The Gulf Heritage

Saudi Arabia to Raise November Crude Oil Prices to Asia Saudi Arabia is set to increase its official selling prices (OSPs) for crude oil exports to Asia in November 2025. The anticipated price hike ranges from 20 to 60 cents per barrel, depending on the grade of crude. This move follows significant price cuts in October and reflects the Kingdom's strategy to adjust to changing market conditions. Price Adjustments by Crude Grade For its flagship Arab Light crude, Saudi Arabia plans to raise the OSP by 20 to 40 cents per barrel, setting it above the Oman/Dubai benchmark. Other grades, including Arab Extra Light, Medium, and Heavy, are expected to see increases of 30 to 60 cents per barrel. These adjustments align with a recent rise in the premium of cash Dubai to swaps, which reached a six-month high in mid-September, influenced by potential sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil. Market Influences and Considerations Despite the planned price increases, several factors may temper ...

UAE Backs Trump’s Gaza Peace Proposal, Joins Regional Push In a significant diplomatic move, the United Arab Emirates has joined a joint statement with seven other Arab and Muslim-majority states endorsing U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan. The UAE’s foreign ministry announced its commitment to working with the United States to end the war in Gaza, prevent forced displacement, deliver humanitarian aid, and promote a just peace based on a two-state solution. Other countries signing the statement include Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, and Pakistan. The joint communique welcomed Trump’s recent announcements on Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction of Gaza, prevention of annexation, and his call for unrestricted humanitarian deliveries. Support From the UAE: A Shift in Regional Diplomacy The UAE’s participation marks a deeper diplomatic alignment with Trump’s initiative. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed held discussions with Isra...

Sharjah to Host Largest Ever Investment Forum, 10,000+ Delegates Expected Sharjah is preparing to welcome its biggest investment event in history. The Sharjah Investment Forum 2025 will be held on October 22 and 23 at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre. This year the forum will run alongside the 29th World Investment Conference, which will take place in Sharjah for the very first time. Organised by Sharjah’s FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) in partnership with the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies and the UAE Ministry of Investment, the event carries the theme Transforming Our World: Investing for a Resilient and Sustainable Future . Key Details and Insights The forum is expected to attract more than 10,000 delegates representing 142 countries. Attendees will include government leaders, senior business executives, investment promotion agencies, and development bodies. Over 30 international organisations are scheduled to participate, providing a global st...

GCC to Pilot “Grand Tourist Visa” for Six Gulf States In a move set to reshape travel across the Gulf, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has approved a unified tourist visa that will allow visitors to travel to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait on a single permit. The so-called GCC Grand Tours Visa is now gearing up for a pilot launch, signaling a major shift in how tourism will be managed in the region. What’s Happening and Why It Matters The unified visa was endorsed in 2023 and officials have confirmed that the project is now entering its implementation stage. According to UAE’s Minister of Economy, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the plan is currently with the Ministries of Interior and relevant authorities for final execution. The idea takes inspiration from the Schengen visa system in Europe. Travelers will be able to choose between a single-country visa or a multi-country permit that covers all six GCC states. The visa will likely be issued digitally throug...

DWTC and Emirates Flight Catering Join Forces to Transform Mega Event Hospitality In a major move set to reshape the events and hospitality industry across the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council, Dubai World Trade Centre Hospitality (DWTC Hospitality) and Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement focuses on jointly managing and improving catering and hospitality services for mega events throughout the region. What the agreement means While financial details and exact responsibilities are not yet public, the partnership will combine the strengths of both organizations. DWTC Hospitality brings deep experience in event venues and guest management, while Emirates Flight Catering contributes its large scale catering operations. Together they aim to deliver seamless and world class services that can handle massive numbers of guests at trade shows, exhibitions, conferences, royal ceremonies, festivals, and other large gatherings. W...

GCC Nations Struggle with Renewable Ambitions and Fossil Fuels The Gulf Cooperation Council countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain are at a pivotal crossroads in their energy journey. These nations have long been known for their vast oil reserves and significant fossil fuel exports. Now, there is a noticeable shift toward renewable energy sources to meet growing domestic electricity demands and align with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. This dual approach presents a complex challenge of reducing domestic fossil fuel consumption while maintaining export revenues. The Push Towards Renewable Energy The GCC countries have set ambitious renewable energy targets. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have achieved record-low solar power costs with major projects in Abu Dhabi and Mecca. These developments highlight the region's commitment to clean energy. Countries like Qatar and Oman are also exploring wind energy opportunities, taking advantage of their...

Arab Cup 2025 Coming to Doha: Qatar to Host December Showcase Doha, Qatar. The Arab world’s biggest football festival, the FIFA Arab Cup 2025, will be staged in Qatar from 1 to 18 December. The opening match will take place at the majestic Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. Qatar will host this edition for the second consecutive time under FIFA supervision. As part of its growing reputation as a sports hub, the country will also host the FIFA U‑17 World Cup 2025 just before the Arab Cup from 3 to 27 November. What is New This Time Around? Venues and Format Six stadiums will host Arab Cup matches, all of them previously used during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The grand Lusail Stadium will host the final on 18 December. Al Bayt Stadium will host the opening match. The tournament will feature 16 teams. Nine of the highest ranked Arab sides earned automatic qualification, while the remaining slots will be filled through qualifiers held on 25 and 26 November. Ticketing and Fan Access Tickets...

Al Ittihad Dismiss Laurent Blanc After 2-0 Loss to Al Nassr Al Ittihad, the reigning Saudi Pro League champions, have parted ways with head coach Laurent Blanc after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to rivals Al Nassr. The decision was confirmed by the club in an official statement, where they announced the termination of Blanc and his entire coaching staff. The management also confirmed that they will begin the search for new technical personnel who match the club’s ambitions. Blanc had been appointed in July 2024 and guided Al Ittihad to an impressive season in which the club lifted both the Saudi Pro League and the King’s Cup. His success in that campaign raised expectations among fans and the club’s board. However, the new season brought with it turbulence and inconsistency, which ultimately led to his dismissal. The problems for Blanc began early this year when Al Ittihad were eliminated from the Saudi Super Cup semi-final, also at the hands of Al Nassr. The most recent defeat at hom...

Cultural Investment Conference Launches in Riyadh, Redefining Culture’s Role Saudi Arabia has inaugurated the Cultural Investment Conference 2025 in Riyadh (September 29 to 30) under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The event marks a bold step to position culture as a key economic and diplomatic pillar of Vision 2030. Held at the King Fahd Cultural Center, the inaugural conference has brought together more than 1,500 participants and over 100 speakers from diverse sectors including art auction houses, cultural institutions, investors, and policy makers. Culture Meets Capital: What the Conference Aims To Do The conference is built around three main pillars. Cultural Production : Turning culture into an economic engine capable of creating jobs, stimulating tourism, and driving regional development. Advancing Cultural Capital : Developing new investment models such as public and private partnerships and innovative funding strategies. The Cohesive Power of Cu...

Common Security of Gulf Under Threat, Warns Prince Turki Al-Faisal Former Saudi ambassador Prince Turki Al-Faisal has raised strong concerns over the future of Gulf security. Speaking during a regional discussion, he warned that Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar represent not only a “treacherous act” but also a direct threat to the collective stability of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Prince Turki, who served as ambassador to both the United States and the United Kingdom, emphasized that such incidents should not be viewed as isolated. Instead, they signal a growing danger that could undermine the carefully built trust and security cooperation among Gulf states. Israeli Strikes in Qatar Spark Regional Alarm Reports of Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders on Qatari soil have sent shockwaves across the region. Qatar has long played a complex role in regional diplomacy, serving as a host to Hamas’s political leadership while also maintaining tie...

GCC Activates Joint Defense Pact After Israeli Strike on Doha In a historic move, the Gulf Cooperation Council has activated its joint defense pact, stating that an attack on one member state is an attack on all. This decision follows a recent Israeli airstrike on Doha that killed several Hamas members and a Qatari officer, marking a serious escalation in regional tensions. The GCC's Joint Defense Agreement, established in 2000, was mostly symbolic until now. The recent attack prompted leaders from all six member states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, to hold an emergency summit in Riyadh. The leaders issued a unified statement emphasizing collective defense and the importance of Gulf security. The activation of the joint defense mechanism involves closer military cooperation, sharing intelligence, and integrating air defense systems such as THAAD and Patriot missiles across all member states. Naval units are also coordinating patrols in strat...

Qatar U17 Beats UAE 2-0 and Advances as Group Leader In a commanding performance, Qatar’s under-17 national team defeated the United Arab Emirates 2-0 to top Group A and secure a spot in the semi-finals of the AGCFF U17 Gulf Cup. Mohannad Jameel opened the scoring in the third minute, giving Qatar an early advantage. Zaid Faisal then doubled the lead in the twenty-eighth minute, ensuring the win by half-time. Qatar had already qualified for the semi-finals alongside the UAE, but this result confirmed them as group leaders with a perfect nine points. In the other Group A match, Oman beat Yemen 2-1. Both teams had already been eliminated from contention. Key Insights and What Comes Next Qatar dominated the first half by applying constant pressure on the UAE. The early two-goal lead left little opportunity for a comeback. Topping the group provides Qatar with confidence and momentum heading into the knockout stage. It also allows them to face a theoretically weaker opponent from the other...

UAE Issues Nearly 40,000 Tourism Related Licences in 2025, Highlighting Economic Push The United Arab Emirates has issued almost 40,000 commercial licences in tourism, hospitality, aviation, air transport, aviation technology and digital tourism sectors by mid-September 2025. Officials confirmed that 39,546 licences were granted, reflecting the country’s strong focus on economic diversification and growth beyond oil. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, stated that this represents a 275 percent increase compared to the same period in 2020. He added that the growth was driven by reforms in business regulations, higher investor confidence and policies designed to make it easier and more attractive to set up tourism related ventures. Why This Growth Matters The rise in licences is directly linked to the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to make tourism a major driver of the national economy. Authorities are positionin...

Saudi Arabia Pushes Stricter Recycling Laws to Power Circular Economy Saudi Arabia is stepping up its waste management policies with new legislation and market-based regulations aimed at transforming how waste is handled, recycled, and valued. Under its Vision 2030 framework, the Kingdom is accelerating efforts to shift away from fossil-fuel dependence toward a circular economy where materials are reused and waste is minimized. Each year, Saudi Arabia produces more than 110 million tons of waste, much of it from major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Currently, a large share of that waste ends up in landfills. New policies aim to reverse that trend. What Is Changing in Saudi Waste Management The government has set bold targets such as recycling up to 95 percent of waste by 2040 and diverting over 80 percent of waste from landfills by 2035. New laws and regulations emphasize waste separation at the source, producer responsibility rules that make companies accountable for wha...

UAE Issues Firm “Red Line” Warning Over Israel’s West Bank Plans The United Arab Emirates has taken a strong diplomatic stand, declaring that any Israeli attempt to annex parts of the West Bank would be a clear red line that must not be crossed. This message comes amid rising tensions over Israel’s expansion plans and reflects deep concerns about regional stability and the future of the Abraham Accords. In statements delivered to the international community, a UAE official said that annexation would severely undermine the spirit and vision behind the normalization agreements between Israel and Arab states. Senior Emirati voices have emphasized that while normalizing relations with Israel marked a major shift in Middle East diplomacy, it must not override commitment to Palestinian rights. What Exactly Did the UAE Say? At the center of the UAE’s message is the view that annexation would violate the spirit of the Abraham Accords, the agreements signed in 2020 that opened a new chapter...

UN Hails GCC Mediation Boost After Key New York Meeting On the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a significant meeting took place between UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). During their talks, Guterres praised the GCC’s role in mediation efforts across the Middle East and beyond, highlighting its importance in maintaining regional security. He underlined that the council’s growing contribution to diplomacy is making a real difference in easing tensions and encouraging dialogue. Albudaiwi confirmed that the GCC is committed to working more closely with the United Nations on issues such as the Gaza crisis, sustainable development, and regional peace. He stressed that the council aims to build stronger partnerships to face today’s urgent global challenges. Why This Meeting Matters Mediation has become a key tool in resolving conflicts where militar...

Fariz Abou Kays: From Humble Beginnings to Media Visionary Introduction Every inspiring figure has a story rooted in persistence, struggle, and vision. Fariz Abou Kays, a Lebanese entrepreneur, creative director, and talent manager, is one of those people whose journey reflects determination and resilience. As the Founder and CEO of FTA Management and the creator of Talent Kids by Fariz, he has carved out a unique place in the media and talent industry. Fariz’s story is not only about building a career in entertainment and media but also about staying true to values such as professionalism, respect, and authenticity. His life shows how passion, hard work, and vision can transform challenges into opportunities. Early Influences One of the earliest lessons that shaped Fariz came from his childhood. Growing up, he often helped his father and family members in their work. These small yet powerful experiences became his first school of leadership and ethics. He remembers watching how th...

  Maitha Ali Al Harthy: Turning Passion into a Thriving Empire Early Life and Passion for Creativity Maitha Ali Al Harthy’s story begins with a natural love for creativity and self-expression. Growing up, she was fascinated by colors, designs, and the art of making people feel confident through fashion and personal care. Even as a young girl, her energy and curiosity often set her apart. “I always believed that creativity is not just about style—it’s about giving people confidence,” Maitha reflects. Her environment may not have always offered a clear path to entrepreneurship, but her determination and love for what she did kept her moving forward. Overcoming Challenges and Defining Moments Like many young visionaries, Maitha faced her share of challenges. Building a business in a competitive industry while staying true to her vision required resilience and courage. One of her most difficult moments came when she faced financial constraints in her early days. “There was a point ...

Bahrain to Host the 3rd Asian Youth Games in 2025 In a major development for sports across Asia, Bahrain has been chosen to host the 3rd Asian Youth Games from October 22 to 31, 2025. This will be the first time Bahrain hosts this prestigious multi-sport event, which is expected to welcome more than 5,000 athletes from 45 Asian countries. The Games will take place at Exhibition World Bahrain, a world-class venue reflecting the nation’s growing focus on youth sports and international sporting events. A Diverse Sports Program The 2025 Asian Youth Games will feature 24 sports, including 31 sub-categories and a total of 253 events. Traditional disciplines such as athletics, swimming, and boxing will share the spotlight with newer additions like esports, teqball, and triathlon. This variety ensures that young athletes from all sporting backgrounds have an opportunity to compete and showcase their talents on an international stage. Early Competitions Ahead of the Opening Ceremony Althou...