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CEO of Barzan Holdings: We Aim to Localize, Attract Defense Industries in Qatar

Abdullah Al-Khater, CEO of Barzan Holdings, receives a visitor at the World Defense Show in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Abdullah Al-Khater, CEO of Barzan Holdings, receives a visitor at the World Defense Show in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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CEO of Barzan Holdings: We Aim to Localize, Attract Defense Industries in Qatar

Abdullah Al-Khater, CEO of Barzan Holdings, receives a visitor at the World Defense Show in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Abdullah Al-Khater, CEO of Barzan Holdings, receives a visitor at the World Defense Show in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

CEO of Barzan Holdings Abdullah Al-Khater said the company aims to strengthen defense industries and attract defense technology to Qatar.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the World Defense Show, which concluded in Riyadh on Friday, Al-Khater said the company’s work is based on different axes, namely domestic and foreign investment in defense technology and supporting the Qatari Ministry of Defense in acquisitions and purchases and building local defense capabilities.

He noted that Barzan Holdings was implementing a strategy that is founded on long-term plans, pointing to the establishment of a large number of companies, which have begun manufacturing defense products, weapons and systems.

Barzan Holdings has also completed some projects on behalf of the Qatari Ministry of Defense in a number of various fields, he underlined.

Moreover, Al-Khater explained that the signing of the joint cooperation agreement with the Saudi Military Industries Company (SAMI) covers several areas, including joint projects, cooperation in production and joint investments in the fields of defense and security.

He stressed that a number of factors contributed to the achievements of Barzan Holdings, mainly the support provided by the Qatari leadership, investments in the human cadre by attracting local and foreign minds, and cooperation with international companies.

Al-Khater revealed that the company was seeking to enter the multiple fields in the defense industries, whether at the level of light or classic industries, or even the advanced manufacturing, such as the technological field, and the employment of artificial intelligence and drones.

Regarding export plans, he noted that while export was one of the priorities of Barzan Holdings, the main goal of building the defense field is to meet the local need.

He said in this regard: “The sustainability of these companies requires working on the concept of export, which represents one of our main goals... and we aspire to achieve it, whether at the regional or international level.”

Al-Khater stressed that the company was open to cooperation with regional companies, including SAMI and others.

On the company’s participation in the World Defense Show, he noted that Barzan Holdings showcased a number of its products and was looking forward to greater participation in future editions.

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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)

Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that the organization will take an active role at COP16, the UN conference on combating desertification, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in early December.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he expressed confidence that the conference—the first of its kind in the Middle East—would produce significant outcomes.

Elwaer’s comments came during a roundtable organized by FAO’s regional office in Cairo, attended by a select group of media representatives. The session focused on FAO’s participation in the upcoming conference and the importance of the Rio Trio —the integrated framework of the three major UN conventions addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and desertification.

Fida Haddad, FAO’s Program Officer for Land Rehabilitation and Climate Change, highlighted the interconnectedness of the three conventions and noted that COP16 would place a strong emphasis on land and water rehabilitation and their sustainable management.

Haddad pointed out that approximately 90% of the Middle East is affected by arid conditions. Despite this, local communities and Arab governments have made notable progress in addressing desertification and drought. She also announced that, for the first time, FAO has successfully placed food systems on the COP16 agenda, enabling discussions on how land rehabilitation can enhance food supply chains and systems.

Elwaer underscored FAO’s central role in achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): eradicating hunger. He emphasized that FAO actively engages in the UN conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, which collectively contribute to this mission.

FAO’s focus, according to Elwaer, is on transforming food and agricultural systems to become more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable, aiming for better production, nutrition, and livelihoods. He highlighted the organization’s success in integrating these priorities into the agendas of the three conventions and collaborating with host countries on joint initiatives.

He further noted that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 is particularly significant for the region, which faces pressing challenges such as water scarcity, desertification, and food insecurity. The conference presents an opportunity for Middle Eastern nations to highlight these issues, explore solutions, and ensure their inclusion in global environmental discussions, not only at this event but in future COP sessions, he underlined.

Elwaer emphasized the growing global attention on desertification, as it is now impacting regions previously unaffected, such as southern Europe and parts of Latin America. These areas are witnessing alarming declines in arable land and forests, prompting them to seek lessons from the Arab world, which has developed resilience strategies to combat desertification over centuries.

FAO will have a strong presence at COP16, with two dedicated pavilions—one in the Blue Zone for official delegations and another in the Green Zone to engage civil society and conference participants, he said.

He added that in collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the UN, FAO will lead coordination on Food Day and Governance Day, scheduled for December 5 and 6, respectively. The organization will also participate in other specialized sessions throughout the conference.