At COP29 Baku: OPEC and Azerbaijan Advocate Balanced Approach to Fossil Fuels, Saudi-Japan Partnership Announced for Renewable Investments
OPEC and Azerbaijan promote fossil fuel use at COP29, while Saudi Arabia and Japan boost renewable energy initiatives in the Middle East and Africa.
At COP29 in Baku, OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Al-Ghais and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev advocated for the continued use of oil and natural gas, describing them as "gifts from God" and suggesting that climate talks should focus more on emissions reduction rather than completely abandoning fossil fuels. Technologies like carbon capture, they argue, could align with the Paris Agreement's goals and address climate concerns.
Building on the theme of sustainability, Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power and Japan's ITOCHU Corp. announced a partnership at COP29 to invest in renewable energy and environmental infrastructure across regions like the Middle East and Africa. This collaboration is set to accelerate the global clean energy transition, contributing to ACWA Power's ambition of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and advancing sustainability through their expertise in renewables and green hydrogen.
Moving to regional security, at the 41st meeting of GCC Interior Ministers in Doha, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud called for Gulf nations to unite against tech-driven crimes. He underscored the need for collective strategies and capacity-building to tackle issues such as drug trafficking innovations and weapon smuggling, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's dedication to regional security.
In Saudi Arabia's Madinah region, the General Department of Traffic has identified the use of handheld mobile devices while driving as the leading cause of traffic accidents this year. Authorities urge adherence to traffic laws and road safety regulations, marking a significant public safety challenge that parallels efforts in other sectors to enhance community well-being.
In a gesture of goodwill, the first group of 250 pilgrims under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program has arrived in Madinah for Umrah. This initiative, led by King Salman, will host 1,000 pilgrims from 66 countries, highlighting Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering spiritual and cultural exchanges on a global scale.
Lastly, at the Misk Global Forum in Riyadh, Bill Gates commended Saudi Arabia's global health initiatives and announced a partnership with the Misk Foundation to empower youth in the nonprofit sector. This collaboration aligns with Saudi's Vision 2030, aiming to drive innovative solutions and enhance Saudi youth's participation in creating societal impact.
Building on the theme of sustainability, Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power and Japan's ITOCHU Corp. announced a partnership at COP29 to invest in renewable energy and environmental infrastructure across regions like the Middle East and Africa. This collaboration is set to accelerate the global clean energy transition, contributing to ACWA Power's ambition of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and advancing sustainability through their expertise in renewables and green hydrogen.
Moving to regional security, at the 41st meeting of GCC Interior Ministers in Doha, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud called for Gulf nations to unite against tech-driven crimes. He underscored the need for collective strategies and capacity-building to tackle issues such as drug trafficking innovations and weapon smuggling, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's dedication to regional security.
In Saudi Arabia's Madinah region, the General Department of Traffic has identified the use of handheld mobile devices while driving as the leading cause of traffic accidents this year. Authorities urge adherence to traffic laws and road safety regulations, marking a significant public safety challenge that parallels efforts in other sectors to enhance community well-being.
In a gesture of goodwill, the first group of 250 pilgrims under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program has arrived in Madinah for Umrah. This initiative, led by King Salman, will host 1,000 pilgrims from 66 countries, highlighting Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering spiritual and cultural exchanges on a global scale.
Lastly, at the Misk Global Forum in Riyadh, Bill Gates commended Saudi Arabia's global health initiatives and announced a partnership with the Misk Foundation to empower youth in the nonprofit sector. This collaboration aligns with Saudi's Vision 2030, aiming to drive innovative solutions and enhance Saudi youth's participation in creating societal impact.
