Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani in Baku on October 15. The ministers discussed expanding bilateral cooperation following their 2024 comprehensive strategic partnership. Bahrain expressed interest in increasing ties with Chinese firms across energy, logistics, tourism, and finance.
A report by the World Economic Forum and Bain & Company projects artificial intelligence could unlock over $1 trillion in economic and sustainability value across MENA by 2030. The valuation encompasses sustainable finance, public investment flows, avoided asset losses, and energy-sector gains. While 89 percent of regional sustainability leaders acknowledge AI's high potential, active implementation remains limited to between 40 and 55 percent.
Five Gulf Cooperation Council states are seeking a Schengen visa exemption for their citizens ahead of an upcoming bilateral summit in Riyadh. The Economic Times reports that the discussions apply exclusively to national passport holders rather than foreign residents living in the Gulf. The United Arab Emirates currently remains the only GCC member country with established visa-free Schengen access.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi stated that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait are close to beginning the official process for Schengen visa-free travel. A formal announcement is expected at the second EU-GCC Summit in Riyadh on October 24. Currently, the UAE is the only GCC member state whose citizens can travel to the Schengen Area without a visa.
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