Saudi Arabia courts Chinese firms in mining investment drive Mining and Industry Minister Bandar Alkhorayef met with executives from more than 20 mining firms in Beijing on Thursday. Saudi Arabia
IEA report: Mideast electricity generation to rise 50% by 2035 as renewables expand The International Energy Agency said that oil and gas remain the main sources of energy in the Middle East and North Africa, but noted the region’s rising investment in alternatives and renewable energy potential. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Sudan, Egypt FMs urge Ethiopia to change course ahead of megadam launch Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced in July that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has been completed and will be formally inaugurated in September. Sudan
Egypt, Turkey ink investment deals with China on SCO Summit sidelines Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were in China for the two-day summit. Egypt
Saudi-China energy cooperation strengthened by Uzbek wind project sale Both Saudi Arabia and China are seeking to tap into Uzbekistan's and Central Asia’s energy potential. Saudi Arabia
Interview Oman to phase out polluting industries 'too difficult to decarbonize' Omani Minister of Energy and Minerals Salim Al Aufi told Al-Monitor that if his government finds an industry too difficult or costly to decarbonize, there will be discussions taking place about phasing the sector out all together. Salim Al Aufi Oman Minister of Energy and Minerals
Saudi Arabia offers $182M package, other incentives for mining investors The kingdom is prioritizing the lucrative sector as part of its ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from a reliance on oil. Saudi Arabia
How UAE fits into China’s electric vehicle push The United Arab Emirates’ electric vehicle ambitions and restrictions from the United States make the Gulf state an attractive partner for Chinese firms, but Abu Dhabi has a way to go before it meets its electric vehicle ownership targets. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis Germany to import Algerian gas, eyes long-term renewables partnership Berlin needs to convince Algiers that green hydrogen production for export is technically feasible and economically viable. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Davos 2024: Green ammonia expansion integral to Morocco’s new hydrogen economy, minister says Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali told Al-Monitor in an interview that the COP28 declaration marked the first time an emergence of more inclusive messaging has been seen in official climate text. Morocco
UAE President MBZ in Azerbaijan eyeing energy, investment cooperation Emirati entities have inked several energy deals with Azerbaijan in the past year. Legacy: Gulf
Israel Katz set to become new Israeli foreign minister in cabinet rotation As part of a coalition government agreement negotiated in 2022, Israel’s government approved the rotation of Israel Katz as the new foreign minister while former foreign minister Eli Cohen will become the new energy minister. Israel
Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power signs $4B green hydrogen deal in Egypt The second phase of the project could produce 2 million metric tons per year, the statement said, without providing details on the timeline. Egypt
World Bank ups Middle East climate financing to $10B by 2025 The global lender provided $6.3 billion in climate financing for the MENA region between 2021 and 2023, much of it focused on mitigation and adaptation. Legacy: Gulf
COP28: historic deal agreed for world to ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels The summit stretched into prolonged negotiations over the terminology of the final text, after the “phase out” of fossil fuels was omitted from the draft a day before the scheduled end of the event. United Arab Emirates
China-Saudi Investment Conference begins in Beijing China is Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner and biggest customer of its primary commodity: crude oil. Saudi Arabia