Albudaiwi: 166th Ministerial Meeting Reflects GCC Integration

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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Albudaiwi: 166th Ministerial Meeting Reflects GCC Integration

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi stated that the agenda of the 166th Ministerial Meeting included several topics that embody the dimensions of Gulf integration and reinforce the axes of Gulf-regional and international cooperatio.

These remarks were made during Albudaiwi’s speech at the 166th Ministerial Meeting preparatory to the 46th session of the Supreme Council of the GCC, held today in Manama, SPA reported.

The meeting was chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, who is also Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Council, with the attendance of the GCC foreign ministers.

According to a press release issued by the GCC General Secretariat, Albudaiwi affirmed that today’s decisions and recommendations will add a new building block to the edifice of the blessed GCC journey.

He underlined that the depth and breadth of the agenda clearly reflect the regional and international weight of the GCC and establish the fact that the achievements accomplished by the GCC states on the path of Gulf integration — which is the aspiration of the GCC leaders — are moving steadily in the right direction, consistent with the aspirations and ambitions of the Gulf peoples towards further interconnection and prosperity.



Saudi Foreign Minister, Cuban Counterpart Discuss Latest Developments in Middle East

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Cuban Counterpart Discuss Latest Developments in Middle East

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call Thursday from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, SPA reported.

During the call, they reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East, in addition to discussing a number of topics and mutual interest.


Saudi Arabia Secures Leading Rankings in Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report

The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Secures Leading Rankings in Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report

The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia has secured top global rankings in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2025–2026 report, reflecting a highly competitive environment and reinforcing its position as a premier global hub for entrepreneurship.

The Kingdom led all high-income economies in Entrepreneurial Finance, highlighting the efficiency of its financing tools for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, Saudi Arabia ranked third globally in the National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI), cementing its status as an elite destination for entrepreneurial investment and growth, SPA reported.

Total early-stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) has seen rapid expansion, jumping from 12.1% in 2018 to 28.9% in 2025. Similarly, entrepreneurial intentions nearly doubled, rising from 26.8% to 48.5% over the same period.

This growth is mirrored in the academic sector, where the Kingdom climbed from 53rd to seventh place globally in university-based entrepreneurship.

These milestones result from integrated efforts between government entities like the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at), the private sector, and academic institutions.


Saudi Crown Prince, Swiss President Discuss Cooperation between their Countries

The Saudi Crown Prince and the Swiss President meet in Jeddah (SPA)
The Saudi Crown Prince and the Swiss President meet in Jeddah (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Swiss President Discuss Cooperation between their Countries

The Saudi Crown Prince and the Swiss President meet in Jeddah (SPA)
The Saudi Crown Prince and the Swiss President meet in Jeddah (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, met in Jeddah on Thursday with Swiss President Guy Parmelin.

They reviewed aspects of Saudi-Swiss cooperation across various fields and identified promising opportunities to develop it, particularly in investment.

They also discussed issues of mutual interest, recent developments in the region and the world, and coordinated efforts on these issues.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz; Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah; Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban; Governor of the Public Investment Fund Yasir Al-Rumayyan; Minister of Investment Fahad Al-Saif; and Saudi Ambassador to Switzerland Abdulrahman A-Dawood.

From the Swiss side, the meeting was attended by State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger; Swiss Ambassador to the Kingdom Yasmine Chatila; National Security Advisor Gabriel Luchinger; and a number of officials.