Saudi Arabia Strengthens Partnerships in Innovation, Technology with G20

Saudi Arabia seeks to activate global partnerships in digital and space economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia seeks to activate global partnerships in digital and space economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Strengthens Partnerships in Innovation, Technology with G20

Saudi Arabia seeks to activate global partnerships in digital and space economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia seeks to activate global partnerships in digital and space economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia is seeking to advance its partnership in the field of innovation and technical and digital transformation with a number of G20 countries.

Following discussions on cooperation opportunities with Britain and France, the Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha, held in the Italian city of Trieste on Thursday, a series of meetings with the ministers of Italy, Japan, Germany Singapore and South Africa, to enhance partnership in the fields of technology, innovation and space.

Saudi Arabia has strengthened its position as a global leader in the digital economy, innovation and future markets. In his speech during his participation in the meeting of the Ministers of Digital Economy of the G20, Al-Swaha emphasized the efforts undertaken by the Kingdom to protect the planet through the green Saudi initiatives and the green Middle East.

He pointed to NEOM - the largest global platform for innovators and creators - noting that it was a vivid example of harmonizing regulation and innovation to achieve the welfare of societies and preserve the environment.

He also said that bridging the digital gap globally was the way to achieve inclusiveness and prosperity of societies.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Al-Swaha met with the Italian Minister of Economic Development and Innovation, Giancarlo Giorgetti, with whom he discussed strengthening cooperation in communications, information technology and space.

He also met with Peter Altmaier, the German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, and reviewed efforts made by the Kingdom to accelerate the process of digital transformation, stimulate entrepreneurship, and support the research, development and innovation system.

In the same context, Al-Swaha held extensive discussions with the Japanese Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Takeda Ryota, and his counterparts from Singapore and South Africa.



BP Chair Helge Lund to Step Down

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: BP Chairman Helge Lund speaks during an interview with Reuters at BP's headquarters in London, Britain, June 25, 2019. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: BP Chairman Helge Lund speaks during an interview with Reuters at BP's headquarters in London, Britain, June 25, 2019. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo/File Photo
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BP Chair Helge Lund to Step Down

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: BP Chairman Helge Lund speaks during an interview with Reuters at BP's headquarters in London, Britain, June 25, 2019. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: BP Chairman Helge Lund speaks during an interview with Reuters at BP's headquarters in London, Britain, June 25, 2019. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo/File Photo

BP Chair Helge Lund intends to step down "likely during 2026" and the process to pick his successor has started, BP said on Friday amid a campaign by activist hedge fund Elliott for more change at the company.
Lund had backed BP's 2020 strategy to move its focus away from oil and gas, including an ambition to cut its hydrocarbon output by 40% this decade, a plan that saw BP's shares underperform its peers such as Shell or Exxon.
Following gradual steps away from that strategy - devised by then-CEO Bernard Looney, who left BP in 2023 after it emerged he had not disclosed relationships with colleagues - new Chief Murray Auchincloss in February announced a renewed focus on oil and gas.
Elliott Management, which has built a near 5% stake in BP according to sources, wants even more change, and some shareholders, including more climate-focused ones, have discussed potential leadership changes. Lund stands for re-election at BP's April 17 annual shareholder meeting.
"Now is the right time to start the process to find my successor and enable an orderly and seamless handover," Reuters quoted Lund as saying in a statement.
The successful candidate will join the board and work with Lund ahead of taking on the role, at which point Lund will step down from the board, most likely in 2026, BP said.