Page 68 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Saudi Arabia and Palestine Strengthen Cooperation with Three New MOUs

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met Palestinian Following their discussions, Saudi Arabia and Palestine signed
Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa at a high-level three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) reinforcing Saudi
international conference focused on the peaceful resolution of support for Palestinian reform and development across key
the Palestinian issue and advancing the two-state solution. The sectors. The first MoU, targeting human capital development, was
meeting emphasized bilateral relations, regional developments, signed between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and
and coordinated international support for Palestinian rights. Social Development and Palestine’s General Personnel Council.
Saudi representative Eng. Ibrahim Bahamam and Palestinian
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Estephan
Anton Salameh formalized the agreement. The second MoU
focused on educational curriculum development, leveraging Saudi
Arabia’s experience in reform. It was signed between the Saudi
Ministry of Education, represented by Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Ruwaili,
and Palestine’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education,
represented by Dr. Salameh. The third MoU addressed digital
transformation and ICT collaboration, signed by Saudi Deputy
Minister Mansour Al-Qurashi and Dr. Salameh for Palestine’s
Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. Together,
these agreements demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s commitment to
empowering Palestinian society, particularly its youth, by enhancing
education, human resource capacity, and digital infrastructure.
They also reflect the strong fraternal bonds between the Saudi and
Palestinian peoples and leadership.

Bahrain Participates in High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
at the UN

Dana Imad Hamzah, Assistant Undersecretary for Sustainable in inclusive financial systems and fintech innovation driven by
Development at Bahrain’s Ministry of Sustainable Development, digital transformation and AI adoption. She noted progress in
took part in the opening session of the ministerial segment of the healthcare modernization supported by scientific and data-driven
High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF technologies. Concluding her remarks, Hamzah underscored
2025) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from Bahrain’s belief in international partnerships as vital to achieving
July 21 to 24, 2025. Ambassador Jamal Fares Al Ruwaiei, Bahrain’s sustainable development and peace, highlighting Bahrain’s
Permanent Representative to the UN, also attended. The forum, active global engagement, including its upcoming term as a non-
convened under the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2026–2027.
serves as a global platform where governments, international
organizations, and civil society exchange best practices for
implementing the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs). This year’s theme focused on “Advancing sustainable,
inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions” to ensure no
one is left behind. Keynote addresses by UN Secretary-General
António Guterres, UN General Assembly President Philémon
Yang, and ECOSOC President Bob Rae emphasized strengthening
international partnerships and harnessing digital innovation,
science, and data to build a prosperous and resilient future. During
the General Debate themed “The UN at 80: Catalysing Change for
Sustainable Development,” Hamzah delivered Bahrain’s national
statement highlighting the Kingdom’s firm commitment to the 2030
Agenda. She outlined Bahrain’s economic achievements fueled by
strategic national plans, diversified economy, and advanced digital
infrastructure. Hamzah also emphasized Bahrain’s leadership

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