C20 Group Submits Final Statement to G20 Summit

Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, the Saudi energy minister. (File/AFP)
Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, the Saudi energy minister. (File/AFP)
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C20 Group Submits Final Statement to G20 Summit

Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, the Saudi energy minister. (File/AFP)
Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, the Saudi energy minister. (File/AFP)

Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi received the closing statement of the civil society engagement group for the G20 countries on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

The C20 group wrapped up on Saturday the work of this year's civil society summit chaired by Saudi Arabia, which was held virtually during the past four days, with the presence of more than 20,000 participants from 109 countries around the world.

The summit’s agenda had 65 discussion sessions and workshops, in which the more than 380 speakers included representatives of the governments of twenty countries, international civil society organizations, and specialized international organizations, as well as experts and decision-makers.

Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, the minister of energy, participated in a special dialogue on the future of green energy.

A number of representatives of the Saudi presidency of the G20 countries also took part in the summit, including Fahd Al-Mubarak, minister of state.

"We won’t be part of the problem, nor part of the solution. Our goal is to be pioneering in finding solutions," Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman said.

He affirmed that the Kingdom has been tirelessly pushing towards an international commitment to endorse the Circular Carbon Economy in efforts for a sustainable and clean environment.



Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency

Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency
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Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency

Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency

In an era increasingly defined by data and rapid technological transformation, digital marketing has evolved from a simple promotional tool into a core driver of economic productivity. Experts say the discipline is reshaping business models by enabling precise targeting, reducing waste, and maximizing returns.

Financial and economic advisor Dr. Hussein Al-Attas told Asharq Al-Awsat that digital marketing is now an economic necessity rather than a luxury. “Digital transformation has become a key lever for productivity and return on investment,” he said, noting that analytics and artificial intelligence are redefining the rules of competition.

According to Al-Attas, the shift from broad-based marketing to highly personalized campaigns has allowed companies to forecast demand with greater accuracy, cut unnecessary costs, and accelerate sales cycles. He emphasized that this transformation offers smaller firms a chance to compete with major players by reaching their target audiences more efficiently and experimenting in new markets without heavy infrastructure spending.

“Today, the market value of a company is measured not just by its products but by the depth and quality of its data,” Al-Attas added, predicting that AI and predictive analytics will continue to revolutionize marketing by automating content, refining targeting, and driving higher returns. He also stressed the importance of respecting data ethics to build consumer trust and long-term growth.

Economic analyst Rowan bin Rabeean echoed these views, describing digital marketing as a true driver of productivity and economic expansion. She explained that the shift to real-time analytics has fundamentally changed supply and demand dynamics, as companies no longer rely on historical estimates but react to live market signals.

Bin Rabeean said that in today’s digital economy, smaller enterprises are finding unprecedented opportunities to expand their reach and enhance competitiveness. Affordable tools such as social media campaigns and search engine optimization allow them to reach customers more effectively than traditional channels ever could.

Looking ahead, she predicted that AI-powered marketing will help businesses anticipate customer needs before they are even expressed, driving smarter, faster decisions and elevating economic efficiency overall.

Bin Rabeean concluded that in this new landscape, those who own and understand data will hold the competitive advantage. However, she emphasized the growing imperative to protect consumer privacy alongside the rise of data-driven business models.