G20 Meetings: Launch of Values 20 to Support Best Practices, Develop Policies

Logo of Values 20 – an unofficial G20 engagement group
Logo of Values 20 – an unofficial G20 engagement group
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G20 Meetings: Launch of Values 20 to Support Best Practices, Develop Policies

Logo of Values 20 – an unofficial G20 engagement group
Logo of Values 20 – an unofficial G20 engagement group

The Values 20 summit, held on the sidelines of the Saudi G20 meetings, seeks to work on three axes focusing on leadership, improving economic and social results, and raising the quality of life.

Launched in September as a non-official engagement group within the G20, Values 20 will convene in a virtual session this Tuesday to discuss the essential role of values in helping create a better future, in which all people can live, work, and thrive in dignity.

V20 Chair Dimah Al-Sheikh said that the summit would examine the importance of values to improve policies and decision-making processes at a time when the world faces major challenges.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Sheikh noted that environmental issues would represent one of the main challenges identified by Values 20 and its working groups, especially the major environmental threats to the planet. The summit will urge governments, institutions, and citizens to work together to face these challenges.

“The Values statement that will be published during the summit includes policy recommendations that address both policy interventions and innovative ideas for setting social standards and contribute to developing short and long-term interventions at the global level,” she stated.

“We want to help people discover the importance of values, and benefit from these experiences to achieve real change,” Sheikh emphasized.

The V20 has formed three task forces, including Global Values, which addresses how values can contribute to achieving societal and economic objectives; Leadership Values assesses how values can improve organizational outcomes; and Quality of Life Values, which focuses on how to enhance people’s wellbeing.



Syrian President Begins Gulf Tour Following Easing of International Sanctions

A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
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Syrian President Begins Gulf Tour Following Easing of International Sanctions

A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has begun a tour of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, marking his second visit to the region and his first since most international sanctions on Syria were lifted.

The trip, which began in the United Arab Emirates, underscores Damascus’s push to reintegrate economically and diplomatically into the Arab world after more than a decade of isolation.

According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, the tour aims to bolster economic cooperation and attract Gulf investments to support Syria’s national reconstruction and development plans.

Al-Sharaa arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday, where he was received by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders held official talks focusing on post-war recovery, economic partnership, and infrastructure development.

Speaking during the meeting, al-Sharaa said Syria has “turned the page on war and division” and is now focused on building “strategic partnerships” with its Gulf neighbors. He praised the UAE’s role in supporting regional stability and expressed interest in learning from the Emirati model in sustainable development, digital transformation, and clean energy.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s full support for Syria’s efforts to restore stability and rebuild its war-torn economy. He stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral ties, especially in key sectors such as infrastructure, investment, and technology.