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Samer Al-Kharashi to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Making Progress in Green Investments

Samer Al-Kharashi, Director of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Office for the Middle East.
Samer Al-Kharashi, Director of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Office for the Middle East.
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Samer Al-Kharashi to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Making Progress in Green Investments

Samer Al-Kharashi, Director of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Office for the Middle East.
Samer Al-Kharashi, Director of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Office for the Middle East.

Samer Al-Kharashi, Director of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Office for the Middle East, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s role in advancing the tourism ecosystem in the region and promoting sustainable development in the sector.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, he stressed that the Kingdom’s hosting of the regional office reflects its commitment to making tourism a key driver of economic growth in the Middle East.

Al-Kharashi noted that the Arab Gulf and the Middle East saw the largest relative increase in international tourist arrivals, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 36% during the first quarter of 2024. This includes a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2023, making the region the global leader in tourism recovery.

In the interview, the official emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s mega-projects are pivotal to Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and position the Kingdom as a premier global tourist destination. He added that these projects align closely with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030, focusing on sustainable tourism, economic growth, and preserving cultural heritage.

Al-Kharashi acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s substantial progress in sustainable tourism development, citing the UNWTO’s report on tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals. He commended Riyadh’s efforts in promoting viable initiatives that benefit both people and the environment.

Since its launch in Riyadh in May 2021, the UNWTO’s Middle East office has become a key contributor to the region’s tourism growth, he noted. Its primary focus has been on capacity building, enhancing competitiveness, and fostering public-private partnerships to support tourism-driven regional development. The office also works to integrate tourism into public policy and promote rural destinations, he underlined.

On a technical level, the office supports advanced capacity-building initiatives, skill development, and the promotion of sustainable tourism practices, Al-Kharashi said, adding that it aims to create a more robust and competitive tourism sector in the Middle East, ensuring long-term, sustainable growth.

Asked about the tourism sector’s performance in the Middle East in terms of numbers, the official replied that the Middle East has made significant progress in tourism development.

According to the UNWTO Tourism Barometer, the region recorded a 36% increase in international arrivals compared to pre-pandemic levels during the first quarter of 2024, he stated. This follows a strong performance in 2023, when the region was the first globally to recover fully, with a 22% increase in tourist arrivals compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Al-Kharashi emphasized that tourism is a vital part of the global labor market, providing jobs for 1 in 10 people worldwide.

“As an international organization with 160 member countries, the UNWTO is dedicated to promoting sustainable development in the tourism sector. Our strategic priorities include fostering high-quality employment, nurturing talent, driving technological innovation, and advancing sustainability and climate action,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Al-Kharashi further explained that the UNWTO promotes sustainable tourism and green investments in the region through a variety of initiatives.

The Organization focuses on three key investment areas: human capital development through education and skills training, environmental sustainability through green infrastructure investments, and economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship, he stressed.

These initiatives align with Saudi Arabia’s Green Saudi and Green Middle East programs, he remarked.

Additionally, the UNWTO has launched a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Tourism Platform, which offers resources and expert knowledge on sustainable tourism practices, Al-Kharashi said, adding that the Organization is also committed to promoting green investments through events such as World Tourism Day 2023, which showcased opportunities for sustainable tourism development.

Discussing the current state of green investments in the Middle East’s tourism sector, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Al-Kharashi stressed that green investments are increasingly central to tourism development in the region. The UNWTO has developed investment guidelines that encourage sustainable tourism investments, including in Jordan, where foreign direct investment rose by 83% in 2022, reaching $1.1 billion.

Furthermore, he added that Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in sustainable tourism, citing the UNWTO’s report, which highlights the Kingdom’s efforts under SDG 15 (Life on Land), such as reforestation projects to combat desertification and drought.

Al-Kharashi went on to say that the UNWTO’s regional office in Saudi Arabia plays a crucial role in shaping the future of tourism in the Middle East.

“By fostering close collaboration between public and private sectors, the office is helping to build a dynamic and competitive tourism environment. With over 13 affiliated members from Saudi Arabia, including representatives from hospitality, education, and travel, the office is boosting tourism capacity and development across the region,” he stated.

He continued that the office also supports initiatives such as the Tourism Tech Mentorship Program in Al-Ula, aimed at cultivating a new generation of tourism leaders. This strategy ensures that the region remains competitive, while also contributing to long-term economic and social development.

According to Al-Kharashi, Saudi Arabia’s decision to host the UNWTO’s first regional office demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to diversifying its economy and positioning the Middle East as a leading global tourism destination. The office supports the 13 member countries of the region and strengthens collaboration with 45 affiliated members from the region.

“By promoting tourism education, skill development, and rural tourism, the regional office plays a vital role in advancing the tourism sector across the Middle East,” he remarked.

Asked about the UNWTO’s view of Saudi Arabia’s recent tourism developments, he UN official said that the Organization regards Saudi Arabia’s tourism development as highly promising, especially with the Kingdom’s ambitious goal of attracting 150 million visitors annually by 2030.

To meet this target, it will be essential to bolster the sector’s capabilities through education, training, and skill development, he stated, adding that the recent agreement between the UNWTO and Saudi Arabia includes the establishment of a “Jobs Factory” and a “Tourism Labor Market Observatory,” both designed to boost capacity and assess workforce skills.

Additionally, the UNWTO has recognized two Saudi destinations - Rijal Alma and AlUla - in its “Best Tourism Villages” competition, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving cultural and natural heritage, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Al-Kharashi noted that Saudi Arabia’s mega-projects, such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Qiddiya, and AlUla, represent a major transformation for both the region and the global tourism landscape. He explained that these projects, part of Vision 2030, are designed to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and establish it as a world-class tourist destination.

With successful bids for the 2034 FIFA World Cup and Expo 2030, alongside ambitious projects that include futuristic cities, entertainment hubs, and heritage sites, Saudi Arabia is on track to become a major player in the global tourism industry, the official said. These projects will set new benchmarks for sustainable and innovative tourism practices, enhancing the Middle East’s reputation as a leading destination for visitors worldwide.

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IMF and Arab Monetary Fund Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation

The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA
The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA
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IMF and Arab Monetary Fund Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation

The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA
The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the AlUla Conference on Emerging Market Economies (EME) to enhance cooperation between the two institutions.

The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki, SPA reported.

The agreement aims to strengthen coordination in economic and financial policy areas, including surveillance and lending activities, data and analytical exchange, capacity building, and the provision of technical assistance, in support of regional financial and economic stability.

Both sides affirmed that the MoU represents an important step toward deepening their strategic partnership and strengthening the regional financial safety net, serving member countries and enhancing their ability to address economic challenges.

Business

Saudi Chambers Federation Announces First Saudi-Kuwaiti Business Council

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Chambers Federation Announces First Saudi-Kuwaiti Business Council

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Federation of Saudi Chambers announced the formation of the first joint Saudi-Kuwaiti Business Council for its inaugural term (1447–1451 AH) and the election of Salman bin Hassan Al-Oqayel as its chairman.

Al-Oqayel said the council’s formation marks a pivotal milestone in economic relations between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, reflecting a practical approach to enabling the business sectors in both countries to capitalize on promising investment opportunities and strengthen bilateral trade and investment partnerships, SPA reported.

He noted that trade between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait reached approximately SAR9.5 billion by the end of November 2025, including SAR8 billion in Saudi exports and SAR1.5 billion in Kuwaiti imports.

Business

Leading Harvard Trade Economist Says Saudi Arabia Holds Key to Success in Fragmented Global Economy

Professor Pol Antràs speaks during a panel discussion at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Professor Pol Antràs speaks during a panel discussion at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Leading Harvard Trade Economist Says Saudi Arabia Holds Key to Success in Fragmented Global Economy

Professor Pol Antràs speaks during a panel discussion at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Professor Pol Antràs speaks during a panel discussion at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat).

Harvard University economics professor Pol Antràs said Saudi Arabia represents an exceptional model in the shifting global trade landscape, differing fundamentally from traditional emerging-market frameworks. He also stressed that globalization has not ended but has instead re-formed into what he describes as fragmented integration.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, Antràs said Saudi Arabia’s Vision-driven structural reforms position the Kingdom to benefit from the ongoing phase of fragmented integration, adding that the country’s strategic focus on logistics transformation and artificial intelligence constitutes a key engine for sustainable growth that extends beyond the volatility of global crises.

Antràs, the Robert G. Ory Professor of Economics at Harvard University, is one of the leading contemporary theorists of international trade. His research, which reshaped understanding of global value chains, focuses on how firms organize cross-border production and how regulation and technological change influence global trade flows and corporate decision-making.

He said conventional classifications of economies often obscure important structural differences, noting that the term emerging markets groups together countries with widely divergent industrial bases. Economies that depend heavily on manufacturing exports rely critically on market access and trade integration and therefore face stronger competitive pressures from Chinese exports that are increasingly shifting toward alternative markets.

Saudi Arabia, by contrast, exports extensively while facing limited direct competition from China in its primary export commodity, a situation that creates a strategic opportunity. The current environment allows the Kingdom to obtain imports from China at lower cost and access a broader range of goods that previously flowed largely toward the United States market.

Addressing how emerging economies should respond to dumping pressures and rising competition, Antràs said countries should minimize protectionist tendencies and instead position themselves as committed participants in the multilateral trading system, allowing foreign producers to access domestic markets while encouraging domestic firms to expand internationally.

He noted that although Chinese dumping presents concerns for countries with manufacturing sectors that compete directly with Chinese production, the risk is lower for Saudi Arabia because it does not maintain a large manufacturing base that overlaps directly with Chinese exports. Lower-cost imports could benefit Saudi consumers, while targeted policy tools such as credit programs, subsidies, and support for firms seeking to redesign and upgrade business models represent more effective responses than broad protectionist measures.

Globalization has not ended

Antràs said globalization continues but through more complex structures, with trade agreements increasingly negotiated through diverse arrangements rather than relying primarily on multilateral negotiations. Trade deals will continue to be concluded, but they are likely to become more complex, with uncertainty remaining a defining feature of the global trading environment.

Interest rates and artificial intelligence

According to Antràs, high global interest rates, combined with the additional risk premiums faced by emerging markets, are constraining investment, particularly in sectors that require export financing, capital expenditure, and continuous quality upgrading.

However, he noted that elevated interest rates partly reflect expectations of stronger long-term growth driven by artificial intelligence and broader technological transformation.

He also said if those growth expectations materialize, productivity gains could enable small and medium-sized enterprises to forecast demand more accurately and identify previously untapped markets, partially offsetting the negative effects of higher borrowing costs.

Employment concerns and the role of government

The Harvard professor warned that labor markets face a dual challenge stemming from intensified Chinese export competition and accelerating job automation driven by artificial intelligence, developments that could lead to significant disruptions, particularly among younger workers. He said governments must adopt proactive strategies requiring substantial fiscal resources to mitigate near-term labor-market shocks.

According to Antràs, productivity growth remains the central condition for success: if new technologies deliver the anticipated productivity gains, governments will gain the fiscal space needed to compensate affected groups and retrain the workforce, achieving a balance between addressing short-term disruptions and investing in long-term strategic gains.