5 Top Points
- The UAE and France agreed to strengthen AI cooperation and build the largest data centre in Europe in France.
- Qatar and Türkiye joined the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development.
- Kuwait’s Emir appointed new Minister of Defence.
- Poland’s President visited the UAE in a bid to strengthen economic security cooperation.
- Bahrain and Qatar formed a $1.27 billion steel supply partnership.
‘Round and About the Gulf
Kingdom of Bahrain
Sunday, 9 February—Bahrain Steel and Qatar Steel signed a $1.27 billion agreement to supply 5 million tonnes of steel over five years, aiming to enhance industrial cooperation and strengthen local supply chains. By reducing reliance on imported raw materials, the deal aims to boost economic resilience and market stability across the region. The agreement was signed within the framework of the Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development.
State of Kuwait
Tuesday, 4 February—Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah appointed Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah as Kuwait’s Minister of Defence, modifying Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah’s role to First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
Sultanate of Oman
Thursday, 6 February—The UAE and Oman signed several strategic agreements to support the shared $3 billion railway network project. Those included a long-term commercial agreement signed by Hafeet Rail with Emsteel to transport and export raw materials from Oman to the UAE, and two contracts with Larson & Toubro and PowerChina to design and build railway facilities in Oman and with China Railway Construction Corporation Limited to supply a fleet of freight wagons.
State of Qatar
Sunday, 9 February—Qatar and Türkiye joined the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development, which was launched in 2022 in Abu Dhabi, and includes Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and the UAE. It came as Doha hosted the Partnership’s 5th meeting featuring the member states’ Ministers of Industry and Commerce that saw the signing of strategic projects worth over $2 billion, notably in the metals, pharmaceuticals, and plastic industries.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Wednesday, 5 February—Saudi Arabia released a statement saying that it would not establish ties with Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state. It came in response to statements by the US President, Donald Trump, and Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Monday, 10 February—The first two days of the fourth edition of the LEAP 2025 tech conference in Riyadh, attracted nearly $22.5 billion in strategic investments and partnerships in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure. Key announcements included NEOM and Datavolt partnering to invest $5 billion in the world’s first fully sustainable AI data centre in OXAGON, Mobily’s $911 million investment in digital infrastructure, including submarine cables and data centres in the Kingdom, and Alfanar’s $1.4 billion investment to develop four data centres with a capacity of 88 gigawatts.
United Arab Emirates
Wednesday, 5 February—The UAE mediated the exchange of 300 Ukrainian and Russian prisoners of war, bringing the total number of prisoners exchanged with UAE’s help to 2,883.
EU Corner
Saturday, 8 February—Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the Chair of the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) in the European Parliament, led the first SEDE delegation to Israel and Palestine between 5-8 February to assess the work of the EU’s two CSDP civilian missions and affirming the Parliament’s support for the two-State Solution as the only means to a lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Key Official Visits & Contacts
Wednesday, 5 February—Oman’s Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, Khalifa Ali Al-Harthy, received Italy’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, to discuss bilateral relations and developments in the Middle East.
Thursday, 6 February—The UAE’s President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and French President, Emmanuel Macron, signed the UAE-France Framework for Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) during their meeting in Paris. The UAE will invest €30 billion-€50 billion to build Europe’s largest AI data centre in France that will serve as the core of a new AI campus. The partnership will include exploring new opportunities for AI-related projects and investments, such as advanced chip applications, data centre infrastructure, talent development, and the creation of Virtual Data Embassies to strengthen AI and cloud infrastructure in both countries.
Sunday, 9 February—Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, and his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, held a telephone call about bilateral relations and opportunities for cooperation, including the developments in the Ukrainian-Russian crisis, and the ‘Food From Ukraine’ programme to assist the Syrian people.
Monday, 10 February—Italy’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, concluded his visit to Kuwait, during which he co-chaired the fourth round of bilateral political consultations. The talks focused on key regional and international issues, as well as strengthening political, economic, and strategic cooperation in defence, health, and mobility. Cirielli also met Kuwaiti officials to explore investment opportunities in Italy and co-financing projects with African partners.
Tuesday, 11 February—Minister of Foreign Affairs, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, led Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris. The Saudi delegation included President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, Abdullah Alghamdi.
Monday, 10 February—Poland’s President, Andrzej Duda, travelled to the UAE for the World Government Summit to promote investment opportunities in Poland, strengthen economic ties and discuss economic security cooperation in Europe. On the sidelines, he held bilateral meetings with Kuwaiti and Emirati officials.
Tuesday, 11 February—Oman’s Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces, Vice Admiral Abdullah Khamis Al-Raisi, met with several Iranian military officials during his official visit to Iran, including Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, and Chief Commander of the Iranian Army, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi.