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit at Phoenicia hotel in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
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Iraqi FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We’re Trying to Bring Syria Back to AL by Consensus

A general view shows the Foreign Ministers of Arab countries during a meeting of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit at Phoenicia hotel in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
A general view shows the Foreign Ministers of Arab countries during a meeting of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit at Phoenicia hotel in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali al-Hakim said there are "bilateral, tripartite and quadripartite" contacts and discussions to cancel the decision to suspend Syria's membership in the Arab League (AL).

He stressed in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat that being one of the founding states for the AL, “it must be returned to its seat."

Hakim expressed regret for the absence of Syria and Libya from the Arab development summit in Beirut.

He explained that the suspension of Damascus from the AL was an Arab decision, and “we are now working to return it by an Arab decision too."

Regarding the nature of the parties calling for Syria’s return, Hakim said some Arab countries are putting effort to achieve that, and Iraq supports this decision along with Algeria, Sudan and other countries.

He explained that in order for Arab decisions to reach the level of permanent representatives or ministers, the country or group of countries must submit a formal request to the AL.

“It is commonly known that all Arab resolutions are usually passed by consensus, and if one or two countries submit their opposition, it could still be passed,” said Hakim. “However, if more than five countries submit their opposition, this will cause a problem and abort the application of the resolution.”

Therefore, timing should be chosen carefully as it is always important to gain the largest number of supporting countries in order to pass the resolution.

“We need support from opposing and reserving countries in this case," he added.

In response to a question on whether Iraq could support Syria's return to the AL, Hakim said, “Of course Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Algeria and a group of countries can submit the request.”

Yet, he explained that they don’t want to be surprised from a counter-response and want to know who are the countries that could reserve this resolution, adding that discussions are now taking place in this regard.

On Libya’s absence from Beirut’s summit, Hakim said it is bilateral matter more than an Arab one. “I guess this won’t ultimately affect the summit’s resolutions.”

He expressed confidence in the summit, saying it is important and addresses many economic problems.

“I think that Beirut declaration, which will be issued on behalf of Arab leaders at the end of their meeting, will include many significant and applicable points,” the FM noted.

He pointed out that many Arab economies today are one-sided and not connected, thus the union of these powers will be a major issue.



Hevolution CEO Discusses Career in Innovation, Medicine, and Business

Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation
Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation
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Hevolution CEO Discusses Career in Innovation, Medicine, and Business

Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation
Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation

Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation, the largest philanthropy organization funding aging medicine in the world, expressed that receiving Saudi citizenship will boost his scientific and practical capabilities.
He said this new status will help him advance his research, especially in addressing aging.
This comes as part of a recent royal decree granting Saudi citizenship to several notable scholars, doctors, researchers, and innovators.
“Our Chairman, his Royal Highness (Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman), has very high expectations of our work and the impact we need to do; We were created in part because of his vision,” Khan told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“Living up to the expectations and challenges we get faced with is itself exciting, but it is challenging,” revealed Khan, affirming that Hevolution’s team is “up to that task.”
Khan, who has experience in both corporate and medical fields, told Asharq Al-Awsat that his work across academic, public, and private sectors has been a continuous learning process, with each area enhancing the others.
According to the CEO, these industries are interconnected, and combining their strengths often leads to the best solutions.
This insight inspired the Hevolution initiative, which brings together the scientific community, NGOs, pharmaceutical companies, policymakers, academia, biotech firms, CEOs, and others to promote healthy aging.
Khan highlighted the value of integrating insights from different sectors.
Academia provides detailed research, the public sector offers insights on population health and regulations, and the corporate world brings innovation and efficiency, explained Khan, adding that by merging these perspectives, the world can tackle complex health challenges more effectively.
“We’ve been working through, and are now investing, funding and partnering with over 200 scientists around the world, and over 150 different university labs,” said Khan.
Hevolution uses this integrated approach to advance healthy aging.
This initiative embodies my passion for addressing major challenges and offers a significant opportunity to make a global impact.
Khan talked about the first $400 million commitment Hevolution made in the last 23 months, calling it “unprecedented.”
“There has never been a non-profit organization in the world that has gone from not existing to now becoming the largest philanthropy funding aging biology and medicine in the world,” affirmed Khan.
Khan stressed that work at Hevolution not only pushes scientific boundaries but also promotes cross-sector collaboration to improve global health outcomes.
Since Khan’s early days in medical school, he’s been deeply interested in nutrition and population health, which was an unconventional focus back then. This journey set the foundation for his later work in community health.
Khan’s time as an endocrinology faculty member at the Mayo Clinic was crucial. He led programs on diabetes, endocrine diseases, metabolism, and nutrition, which strengthened his expertise in designing disease prevention systems.
In the private sector, Khan took on a key role at Takeda Pharmaceutical as the global head of R&D, which shaped his approach to innovative healthcare solutions.
At PepsiCo, as Chief Scientific Officer, he learned crucial principles of scale, impact, transformation, and tackling global challenges.
As CEO of Hevolution, Khan uses all his professional experience to advance the foundation’s mission of developing health sciences to address age-related diseases.
Khan serves on the boards of Reckitt Benckiser and the Saudi Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA).
He is the CEO of Life Biosciences, a member of Saudi Arabia’s biotechnology strategy committee, and the chair of the advanced technology visiting committee at the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Khan told Asharq Al-Awsat that he feels honored to have recently become a Saudi citizen by royal decree, while also holding dual US and UK citizenship. This helps him lead Hevolution effectively and work closely with international partners.
Khan commented on his recent Saudi citizenship, saying that in addition to feeling honored to receive Saudi citizenship by royal decree, alongside other distinguished individuals, this recognition is a great privilege.
Being a Saudi citizen, as per Khan, is a significant milestone and acknowledges the progress in his work in aging science and global health. It also strengthens Khan’s commitment to the work at Hevolution.
Khan noted that this new status enhances his ability to build relationships and collaborate within the Kingdom and internationally. It offers a deeper connection with the local community and better opportunities to engage with policymakers and leaders.
He also said that this recognition boosts Hevolution’s global presence and credibility, making the foundation’s collaborations with international scientists and business leaders stronger. It positions Hevolution as a key player in addressing age-related diseases.
Khan emphasized that this honor reflects the hard work and innovation of Hevolution’s entire team.
The CEO said that it was collective efforts that have made this achievement possible.
Khan also said he is excited to engage more deeply with the scientific and medical community in the Kingdom, adding that his new citizenship helps him contribute to Vision 2030 and the national biotechnology strategy, promoting innovation and attracting top global talent.