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Fahad Almubarak and the Story of the Trusted G20 Sherpa

Minister of State Fahad Almubarak. (SPA)
Minister of State Fahad Almubarak. (SPA)
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Fahad Almubarak and the Story of the Trusted G20 Sherpa

Minister of State Fahad Almubarak. (SPA)
Minister of State Fahad Almubarak. (SPA)

With Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the G20 for 2020, attention has been shifted – among many things – to Minister of State Fahad Almubarak who has been the Kingdom’s G20 Sherpa since 2018.

The Saudi Sherpa at the G20 is a sign of competence and merit. Almubarak has assumed many major positions in the Kingdom’s economic sector and has accumulated years of experience in the private sector, becoming a trusted figure in the government.

He has played a role in developing the country’s financial market, managed the central bank and fiscal policies for years, and was chosen as a member of the Shura Council.

The word Sherpa may not be familiar to many people. According to Wikipedia, a Sherpa “is the personal representative of a head of state or government who prepares an international summit, particularly the annual G7 and G20 summits.”

The word, however, derives its meaning and name from Nepal, specifically a group that serves as guides and porters in the Himalayas.

So the G20 Sherpa effectively acts as an envoy ahead of the final summit, which the Kingdom is expected to host on November 21 and 22. He or she is tasked with preparations ahead of the main summit.

Almubarak boasts years of experience in fiscal policy, which allowed him to be appointed as the Kingdom’s Sherpa for this year’s summit.

The businessman served as Governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority from 2011 to 2016. He has also been a Royal Court Advisor since 2015 and the Secretary-General of G20 Saudi Secretariat, as well as Member of the SABIC Board of Directors’ Investment Committee since 2017.

He was a member of the Shura council from 1999 to 2005. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Saudi stock exchange, Tadawul, from 2003 to 2011.

He was a member of the Board of Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) from 1998 to 2003, Chairman of the Board of Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia from 2005 to 2011 and member of the Board of Malaz Group from 2000 to 2002.

From 1992 to 1999, Almubarak served as the CEO of Rana Investment Company.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Southern Methodist University, Texas, Master's degree in Business Administration, Master's degree in Engineering Management, Master's degree in Accountancy and Taxation and PhD degree in Business Administration from the University of Houston, Texas.

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Egypt Makes Progress in its Nuclear Energy Project

Construction work at the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. (Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority)
Construction work at the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. (Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority)
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Egypt Makes Progress in its Nuclear Energy Project

Construction work at the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. (Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority)
Construction work at the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. (Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority)

Egypt has reported significant progress in the construction of the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant in the country’s northwest, a project being developed in cooperation with Russia. The government announced on Tuesday that more than 20% of the project has been completed.

Egypt and Russia signed a cooperation agreement on November 19, 2015, to establish the nuclear power station at a cost of $25 billion, funded through a Russian government loan. The final agreements for El-Dabaa were signed in December 2017.

The plant will consist of four nuclear reactors with a total generation capacity of 4,800 megawatts, each producing 1,200 megawatts. The first reactor is scheduled to begin operations in 2028, with the remaining units coming online gradually as part of Egypt’s energy mix.

In its quarterly performance report, the Egyptian government stated that the project aligns with efforts to expand the peaceful use of nuclear energy within the national power grid.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi emphasized in November the importance of executing energy projects efficiently and on schedule, calling them a pillar of Egypt’s development strategy. He underscored the need to adhere to the project timeline while ensuring the highest standards of execution and workforce training.

Also in November, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to the project, stating that El-Dabaa would enhance renewable energy capacity and stabilize the national power grid.

In early March, Russia’s Atomstroyexport announced that construction on the second reactor at El-Dabaa had progressed ahead of schedule. According to the Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority, the second tier of the inner containment structure had been installed at the reactor building.

Egypt experienced widespread power outages last summer, which ended in late July after securing sufficient fuel supplies for its power plants.

The El-Dabaa project is part of Egypt’s strategy to diversify its energy sources, generate electricity to meet domestic demand, and reduce reliance on imported gas and other fuels.

On Tuesday, the government also announced an additional 200 megawatts of private-sector solar power capacity as part of its efforts to expand renewable energy. Officials said the move would support energy diversification and advance the country’s sustainable development strategy.