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President of Boeing International to Asharq Al-Awsat: We are Keen to Support Saudi Arabia’s Efforts to Explore Space

A Boeing 787 of the Riyadh Airlines is displayed at the Paris Air Show (AP)
A Boeing 787 of the Riyadh Airlines is displayed at the Paris Air Show (AP)
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President of Boeing International to Asharq Al-Awsat: We are Keen to Support Saudi Arabia’s Efforts to Explore Space

A Boeing 787 of the Riyadh Airlines is displayed at the Paris Air Show (AP)
A Boeing 787 of the Riyadh Airlines is displayed at the Paris Air Show (AP)

Dr. Brendan Nelson, President of Boeing International (BI), stressed that the American company was keen to support Saudi Arabia in developing its plans for space exploration.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Nelson said he was pleased to see two Saudi citizens visit the International Space Station (ISS), including the first Arab female astronaut, noting that Boeing has been part of every major American space endeavor and was keen to support the Kingdom in this field.

The head of BI, which manages the company’s international strategy and operations outside the United States, and oversees 18 regional offices in major global markets, stressed that Saudi Arabia was witnessing a very exciting stage in the aviation and space sector, pointing to the Kingdom’s strategy to develop aviation and tourism as enablers of broad economic growth.

Asked about his recent visit to Riyadh, Nelson said that he met with officials in key government bodies, such as the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Investment.

“I would like to reaffirm our commitment to developing the aviation system in Saudi Arabia in support of the goals of Vision 2030,” he said, adding: “We have a long-term relationship with the Kingdom and we look forward to continuing to drive innovation and sustainable growth in the Saudi aviation sector.”

Commenting on the recent order by Saudi airlines, Nelson said his company was honored that Saudia and Riyadh Airlines have finally committed to purchasing up to 121 new 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

“These important deals will play a major role in developing Saudi Arabia’s air transport network, and support the Kingdom’s broader strategic plan to transform the country into a global aviation hub. It also represents a significant investment by the Kingdom in supporting its broader vision to serve 330 million passengers and attract 100 million visitors annually by 2030,” Nelson told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The president of BI stressed that Boeing was already a major contributor to the Saudi aviation industry through its joint venture with Saudi Military Industries, SAMI, which supports military helicopters.

“We are also exploring opportunities to expand our global supplier base so that we can develop and increase talents and expertise all over the world, and this extends to the Saudi aviation system,” he stated.

According to Nelson, one of the greatest challenges of the era was addressing the global issue of climate change, emphasizing commitment to decarbonize the aviation industry and eliminate carbon emissions by 2050.

The president of Boeing International pointed to many factors that stimulate growth in the aerospace and defense sector in the Middle East. He explained that in commercial aviation, the region has emerged as a popular connection point for international travelers, and continues to grow as a destination for tourism and leisure.

“We expect passenger traffic in the Middle East to increase by 6 percent annually over the next two decades. To support this growth, companies operating in the Middle East are expected to receive orders for more than 3,000 new commercial aircraft, which will help the region’s fleet grow almost two and a half times by 2042,” Nelson remarked.

He continued: “Saudi Arabia will play an important role in this growth as part of its Vision 2030.”
On the development of electric aircraft, Nelson said that the company’s work in the field of electric aviation included forming partnerships to develop, test and certify all electric vehicles and safely deploy them.

“Through our wholly-owned subsidiary (Wisk Aero), we have flown more than 1,600 test flights of the battery-powered electric taxi,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Regarding China’s influence in the aviation industry and Boeing’s share in the global market, he said: “We have been a strong partner with the commercial aviation sector in China for more than 50 years. They remain friends, customers and competitors, and we look forward to continuing the challenge for decades to come.”

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.