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Saudi Arabia was elected to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during the organization’s 69th General Conference in Vienna on Friday.
The Kingdom will serve as a member of the 35-member Board for the next term, running until 2027, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg)
September 19, 2025
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The IAEA board is a key decision-making body, overseeing sensitive issues such as safeguards, which involve verifying the peaceful use of nuclear energy by States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The board also reviews the agency’s program, budget, and financial statements, and makes recommendations to the General Conference.
Saudi Arabia previously held a seat on the Board from 2022 to 2024.
Its election reflects international confidence in the Kingdom’s constructive role in promoting global cooperation and using atomic energy to support development and peace, SPA added.
The 28th Universal Postal Congress – Dubai 2025, hosted by the UAE over the past two weeks, concluded today with member countries unanimously adopting the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) 2026–2029 Strategy, also known as the ‘Dubai Strategy’, serving as a global roadmap for the future of the postal industry and reaffirming its critical role in promoting trade and communication in light of the rapid transformation shaping the global logistics and eCommerce sectors.
The ‘Dubai Strategy’ reflects UPU member nations’ shared vision of an integrated, inclusive and sustainable global society empowered by a seamless, smart and innovative postal system that promotes social and economic development and supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The strategy is the result of the most comprehensive consultation process in UPU history, which involved over 2,200 participants from all 192 member countries as well as other public and private sector organisations. The collaborative process reflects broad consensus around the strategy and strengthens its inclusivity.
The UAE has also been appointed to supervise the implementation of the new strategy through the ‘Dubai Business Plan’ in its capacity as Chair of the UPU Council of Administration (CA) over the next four years. The Council, comprising 41 member states elected during the Congress, oversees the Union’s activities and addresses organisational, administrative, and legal matters, ensuring effective governance for the future of the global postal sector.
Furthermore, the UAE has won membership in the UPU’s Postal Operations Council (POC) for the 2026–2029 cycle after achieving 144 votes from member countries, marking another significant achievement that underscores its leading status on the international stage.
The UAE was elected as one of 48 member states of the POC, selected from among the Union’s 192 member countries. The POC is the UPU’s specialised technical body, responsible for supervising the development of key operational policies and postal services, unifying standards, improving quality and enhancing coordination among global postal networks to build a more efficient and sustainable international postal system.
Badr Al-Olama, Chairman of 7X, said, “The UAE’s election to the UPU Postal Operations Council represents a clear affirmation of our nation’s leadership in shaping the future of postal and logistics services worldwide. Hosting the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai and spearheading the implementation of the 2026–2029 Strategy with the chairmanship of the Council of Administration, further demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to fostering consensus that delivers tangible improvements in connectivity, sustainability, and efficiency.
“This new mandate gives us a decisive voice at the heart of the UPU’s key decision-making processes, enabling us to guide the next phase of technologies and policies that will define the future of this critical industry. Guided by our leadership’s vision, we will continue to strengthen the UAE’s role as a platform where sustainable solutions and digital tools are developed and deployed, in collaboration with the global postal sector.”
The Congress re-elected UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki and Deputy Director General Marjan Oswald for a new four-year term, reflecting member countries’ satisfaction with their leadership and trust in the Union’s institutional development trajectory.
Masahiko Metoki, Director-General of the Universal Postal Union, said, “This Congress has been more than a gathering. It has been a moment of transformation, during which we faced challenges head-on, redefined our role in a rapidly changing world, and reaffirmed the values that unite us. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the Government of the United Arab Emirates for generously hosting this important assembly of postal decision makers.”
The comprehensive ‘Dubai Strategy’ aims to enhance member countries’ dedication to quality standards, expand access to postal services, and strengthen the rules-based global postal system by establishing national regulatory frameworks.
The strategy also prioritises accelerating innovation and digital transformation by developing new customer-centric products and services, adapting to shifts in the eCommerce sector, and offering digital services at postal access points. Additionally, the vision aims to reinforce cooperation through regional capacity building, technical collaboration, and stakeholder engagement platforms that facilitate postal development.
By modernising regulations, enhancing cross-border supply chains, and ensuring greater compliance with quality standards, the ‘Dubai Strategy’ aims to leverage the single postal territory made possible through an effective, rules-based global postal system.
During the closing session, Tariq Al Wahedi, 28th Congress Chair and GCEO of 7X, stated, “The ‘Dubai Business Plan’ represents a significant transition in the way the global postal sector operates, enabling member countries to curate services in line with their national priorities while ensuring combined efforts at a global level. In the upcoming phase, we seek to create a more efficient, innovative and sustainable postal network that contributes to enabling trade, promoting digital integration and enhancing the quality of life of communities.”
Al Wahedi added, “By chairing the Council of Administration and overseeing the plan implementation, we seek to achieve strategic outcomes such as improved, market-relevant, multilateral systems that guarantee the provision of quality, accessible, affordable, viable postal services. We will make conscious efforts to strengthen customer-focused postal products, encourage innovation in products and services, and fortify cross-border postal supply chains. By expanding partnerships, strengthening regional integration and modernising the postal infrastructure through collaboration and technical assistance, we will also work to solidify the sector’s role in advancing national economic and social objectives and actively contributing towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals.”
The 2026–2029 Strategy includes KPIs, such as increasing the percentage of member countries with comprehensive postal regulatory frameworks aligned with UPU standards and guidelines; boosting the annual growth rate of postal access points to ensure seamless access for all; raising annual nominal growth in operating revenue (SDR); increasing the percentage of international postal items delivered end-to-end in accordance with applicable UPU quality of service standards; and raising the proportion of member countries that integrate the postal sector into their national development plans.
As a result of the significant international momentum that accompanied the adoption of this strategy, the Congress witnessed the signing of multiple memoranda of understanding between member countries, alongside bilateral and multilateral meetings, and the introduction of qualitative policy documents on governance, innovation and sustainability. By strengthening its global footprint and emulating the Congress’ theme, ‘Leading the Change, Creating the Future,’ the UAE further solidifies its position as an active partner in driving the future of the global postal industry, and a major contributor to achieving the Union’s vision in the coming years.
Tomatoes make up over 30% of Morocco’s fruit and vegetable export earnings, ranking the country third in global tomato exports behind Mexico and the Netherlands.
Despite Morocco’s challenging circumstances of drought and worker shortages, the North African country succeeded in exporting 745,000 tons of tomatoes in 2024/25, setting a new record.
Morocco earned nearly $1.2 billion from tomato sales during the period from July 2024 to June 2025, according to EastFruit data from Morocco’s Foreign Exchange Office.
While dealing with long-term drought and insufficient farm workers, Morocco’s exports jumped 8.3% from the previous year and beat the 2022/23 record by four percent.
Tomatoes top Morocco’s farm exports
Tomatoes make up over 30% of Morocco’s fruit and vegetable export earnings, ranking the country third in global tomato exports behind Mexico and the Netherlands.
Morocco ships tomatoes year-round, but exports the majority between November and March. In November 2024, with a monthly shipment of 105,000 tons.
In May 2025, the country’s tomato exports to Norway alone reached a milestone, Morocco sent 5,000 metric tons of the Moroccan produce from July 2024 to March this year.
Where Morocco sells its tomatoes
France buys nearly half of Morocco’s tomato exports, and the UK comes in second place with over 15% of the total
The Netherlands and Spain buy more Moroccan tomatoes each year to fill gaps in their own export seasons. Germany and Portugal also increased Morocco’s tomatoes their purchases.
Sales to West African countries like Mauritania and Senegal continue to grow.
New markets expand fast
Belgium nearly quadrupled its tomato imports from Morocco in just two years, while Denmark and Norway have bought record amounts for three straight years.
Over the last three years, Sweden, Ireland, and Finland’s tomato exports have increased significantly.
Tomatoes make up over 30% of Morocco’s fruit and vegetable export earnings, ranking the country third in global tomato exports behind Mexico and the Netherlands.
Dubai has reinforced its status as a leading global maritime hub, earning the title of “the crown jewel of the Middle East’s maritime sector,” according to the 2025 International Shipping Centre Development Index report, issued by Xinhua News Agency in collaboration with the Baltic Exchange. The report ranks Dubai among the top five global shipping centres and first in the Arab region.
Sheikh Dr. Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, CEO of the Dubai Maritime Authority, part of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, hailed the achievement stating: “Dubai’s ranking as fifth globally and first in the Arab world in the 2025 International Shipping Centre Development Index reflects the vision of our leadership, as well as the effective coordination between strategic partners and maritime sector companies in the emirate.
We remain committed to continuous development, delivering world-class services, adopting global maritime best practices, implementing innovative solutions, updating regulations, and fostering a thriving maritime business environment to position Dubai as an innovative and sustainable global centre for shipping and logistics.”
The report highlights Dubai’s comprehensive maritime ecosystem, offering navigation services, shipbuilding and repair, and capacity to handle the increasing number of vessels. It also emphasised the Dubai Maritime Transport Plan 2030, aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to expand maritime transport usage, enhance the network of marine transportation, and develop Dubai Maritime City.
The report specifically praised Jebel Ali Port for its strategic role as a regional shipping hub, underpinned by continuous investment in infrastructure and services. In 2024, the port handled 15.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), the highest since 2015, accounting for 18% of the total 88.3 million TEUs managed by DP World, the port operator.
On sustainability, the report highlighted Jebel Ali Port’s initiatives to reduce emissions, including the provision of biofuel for ships, installation of 50,000 m² of solar panels for renewable energy, and the use of electric vehicles for container handling—contributing to an annual reduction of 2,000 tons of CO₂ emissions.
Captain Ibrahim Al Blooshi, Executive Director of Dubai Ports Authority, commented: “We take pride in this achievement, which underscores Dubai’s strong position as a global maritime hub. Jebel Ali Port, operated by DP World under the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, continues to excel at both regional and international levels.
Dubai Ports Authority is committed to proactive measures to enhance the maritime sector’s contribution to the strategic objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, through its three ports—Jebel Ali, Port Rashid, and Hamriyah—despite global economic challenges and market fluctuations. We are dedicated to preserving the emirate’s marine environment and ensuring the highest operational safety standards in the maritime sector.”
Hasan Hadi, the first filmmaker from Iraq to be selected for the prestigious Cannes Festival, on Saturday won a top prize for his childhood adventure under economic sanctions in “The President’s Cake”.
His first feature-length film follows nine-year-old Lamia after her school teacher picks her to bake the class a cake for President Saddam Hussein’s birthday or risk being denounced for disloyalty.
It is the early 1990s, the country is under crippling UN sanctions, and she and her grandmother can barely afford to eat.
The pair set off from their home in the marshlands into town to try to track down the unaffordable ingredients.
Hadi dedicated his Camera d’Or award, which honours first-time directors, to “every kid or child around the world who somehow finds love, friendship and joy amid war, sanctions and dictatorship.
“You are the real heroes,” he said.
He later shared the stage with dissident Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who won the festival’s Palme D’Or top prize for his “It Was Just an Accident”, the tale of five ordinary Iranians confronting a man they believed tortured them in jail.
“The President’s Cake” has received excellent reviews since premiering last week in the Directors’ Fortnight section. Cinema bible Variety called it a “tragicomic gem”.
Deadline said it was “head and shoulders above” some of the films in the running for the festival’s Palme d’Or top prize, and “could turn out to be Iraq’s first nominee for an Oscar”.
– Palestinian films –
Also from the Middle East, Palestinian director Tawfeek Barhom received his award for his short film “I’m Glad You’re Dead Now”.
After giving thanks, he took the opportunity to mention the war in Gaza.
“In 20 years from now when we are visiting the Gaza Strip, try not to think about the dead and have a nice trip,” he said.
US President Donald Trump sparked controversy this year by saying he wanted to turn the war-ravaged Palestinian territory into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.
Outside the main competition, Gazan twin brothers Arab and Tarzan Nasser on Friday received a directing award in the Certain Regard parallel section for “Once Upon A Time In Gaza”.
One of them dedicated the award to Palestinians, especially those living in their homeland of Gaza, which they left in 2012.
He said that, when they hesitated to return to Cannes to receive the prize, his mother had encouraged him to go and tell the world about the suffering of people in Gaza.
“She said, ‘No, no, no, you have to go. Tell them to stop the genocide’,” he said.
Amnesty International last month said Israel was carrying out a “live-streamed genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza, claims Israel dismissed as “blatant lies”.
The initiative aims to strengthen the global presence of Arab youth leaders and connect them with investors and decision-makers.
Moroccan young innovator Bouthaina Boujarda has been selected for the fourth edition of the “Arab Youth Pioneers” initiative, which started on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. The initiative celebrates young people across the Arab world who have achieved remarkable accomplishments in various fields.
The young Moroccan woman, known for inventing a water-powered car, is participating in the “Industries and Innovation” track.
“Being selected as part of the fourth edition of Arab Youth Pioneers is a tremendous honor. I feel a great sense of responsibility toward all Arab youth,” Boujarda said.
For her, being among this “elite” group is not only a recognition, but also a “mission … to promote the Arabic language and the achievements of Arabs around the world, and to empower them to become leaders on a global scale.”
Boujarda spoke of how significant every moment is when she feels that she is making a real impact or when a colleague tells her she is capable of creating change. “These are the moments that fill me with pride, moments when I feel that I have genuinely contributed to Arab society,” she stated.
The young innovator hopes that her achievements are not just for herself and that she is not just a name that passes by and is forgotten. “I hope that I can truly be one of the prominent figures who leave a lasting impact on future generations.”
In addition to the Industries and Innovation track, the initiative features nine other specialized tracks, including Community Service, Scientific Research, Space and Technology, Medicine and Health Sciences, Sustainability and Environment, Entrepreneurship, Education, Engineering, and Media and Digital Citizenship. A total of 40 young pioneers from 13 Arab countries are participating.
The event runs until September 19 and is organized by the Arab Youth Center in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council, with the support of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and the Emirates Foundation, along with leading entrepreneurs and strategic partners.
The initiative aims to strengthen the global presence of Arab youth leaders and connect them with investors and decision-makers to provide more opportunities for funding, mentorship, and idea development. It also seeks to expand cooperation between the public and private sectors to support and develop youth-led projects.
UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Vice President of the Arab Youth Center, Sultan Al Neyadi, said the initiative is an exceptional platform to help young people turn their ideas into impactful achievements that contribute to the development of their communities.
Several Arab countries and filmmakers of Arab origin have submitted entries to the 98th Academy Awards, which will be held on March 15 next year.
01- ‘All That’s Left of You’
This multigenerational drama by Palestinian filmmaker Cherien Dabis follows the struggles and memories of a Palestinian family from 1948 to the present day.
02 – ‘Happy Birthday’
Directed by Egyptian filmmaker Sarah Goher, the film follows an 8-year-old child maid striving to make her wealthy friend’s birthday a success in Cairo.
03 – ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’
This reconstruction of the tragic events of January 2024, when 6-year-old Hind Rajab was killed by the Israeli military while fleeing Gaza City by car, is by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania.
04 – ‘Calle Malaga’
Directed by Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Touzani, the story follows Maria Angeles, a woman determined to keep her childhood home in Morocco after her daughter decides to sell it.
05 – ‘The President’s Cake’
From Iraqi director Hasan Hadi comes the story of 9-year-old Lamia, who must bake a birthday cake for the president or face punishment.
06 – ‘Eagles of the Republic’
Created by Swedish Egyptian director Tarik Saleh, the movie centers on a fictional Egyptian actor whose reputation collapses in the public eye.
Team Qatar’s Ammar Ismail delivered a standout performance at the Voor Mon Meeting in Belgium, clocking 44.90 seconds in the men’s 400m.
The result marked not only his season’s best but also the fastest Asian time of the year, underscoring his rise as one of the region’s premier sprinters.
Ammar finished second behind USA’s Bryce Deadmon (44.86 secs) on Saturday.
The achievement highlights Ismail’s strong preparation ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo, where he is expected to compete as a serious contender.
Cairo has secured a place among the world’s top 100 innovation clusters for the first time, rising 12 spots to 83rd in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, published by the United Nations’ (UN) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The Egyptian capital is the only cluster in both the Arab world and Africa to feature in the rankings, which measure patent activity, scientific publishing, and venture capital deals.
According to the report, Cairo recorded seven international patent applications (PCT) over the past five years, published 1,115 scientific articles, and secured 21 venture capital (VC) deals per million inhabitants.
Collectively, the top 100 clusters account for approximately 70 percent of global PCT filings and VC activity, as well as half of all scientific publishing.
Cairo University (24%), Ain Shams University (14%), and the National Research Centre (13%) were cited as the main contributors to academic output.
Syware Systems, the American University in Cairo, and the state-owned Engineering for Petroleum and Process Industries (Enppi) led patent activity.
Nearly a quarter of Cairo’s patents were co-filed with inventors in global tech hubs such as San Francisco and London, while almost 40 percent of its research papers were co-authored with partners in Riyadh, Islamabad, and Beijing.
Egypt’s higher education ministry hailed the achievement as evidence of growing international collaboration and pointed to its “National Policy for Sustainable Innovation 2030”, issued earlier this year, as part of efforts to link universities more closely with industry.
The Global Innovation Index ranks clusters based on their concentration of inventors, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
The top hubs remain dominated by North America, Europe, and East Asia, led by Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou, Tokyo–Yokohama, and Silicon Valley.
Cairo’s move up the rankings, from 95th last year, highlights its emerging role as a regional centre for science and technology.
In a landmark achievement for national research and innovation, a team from the Dasman Diabetes Institute — established by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health — has been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a groundbreaking diagnostic test for sleep apnea.
The patented test, a qualitative blood-based method, enables early detection of sleep apnea, a widespread condition linked to serious complications such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases including angina and heart attacks. This milestone marks the first of three patents currently under development by the institute.
The invention is the product of extensive collaboration led by Dr. Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Al-Turki, Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist and Head and Neck Surgeon at the Ministry of Health, who worked closely with the Dasman Diabetes Institute’s research team under the supervision of Professor Fahad Al-Mulla, Chief Scientific Officer. Their efforts were further supported by Dr. Faisal Hamed Al-Refaei, Acting Director General of the Institute.
This success highlights the strength of institutional cooperation, particularly between the Dasman Diabetes Institute and the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity, both operating under the umbrella of KFAS.
Together, they are advancing an integrated strategy to support Kuwaiti researchers, empower young talent, and launch pioneering programs that raise the quality of scientific research. These efforts not only enhance public health but also reinforce Kuwait’s position in regional and global scientific communities.
