5 Top Points
- The 16th BRICS Summit, held in Kazan, Russia, concluded.
- The US met with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
- The 9th Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum was held in Barcelona.
- Iran held separate phone calls with Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
- Russia and Kuwait met in Moscow.
‘Round and About the Gulf
Kingdom of Bahrain
Thursday, 24 October—Under the instruction of Bahrain’s King, Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the General Secretariat of the Shura Council and Nasser Artificial Intelligence Research & Development Centers (NAIRDC) held a session titled “Future Trends and Adopting AI Opportunities and Expanding Parliament’s Role in Addressing Them.” The session focused on the current and future use of AI intelligence, the legislative role in developing AI laws, and ensuring the ethical use and transparency of AI. This session was meant to reinforce the Council’s role in supporting Bahrain’s democratic process.
State of Kuwait
Thursday, 24 October—The Kuwait Armed Forces are taking part in the three-week military exercise “Iron Shield 2” with a British infantry battalion. The joint exercise includes operating weapons, joint sniper training, and training on armoured vehicles to enhance cooperation and bilateral relations in the military and security sectors.
Sunday, 27 October— After four postponement periods, The National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises Development announced it will resume collecting loan instalments. The fund’s capital amounts to KD 2 billion and finances about 80% of capital for Kuwaiti owned small and medium enterprises during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sultanate of Oman
Monday, 28 October—The Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) celebrated the public listing of Q Exploration and Production’s (OQEP) shares with an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of 25% of the company’s share capital. The total value of the company shares is more than RO 3 billion, making it the first exploration and production company and the largest company to be listed on the MSX. This supports the goal of economic diversification set out in the Oman Vision 2040.
State of Qatar
Sunday, 27 October—The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) announced the arrival of the first batch of fuel in Beirut to support the Lebanese army in maintaining its operations under the current challenges.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Thursday, 24 September—Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports, including reexports, rose by 7.5% in August compared to the same month last year, reaching $7.33 billion. Chemical products, plastics and rubber products, and re-exported goods led the non-oil export categories. This development aligns with the aim of diversifying the economy set out in the Vision 2030.
United Arab Emirates
Wednesday, 23 October—The Abu Dhabi-based company Calidus Aerospace, a member of the Emirates Defence Companies Council, signed strategic collaboration agreements with the Turkish defence companies ASELSAN and HAVELSAN. These agreements strengthen the security cooperation on advanced technologies between Türkiye and the UAE. With this cooperation, Calidus aims to be at the forefront of defence and aerospace innovation, contributing to the achievement of the UAE’s strategic goals.
EU Corner
Wednesday, 23 October—The European Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia (ECCKSA) hosted the event “Women in Leadership-Connecting for a Sustainable Future”, highlighting the role of women in leadership, shaping communities, driving innovation, enhancing productivity, and promoting diversity within organisations.
Thursday, 24 October—The second European Food Festival was held in Riyadh from October 24-25 with 11 European countries offering distinctive European dishes and cooking demonstrations from renowned chefs that prompted culinary diversity. Around 40,000 visitors were in attendance.
Friday, 25 October—An informal meeting was held between the Ambassadors of the GCC and the Ambassadors of the Political and Security Committee of the EU, discussing shared interests on issues of maritime security and regional stability.
Monday, 28 October—The 9th Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum was held in Barcelona and co-chaired by Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. The Forum emphasised international and regional dialogue for the growing escalation in the Gaza Strip and Southern Lebanon. The Forum was attended by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, and Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji.
Key Official Visits & Contacts
Wednesday, 23 October—The Foreign Minister of Oman, Sayyid Badr Hamad Al-Busaidi, met with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, to discuss the Ukraine-Russia conflict and means to achieve a solution in alignment with international law as well as an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Both ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including economy, technology, transfer, transport, logistics, and renewable energy.
Wednesday, 23 October— The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, met with officials from Saudi Arabia, including the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, in Riyadh. They discussed bilateral relations and securing regional stability, specifically in Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan.
Wednesday, 23 October—Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and Prime Minister of and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, met with the German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Chancellor, Olaf Scholtz, in Berlin. They discussed the enhancement of bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, and trade fields and ways to address the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. They also discussed efforts towards securing a ceasefire in Gaza.
Thursday, 24 October—The 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia, under the theme “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security” with 36 countries participating. The summit called for an international conference on a two-state solution with the Palestinian State being established along the pre-1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital. The summit was attended by the UAE’s President, Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nayhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani.
Thursday, 24 October— Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, received the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in Doha. It was announced that US and Israeli negotiators will return to Doha for a new round of talks aimed at securing the release of hostages and a ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip.
Friday, 25 October—The UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, met with the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in London to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional developments and efforts towards securing a ceasefire in Gaza.
Friday, 25 October—Kuwait’s Minister of Finance, Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investments, and Acting Minister of Oil, Noura Al-Fassam, met with the US Acting Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, Amy Holman, on the sidelines of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings. Both sides discussed ways to improve financial and economic reforms and to survey investment opportunities in Kuwait’s national projects, as well as efforts to economically empower women and the youth.
Friday, 25 October—Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, met with the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. They discussed the conflict in Gaza and its humanitarian repercussions.
Saturday, 26 October— Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, held a phone call with Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi. They discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region. Al-Thani condemned the Israeli attacks on Iran and expressed concern for the destabilisation of the region.
Monday, 28 October— During an official visit to Moscow, Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, met with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, to discuss the need to complete the demarcation of the Kuwaiti-Iraqi maritime border beyond mark no.162 as well as resolving the Kuwait-Iran maritime border, and finding a political solution for the Syrian crisis.
Monday, 28 October—Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, to discuss Israel’s strikes on Iran [26 October] and means to prevent escalation.
Tuesday, 29 October—Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince, Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, met with Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, to discuss bilateral relations. The two countries signed eight memoranda of understanding concerning digital technologies and green technology.