Saudi Crown Prince welcomes Donald Trump to kingdom as he begins 'historic' Gulf tour

13-05-2025

Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip US President Donald Trump has arrived in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, kicking off a high-stakes Gulf tour that will continue through to Friday with visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Mr Trump landed on Tuesday at King Khalid International Airport, where he was received by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Typically, a provincial governor or another official would greet a foreign leader on arrival. The change of protocol signals Prince Mohammed's desire to establish a close relationship with the US leader. Mr Trump was also welcomed by Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, the deputy governor of Riyadh. He is travelling with Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. This is the 13th visit by a sitting US president to Saudi Arabia, eight presidents having made the trip in total. Saudi and American flags lined the airport grounds, and a purple carpet was rolled out to welcome the visiting delegation – a ceremonial gesture underscoring the significance of Mr Trump's visit. Honour guards stood at attention as part of the formal welcome ceremony. Mr Trump's arrival in Saudi Arabia marks his first official state visit since he returned to the White House in January for a second, non-consecutive term. His first foreign trip was to Rome last month to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. 'I'm about to depart on a historic visit … to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates,' President Trump said at a press conference before leaving Washington. The trip aims to reaffirm strategic ties with Gulf allies amid heightened regional and global tensions. While pressing for a settlement to the war in Ukraine, the Trump administration is also focused on pushing for a new aid mechanism for war-torn Gaza and is urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a new ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Mr Trump's tour also comes amid growing tension over Iran's nuclear programme. US and Iranian negotiators held a fourth round of talks in Oman over the weekend to discuss a potential deal that would curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Mr Trump has previously warned that military action remains an option if diplomacy fails. Despite the security backdrop, Mr Trump's visit is expected to be driven largely by economic goals. The US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are expected to announce new investment deals potentially worth trillions of dollars. Saudi Arabia has already committed to investing $600 billion in the US over the next four years, but Mr Trump has said he intends to push for $1 trillion. Similarly, the UAE has announced a 10-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework targeting US-based infrastructure, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, manufacturing and natural gas. Mr Trump's trip, reminiscent of 2017, highlights the prominence he continues to place on transactional diplomacy and his intention to position the US as a preferred partner in the Gulf's evolving economic landscape. However, eight years on from his last trip, the Gulf has become more self-assured and strategically diversified. Observers have suggested that Mr Trump will find a region that has made giant strides, both economically and diplomatically. In Riyadh, Mr Trump is expected to address a Saudi-US Investment Forum at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre and attend a summit with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Another top item on his agenda is pushing for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, the normalisation framework between Israel and several Arab states. But the ongoing war in Gaza has complicated those efforts. Riyadh has reiterated that it will not normalise ties with Israel until a Palestinian state is established. Before the war broke out, Saudi Arabia and Israel were on the brink of a historic US-brokered deal, with key elements including American security guarantees, support for a Saudi civilian nuclear programme and significant concessions for the Palestinians. The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage. Israel responded with a massive military campaign in Gaza, where more than 52,800 Palestinians have since been killed, and much of the territory lies in ruins. Mr Trump does not plan to visit Israel during this trip – a decision that has caused concern in Israeli political circles about the Trump administration's priorities. Analysts argue that Mr Trump views Mr Netanyahu as a potential roadblock to his broader regional strategy. That perception intensified last week after Mr Trump announced that the US would stop air strikes on Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, following their pledge to cease attacks on American vessels in the Red Sea. However, the agreement did not cover Houthi strikes on Israel. Mr Trump's administration also has facilitated the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander through back-channel negotiations with Hamas, bypassing Israeli authorities. Mr Netanyahu ties his political survival to continuing the war in Gaza. But many, both in Israel and abroad, believe the continuing campaign serves few – if any – constructive ends.

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Ministry of Finance takes federal public-private partnership framework to next level to drive sustainable economic growth

Zawya

10 hours ago

Zawya

Ministry of Finance takes federal public-private partnership framework to next level to drive sustainable economic growth

Launching Manual on PPP projects, management and execution. Awareness and training workshops on partnership procedures, introducing the Manual's key pillars and implementation mechanisms. Younis Haji AlKhoori: Public-private partnerships are an effective mechanism for driving development and achieving the strategic objectives of the UAE. Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Finance is accelerating its efforts to strengthen public-private partnerships, turning them into a key driver for achieving sustainable development. Over the past two years, the Ministry has established a robust system for such partnerships and developed a legislative framework that enables their effective implementation. These initiaitives have contributed not only to driving economic growth but also to attracting investment, and enhancing service quality. Aligned with the UAE's comprehensive vision, these measures are set to balance economic and social development while fostering greater private sector engagement. Through this approach, the Ministry seeks to amplify the state's efforts in building a more sustainable and prosperous future. Integration of knowledge and expertise His Excellency Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, said, 'Developing a robust PPP framework is a top priority for the Ministry of Finance, recognising its role as an effective instrument for sustainable development and a significant player in feuling the UAE's economic and social advancement as well as in achieving the UAE's strategic goals. 'Through these partnerships, we strive to make the most of available resources, strengthen government performance, and facilitate the exchange of financial, administrative, and technological expertise with the private sector. We are committed to improving the community's quality of life, reinforcing the resilience and sustainability of the national economy, and advancing the objectives of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision and the UAE Centennial 2071,' AlKhoori said. Milestones In 2023, the UAE enacted Federal Law No. (12) regulating PPP projects at the federal level. The law aims to encourage private sector participation in strategic and developmental initiatives, increase investment in projects with significant economic, social, and service value, and enable the federal government to deliver strategic projects with greater efficiency. PPP Project Manual Meanwhile, in June 2024, the Ministry of Finance released the Manual on PPP projects, management and execution, in a significant step strengthening governance frameworks. The manual outlines detailed procedures and policies for federal entities and private sector partners to follow at every stage of a project, from planning and design to execution and operational management. Capacity-building programmes To support effective implementation, the Ministry has conducted a series of workshops to familiarise federal entities and private sector stakeholders with PPP procedures and the manual's key provisions. In May 2025, it introduced a specialised PPP training programme designed to enhance the capabilities of federal entities and refine partnership mechanisms with the private sector. Developed in collaboration with an APMG International-accredited training institute, the programme culminates in awarding the Certified PPP Professional (CP3P)–Foundation Level qualification, supported by leading international financial institutions. Building on the success of the first phase of the programme, the Ministry is now set to launch the second phase to further strengthen national expertise in PPPs and ensure the long-term sustainability of this model in line with international best practice.

UAE strongly condemns terrorist attack targeting mosque in Nigeria

Khaleej Times

10 hours ago

Khaleej Times

UAE strongly condemns terrorist attack targeting mosque in Nigeria

The United Arab Emirates expressed its strong condemnation of the terrorist attack that targeted a mosque in northern Nigeria, which resulted in the deaths of a number of innocent people. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) reaffirmed the UAE's firm rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability. The Ministry also expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria over this heinous attack.

Vietnam-Qatar ties flourishing as bilateral trade hits $860mln

Zawya

14 hours ago

Zawya

Vietnam-Qatar ties flourishing as bilateral trade hits $860mln

Doha, Qatar: As Vietnam commemorates its 80th Independence Day, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Qatar H E Nguyen Huy Hiep reflected on the deepening bilateral relations between the two nations. Addressing the media yesterday, the Ambassador highlighted cultural celebrations, economic growth, and upcoming high-level exchanges that underscored a partnership built on mutual trust and shared ambitions. 'On the occasion of Vietnam's 80th Independence Day, the Embassy has placed particular emphasis on fostering cultural understanding and strengthening bonds of friendship,' Ambassador Hiep said. The Embassy is marking this milestone with events designed to bridge cultures and strengthen community ties. Vietnam's Independence Day is celebrated on September 2 annually. The Ambassador noted that bilateral relations, established in 1993, have matured over 32 years with trade hitting $860m in 2024, up $100m from the prior year. 'Vietnam–Qatar relations have grown steadily, characterised by mutual trust and effective cooperation,' the Ambassador said. He noted that the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's October 2024 visit to Qatar injected momentum, paving the way for expanded ties in logistics, investment, tourism, science, technology, innovation, food security, IT, and cybersecurity. 'These align with Qatar's sustainable development goals and Vietnam's green-digital economy push,' Ambassador Hiep added. Looking to 2025, Ambassador Hiep sees vast trade opportunities. 'We see great opportunities to expand trade and investment in areas that match our shared development priorities,' he said. Vietnam can supply agricultural products and technologies for Qatar's food security, while excelling in IT, software, and cybersecurity. Renewable energy emerges as a key frontier, with potential in solar, wind, and storage solutions. Logistics, aviation (via Qatar Airways), and tourism also hold promise. The Embassy aids Vietnamese businesses in navigating Qatar's market, emphasising quality and innovation. He said a standout initiative of the independence celebration is the 'Vietnam's Soul' painting exhibition at Katara Cultural Village, running from September 9 to 20. Featuring works by Vietnamese artists in styles ranging from Impressionism to contemporary, the exhibition offers a 'vivid journey into Vietnam's culture, people, and natural landscapes.' Additionally, a national day reception will unite Qatari officials, diplomats, media, and the Vietnamese diaspora, promoting people-to-people connections. These festivities also extend support to Qatar's Vietnamese community of around 600, primarily in construction and energy sectors. Ambassador Hiep emphasised the Embassy's role: 'The Embassy attaches great importance to supporting our nationals, not only during national celebrations but also throughout their daily lives.' On August 15, he visited workers at Frijns Steel Constructions Middle East, sharing Vietnam's historical achievements and commending their contributions. The Embassy encourages adherence to local laws, provides consular aid, and fosters integration, viewing the community as a 'bridge of friendship.' Cultural diplomacy remains pivotal. Beyond the September exhibition, a 2026 film screening on President Ho Chi Minh will highlight his legacy of peace and solidarity, in partnership with Katara. 'These initiatives will contribute to a richer cultural exchange... offering new opportunities for our peoples to connect,' Ambassador Hiep affirmed. 'High-level engagements will sustain this momentum. Vietnam anticipates welcoming H H the Amir of Qatar soon, potentially yielding agreements in economy, trade, investment, and tech. Qatar will join Vietnam's October 2025 UN Cybercrime Convention signing in Hanoi, while Vietnam attends Qatar's November Second World Summit on Social Development. These exchanges aim to translate strategic trust into deliverables: more open markets, larger investment pipelines, stronger people-to-people links,' the Ambassador stated. Expressing his optimism about the Qatar-Vietnam ties, Ambassador Hiep said, 'With these joint efforts, we are confident that Vietnam–Qatar relations will continue to advance to new heights in 2025 and beyond, for the benefit of both countries and their peoples.' As Vietnam celebrates its independence, these ties exemplify a forward-looking alliance fostering prosperity and cultural harmony. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (