SERVER STAKES

UAE tech investor MGX is joining BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners in seeking a stake in Aligned Data Centers, which has tapped into surging demand to build AI infrastructure. The deal involves buying out current owner Macquarie and could value Aligned at around $40 billion, making it one of the year’s largest digital infrastructure transactions, Bloomberg reports. MGX, an artificial intelligence investment firm launched by Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, is expected to participate independently in the deal alongside GIP. Mubadala already holds a separate stake in Aligned.

RAIL PASS

A rail service connecting all six Gulf countries is being built with seamless border crossings and will be “as easy as taking a plane.” Officials at the Global Rail conference taking place this week in Abu Dhabi, told The National that the project was on track to open by December 2030. Construction on Hafeet Rail, the section linking the UAE to Oman, has already begun and is expected to be completed within three years, CEO Ahmed Al Musawa Al Hashemi told the conference. The second edition of Global Rail, which wraps up today, drew more than 20,000 participants and comes amid anticipation for the launch of the UAE’s first passenger rail service next year. Among the announcements from the event was a new tram network connecting Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island with Zayed International Airport and Etihad Rail’s deal with taxi company Yango Group to connect suburban stations in the UAE.

International Holding Company: IHC will acquire a 43.5% stake in Indian mortgage lender Sammaan Capital for almost $1 billion.

Mubadala Capital: Corient, the Miami-based investment advisory subsidiary of Mubadala Capital-owned asset manager CI Financial, will acquire Bristlecone Advisors, a multi-family office based in Bellevue, Washington, with $2 billion in assets under management.

ADQ: AD Ports Group has signed a preliminary agreement with SPG Yantai Port, a Chinese government enterprise which operates ports in Shandong province, to establish an automotive logistics corridor between Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

🏠 Beach House: An off-plan penthouse in the luxury Four Seasons Private Residences development on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island has sold for $54 million. It features five-bedrooms, two lifts, a private cinema, chef’s kitchen and a fitness studio and spa.

💰 Startup Cash: Saudi investment firm Sukna Capital and U.S.-based venture debt provider Partners for Growth will invest up to $50 million in high-potential tech companies and SMEs across the Middle East.

💱 Currency Exchange: The UAE and Turkish central banks signed a currency swap worth AED 18 billion ($4.9 billion), along with two agreements to make it easier to use local currencies in cross-border trade and connect payment systems.

👍 Finished Work: Saudi Arabia’s National Water Company plans to complete 34 projects worth $987 million by end-2025, after already finishing 68 projects this year.

🌭 Secret Sauce: Europe’s Windoria is acquiring Saudi condiment company Al-Fursan for an undisclosed sum.

🤝 Property IPO: Dubai-based luxury developer Binghatti Holding is in talks with banks including Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Emirates NBD and EFG Hermes for a potential IPO.

⛽ Oil Glut: Unsold Middle Eastern crude cargoes for November, estimated at 6-12 million barrels from sellers including the UAE and Qatar, may be an early sign of a global oil surplus, Bloomberg reports.

☀️ Energy Mix: Egypt plans to boost renewables to 42% of its energy mix by 2030 and 65% by 2040, and aims to be a global green hydrogen hub despite funding and technology hurdles, its energy minister said.

💵 Leasing Assets: Kuwait Petroleum Corp. is hiring JPMorgan to help lease part of its pipeline network in a deal that could raise up to $7 billion to fund its investment plans, Bloomberg reports.

🛵 New Beginning: Deliveroo UAE announced its official integration with DoorDash following the completion of the acquisition, with Wolt Co-Founder Miki Kuusi taking on the role of CEO at Deliveroo alongside his current position as DoorDash’s Head of International.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, met with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Thursday before an exhibition game in the UAE capital between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers.

Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense, held a phone call on Thursday with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, visited the National Guard headquarters in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, UAE Minister of Finance, Deputy Prime Minister and First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, met with Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal in Dubai on Thursday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Crown Prince of the northern emirate of Fujairah, delivered the opening speech at the 40th edition of the Crans Montana Forum in Rabat.

Jasem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, GCC Secretary-General, said during the joint meeting of GCC finance ministers and central bank governors with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in Kuwait on Thursday that the economies of the GCC have demonstrated strong resilience in absorbing global economic shocks.

Nicolas Levi was appointed Regional Vice President, Middle East, Pakistan & Afghanistan of Western Union. 

Saeed Rashid Al Abdi, Chairman of the Finance, Economy and Industry Committee at the UAE Federal National Council, met with Tim van de Molen, Chair of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Committee of the New Zealand Parliament, at the FNC headquarters in Abu Dhabi on Friday. 

🎥 Roll Call: A major casting agency appears to be hunting for extras for the filming of “Dune: Part Three” in Abu Dhabi. While the film isn’t named, Miranda Davidson Studios is looking to fill roles for babies, children, teenagers and adult women in a “Hollywood blockbuster” being shot in the Liwa Desert between October and November, The National reports. Both “Dune” and “Dune: Part Two” were filmed in Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission announced in August that the next chapter in the series would also feature Liwa as the setting for the fictional planet Arrakis.

Oct. 4, Abu Dhabi. Syria recovery and investment forum. Influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers and advisory experts explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. Sheraton Abu Dhabi.

Oct.6-7, Dubai. AGRA Middle East. The largest agricultural trade show in the region will showcase the latest agriculture trends, from smart farming to regenerative agriculture. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 6-7, Dubai. The Forex Expo. The event includes a conference offering insights into the world of online trading products, including Forex, stocks, commodities, metals and more. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 13-17, Dubai. GITEX Global. The giant tech and startup show is back for its 45th edition, bringing together government and industry leaders., innovators and government. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

Nov. 3-6, Abu Dhabi. ADIPEC. Bringing together professionals, companies, and government leaders to discuss and showcase the latest developments in oil, gas, and cleaner energy technologies. ADNEC Center.

SAUDI SHIPPING

Saudi shipping company Bahri is gearing up to turn itself into the world’s leading operator of very large crude carriers, with an ambitious plan to add more than 90 vessels to its fleet over the next decade. The company, which is backed by the Public Investment Fund and Aramco,has already placed a $205 million order for the kingdom’s first domestically-built bulk cargo carriers and is eyeing 20 new VLCCs for delivery by 2030. Bahri CEO Ahmed Al-Subaey told Bloomberg in an interview that the company is on the brink of “unprecedented expansion,” aiming to capture more business from heavyweights like Aramco and Sabic, as part of the kingdom’s push to channel trade through its national champions. Currently, Bahri only handles 15% of Aramco’s shipping. 

LULU DOWN UNDER

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has invited UAE grocery giant LuLu Group to expand into Australia and take on the country’s supermarket duopoly, Coles and Woolworths. Albanese confirmed he had made the invitation to LuLu Group Chairman Yusuff Ali while visiting the UAE earlier this week to mark the start of a free-trade agreement between the two countries, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports. LuLu Group has more than 250 stores across the Gulf, Asia and Europe. “I have encouraged him to come to Australia as well, we need more competition in the Australian supermarket sector, and we have had a little discussion about that,” Albanese said. The new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which was signed in Canberra last November, is expected to lift annual bilateral trade to more than $10 billion by 2032.

XRG: Fertiglobe, the chemical fertilizer arm of Adnoc and XRG, acquired Wengfu Australia’s fertilizer distribution assets across five ports.

Qatar Investment Authority: Qatar, through Qatari Diar, a subsidiary of the QIA, acquired 20.2 square kilometers of land in Egypt’s Ras Alam El-Rum for $4 billion to develop an integrated tourism project.

Masdar: The Abu Dhabi green energy company has finalized its acquisition of a 49.99% stake in a $432 million portfolio of four solar plants in Spain from Endesa.

International Holding Company: Abu Dhabi dredging company NMDC Group, which is backed by IHC subsidiary Alpha Dhabi Holding, signed a $610 million contract with the Pasay Harbor City Corporation to undertake large-scale dredging and land reclamation activities in Philippines’ Manila Bay.

ADNOC: KKR has acquired a minority stake in ADNOC Gas Pipeline Assets.

🎭 Culture Fund: Chinese media group ORI has pledged $533 million to establish its regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, where it plans to invest in movies, tourism and fashion, Bloomberg reports. 

💰 Money Making: Sohar International Bank, Oman’s second-largest lender, raised $500 million through a bond issue now listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange.

🌍 Asia Bound: Dubai-based Grocery chain Spinneys is expanding into Southeast Asia via a 40% stake in a joint venture with Ayala Corporation in the Philippines.

💰 Foreigners Invest: Saudi Arabia’s Capital Markets Authority launched a public consultation on plans to scrap the “qualified foreign investor” concept, aiming to open its stock market to all foreign investors, broaden participation and boost liquidity.

📈 Bond Rush: Bahrain joined other GCC states in tapping international debt markets with eight-year Islamic bonds and a 12-year conventional bond.

🚆 Speed Passengers: Etihad Rail and France’s Keolis Group will form a joint venture to begin operating passenger trains in the UAE next year.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, Prime Minister of Iraq, at Qasr Al Shati palace in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, and Chairman of Etihad Rail, visited the pavilions at Global Rail 2025 in Abu Dhabi.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister, and his Syrian counterpart, Assad Al-Shaibani, met on the sidelines of the Munich Leaders Meeting in AlUla on Wednesday.

Sara Ali has been appointed as the Middle East & Africa Platforms & Data Head at Citi. She brings experience in platform modernization and data transformation.

Dr. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal joins the board of directors at Bahrain-based global alternative investment firm Arcapita Group.

Mazen Al Tamimi was appointed as board member of New World Group, a global merchant banking and investment platform.

👑 Saudi Royalties: Musicians from Saudi Arabia have seen a surge in royalties from streaming, signifying growing recognition among global audiences, The National reports. Spotify’s Loud and Clear analysis, its first stand-alone report for the kingdom, showed that local artists earned more than $3.5 million in royalties on the streaming platform in 2024, up 76% on the previous year. More than 90% of those royalties came from international markets, including U.S., Brazil, India, Germany, U.K. and France. Spotify has been working to boost the fan bases of Saudi artists, hosting residencies and workshops and expanding the use of marketing tools.

Oct. 4, Abu Dhabi. Syria recovery and investment forum. Influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers and advisory experts explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. Sheraton Abu Dhabi.

Oct.6-7, Dubai. AGRA Middle East. The largest agricultural trade show in the region will showcase the latest agriculture trends, from smart farming to regenerative agriculture. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 6-7, Dubai. The Forex Expo. The event includes a conference offering insights into the world of online trading products, including Forex, stocks, commodities, metals and more. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 13-17, Dubai. GITEX Global. The giant tech and startup show is back for its 45th edition, bringing together government and industry leaders., innovators and government. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

Nov. 3-6, Abu Dhabi. ADIPEC. Bringing together professionals, companies, and government leaders to discuss and showcase the latest developments in oil, gas, and cleaner energy technologies. ADNEC Center.

GULF CHANNEL

Silver Lake, the U.S. private equity firm that helped Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund lead this week’s $55 billion buyout of gaming titan Electronic Arts, has made itself a fixture in the Gulf. Having long cultivated ties with Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala and other sovereign wealth funds, Silver Lake has earned a reputation for helping to unlock vast pools of capital in the region, Bloomberg reports. Egon Durban, for example, Silver Lake’s Co-CEO, has developed a personal rapport with Mubadala CEO Khaldoon Al Mubarak and the Emirati fund bought a 5% stake in Silver Lake five years ago. Affinity Partners founder Jared Kushner, meanwhile, receives credit for helping to initiate talks between EA and the Saudi fund to make the acquisition, which has become the biggest leveraged buyout in history, The Wall Street Journal reports.

TAILOR MADE

Riyadh-based Merak Capital has set up an $80 million fund to support the fashion industry in Saudi Arabia, anchored by the kingdom’s Cultural Development Fund. The Fashion Fund will invest across the industry, supporting Saudi labels, as well as beauty brands, e-commerce and technology companies working with apparel. Saudi Arabia hosted its first fashion shows in 2018 and has since established Riyadh Fashion Week and Red Sea Fashion Week. The sector is poised for significant growth, with fashion and luxury expected to hit $42 billion by 2028, according to industry tracker Fashion Futures.

Public Investment Fund: Kent, a Dubai-based energy services company, won an enginering contract from PIF-owned ACWA Power to oversee construction of Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu Green Hydrogen Hub.

Mubadala Investment Company: M42, a subsidiary of Mubadala, will collaborate with the Medical Tourism Association and Mastercard to feature its facilities on the “Better by MTA” heathcare platform.

CYVN Holdings: McLaren CEO Zak Brown earned £37.3 million ($50.3 million) last year after the team’s first Formula One title since 1998, making him one of the industry’s best-paid bosses, Bloomberg reports. Bahrain sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat and Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings took full control of the racing team last month.

🕹️ Air Delivery: Keeta, a Chinese-owned drone delivery platform, will establish its regional headquarters in the UAE as part of an expansion into e-commerce and AI-powered logistics.

💵 Bond Demand: Kuwait and Egypt drew more than $29 billion in investor orders for new dollar bond offerings as governments in the region tapped markets ahead of expected U.S. interest rate cuts.

👋 Startup Funds: Beco Capital, a Dubai-based venture capital firm, closed $370 million across two new funds with a focus on the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

💸 Double Whammy: UAE-based venture capital company Iliad Partners raised money from investors including Greek banks to mark the second closing of its $50 million fund and doubling its assets under management.

🛰️ Mini-Satellites: Commcrete, an Israeli startup that develops satellite communication devices small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, raised $29 million in a Series A funding round led by Greenfield Partners.

🛢️ Oil Talks: OPEC+ members may consider a larger production increase than planned for November, beyond the 137,000 barrels per day agreed for October, as Saudi Arabia seeks to recover oil market share.

🚆 Rail Expansion: Saudi Arabia is planning to double its 5,500-kilometer railway network to improve  transportation links and support economic development across the kingdom.

🏡 Housing Jobs: Singapore’s SC Capital Partners, with co-sponsor CapitaLand Investment, launched the SC GCC Real Estate Industrial Development Fund in the UAE to back a Ras Al Khaimah industrial project.

🚦 Green Light: Amanat Holdings’ subsidiary Almasar Education received approval for an IPO on Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul Stock Exchange and plans to offer 30% of its share capital.

💰 Money Back: Davidson Kempner Capital has acquired about $1.4 billion in bad debt from Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, the second such transaction between the U.S. hedge fund and one of the Gulf’s largest lenders, Bloomberg reports.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed received participants on Tuesday from the Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition currently taking place at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohamed also met with Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of the northern emirate of Fujairah, and with Arpine Sargsyan, Armenia’s Minister of Internal Affairs.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, National Security Advisor and Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, chaired a meeting of the Abu Dhabi Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council on Wednesday in the presence of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

Paolo Casamassima was named Executive Director for Investor Relations and Stakeholder Engagement at Arqaam Capital.

Georges Khoueiri was named CEO of Mirabaud Middle East, the Dubai-based subsidiary of Geneva-based private banking group Mirabaud.

Raid Al Rubaiey was appointed CEO of Oman’s SOHAR Freezone and Deputy CEO of SOHAR Port.

🐪 Camel Art: A large collection of ancient rock carvings featuring life-sized camels, wild donkeys, ibex, gazelles and people has been discovered in the Nefud Desert of northern Saudi Arabia, providing the strongest evidence of humans thriving in the harsh environment thousands of years earlier than previously believed. Created around 12,000 years ago, the stone engravings are the oldest dated rock art in the Arabian peninsula, according to findings published in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. An international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 2, Dubai. Zawya GCC Capital Markets Forum. Bringing together top executives and financial institutions to discuss the region’s evolving equity and debt markets. Fairmont Dubai.

Oct. 2-Oct. 4, Abu Dhabi: NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025. New York Knicks face the Philadelphia 76ers in two pre-season games. Etihad Arena.

Oct. 4, Abu Dhabi. Syria recovery and investment forum. Influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers and advisory experts explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. Sheraton Abu Dhabi.

Oct.6-7, Dubai. AGRA Middle East. The largest agricultural trade show in the region will showcase the latest agriculture trends, from smart farming to regenerative agriculture. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 6-7, Dubai. The Forex Expo. The event includes a conference offering insights into the world of online trading products, including Forex, stocks, commodities, metals and more. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 13-17, Dubai. GITEX Global. The giant tech and startup show is back for its 45th edition, bringing together government and industry leaders., innovators and government. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

PEACE PIVOT

Foreign ministers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan voiced support for the 20-point Gaza peace plan introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump. The joint statement, released after Trump’s White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, welcomed what the ministers described as “sincere efforts” to end the conflict. “The ministers affirm their readiness to engage positively and constructively with the United States and the parties toward finalizing the agreement and assuring its implementation in a manner that ensures peace, security and stability for the people of the region,” the statement said. A response to the plan from Hamas is still pending.

SUN SPOT

Yemen’s first large-scale solar plant, which was funded by the UAE, is helping alleviate power shortages in the port city of Aden, Reuters reports. The 120 megawatt Aden Solar Power Plant produces enough electricity to power more than 150,000 homes and is helping businesses avoid losses and damage caused by power outages. Yemen, which has been battling fuel shortages and severe damage to its power infrastructure from years of war, is the least electrified country in the Middle East. The second phase of the power plant is expected to double solar capacity in 2026.

Public Investment Fund: Dan Co., a unit of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, launched Solan, a new agritourism brand offering farm stays and lodge experiences across the kingdom.

Qatar Investment Authority: The QIA confirmed new U.S. investments including deals with Blue Owl and Elon Musk’s xAI as part of its pledge to deploy $500 billion in American assets.with Blue Owl and Elon Musk’s xAI as part of its pledge to deploy $500 billion in American assets.

ADQ: Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the UAE Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, received a delegation from AD Ports Group, headed by Managing Director and Group CEO Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, at Al Nakheel Palace in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on the group’s projects to develop yachting and cruise ship facilities on Sir Bani Yas Island, a wildlife sanctuary about 250 kilometers south-west of Abu Dhabi.

Oman Investment Authority: The OIA has invested an undisclosed sum in Oxford, U.K.-based Salience Labs through its Future Generations Fund in a bid to strengthen its artificial intelligence infrastructure. Salience is developing optical chips that transmit data using light instead of electrical signals.

🎈 Helium Pact: QatarEnergy signed a long-term agreement to supply helium to Germany’s Messer Group, citing reserves in the North Field gas basin projected to meet global demand for three decades.

🚕 Ride Share: Careem, the Dubai-based ride-hailing app owned by Uber, has bought a minority stake in UAE online car rental service Swapp for an undisclosed sum.

🌍 Africa Investment: A syndicate of lenders led by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank have backed a $1.5 billion facility for Lagos-based Africa Finance Corporation. 

📈 Mecca Momentum: Shares of Saudi developer Retal Urban Development Co., which builds housing in Mecca, have gained nearly 60% since its June listing on the Tadawul exchange.

🗞️ Translate This: Saudi Arabia’s Arab News will publish in 50 languages through a partnership with speech and translation company CAMB(at)AI, Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas announced on Monday.

🇸🇦 Cleric Shift: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s success in curbing the political influence of Saudi Arabia’s religious establishment is explored in an article published by the Financial Times.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Qasr Al Shati palace in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The pair discussed the details of a trade deal between the two countries, which comes into effect this week.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, approved a 42 billion dirham ($11.4 billion) expansion of the Liveability Strategy to fund additional quality-of-life projects.

Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, told Arab News that Saudi Arabia’s box office revenues are approaching those of the United Kingdom, crediting rapid cinema construction and expanding film distribution.

Joshua Pack, Co-CEO of Fortress Investment Group, died unexpectedly on Monday at the age of 51, Axios reports. Pack was promoted to the role in 2023 as part of the deal when Mubadala and firm management took over Fortress from SoftBank. “Josh left an indelible mark on our institution,” Fortress said in a statement. 

Daniel Asmar, CEO of Audi Capital, launched the Audi Capital MENA Art Fund, a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle regulated by Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority, during the inaugural Cultural Investment Conference in Riyadh.

🍽️ Beirut’s Back: Beirut’s culinary scene is making a comeback, with Gulf tourists flocking to the city to return to beloved restaurants and queue up for a taste of a trendy $13 tomato sandwich, Bloomberg reports. Kuwait and the UAE have lifted travel bans for their citizens, with Saudi Arabia expected to follow soon, and flocks of social media influencers are jetting in to document their favorite hotspots. Among them is Em Sherif Deli in downtown Beirut, now one of Lebanon’s most popular brands and the source of the sought-after sandwich. Despite Lebanon’s economic woes and decades of wartime damage in the capital, the eatery has expanded to 30 international restaurants, including flashy outposts in London and Monaco.

Sept. 30-Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. An international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 2, Dubai. Zawya GCC Capital Markets Forum. Bringing together top executives and financial institutions to discuss the region’s evolving equity and debt markets. Fairmont Dubai.

Oct. 4, Abu Dhabi. Syria recovery and investment forum. Influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers and advisory experts explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. Sheraton Abu Dhabi.

Oct.6-7, Dubai. AGRA Middle East. The largest agricultural trade show in the region will showcase the latest agriculture trends, from smart farming to regenerative agriculture. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 6-7, Dubai. The Forex Expo. The event includes a conference offering insights into the world of online trading products, including Forex, stocks, commodities, metals and more. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 13-17, Dubai. GITEX Global. The biggest tech and startup show in the world is back for its 45th edition, bringing together industry leaders, innovators and tech specialists to explore global change. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

GAME ON

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, private equity firm Silver Lake and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners are part of a group that is attempting a $50 billion leveraged buyout of gaming titan Electronic Arts. The group is in advanced talks for the deal, potentially the largest leveraged buyout in history, The Wall Street Journal reports. The PIF, which already holds a 10% stake in EA, has been expanding gaming investments through its Savvy Games Group. Silver Lake’s Gulf activity includes its investment of $800 million in the Abu Dhabi-owned tech company G42, which gave Managing Partner Egon Durban a seat on the board in 2021.

LEARNING CURVE

Dubai-based school operator GEMS Education is among the frontrunners bidding for Riyadh-based Ajialuna Educational Co. in a move that could give it a large foothold in the kingdom, where Ajialuna serves more than 14,000 students. Majority owner Sulaiman Alrajhi Holding is seeking to sell its entire stake, with several local investors also bidding, Bloomberg reports. GEMS, which is backed by Brookfield Asset Management, is one of the world’s biggest education companies, with dozens of schools in the Middle East. Demand for quality education and international curriculums is growing rapidly in Saudi Arabia, both from expatriate and local families, as the government tries to address its skills gap.

Masdar: Infinity Power, a joint venture between Egypt’s Infinity Energy and the UAE’s Masdar, will launch a $1 billion, 1,200 megawatt solar-plus-storage project in Egypt after closing financing on its 200 MW Ras Ghareb wind farm.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: A subsidiary of ADIA has become the lead investor in GL Capital’s $230 million continuation vehicle for U.S.-based SciClone Pharmaceuticals.

MGX Group: Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, UAE National Security Adviser and Chairman of MGX, led the Abu Dhabi-owned investment fund’s second board meeting of 2025 on Sunday.

🏗️ Trump Jeddah: London-listed Saudi developer Dar Global has signed a deal with the Trump Organization to build a new $1 billion commercial and housing development in Jeddah, Bloomberg reports.

💰 Counting Losses: Kuwait Airways shareholders approved a plan to write off almost $1 billion in accumulated losses through a reduction in the company’s capital.

💸 Major Deals: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani kicked off the Iraq Investment Forum in Baghdad on Saturday by announcing $450 billion worth of investment opportunities.

🔌 Electric Connection: Milan-based cable company Prysmian has been awarded a $1 billion contract to build a submarine electricity interconnection between Italy and Tunisia.

🤝 Flexible Loan: Dubai-based hospitality group, Five Holdings secured a $460 million revolving credit facility to fund its global expansion and repay debt.

⚡ Energy Tour: JPMorgan Chase organized a trip for select clients to the Gulf to highlight investment opportunities emerging from the region’s energy transition, Bloomberg reports.

🛩️ Aero Partners: K2, an Abu Dhabi government-owned company specializing in advanced autonomous systems, signed a letter of intent with Pahang Aerospace City and the University Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah to collaborate on developing next-generation autonomous platforms.

🛂 Golden Ticket: Jordan’s cabinet approved regulations allowing foreign investors to gain citizenship or five-year residency through qualifying investments of $1.4 million in shares in a Jordanian company or by launching ventures in productive sectors.

📈 Limited Impact: Cenomi Centers, a major mall operator in Saudi Arabia, said Riyadh’s newly announced five-year rent freeze will have limited impact on its revenues.

💲 Investment Grade: Morocco regained its investment-grade status from S&P after four years, with a stable outlook supported by resilient growth despite external shocks.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed arrived today in Cairo to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Sheikh Abdulla Al Hamed, Chairman of the UAE’s National Media Office, visited Tesla’s headquarters in California, where he met CEO Elon Musk to discuss the role of artificial intelligence at Tesla and Musk’s other companies X, SpaceX, and Starlink.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of the northern UAE emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, attended the signing ceremony between the RAK Transport Authority, U.S.-based Joby Aviation and U.K.-based Skyports Infrastructure to launch the first air taxi service in Ras Al Khaimah by 2027.

Khalid Al-Falih, Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister, met with Han Seong-suk, South Korea’s Minister for SMEs and Startups, in Seoul to discuss strategically building entrepreneurial environments.   

Subeeh Al-Mukhaizeem, Kuwait’s Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, said the government aims to add 14 gigawatts of power generation capacity by 2031.

Ali Al Najjar was named as CEO of UAE-based remittance and currency exchange provider Al Ansari Exchange.

🏀 Ball Game: Former NBA stars Oscar Robertson, Derrick Rose and Mark Jackson are jetting into Abu Dhabi this week to headline fan events for the American basketball league’s annual exhibition tournament in the UAE. The pre-season games at Yas Island’s Etihad Arena on Oct. 2 and 4 will pit the New York Knicks against the Philadelphia 76ers. Sponsoring the event are the ADQ sovereign wealth fund, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and the NBA.

Sept. 29-30, Riyadh. Cultural Investment Conference. Arts practitioners, government officials, investors and diplomats gather for high-level discussions on culture as a strategic investment. King Fahd Cultural Center.

Sept. 30-Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. An international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 2, Dubai. Zawya GCC Capital Markets Forum. Bringing together top executives and financial institutions to discuss the region’s evolving equity and debt markets. Fairmont Dubai.

Oct. 4, Abu Dhabi. Syria recovery and investment forum. Influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers and advisory experts explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. Sheraton Abu Dhabi.

Oct.6-7, Dubai. AGRA Middle East. The largest agricultural trade show in the region will showcase the latest agriculture trends, from smart farming to regenerative agriculture. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 6-7, Dubai. The Forex Expo. The event includes a conference offering insights into the world of online trading products, including Forex, stocks, commodities, metals and more. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 13-17, Dubai. GITEX Global. The biggest tech and startup show in the world is back for its 45th edition, bringing together industry leaders, innovators and tech specialists to explore global change. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

DUBAI MATURES

Dubai’s property market is seductive, but a nagging question persists: When is it going to crash? The answer, according to The Economist, is it may not. Citing data that shows most homebuyers are middle-class migrants seeking better living conditions, business opportunities, and tax advantages, economic stability has increased. The worries “look overblown: demand is sticky, and builders have become more disciplined,” The Economist writes. “The emirate’s property market has at last grown up.”

QATAR TOUCHDOWN

Doha’s Hamad International Airport, the second busiest in the region, plans to increase its annual capacity by nearly 20% using the existing infrastructure. The strategy outlined by Chief Operating Officer Hamad Al-Khater contrasts with its rival Dubai International Airport, which is spending $35 billion on a new terminal to handle 260 million passengers. “We believe we can even fit 75 to 77 million passengers within the current footprint of the airport,” Al-Khater told Bloomberg. “It needs a lot of work, a lot of optimization, but that is our primary goal.” Last year, Doha’s airport handled some 53 million passengers, making it the tenth busiest airport in the world by international traffic, ahead of Bangkok, Madrid and Munich.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Arabia’s PIF-backed jet leasing firm AviLease is in talks with banks for a debut dollar bond sale of at least $500 million, possibly launching by year-end, Reuters reports.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADIA’s Chairman and the UAE National Security Adviser, led a meeting of the sovereign wealth fund’s board on Thursday. Attending the meeting were Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; and ADIA Managing Director Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

ADNOC: XRG, an investment company set up by the UAE’s national oil company, and BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners unit, closed their acquisition of an 11.7% stake in the first phase of the $18 billion Rio Grande liquefied natural gas project in Brownsville, Texas.

MGX: Oracle Corp., private equity firm Silver Lake and  Abu Dhabi’s MGX investment fund will control the largest stake in TikTok’s U.S. business, controlling roughly 45% of the company under a $14 billion deal arranged by the White House to buy the social media platform from China’s ByteDance, CNBC reports.

International Holding Co.: Syed Basar Shueb, CEO of the Abu Dhabi-owned conglomerate, led a company delegation to New York for the U.N. General Assembly that included Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Group CEO of 2pointzero,  IHC’s Chief Strategy and Growth Officer Peter Abraam, International Resources Holding CEO Ali AlRashdi, and Ajay Bhatia, the CEO of Sirius International Holding.

📈Bond Return: Abu Dhabi is selling dollar-denominated bonds again, its first debt sale in more than a year, offering a 3-year note maturing in 2028 and a 10-year note due in 2035.

🚆Rail Upgrade: Morocco signed a 260 million euro contract ($303 million) with Paris-based Alstom to upgrade the country’s Kenitra–Settat railway.

💵 Green Capital: Binghatti Holding, one of the UAE’s fastest-growing real estate developers, raised $500 million through an oversubscribed three-year green sukuk bond offering to fund environmentally friendly projects.

🤝 Reviving Tourism: Syria signed $1.5 billion in contracts and agreements to revive its tourism sector through projects including hotels, resorts, entertainment cities, and historic site restoration.

💰Trade Deals: Saudi Arabia and China signed 42 investment deals worth over $1.7 billion across a range of industries, including smart vehicles, energy, medical devices and minerals at the Saudi-Chinese Business Forum this week in Beijing.

💼 Regional Expansion: Goldman Sachs executives said the investment bank aims to increase dealmaking and financing activity in the Middle East alongside its focus Europe’s infrastructure and M&A revival, as part of broader plans to drive growth outside the U.S., Bloomberg reports.

🏭 Wastewater Deal: Kuwait plans to sign a contract with China in mid-November to build the Gulf state’s largest wastewater treatment plant, Reuters reports.

🛢️Oil Exports: Iraq’s federal government and the Kurdistan region have agreed to end years of disputes by handing over most Kurdish crude to Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization for export through the Iraq–Turkey pipeline.

🌍 One Bloc: Saudi Arabia is likely to be the biggest beneficiary of a soon-to-be-approved GCC Unified Visa, which will streamline travel across all six Gulf states and boost the Kingdom’s tourism, business mobility and regional connectivity, Travel and Tour World magazine reports.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, emphasized the importance of economic cooperation with other countries during  a series of meetings he joined on the sidelines of the U.N, General Assembly, including a gathering of G20 foreign envoys.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, established the Dubai Civility Committee to be chaired by Mohammad Al Gergawi. The committee is tasked with supporting Dubai’s efforts to enhance its aesthetic ambiance and global image.

Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Economy Minister, said a free-trade agreement being negotiated with Canada could double trade between the two countries to $5 billion a year, speaking at a conference in Calgary on Thursday.

Muhammad Sulaiman Al Naqbi, the UAE Consul-General in Shanghai, said during the Digital Economy International Cooperation Matchmaking Conference that exports of electric vehicles from Zhejiang’s Ningbo port to the UAE surged nearly 272.97 % in H1 2025 to $505 million, making the UAE the port’s top export market for EVs.

🎭Comedy Capital: Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle and Jimmy Carr are among the stars headlining the Riyadh Comedy Festival, which starts today. The event hits the stage with over 50 international comedians performing stand-up, satire, and sketch comedy. Organizers would like Saudi Arabia to be seen as a home for creativity, comedic talent and culture. The festival has generated controversy, however, because of international criticism of the kingdom’s human rights record. 

Sept. 29, Riyadh. Private Credit in Saudi Arabia. Jada Fund of Funds hosts a conference on how emerging asset classes can support private sector growth.

Sept. 30- Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. An international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 2, Dubai. Zawya GCC Capital Markets Forum. Bringing together top executives and financial institutions to discuss the region’s evolving equity and debt markets. Fairmont Dubai.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

LOOKING AHEAD

Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative announced some of the headliners for next month’s annual conference, including PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, BlackRock CEO Laurence Fink and Aramco President Amin Nasser. Other confirmed speakers include Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih; Bill Ackman, founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management; Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase; Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup; Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies; and Ruth Porat, President of Alphabet and Google. Scheduled for Oct. 27-30 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, the FII conference will bring together more than 600 speakers, including heads of state, investors, and corporate executives.

SWEET STAKE

Jordan’s Chocolate Lake Co. is in talks with potential buyers to sell a strategic stake in the company that could turn out to be one of the kingdom’s largest M&A transactions in recent years. The sale could fetch as much as $800 million and Chocolate Lake has hired Rothschild & Co. as an adviser, Bloomberg reports. Known as Chocolake, the privately owned company produces over 600 products, including chocolates, fillings, spreads, sauces, bites and bars. The Amman-based firm’s board has not yet made a final decision on whether to proceed with the sale, the news agency said.

Qatar Investment Authority: Qatar sovereign wealth fund is teaming up with New York-based Blue Owl Capital to finance and invest some $3 billion in data center assets.

Public Investment Fund: English football club Newcastle United, which is backed by the PIF, is in talks with banks about funding a new stadium or the redevelopment of its existing St. James’ Park, Bloomberg reports.

Mumtalakat: Manal AlBayat was appointed CEO of  Edamah, the real estate arm of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund. 

ADNOC: The UAE national oil company’s bid to take over German plastics maker Covestro is nearing EU approval after regulators signaled readiness to accept a package of commitments by ADNOC, Bloomberg reports.

G42: Space42, which is backed by Abu Dhabi’s G42, Mubadala and International Holding Co., is developing the UAE’s first “Sovereign Mobility Cloud” with Core42 and Microsoft Azure. 

🏭 Hydrogen Plant: Jolt Green Chemical Industries, a Saudi–Spanish joint venture, signed an agreement with Dyar Al-Safwah Engineering Consultancy to build an electrode factory for green hydrogen at King Salman Energy Park in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

🕌 Sustainable Sukuk: Abu Dhabi developer Aldar raised $290 million by tapping into its green sukuk Islamic bonds, designating the proceeds for sustainable investment projects.

💰Building Syria: The Saudi Fund for Development and the Qatar Fund for Development jointly committed $89 million to support Syria’s economic recovery. 

💻Tech Investment: Bahrain’s Arcapita Group co-led a $1 billion fundraising round for California-based Figure AI, which makes humanoid robots.

🎾 Padel Tennis: Epic Padel, an Arlington, Va., startup that operates padel tennis courts, raised $10 million in a seed funding round led by NowaisWorld and Stryde Ventures, with participation from 305 Ventures, High Water Venture Partners, Lane Holdings, Off Court Ventures and Silverback Capital Group.

🏦 AI Finance: Tipalti, an Israeli-American fintech startup for processing payments, secured $200 million in debt financing from Hercules Capital, which it plans to invest in AI and global expansion.

🍫 Sweet Stake: Jordan’s Chocolate Lake Co. is in talks with potential buyers to sell a strategic stake in a deal that could value the firm at up to $800 million, Bloomberg reports.

🇸🇦 Wealth Divide: Despite state-led investment across Saudi Arabia, some regions report lagging behind Riyadh as development accelerates, the Financial Times reports.

🛍️ Bergdorf Bidders: Unidentified Middle East sovereign wealth funds are among the bidders for a 49% stake in Bergdorf Goodman, the New York luxury department store, for about $1 billion, the Wall Street Journal reports.

🥗Food Security: Al Ain Farms Group and Dubai’s Food Tech Valley, Dubai’s government-backed food innovation center, will build a large logistics hub, to boost food security, speed up fresh food distribution, and cut emissions.

🩺 Medical School: The American University in Dubai is teaming up with the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine to establish a medical school in the emirate.

🚆New Metro: Iraq’s cabinet pushed forward with its Najaf-Karbala Metro project, authorizing contracts with Dubai-based Consultant HSS and Malaysia-based HSS Engineering.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, attended the unveiling of agreements to develop 13 new residential communities in Abu Dhabi, a $29 billion program to build over 40,000 homes and residential plots for Emirati citizens.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, held a meeting of the General Budget Committee to discuss the UAE’s draft 2026 spending plan.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, met withMargus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly to discuss joint initiatives between the two countries.

Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French President, was convicted on one charge of conspiracy in connection with allegations his 2007 winning campaign was covertly funded by millions of euros from Libya’s late Moammar Qaddafi’s regime.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. 

Abdulatif Al-Meshari, Kuwait’s Housing Minister, urged private developers to help meet demand for homes, citing a backlog of requests that has built up over decades of state-managed housing policies.

Victoria Wyer, a partner at Dentons Capital, has relocated from London to  Dubai to help build the firm’s finance business across the Middle East.

Rajesh Verma was appointed Chief Audit Officer and Nouwaf Alderei was appointed Chief Compliance Officer at Sharjah-based Invest Bank.

Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD Group, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight that the Chinese electric vehicle giant plans to move into the UAE’s autonomous mobility market.

🎨 Art tour: Six major works by Vincent Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Edvard Munch, Rene Magritte, Paul Gauguin and Camille Pissarro will be exhibited at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 1–2. The paintings will then travel to London and Paris before heading to Sotheby’s New York, where they will be auctioned in November, The National reports. “Presenting these masterpieces in the Middle East was an opportunity we just couldn’t miss,” said Julian Dawes, head of Impressionist and Modern Art at Sotheby’s.

Sept. 29, Riyadh. Private Credit in Saudi Arabia. Jada Fund of Funds hosts a conference on how emerging asset classes can support private sector growth.

Sept. 30- Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. An international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 2, Dubai. Zawya GCC Capital Markets Forum. Bringing together top executives and financial institutions to discuss the region’s evolving equity and debt markets. Fairmont Dubai.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

DIAMOND BACKING

Botswana is in talks with the Oman Investment Authority and others to help finance a bid to take majority ownership of De Beers. The government aims to finalize a deal by the end of next month and is continuing talks with Anglo American, which controls 85% of the diamond company, President Duma Boko told Bloomberg. Anglo is seeking to divest its stake as part of a restructuring effort, but has delayed a sale amid weak demand and competition from lab-grown diamonds. The London-listed miner, which wrote down De Beers’ value to $4.9 billion in February, has also attracted interest from other buyers, including Angola. Botswana, which already owns 15% of De Beers, wants to take greater control of the global diamond supply chain in the hope of reviving interest in natural gems, which account for 80% of its export sales.

FLYING TAXIS

Saudi Arabia and China’s Ehang will launch autonomous air taxis in November, marking the first time such aircraft will carry paying passengers in the kingdom, The National reports. Saudi tech company Front End and airport operator Cluster2 have partnered with Ehang to launch the passenger transport and logistics flights. The first flights will be carried out using Ehang’s pilotless two-seat electric air taxi. It comes amid a push for flying taxis among the Gulf’s biggest metropolises, including in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Archer Aviation held its first test flight over Abu Dhabi in July, just days after California-based Joby Aviation flew over Dubai for the first time.

ADNOC: The Abu Dhabi national oil company’s $14.1 billion takeover of German plastics giant Covestro is edging closer to European Union approval, Bloomberg reports.

Aramco: Talks for Aramco to buy a €1 billion minority stake in the renewable unit of Spanish energy company Repsol have collapsed with no plans to resume, Reuters reports.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: ADIA will retain a 10% stake in Sempra Infrastructure Partners after KKR and Canada Pension Plan Investment agreed to buy 45% for $10 billion, implying an equity value of $22 billion.

Qatar Investment Authority: Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov met with Nasser Al Attiyah, Director for Emerging Markets at the QIA, during the Azerbaijan International Investment Forum taking place in Baku.  

🛡️ Defense Production: India’s Tata advanced Systems opened its first overseas plant in Morocco to produce armoured combat vehicles for the Moroccan army.

🩺 Healthcare Move: Egypt’s Premium Healthcare Group plans to establish a Kuwait-based subsidiary, Gulf Medical Investments, with $9.5 million capital to acquire medical labs and clinics as part of its Gulf expansion.

💰 Tighter Pricing: Dubai and Zurich-based VFS Global, which handles visa and consular services, secured a $2 billion loan at lower interest rates than expected.

🏠 Rental Income: Saudi vacation rental platform Gathern is planning an IPO in 2028 after raising $72 million in Series B funding, CEO Latifah Altamimi told Bloomberg.

🏀 Basketball Deal: Abu Dhabi, through its Department of Culture and Tourism and Etihad Airways, signed a four-year deal to become the new title sponsor of EuroLeague Basketball, marking the competition’s first sponsorship change in 15 years.

💼 New Bureau: The World Bank opened a new office in Riyadh to serve as its primary hub for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

🏦 Moving Forward: The $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project, expected to deliver gas to 16 African and European countries and benefit 400 million people, is advancing, with the creation of a holding company to oversee financing and construction.

⛽ Gas Output: Global oil majors plan to invest $1.6 billion in Egypt’s gas sector during 2026-2027 to boost output by 510 million cubic feet per day.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with a delegation from the Arab Parliament at Qasr Al Bahr palace in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Sheikh Mohamed also met Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in the presence of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, on Tuesday.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, received a delegation from the Arab Parliament. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, offered his condolences to Sheikh Faisal bin Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi on the passing of Sheikh Sultan bin Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, a member of Sharjah’s royal family. Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered their condolences to Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.

Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation, was named a Goalkeepers Champion by philanthropist Bill Gates for her work in championing and protecting children’s rights.

Alex Chriss, CEO of Paypal, told The National that the company’s $100 million investment to boost digital growth across the Middle East and Africa is a show of long-term interest.

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, CEO of Arada, told The National that the depressed state of the U.K. real estate market is behind the company’s move to buy 75% of London-based developer Regal.

Majid bin Abdullah Al Kassabi, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce, said on X that he discussed with Kjetil Vevle, the Norwegian Minister of State for Labor, and Even Tronstad Sagbakken, Minister of State for Fisheries and Ocean Affairs, areas of cooperation between the business sectors.

Andrew Anagnost, President and CEO of Autodesk, told Arab News that sunlight in the GCC and other green energy solutions are key to reducing the environmental impact of data centers.

🏛️ Accessible Museum: The Zayed National Museum will be the first institution in Abu Dhabi to offer tours in Emirati sign language, led by Deaf guides, when it opens in December. Siblings Bader and Shooq Almaskari have been training for their roles as tour guides for the past year and a half, including researching and familiarizing themselves with the museum’s collection, The National reports. “We’ll be talking about the culture and values of the UAE,” Shooq told the newspaper. “It’s something to be proud of.”

Sept. 23-25, Dubai. ArabLab. The Middle East and Africa’s longest-running event dedicated to the laboratory and analytical industry. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Sept. 30- Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. An international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 2, Dubai. Zawya GCC Capital Markets Forum. Bringing together top executives and financial institutions to discuss the region’s evolving equity and debt markets. Fairmont Dubai.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

CONSTRUCTION IPO

Dubai’s $381 million IPO of ALEC Engineering & Contracting drew full demand across the price range in a show of investor appetite, as the emirate capitalizes on its construction boom. The Investment Corporation of Dubai, the investment arm of the Dubai government and the sole shareholder of ALEC, is selling a 20% stake, giving the builder a valuation of about $1.9 billion. Books were fully covered within hours of opening, Bloomberg reports. Emirates NBD Capital and JPMorgan are leading the sale, alongside Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and EFG Hermes, with Moelis as independent adviser. ALEC delivers large-scale projects in the Gulf, including airports, energy infrastructure and data centers, having recently won a $1.4 billion contract for Abu Dhabi’s Stargate project.

DIGITAL SYRIA

Mastercard is making a comeback in Syria after 14 years, striking a deal with the Central Bank to help modernize the country’s financial system. The agreement paves the way for digital payment infrastructure and the launch of both local and international bank cards. Analysts say it could be a game-changer, reconnecting Syria with global financial networks after years of isolation. While the deal isn’t binding yet, experts see it as a signal that Damascus is opening the door to international finance, The National reports. The deal comes at a time when Syria’s President Ahmad Al Shara is urging a new chapter in ties with the U.S., telling retired Gen. David Petraeus at the Concordia Summit, held on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, that Syria seeks partnership but cannot endure more sanctions.

💰 Snap Investment: Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has boosted his stake in social media company Snap to 2.8% by purchasing 15.2 million shares worth about $133.5 million, Bloomberg reports.

💵 Shipping Bonds: Oman Investment Bank has successfully arranged the first-ever bond issuance for Sindbad Overseas Group, an Omani conglomerate within the shipping and logistics business, raising $190 million.

🏡 High Stakes: Aldar Properties acquired Modon Holding’s entire 17.45% indirect stake in Aldar Estates, raising its ownership to 82.55% to capitalize on growing demand for property and facilities management services in the UAE.

🪙 Gold Digger: UAE holds about $700 million in bitcoins from mining, cryptocurrency insights platform Arkham Intelligence claims.

💰 Paying Dues: Egypt’s government has repaid nearly $500 million in overdue debt to foreign companies operating its oil fields and plans an additional $620 million payment by the end of 2025 to boost investment and revive gas output, Asharq Business reports.

🤝 Joining Hands: Abu Dhabi-based Orascom Construction and Dutch-listed fertilizer company OCI Global, both backed by Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris, are exploring a cross-border merger to form a global infrastructure and investment platform.

🛢️ Iraqi Oil: UAE-based Dragon Oil, a subsidiary of state-owned ENOC, signed initial agreements with oil services companies operating in Iraq to support its expansion in the country.

✈️ Clear Routes: U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia to explore advanced air mobility partnerships.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered their condolences and ordered funeral prayers at mosques across the kingdom on Tuesday following the death of Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. 

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, led the country’s delegation to an international conference on the two-state solution, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Sheikh Abdullah also met with Jeremiah Maenele, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, on the sidelines of UNGA.

Ahmad l-Shara, Syria’s President, met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday.

Sultan bin Abdullah Al Anqari, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the UAE, told WAM that non-oil trade between Saudi Arabia and the UAE reached US$25 billion during the first half of 2025, a 21.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the UAE Media Council, chaired the council’s third meeting of 2025.

Dr. Dalia Al-Yahya, head of the handicraft sector at the Ministry of Culture’s Heritage Commission and General Manager of the Year of Handicrafts, told Arab News that Saudi Arabia’s Year of Handicrafts is a strategic initiative to honor and preserve Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage.

💍 Saudi Sparkle: Saudi Arabian actress and filmmaker Sarah Taibah is featured in a new social media campaign for luxury U.S. jeweler Tiffany & Co. In the advertisement, she wears various pieces from the brand’s HardWear collection as she goes about her day. Taibah found fame with her show “Jameel Jeddan,” which was the first production in the kingdom to be wholly created and starred in by a Saudi woman. She is now working on a romcom which she wrote called “A Matter of Life and Death,” which will star Taibah and Yaqoub Al-Farhan, Arab News reports.

Sept. 23-24, Dubai. MENA EV. Connecting stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry, from early-stage companies and investors to governments and established automakers.The Agenda, Dubai Media City.

Sept. 23-25, Dubai. ArabLab. The Middle East and Africa’s longest-running event dedicated to the laboratory and analytical industry. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Sept. 24, Abu Dhabi. Syria Recovery and Investment Forum – Abu Dhabi Edition. Convening influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers, and advisory experts to explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. ADNEC. 

Sept. 24, Dubai. Mohammed bin Rashid Leader’s Forum. Bringing together 1,000 key government and private sector leaders to drive transformation in leadership. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Sept. 30- Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. An international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

LONDON CALLING

UAE-based Arada Developments will buy a 75% stake in London residential property developer Regal in a $680 million deal, as it continues its overseas expansion drive. Founded by Saudi Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed, the son of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, and Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Arada made its international debut in Australia last year and is now building 5,000 homes across the state of New South Wales. Regal’s U.K. arm, which will be renamed Arada London, has a development pipeline of 10,000 units across 11 projects in the U.K. That pipeline is expected to triple over the next three years with the new injection of funds. Regal’s projects include Fulton & Fifth in Wembley, a mixed-use residential development with 876 units, of which 40% are categorized as affordable homes.

MOVING CAPITAL

Stride Ventures is entering Saudi Arabia with plans to invest $200 million over the next two years, after leading a $33 million debt financing deal for Riyadh-based fintech Erad. The venture debt firm, which has already provided over $1 billion in credit across India, Southeast Asia and the U.K., plans to lend to a diverse mix of Saudi companies and is already in talks with a construction technology firm for a potential deal, Bloomberg reports. Stride will invest another $50 million in the UAE through its new Gulf-focused fund and plans to deploy $500 million in the region within four years, Bloomberg reports. 

Emirates Global Aluminium, which is owned by Mubadala and Investment Corp. of Dubai, is in talks with Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Emirates NBD Capital and First Abu Dhabi Bank to arrange a potential IPO in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Bloomberg reports.

Mubadala: The Abu Dhabi sovereign fund, which is the biggest shareholder in Turkish delivery company Getir, is exploring exiting its Getir stake following a disagreement with the company’s founders, Reuters reports.

Public Investment Fund: Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Saudi Minister of State Issam bin Saad bin Saeed met in Cairo on Sunday to discuss the PIF’s plans to invest further in Egypt through government and private-sector partnerships in tourism, industry and real estate.

Ma’aden: The Saudi mining company Ma’aden, which is majority-owned by the PIF, plans to double gold production and develop a rare earths supply chain as part of a broader expansion strategy, the Financial Times reports.

ADQ: The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund and Azerbaijan Investment Holding signed an agreement during UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s visit to Baku last week to explore collaboration in financial services.

💊 French Pharma: French pharmaceutical firm BPI signed a $100 million deal with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, also known as Modon, to establish a factory in Sudair Industrial City, north of Riyadh.

💵 Green Finance: DenizBank, Emirates NBD’s Turkish subsidiary, issued a five-year $270 million green bond — the first of its kind in Turkey.

💰 Increasing Value: Aldar Investment Properties is raising an extra $290 million by adding to its existing green bonds that mature in 2034 and 2035, with pricing expected today.

⛰️ Transfer Land: Saudi developer Dar Al Arkan, along with its partners, has completed the $1.2 billion purchase and transfer of the 1 million-square-meterOrchid land parcel in Jeddah, the city’s largest-ever real estate deal.

☁️ Cloud Cover: Chinese tech giant Tencent plans to establish its first Middle East cloud region in Riyadh as part of a $150 million investment in Saudi Arabia in Saudi Arabia, Arab News reports.

📦 Amazon Hub: Amazon opened its first fulfillment center in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to expand logistics capacity, delivery speeds, and product availability in the emirate.

❄ ️ Cooling Breath: UAE district cooling company Tabreed and Irish HVAC company Johnson Controls signed a framework agreement to deploy next-generation cooling technologies within Tabreed cooling plants.

☢️ Nuclear Energy: U.S. nuclear tech developer Last Energy will build a modular nuclear reactor at DP World London Gateway port to power the port’s $1.2 billion expansion.

U.S. President Donald Trump plans to meet leaders of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Axios reports.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad has left for New York to participate in the U.N. General Assembly.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE Foreign Minister, will lead the country’s delegation to the U.N. General Assembly.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said the government will provide business training for 10,000 young Emiratis and promote entrepreneurial skills in a program titled The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World.”

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, appointed Abdullah Ahmed Mohammed Saleh Al Shehi as CEO of Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi met in Cairo on Sunday with Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to discuss the feasibility of a free trade agreement.

Timmy T. Davis, former U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, has been appointed as President & Partner of Irth Capital Management, the hybrid U.S.–Qatari alternative investment platform co-founded by Qatari royal Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulla Al Thani and Matthew Bradshaw.

Fawzi Ahmed Kanoo was appointed Group CEO of Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Holdings, one of the largest family-owned multinational businesses in the Middle East, to succeed the late chairman, Khalid Mohamed Kanoo.

Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Center Sharjah, has been reelected for a new term as Chairman of the Board of the Arab Union for International Exhibitions and Conferences.

Mohammed Butti, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s state-owned National Housing Company, said in an interview with Saudi daily Aleqtisadia the NHC wants to increase its portfolio to more than $53 billion in Saudi Arabia.

🎤 Music Gulf: Saudi Arabia will host next year’s Intervision, a new global song contest launched by Russia after it was kicked out of the Eurovision Song Contest over its invasion of Ukraine. Artists from more than 20 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, competed in the inaugural competition in Moscow on the weekend, with Vietnam’s Duc Phuc judged the winner for his power ballad delivered against a projected backdrop of a solar eclipse. The competition had much of Eurovision’s camp drama and political intrigue, while pushing the Kremlin’s agenda of cultural independence and socially-conservative “family values.” U.S. contestant “Vassy,” who also holds Australian citizenship, dropped out at the last minute citing “unprecedented political pressure” from the Australian Government.

Sept. 23, New York. U.S.-UAE Business Council Roundtable. The Council will hold a discussion with Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade. 

Sept. 23-24, Dubai. MENA EV. Connecting stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry, from early-stage companies and investors to governments and established automakers.The Agenda, Dubai Media City.

Sept. 23-25, Dubai. ArabLab. The Middle East and Africa’s longest-running event dedicated to the laboratory and analytical industry. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Sept. 24, Abu Dhabi. Syria Recovery and Investment Forum – Abu Dhabi Edition. Convening influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers, and advisory experts to explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. ADNEC. 

Sept. 24, Dubai. Mohammed bin Rashid Leader’s Forum. Bringing together 1,000 key government and private sector leaders to drive transformation in leadership. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Sept. 30- Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. An international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.