Saudi Arabia to Host OIC Water Ministers Conference on Investment & Innovation

High-level forum to spotlight water security, financing and technology partnerships

Saudi Arabia will host the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Water Ministers Conference focused on investment and innovation, Asharq Al-Awsat reports. The meeting will convene policymakers, financiers and experts to advance solutions for water scarcity, infrastructure resilience and technology transfer across OIC member states.

Water security is a central pillar of the Kingdom’s sustainability agenda. Hosting this conference positions Riyadh as a convening hub for pragmatic financing models—public-private partnerships, blended finance and venture-backed technologies—covering desalination efficiency, reuse, leak detection, smart metering and aquifer management.

With climate pressures rising, the conference can catalyze cross-border pilot projects and accelerate commercialization of water technologies adapted to arid environments. It also complements ongoing Saudi efforts to scale renewables, circular economy initiatives and industrial decarbonization.

Business Insights (★):
Expect increased deal-making around desalination, membranes, energy-efficient pumps, digital twins and water analytics. This opens entry points for suppliers, EPCs, and investors seeking bankable water assets in the Gulf and wider OIC markets.

References & Source:
Source: Asharq Al-Awsat (English) — “Saudi Arabia to Host OIC Water Ministers Conference on Investment and Innovation.”
Link: https://english.aawsat.com/business/5196124-saudi-arabia-host-oic-water-ministers-conference-investment-and-innovation
Date: October 11, 2025. 

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike to Visit Saudi Arabia in Late October

Week-long Middle East tour includes Riyadh and Jeddah for talks and events.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike will visit the Middle East from late October to early November, with stops in Riyadh and Jeddah, according to Arab News Japan. The itinerary includes conferences, lectures and exchanges with government and non-profit institutions.
The visit highlights Tokyo’s expanding interest in Gulf partnerships, including urban innovation, clean energy, mobility and cultural exchange. For Saudi Arabia, the engagement dovetails with Vision 2030 city-scale initiatives—from Riyadh’s transformation to major cultural projects—where knowledge sharing on smart infrastructure and sustainability is a growing theme.

Japan–Saudi ties have deepened across energy, technology and tourism. As Riyadh steps into the global spotlight through giga-projects and international events, metropolitan-level cooperation with Tokyo can accelerate pilot programs in transport, waste-to-energy, AI-enabled city services and creative industries.

References & Source:
Source: Arab News — “Tokyo governor to visit Saudi Arabia, three other Arab countries.”
Link: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2618675/world
Date: October 12–13, 2025 (updated).

Saudi & Qatar Urge Dialogue After Pakistan–Afghanistan Border Clashes

Riyadh calls for restraint and de-escalation to preserve regional stability.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have called on Pakistan and Afghanistan to prioritize dialogue following recent clashes along their shared border. According to Arab News, the statements emphasize restraint and the urgent need to avoid escalation that could threaten wider regional stability.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlined that diplomatic channels remain the best path to resolve outstanding issues and prevent further violence. Qatar echoed the call, urging both sides to exercise calm and pursue peaceful solutions.

This coordinated messaging reflects a broader pattern in which Gulf states—particularly Saudi Arabia—seek to position themselves as stabilizing actors in moments of crisis. It also aligns with the Kingdom’s foreign-policy focus on conflict de-escalation and constructive mediation, consistent with Vision 2030’s objective of reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s global engagement and regional leadership.

Observers note that renewed tension between Islamabad and Kabul risks disrupting trade flows and cross-border cooperation at a delicate time for South and Central Asia. In this context, Riyadh’s call for dialogue serves as a practical signal to international partners that the Kingdom will continue to support initiatives that reduce friction and uphold regional security.

Business Insights (★):
A period of calm on the Pakistan–Afghanistan frontier supports trade corridors and logistics routes connecting the Gulf with South Asia. For Saudi stakeholders, reduced regional risk helps sustain energy exports, investment dialogues and growing tech partnerships.

References & Source:
Source: Arab News — “Saudi Arabia, Qatar voice concern, urge dialogue after border clashes.”
Link: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2618620/world
Date: October 13, 2025.