Saudi Arabia's Environmental Initiative, Regional Conflicts, Historic Appointments in Iran, and GCC Economic Growth Forecast
Saudi students plant 1,600 trees as part of Saudi Green Initiative; regional tensions rise with heightened Israel-Lebanon conflict.
Over in Saudi Arabia, the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority recently wrapped up the second phase of its environmental initiative with 1,300 students planting 1,600 native trees. This effort is part of the larger Saudi Green Initiative aimed at increasing vegetation cover and promoting sustainability, and student volunteer hours are being tracked by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development through the National Volunteer Portal.
Meanwhile, regional tensions have spiked following a deadly attack on Hezbollah using exploding pagers made by Hungarian company BAC Consulting KFT, resulting in 12 deaths and around 2,800 injuries. The aftermath has heightened fears of escalation, prompting Israel to move more troops to its border with Lebanon as a safeguard.
Shifting to Iran, in a historic move, President Masoud Pezeshkian has appointed Arash Zerehtan as the governor of Kurdistan province, making him the first Sunni Muslim to assume such a role in 45 years. This appointment, along with that of another Sunni as vice president, aligns with Pezeshkian’s pursuit of greater representation for ethnic and religious minorities.
Tragically, Lebanon also faced a series of deadly pager explosions that have been linked to Israel, leaving 12 dead and thousands injured, including innocent children. The Lebanese Health Minister reported that some of the severely injured have been transported to Syria and Iran for further treatment.
On a more hopeful note, the Philippines has resumed sending workers to Kuwait under new protective measures crafted after concerns arose due to the tragic murder of a domestic worker earlier this year. The agreement established between the Philippines and Kuwait includes a joint committee to continuously address labor issues and bolster protections for Overseas Filipino Workers.
Lastly, looking ahead, GCC economies are forecast to grow by 4.4 percent in 2025, with significant contributions from non-oil sectors and a rebound in oil production. Efforts from key players like Saudi Arabia and the UAE to diversify their economies, complemented by investments in tourism, trade, and finance, are expected to drive this growth, according to a report by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.