Advanced nuclear technologies and their role in the energy transition
New policies, public trust, and partnerships are crucial to accelerating these nuclear solutions. Platforms like the Forum’s Advanced Energy Solutions...
Russia becomes world’s fourth-biggest LNG producer, says PM
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said the country became the world’s fourth-biggest LNG producer last year. The Russian...
Business
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia, India ink MoU on electrical interconnectivity, green hydrogen
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - India and Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here in electrical interconnection, green/clean hydrogen,...
- The signing took place during the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- The MoU was signed by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy and India’s Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy.
Geostrategy
MOCCAE and Tadweer sign MoU to launch ‘Waste to Zero’ initiative
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer) have...
- The initiative is part of the Year of Sustainability and UAE's preparations for hosting the Conference of the Parties COP28.
- The initiative aims to strengthen the UAE's role in leading global action and contribute to international efforts to achieve the 43% emission reduction target by 2030.
World can’t ‘unplug’ existing energy system: COP28 head
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The president of the upcoming COP28 climate talks in Dubai called on Sunday for governments to abandon...
- Climate activists have criticized the appointment of Jaber to lead the COP28 talks which kick off in Dubai next month, given that he is also head of the oil firm ADNOC.
- But Jaber has garnered the support of COP parties including US climate envoy John Kerry, partly by emphasising his belief that "the phase-down of fossil fuels is inevitable."
Geostrategy
Putin launches Russian gas shipments to Uzbekistan
Moscow, Russia - Russian Vladimir Putin on Saturday announced the start of gas supplies to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan, a boost for...
- Despite being home to a wealth of natural resources including gas, the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan has faced energy shortages.
- Russian gas exports decreased by 21.5 percent in 2022 - as its largest buyer the European Union drastically reduced imports.
Business
Dubai’s weeklong real estate transactions exceed US$2.5bn
DUBAI, UAE - A total of 1,445 real estate transactions worth over US$2.5 billion (AED 9.5 billion) were conducted during...
- The Dubai Land Department report showed that 248 plots were sold for US$476 million.
- The DLS report said 1,197 apartments and villas were purchased for US$865 million.
Science
Drought caused major global hydropower drop in early 2023
BANGKOK, THAILAND - Dry conditions, particularly in China, caused a "historic" global drop in hydropower in the first half of 2023,...
- Wind and solar generation grew more slowly in the first half of this year than in the same period last year.
- The chief of this year's COP climate meeting has called for a global tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Business
Aramco’s Luberef resumes bitumen exports after 20 years
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - King Fahad Industrial Port has successfully shipped 5,500 tons of bitumen to South Africa onboard bulk...
- King Fahad Industrial Port has successfully shipped 5,500 tons of bitumen to South Africa making it the first cargo of oil byproduct from Yanbu-based hub.
- This reflects Mawani’s step to position the ports sector as a vehicle to fulfil Vision 2030’s ambition of transforming the Kingdom into a logistics hub.
Economy
Middle East economic growth to fall in 2023, says World Bank
WASHINGTON, US - The growth of the economies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is expected to fall...
- The region’s gross domestic product is expected to fall to 1.9 percent in 2023 from 6 percent in 2022, due to oil production cuts.
- The decline in growth this year is expected to be more pronounced in the oil exporting countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Business
ADNOC awards two contracts for Hail and Ghasha Offshore Development project
ABU DHABI, UAE – ADNOC on Thursday announced the final investment decision (FID) and award of contracts for the Hail...
- The first contract for the offshore facilities has been awarded to a joint venture between National Petroleum Construction Company and Saipem.
- The second contract will deliver the onshore scope, including carbon dioxide and sulphur recovery and handling and has been awarded to Tecnimont.
Business
Farmers turn to solar power in Syria’s former breadbasket
Al-Haddadiya, Syria - At his farm in Syria's northeast, Abdullah al-Mohammed adjusts a large solar panel, one of hundreds that have...
- Solar energy has offered a lifeline for the farmers amid drought and power shortages, but some warn the boom also has environmental costs in the once-fertile region
- "We are trying to revive our land," despite dwindling groundwater reserves, said Mohammed, 38, as he oriented the panel towards the sun near his cotton fields.
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Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
Advanced nuclear technologies and their role in the energy transition
New policies, public trust, and partnerships are crucial to accelerating these nuclear solutions. Platforms like the Forum’s Advanced Energy Solutions...
Company News
Latest News
‘Innovation is crucial for UAE’s energy efficiency’
"Through effective and constructive collaboration with various local and international partners, we have succeeded in establishing an integrated energy transition...
EU seeks 90 percent drop in greenhouse emission by 2040
Strasbourg, France - The EU on Tuesday urged a 90-percent cut to its greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, even as the...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Geostrategy
Parisians vote in anti-SUV parking and pollution referendum
Paris, France -- Parisians were voting on Sunday in a referendum on tripling parking costs for hefty SUV-style cars, a campaign...
- Some 1.3m people in Paris are eligible to cast their ballot on the change, which would see cars weighing 1.6 tons or more charged $19.50 per hour for parking in central areas.
- Fully electric cars would have to top two tons to be affected, while people living or working in Paris, taxi drivers, tradespeople, health workers and the disabled are exempted.
Business
Use of DEWA’s electric-vehicle green chargers up 59% in 2023
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)’s EV Green Charger initiative witnessed a 59 percent increase in the...
- Dubai has seen a notable increase in the use of EVs since 2015. The number of EVs in the Emirate reached 25,929 vehicles by December 2023.
- The number of EV owners registered under the initiative has increased from a mere 14 in 2015 to more than 13,959 by the end of December 2023.
Business
OPEC+ panel reaffirms cartel’s current output reduction strategy
In an effort to shore up prices, the OPEC+ oil alliance of 23 nations has implemented supply cuts of more...
- In a statement following a meeting via videoconference, the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) of OPEC+ stopped short of making any recommendations on its output policy.
- However, the panel said it "reviewed the crude oil production data for the months of November and December 2023", noting the "high conformity" among participating nations.