Saudi Energy Minister Emphasizes Arab Cooperation in Addressing Energy Challenges

Group photo of the ministers and members of the Board of Directors of the Arab Energy Fund. (SPA)
Group photo of the ministers and members of the Board of Directors of the Arab Energy Fund. (SPA)
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Saudi Energy Minister Emphasizes Arab Cooperation in Addressing Energy Challenges

Group photo of the ministers and members of the Board of Directors of the Arab Energy Fund. (SPA)
Group photo of the ministers and members of the Board of Directors of the Arab Energy Fund. (SPA)

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman underscored the importance of Arab collaboration in overcoming energy sector challenges and promoting sustainability, calling for restoring Arab unity and joint action to achieve strategic goals in energy.

He made his remarks at the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Arab Energy Fund (formerly APICORP) in Riyadh, attended by UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Tareq Al-Roumi, Libyan Oil and Gas Minister Dr. Khalifa Abdul Sadiq, and Qatari Energy Minister and CEO of QatarEnergy Saad Al-Kaabi.

Prince Abdulaziz expressed pride in hosting the event, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting Arab energy initiatives. He highlighted the ongoing restructuring of the Arab Energy Organization to better align with future needs, ensuring its role in sustainable development and meeting member states’ demands.

The minister noted that upcoming projects by the Arab Energy Fund will diversify energy sources while aligning with global efforts to reduce emissions and combat climate change.

The Arab world is committed to adapting to the evolving energy landscape while maintaining regional identity and cooperation, he added.

Arab unity and collective action are essential for addressing regional and international challenges, whether economic, social or cultural, he remarked.

CEO of the Arab Energy Fund, Khalid Al-Ruwaigh pointed to the institution’s progress since its founding in 1975 with a capital of $320 million. He revealed that over five decades, its assets have grown to exceed $10 billion, reflecting its role in supporting the energy sector and sustainability efforts.

Al-Ruwaigh said the fund’s success is measured not just by its financial growth but also by its impact on energy development. He announced a new strategic vision focused on innovative financial solutions, including debt instruments and investments in both conventional and renewable energy, to support member states’ sustainability goals.

Relocating the fund’s headquarters to Riyadh reinforces its position as a trusted financial institution in a major global financial hub, he noted

Moreover, Al-Ruwaigh unveiled the fund’s new identity and logo, symbolizing Arab cooperation for sustainable energy development. The logo’s triangular elements represent the ten member states, while its circular design reflects the fund’s commitment to a circular economy and long-term energy sustainability.



Saudi Arabia Assumes WTO General Council Presidency for 2025–2026

The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) unanimously appointed Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term. (SPA)
The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) unanimously appointed Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Assumes WTO General Council Presidency for 2025–2026

The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) unanimously appointed Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term. (SPA)
The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) unanimously appointed Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term. (SPA)

The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has unanimously appointed Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term. In a historic milestone, Al-Moqbel becomes the first Arab and Middle Eastern delegate to assume this position, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

The WTO General Council, which convenes throughout the year, oversees the organization’s operations between ministerial conferences, held biennially. As the highest decision-making body at the level of heads of missions, the council plays a crucial role in shaping global trade policies.

During Saudi Arabia's presidency, the General Council is set to address several key issues, including preparations for the 14th Ministerial Conference, scheduled to be held in Cameroon in March 2026.

The agenda will also focus on essential WTO reforms, particularly the dispute settlement mechanism; advancing negotiations on the second phase of the Fisheries Subsidy Agreement; and addressing agriculture, food security, and development concerns.

Other priorities include integrating multilateral agreements, such as the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement and the E-Commerce Agreement, into the WTO framework.

Commenting on the appointment, Al-Moqbel emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the WTO General Council reflects its growing role in the international economic landscape, leveraging its global economic influence to strengthen multilateral trade cooperation.