Experts Call on World Bank, IMF to Invest in Green Technologies

A group photo of participants at the Middle East Green Initiative Summit. (SPA)
A group photo of participants at the Middle East Green Initiative Summit. (SPA)
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Experts Call on World Bank, IMF to Invest in Green Technologies

A group photo of participants at the Middle East Green Initiative Summit. (SPA)
A group photo of participants at the Middle East Green Initiative Summit. (SPA)

The Middle East Green Initiative summit stressed the need to establish green sustainability, as participating financial experts unanimously agreed to enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors and enhance the role of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink explained that the private sector faces the challenges of using sustainable financing to enable green transformation.

Fink stressed the need to enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors to establish net-zero carbon emissions.

He expects capital allocations to shift towards green climate strategies.

Fink sees climate change as massive potential for new opportunities, saying it is a business opportunity because it will require reinventing every segment of the industry.

"Getting to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is going to require a revolution in the production of everything we produce and a revolution in everything we consume. The process of creating fuel, food, and construction materials, with all the needs that we have as humanity, it all has to be reinvented," Fink said.

He explained that it will require a "large amount of investment, a large amount of ingenuity and a large amount of innovation."

Fink pointed out that green technologies cost a lot, saying that organizations like the IMF and the World Bank "must play a critical role" in helping to ensure capital is invested in green climate technology in developing nations.

The CEO of HSBC Group, Noel Quinn, called for strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors to facilitate green investments.

Quinn stressed the need to benefit from the "Middle East Green Initiative" recommendations in light of the expected commercial and industrial transformation during the next decade to become carbon neutral.

"This year alone, we have already helped our customers issue $170bn of green bonds with a broader range of structures and a greater variety of issuers than ever before. But the next phase of development will require more than just capital market activity," Quinn said.

He pointed out that the commercial banking industry needed "a fundamental re-engineering" to support corporate activity transitioning to net zero.

Quinn stressed that Europeans, the World Bank, and the IMF play an influential role amid the need to consolidate the concept of the transition towards green sustainability to enhance transparency and legislation so that the private sector achieves its role in the green economy and the transition to green sustainability.

In this context, BTG Pactual Senior Partner Andre Esteves affirmed devoting efforts to conserve the planet, pointing out that his country has the largest area of forests and is primarily concerned with the wildfires that burn the trees.

Esteves stressed the need to mobilize efforts to move to a cleaner and more sustainable planet, pointing out to the importance of preserving forests and the ecosystem.

He indicated that his company has a $3 billion funded project to purchase damaged areas and restore them. The project also aims to preserve commercial forests and tackle issues of wood products.

Esteves expected his country to benefit from the "Middle East Green Initiative" outputs in planting and preserving forests by local communities.



Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

 An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

 An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Saturday the Rapid Support Forces’ attack against a humanitarian aid convoy in Sudan’s Kordofan.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom expressed its strong condemnation of the attack against Al-Kuweik Military Hospital, a humanitarian aid convoy affiliated with the World Food Program, and a vehicle transporting displaced civilians.

“These acts are unjustifiable under any circumstances and are flagrant violations of all humanitarian norms and relevant international agreements,” it stressed.

“The Kingdom called on the RSF to immediately cease these violations and to fulfill their moral and humanitarian obligations by ensuring the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need, in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023,” it added.

The Kingdom reiterated its firm position in support of Sudan’s unity, security, and stability, the need to preserve its legitimate institutions.

It voiced its rejection of “foreign interference and the continued actions of certain parties in supplying illicit weapons, mercenaries, and foreign fighters, despite their stated support for a political solution,” saying such “conduct is a primary factor in prolonging the conflict and exacerbating the suffering of the Sudanese people.”

A drone attack by the RSF hit a vehicle carrying displaced families in central Sudan Saturday, killing at least 24 people, including eight children, a doctors’ group said, a day after a World Food Program aid convoy was targeted.

The attack occurred close to the city of Rahad in North Kordofan province, said the Sudan Doctors Network, which tracks the country’s ongoing war. The vehicle was transporting displaced people who fled fighting in the Dubeiker area, the group said in a statement. Among the dead children were two infants.


OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
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OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretariat strongly condemned on Saturday the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in Islamabad.

The secretariat stressed its categorical rejection of terrorism in all its forms, especially those targeting places of worship.

It underlined its firm stance in condemning these criminal acts, which are contrary to human values and religious principles.

The OIC offered its sincere condolences to the government and people of Pakistan and to the families of the victims.

It also reiterated its full solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism and boost its security and stability.

At least 30 people killed in a suicide bombing at a Muslim mosque during Friday prayers.


Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
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Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)

Bahrain and France signed on Friday a joint defense cooperation agreement during talks between King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The French presidency said the agreement consolidates cooperation in the field of defense, training and exchange of strategic information.

“This agreement will ⁠also open ‌up ‍new ‍opportunities for industrial ‍cooperation in defense, and strengthen solidarity between our two countries in a ⁠global and regional geopolitical context marked by increasing tensions,” it added.

The agreement was signed by Bahrain’s National Security Adviser and Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and France’s Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Alice Rufo.

Macron highlighted the depth of the historical relations between Bahrain and France, as well as the progress achieved across various domains in support of common interests, reported Bahrain’s state news agency (BNA).

For his part, King Hamad commended the French president’s keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The talks also addressed means to bolster bilateral relations across all sectors to achieve shared interests.

Both sides commended the efforts of the Joint Bahraini-French High Committee. They highlighted the positive outcomes achieved in advancing cooperation and underlined the importance of continuing the committee’s work to expand cooperation across various domains.

The talks addressed regional and international developments, and efforts aimed at resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic solutions and reducing tensions.