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Saudi Arabia Accelerates Human Capital Development in the Financial Sector

Chairman of the Capital Market Authority and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Financial Academy, Mohammed Elkuwaiz (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Chairman of the Capital Market Authority and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Financial Academy, Mohammed Elkuwaiz (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
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Saudi Arabia Accelerates Human Capital Development in the Financial Sector

Chairman of the Capital Market Authority and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Financial Academy, Mohammed Elkuwaiz (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Chairman of the Capital Market Authority and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Financial Academy, Mohammed Elkuwaiz (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

Saudi Arabia is pressing ahead with its commitment to strengthen and develop human capital across financial institutions, in line with the Kingdom’s robust economic momentum and rapid expansion across multiple sectors.

The government’s strategy includes a range of national initiatives and strategic programs designed to empower Saudi talent and prepare a new generation of financial leaders capable of steering the country’s evolving economy.

The Financial Academy Forum 2025, now in its fourth edition, opened on Wednesday in Riyadh under the patronage of Mohammed Elkuwaiz, Chairman of the Capital Market Authority Board of Commissioners. The event brought together senior executives, policymakers, and leading local and international experts in finance and business to discuss the future of human capital in the sector.

Elkuwaiz noted that this year’s forum, themed “Innovate to Empower,” reflects a deep national commitment to building a more dynamic and innovative financial ecosystem. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia is undergoing a historic phase of economic transformation, moving away from dependence on oil toward greater diversification and sustainability. He said the contribution of the non-oil sector to the Kingdom’s GDP has now surpassed 50 percent, a milestone that demonstrates the strength and resilience of the national economy.

He stressed that such progress requires continued investment in human capital, describing it as the nation’s most valuable resource. The Financial Academy, he added, plays a central role in empowering Saudi professionals, localizing advanced skills, and fostering a knowledge-based environment that supports global best practices and aligns with the goals of Vision 2030.

Since its founding in 2020, the academy has trained more than 120,000 professionals from over 700 financial institutions, while more than 200,000 participants have obtained professional certifications. Its programs now extend to over 10 cities inside and outside the Kingdom.

The academy has also partnered with more than 50 local and international training institutions, with Saudi trainers now accounting for approximately half of its faculty, reflecting growing national expertise and a commitment to knowledge localization.

Mana bin Mohammed Al-Khamsan, CEO of the Financial Academy and Chairman of the Forum’s Supervisory Committee, told Asharq Al-Awsat that this year’s initiatives build upon last year’s achievements and have been designed to meet current market needs more precisely. He described the academy as a key driver in developing financial sector capabilities, emphasizing that investing in human capital is vital to ensuring the sustainability and success of the Financial Sector Development Program.

During the event, Al-Khamsan launched a series of new strategic programs. Among them was the “Next CFO” initiative, developed in partnership with the Saudi Tadawul Group, which focuses on preparing future financial leaders. Another initiative, “Corporate Banking Leaders,” was introduced in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Sectoral Skills Councils, and the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) to cultivate leadership in corporate banking.

Other notable programs included “Elite Graduates in Asset Management,” launched with State Street to train Saudi specialists in asset management and investment, and “Shaping the Future of Saudi Financial Media,” introduced in partnership with the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG) and sponsored by AlAhli Capital, aimed at equipping journalists with expertise in financial and economic reporting.

 

 

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Business

Report: Multi-Level Partnerships a Safeguard for Gulf Security

Gulf leaders in a group photo during the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait in 2024 (SPA).
Gulf leaders in a group photo during the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait in 2024 (SPA).
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Report: Multi-Level Partnerships a Safeguard for Gulf Security

Gulf leaders in a group photo during the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait in 2024 (SPA).
Gulf leaders in a group photo during the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait in 2024 (SPA).

A recent analytical report says Gulf states are well positioned to play a larger role in shaping the regional security architecture in the aftermath of the war against Iran by adopting a multi-level security approach that combines greater self-reliance with broader international partnerships.

The report, prepared by Ambassador Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo, President of the NATO Defense College Foundation and former Deputy Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), was published by the Gulf Research Center in Jeddah. It says partnership with NATO represents an important avenue for developing Gulf defense capabilities, offering opportunities to benefit from the alliance's accumulated military and operational expertise while enhancing strategic dialogue and exchanges in the fields of security and defense.

Multi-Level Approach

Minuto-Rizzo argues that the next phase will require Gulf states to adopt a multi-level security strategy based on diversifying partnerships and strengthening self-reliance, while maintaining strategic ties with the United States and expanding engagement with Europe and NATO.

He says Gulf countries handled the war against Iran with considerable political prudence, seeking to avoid being drawn into military confrontation despite coming under attack and sustaining direct damage. He notes that Gulf states have in recent years continued a policy of diplomatic opening toward Tehran.

The President of the NATO Defense College Foundation points to the restoration of Saudi-Iranian relations through Chinese mediation and notes that Gulf states sought to de-escalate tensions following the outbreak of the war while strengthening contacts with potential security partners such as Pakistan, Egypt and Türkiye.

In his report, published in Views on the Gulf, a journal of the Gulf Research Center, he argues that the Gulf states' decision not to respond directly with military force to Iranian attacks was not a sign of weakness. Rather, it reflected a deep political understanding of the risks of widening the conflict and turning it into a full-scale regional war with consequences that could prove difficult to contain.

A Saudi Royal Air Defense Forces company during a graduation ceremony at Fort Bliss, United States (Ministry of Defense).

The US Role in the Region

According to Minuto-Rizzo, the United States remains the cornerstone of Gulf security despite growing debate over the past two decades about the nature of Washington's role in the region. In this context, he recalls discussions within NATO at the beginning of the century, in which he participated, regarding the Gulf's importance as a strategic partner, stressing that the region has remained firmly on Washington's security agenda.

At the same time, he says the recent war exposed the limits of some traditional assumptions about deterrence. He argues that one reason for the shortcomings exposed by the crisis was the United States' decision to enter a war against Iran that proved more complex than initially anticipated.

Nevertheless, the ambassador does not expect any significant reduction in the US presence in the Gulf given the region's strategic importance, although US-Israeli relations could see more visible divergences on certain issues in the future.

US sailors watch a US Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighter land (CENTCOM).

Lessons Learned

The President of the NATO Defense College Foundation believes one of the key lessons of the war is the need to establish clear political and strategic objectives before engaging in any military confrontation. He warns against underestimating Iran as a regional power that will remain an influential actor regardless of the war's outcome.

As for the future of regional security, the former NATO official argues that a multi-level security approach represents the most realistic option for Gulf states, particularly if members of the Gulf Cooperation Council succeed in strengthening security and military integration.

"Security partnerships do not fully align in terms of objectives and interests, but diversifying them helps build a stronger safety net capable of addressing challenges," he says.

Smoke rises above the UAE emirate of Fujairah after earlier Iranian strikes (AFP).

Minuto-Rizzo argues that NATO provides an advanced institutional framework for security cooperation that goes beyond traditional bilateral relationships, citing the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative as a mechanism that offers broad opportunities for training, coordination and capacity-building between the alliance and Gulf countries.

He says renewing partnership with NATO could open significant opportunities for Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, to benefit from the alliance's accumulated military and operational expertise while also enhancing strategic dialogue and consultation between military and political leaders, helping anticipate crises and prevent their escalation.

Minuto-Rizzo also stresses the importance of strengthening Europe's presence in the Gulf, arguing that Europe can make a meaningful contribution to regional security and stability through balanced partnerships based on shared interests rather than purely military considerations.

The President of the NATO Defense College Foundation concludes that the most important message for Arab states is the need to take control of their strategic decision-making and overcome divisions that have weakened the region for decades. Building a stable security architecture, he says, requires combining self-reliance with diversified international partnerships in a way that ensures balance and stability in a region that continues to face complex and constantly evolving challenges.

Two US AH-64 Apache attack helicopters fly over the Strait of Hormuz (CENTCOM).

Business

Gold Falls as Renewed Middle East Tensions Fuel Inflation Fears

Gold bracelets on display for sale at a gold shop in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar (AFP)
Gold bracelets on display for sale at a gold shop in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar (AFP)
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Gold Falls as Renewed Middle East Tensions Fuel Inflation Fears

Gold bracelets on display for sale at a gold shop in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar (AFP)
Gold bracelets on display for sale at a gold shop in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar (AFP)

Gold prices fell on Monday as renewed US-Iran tensions pushed the dollar and oil prices higher, fuelling fears of inflation and reinforcing the higher-for-longer interest rate outlook.

Spot gold was down 0.7% at $4,506.49 per ounce at 1158 GMT after hitting a two-week high on Friday. The yellow metal dropped nearly 2% in May, its third consecutive monthly fall.

US gold futures for August delivery fell 1.2% to $4,536.70.

The dollar edged higher, making greenback-priced bullion more expensive for holders of other currencies, Reuters reported.

The US said it struck Iranian military sites over the weekend and Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Monday said they had targeted a US base in response, the latest exchange of attacks amid negotiations to end the three-month-old war.

"The optimism surrounding negotiations between the US and Iran aimed at ending the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz faded over the weekend," ActivTrades analyst Ricardo Evangelista said. "As a result, energy prices rebounded, reviving inflation concerns and reinforcing hawkish Federal Reserve expectations."

Brent crude oil prices gained more than 3% after the latest strikes. Higher oil prices can accelerate inflation and keep interest rates higher for longer. While gold is traditionally seen as a hedge against inflation, it loses its appeal in a high-interest-rate environment as a non-yielding asset.

Traders are now pricing in a Fed rate hike this year, with a 39% chance of a quarter-point increase in December, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool.

A host of Fed board members are set to speak this week, while major data releases are scheduled to include the ISM survey of manufacturing and the May payrolls report on Friday.

"Traders will be closely watching this week's key data releases as these have the potential to reshape expectations regarding the future path of Fed monetary policy, influencing demand for the US dollar and, consequently, the performance of gold prices," Evangelista said.

Spot silver rose 0.6% to $75.69 per ounce, platinum gained 1.3% to $1,941.15 and palladium was steady at $1,355.00.

Business

Saudia to Expand Its Fleet with Delivery of 12 New Aircraft in 2026

Saudia Airlines will fly in pilgrims from across the globe. (SPA)
Saudia Airlines will fly in pilgrims from across the globe. (SPA)
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Saudia to Expand Its Fleet with Delivery of 12 New Aircraft in 2026

Saudia Airlines will fly in pilgrims from across the globe. (SPA)
Saudia Airlines will fly in pilgrims from across the globe. (SPA)

Saudia Airlines has finalized a deal with Airbus to receive 12 new aircraft in 2026 as part of its ongoing fleet expansion and modernization program.

By implementing this strategy, the airline aims to improve the efficiency of its current operations, expand its reach to new international markets, and enhance the overall travel experience for its guests, SPA reported.

The arrival of the Airbus A321neo marks another milestone in Saudia’s 2026 aircraft delivery program, following the introduction of its first Airbus A321XLR.

The airline expects to receive additional modern aircraft over the course of the year as it continues to strengthen and modernize its fleet.

The continued expansion of Saudia’s fleet supports the objectives of the Kingdom’s national strategies for the aviation, tourism, entertainment, and sports sectors, while also enhancing services for pilgrims.