UAE, S.Korea Leaders Discuss Cooperation Relations, Strategic Projects

UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol (WAM)
UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol (WAM)
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UAE, S.Korea Leaders Discuss Cooperation Relations, Strategic Projects

UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol (WAM)
UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol (WAM)

UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed with the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, opportunities to develop strategic cooperation to broader horizons in various fields within the framework of the Special Strategic Partnership.

Sheikh Mohammed met with the President of Korea, who is on a multi-day visit to the UAE, his first visit since assuming his presidential duties. They also engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on regional and international issues.

They discussed various tracks of cooperation and developments in investment, economic, scientific, cultural, and advanced technology, in addition to renewable energy and other vital areas of interest for both countries.

Sheikh Mohammed said UAE and Korea have a close strategic partnership that extended back over forty years and rose to a unique strategic alliance in 2018. He lauded the level of collaboration between the two countries.

He referred to one of the most important strategic development projects, the peaceful nuclear energy production project at the Barakah plant.

The UAE aims to expand and strengthen its relations with Korea during the coming period in areas of common interest, including traditional energy, clean energy, economy, investment, defense technology, and others.

For his part, the Korean President stressed the importance of boosting strategic cooperation in key areas, including peaceful nuclear energy, energy, investment, and defense industries, to develop prospects for bilateral relations.

The two parties witnessed the exchange and announcement of several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoU) to develop cooperation in various fields considering the distinguished strategic ties binding the two countries.

The agreements and MoUs announced included an MoU in hydrogen energy use in cities, its production, transmission, and storage between the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.

An MoU was exchanged between the UAE Space Agency and Korea's Ministry of Science and Information and Communications Technology regarding the amendment of an MoU signed in January 2017 regarding cooperation in space exploration and its use for peaceful purposes.

The two countries also signed an MoU on cooperation in water resources between the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the Korean Ministry of Environment.

It also included implementation arrangements under the agreement concluded between the two governments for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The Mubadala Investment Company and the Korea Development Bank signed an MoU regarding the "sovereign investment partnership" and another MoU on financial cooperation between TAQA and the Export-Import Bank of Korea.

The meetings also witnessed a joint declaration between the two governments regarding enhancing cooperation in energy through a strategic energy partnership.

They also signed agreements on strategic cooperation for the defense industry and cooperation in crude oil storage for "strategic and commercial storage."

The two parties exchanged MoUs on establishing joint strategic working groups for the Carbon Neutrality Acceleration Program and another regarding the voluntary partnership in carbon markets in Asia.



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.