World Government Summit Discusses AI

The opening session of the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The opening session of the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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World Government Summit Discusses AI

The opening session of the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The opening session of the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The governments' adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies has become inevitable, which is no longer an option, according to the UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Government Summit (WGS) Organization, Mohammad al-Gergawi.

Gergawi is expected to witness an upcoming biological revolution surpassing the technological revolution, and 90 percent of media production would be through AI without human intervention.

During his opening session, "A Decade of Change," on the first day of the 10th WGS, Gergawi touched on the refugee crisis, noting that on November 15, 2022, the world crossed the threshold of eight billion people.

The world will witness a radical change in illiteracy and skills, saying illiterates would be those who can't deal with AI technologies.

The Minister indicated that natural disasters cost humanity about $3 trillion, noting that climate change, which could displace more than 1 billion refugees by 2050, costs a $23 trillion loss for the world.

In his keynote speech at the Summit, the Founder and President of the World Economic Forum (WEF) (Davos), Klaus Schwab, stressed the urgency to develop new mechanisms that strengthen international cooperation in today's multipower world.

Schwab also stressed the need for concerted efforts to implement structural transformations within various strategic sectors, including the economy, technology, and politics, in light of the humanitarian crisis the world is witnessing.

He said technological transformation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution would impact the world for years.

"Governments in different parts of the world should play leading roles in keeping pace with changes," Schwab said.

Regarding structural transformations to be witnessed in various vital economic sectors, Schwab said there will be about 10 billion people in need of energy by 2050. He stressed the need to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and reach zero carbon emissions.

Schwab pointed to the political changes taking place in the world, which are transforming the globe from a unipolar world to a multipolar world.

Schwab said: "A few years ago, we considered some technologies a science fiction that was difficult to implement, but today it has become a reality that we live through artificial intelligence, new space technology, and industrial biology, which heralds a major change coming during the next ten years, and requires governments to be ambitious in their decisions."

For her part, the director general of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, urged member states to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid to crisis-stricken countries and disaster zones to speed the recovery of impacted countries.

Okonjo-Iweala explained that the organization highlighted the importance of accelerating support operations for countries affected by disasters and attributed the decline in trade to global economic shocks.

Concerning trade disputes between member states, Okonjo-Iweala said that 99 percent of the organization's members want to reform the dispute system, which will be accomplished in the future.



Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan Agree to Establish Coordination Council

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan Agree to Establish Coordination Council

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan agreed to establish a Saudi-Kazakh Coordination Council, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received in Riyadh Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev. Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Yerlan Akkenzhenov also attended the meeting.

The talks tackled the establishment of the coordination council, which will be chaired by the Saudi minister of energy and Kazakhstan’s foreign minister. The council reflects the two countries’ commitment to strengthening cooperation and expanding their bilateral partnership.

Prince Abdulaziz and Kosherbayev signed an agreement on the establishment of the council, which aims to boost coordination and consultation between the two countries and develop frameworks for cooperation across various sectors of mutual interest, elevating bilateral relations to broader levels.

Prince Abdulaziz and Kosherbayev discussed relations between their countries and ways to develop them further, especially in the energy field. They tackled opportunities for cooperation and investment in renewable energy and energy storage systems and discussed oil market developments.


Saudi-Qatari Partnership Paves Way for Logistics Corridors to Boost Regional Trade Efficiency 

The MoU was signed by Mawani President Eng. Suliman Almazroua and CEO of Qatar Ports Management Company Captain Abdullah Mohammed Al-Khanji. (QNA)
The MoU was signed by Mawani President Eng. Suliman Almazroua and CEO of Qatar Ports Management Company Captain Abdullah Mohammed Al-Khanji. (QNA)
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Saudi-Qatari Partnership Paves Way for Logistics Corridors to Boost Regional Trade Efficiency 

The MoU was signed by Mawani President Eng. Suliman Almazroua and CEO of Qatar Ports Management Company Captain Abdullah Mohammed Al-Khanji. (QNA)
The MoU was signed by Mawani President Eng. Suliman Almazroua and CEO of Qatar Ports Management Company Captain Abdullah Mohammed Al-Khanji. (QNA)

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and Qatar Ports Management Company signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting maritime and logistics cooperation between the two sides.

The agreement will contribute to the development of the ports sector, raising operational efficiency, and supporting regional and international trade flows.

The MoU was signed by Mawani President Eng. Suliman Almazroua and CEO of Qatar Ports Management Company Captain Abdullah Mohammed Al-Khanji. Qatari Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Bandar bin Mohammed Al Attiyah attended the signing ceremony.

The agreement reflects Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s commitment to building effective partnerships, exchanging expertise, establishing an organized framework for cooperation management, and developing joint investment opportunities in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030.

The MoU outlines eight key areas of cooperation, including the exchange of best practices in port management and operations, and the study of opportunities for direct maritime and land connectivity between the ports of both countries to enhance trade flow efficiency.

It includes collaboration in logistics services, exploring the establishment of joint maritime corridors serving bilateral and regional trade, and assessing the feasibility of creating shared regional distribution centers.

In the fields of digital transformation and artificial intelligence, the two sides agreed to deepen cooperation on developing smart systems, data governance, and the unified maritime window, thereby boosting operational efficiency and keeping pace with technological advancements in the maritime sector.

The MoU places strong emphasis on maritime safety and environmental protection, including exchanging expertise in combating marine pollution and emergency response; developing joint maritime emergency plans; establishing an emergency communication line between the two countries; and cooperating to ensure compliance with international conventions, conduct joint exercises, and develop risk monitoring systems.

The cooperation also covers human capital development through joint training programs and field-exchange of expertise, as well as academic and research collaboration in maritime transport and logistics.

In terms of joint investment, both sides will study local and global investment opportunities in ports and related services and coordinate with the private sector to support these initiatives.

The MoU further includes cooperation in cruise tourism through enhanced maritime connectivity and joint promotion of Gulf cruise routes, as well as international and regional representation by coordinating positions in international maritime organizations and supporting joint initiatives, notably “Green Ports” and “Safe Sea Corridors.”

The agreement reflects the commitment of Mawani and Qatar Ports Management Company to advancing the ports sector and boosting its role as a key driver of trade and economic growth, contributing to Gulf integration and enhancing regional competitiveness in maritime and marine services.


Golden Halal Logo Launched at Makkah Halal Forum  

The Makkah Halal Forum 2026 was held from February 14 to 16. (SPA)
The Makkah Halal Forum 2026 was held from February 14 to 16. (SPA)
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Golden Halal Logo Launched at Makkah Halal Forum  

The Makkah Halal Forum 2026 was held from February 14 to 16. (SPA)
The Makkah Halal Forum 2026 was held from February 14 to 16. (SPA)

The Makkah Halal Forum 2026, which concluded on Monday, marked a pivotal milestone in the development of Saudi Arabia's halal industry, ushering in a new phase of structured institutional action.

This shift moves the sector beyond theoretical discourse toward a fully integrated implementation framework. It cements the Kingdom’s global leadership in halal and boosts the credibility of Saudi products in international markets.

The forum that began on February 14 witnessed the launch of a package of strategic enablers reflecting the maturity of the Saudi experience in the sector. Chief among them was the introduction of the Halal Academy as a specialized knowledge and training arm dedicated to building professional expertise and raising standards across the entire value chain.

The event also saw the unveiling of the Golden Halal logo, a high-level accreditation mark designed to provide global markets with a unified benchmark of trust, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to the highest standards of quality and compliance.

These initiatives signal a strategic shift that goes beyond the traditional concept of religious oversight. Instead, they frame halal as a comprehensive industrial and economic system that integrates Sharia compliance with high quality standards, advanced governance, and digital traceability. The approach is expected to boost the competitiveness of Saudi exports and facilitate their entry into global markets.

National success stories highlight the tangible impact of this transformation. CEO and founder of Roya Factory for Food Products Rasha Al Sanea noted that Saudi accreditation has evolved into a comprehensive quality certification that provides companies with a clear competitive edge abroad.

She noted that obtaining certification involves a rigorous process, including assessments of facility safety, manufacturing quality, and compliance with global standards ahead of final audits. These measures strengthen product reliability and boost readiness for international expansion.

The presence of international delegations and trade missions in Makkah on the sidelines of the forum helped accelerate expansion opportunities and open direct export channels to several markets, she added.

Pairing the Saudi Made logo with accredited halal marks, foremost among them the Golden Halal logo, enhances global consumer confidence and gives Saudi products a strong presence across diverse cultures and markets, she stressed.