Latest news with #MiddleEastInstitute
Dubai Eye
23-07-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
UAE official to be honoured with global leadership award
The Middle East Institute (MEI) announced that Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, will receive the 2026 Distinguished Global Leadership Award at the think tank's annual gala next March. The award recognises Dr. Al Jaber's visionary leadership and transformative contributions in energy, advancing technology and socioeconomic growth, promoting international collaboration, and investing in youth talent development. Among his key contributions, Dr. Sultan has been a driving force behind the adoption of a pragmatic approach to the global energy landscape to meet rapidly expanding energy demand driven by the rise of emerging markets and exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI). He has championed robust industry leading corporate governance standards that enhance integrity and compliance to mitigate risks and enable sustainable growth. For over 20 years, Dr. Al Jaber has combined public service with global business leadership, applying strategic vision and practical action to some of the world's most complex challenges, including advancing a comprehensive approach that embraces diverse energy options to meet increasing energy demand. 'As the UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr. Al Jaber has been a driving force behind industrial growth and economic diversification,' said MEI President Ambassador (ret.) Stuart E. Jones, 'and as Group CEO of ADNOC, he has consistently delivered a pro-growth, pro-investment, and pro-people framework to address the rising energy needs of markets and communities. His leadership reflects a bold, inclusive vision for addressing the defining challenges of our time. MEI is delighted to be associated with Dr. Al Jaber through this distinguished award.' In his role as the Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, he has led the company's transformation into an advanced and progressive international energy company at the forefront of deploying AI and advanced technologies. He also serves as Executive Chairman of XRG, ADNOC's international energy investment company, designed to meet the surging demand for energy in an AI-enabled world. As the founding CEO and current Chairman of Masdar, a global renewable energy leader, Dr. Al Jaber has played a central role in positioning the UAE as a hub for energy, sustainability and technology diplomacy. Dr. Al Jaber said, 'It is an honour and privilege to be awarded the Distinguished Global Leadership Award by the Middle East Institute, and I am humbled to accept this prestigious award on behalf of the UAE leadership and the many teams that I work with on a daily basis. Since 1946, MEI has worked to strengthen understanding of the Middle East, and I want to thank them for their dedication and commitment to promoting positive relations between the Middle East and the U.S. Throughout my career, I have advocated that energy is a solution rather than a problem. That is why we need a pro-growth world, with pro-investment policies and concrete actions that include an 'and-and' approach, which embraces diverse energy options to meet the rapid growth in energy demand and unlock value creation opportunities in the energy-AI nexus.' As COP28 President in 2023, Dr. Al Jaber led nearly 200 countries to adopt the historic UAE Consensus, a market-based climate agreement that injected energy realism into policy discussions to drive practical solutions. Dr Al Jaber has continued to act as a cross-sectoral convenor to achieve tangible progress. He brought together energy, technology and finance leaders at the ENACT Majlis in Abu Dhabi and Washington DC to address the growing energy needs of AI, while unlocking its potential to transform energy systems. In addition to his ministerial and corporate roles, Dr. Al Jaber leads multiple institutions advancing frontier technologies and economic opportunity. His decades of service have earned worldwide recognition for aligning energy security with climate stewardship. Among his many honours, Dr. Al Jaber has received the U.N.'s Champion of the Earth award, was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II, and received the Order of the Union from the President of the UAE. In 2024, he was recognised with the CERAWeek Leadership Award for building consensus toward a more sustainable energy future. Dr. Al Jaber holds a in Chemical Engineering from the University of Southern California, an MBA from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Coventry University. The 2026 Distinguished Global Leadership Award will be presented at MEI's 78th Annual Gala, held at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C., in March 2026. The evening will bring together senior U.S. government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the international policy community to celebrate Dr. Al Jaber's extraordinary achievements and enduring legacy.
TAG 91.1
22-07-2025
- Business
- TAG 91.1
UAE official to be honoured with global leadership award
The Middle East Institute (MEI) announced that Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, will receive the 2026 Distinguished Global Leadership Award at the think tank's annual gala next March. The award recognises Dr. Al Jaber's visionary leadership and transformative contributions in energy, advancing technology and socioeconomic growth, promoting international collaboration, and investing in youth talent development. Among his key contributions, Dr. Sultan has been a driving force behind the adoption of a pragmatic approach to the global energy landscape to meet rapidly expanding energy demand driven by the rise of emerging markets and exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI). He has championed robust industry leading corporate governance standards that enhance integrity and compliance to mitigate risks and enable sustainable growth. For over 20 years, Dr. Al Jaber has combined public service with global business leadership, applying strategic vision and practical action to some of the world's most complex challenges, including advancing a comprehensive approach that embraces diverse energy options to meet increasing energy demand. 'As the UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr. Al Jaber has been a driving force behind industrial growth and economic diversification,' said MEI President Ambassador (ret.) Stuart E. Jones, 'and as Group CEO of ADNOC, he has consistently delivered a pro-growth, pro-investment, and pro-people framework to address the rising energy needs of markets and communities. His leadership reflects a bold, inclusive vision for addressing the defining challenges of our time. MEI is delighted to be associated with Dr. Al Jaber through this distinguished award.' In his role as the Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, he has led the company's transformation into an advanced and progressive international energy company at the forefront of deploying AI and advanced technologies. He also serves as Executive Chairman of XRG, ADNOC's international energy investment company, designed to meet the surging demand for energy in an AI-enabled world. As the founding CEO and current Chairman of Masdar, a global renewable energy leader, Dr. Al Jaber has played a central role in positioning the UAE as a hub for energy, sustainability and technology diplomacy. Dr. Al Jaber said, 'It is an honour and privilege to be awarded the Distinguished Global Leadership Award by the Middle East Institute, and I am humbled to accept this prestigious award on behalf of the UAE leadership and the many teams that I work with on a daily basis. Since 1946, MEI has worked to strengthen understanding of the Middle East, and I want to thank them for their dedication and commitment to promoting positive relations between the Middle East and the U.S. Throughout my career, I have advocated that energy is a solution rather than a problem. That is why we need a pro-growth world, with pro-investment policies and concrete actions that include an 'and-and' approach, which embraces diverse energy options to meet the rapid growth in energy demand and unlock value creation opportunities in the energy-AI nexus.' As COP28 President in 2023, Dr. Al Jaber led nearly 200 countries to adopt the historic UAE Consensus, a market-based climate agreement that injected energy realism into policy discussions to drive practical solutions. Dr Al Jaber has continued to act as a cross-sectoral convenor to achieve tangible progress. He brought together energy, technology and finance leaders at the ENACT Majlis in Abu Dhabi and Washington DC to address the growing energy needs of AI, while unlocking its potential to transform energy systems. In addition to his ministerial and corporate roles, Dr. Al Jaber leads multiple institutions advancing frontier technologies and economic opportunity. His decades of service have earned worldwide recognition for aligning energy security with climate stewardship. Among his many honours, Dr. Al Jaber has received the U.N.'s Champion of the Earth award, was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II, and received the Order of the Union from the President of the UAE. In 2024, he was recognised with the CERAWeek Leadership Award for building consensus toward a more sustainable energy future. Dr. Al Jaber holds a in Chemical Engineering from the University of Southern California, an MBA from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Coventry University. The 2026 Distinguished Global Leadership Award will be presented at MEI's 78th Annual Gala, held at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C., in March 2026. The evening will bring together senior U.S. government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the international policy community to celebrate Dr. Al Jaber's extraordinary achievements and enduring legacy.
Al Etihad
22-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Middle East Institute to honour Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber with 2026 Distinguished Global Leadership Award
22 July 2025 16:14 WASHINGTON, DC (WAM)The Middle East Institute (MEI) announced that Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the UAE and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, will receive the 2026 Distinguished Global Leadership Award at MEI's 78th Annual Gala in Washington, DC, in March award recognises Dr. Al Jaber's visionary leadership and transformative contributions in energy, advancing technology and socioeconomic growth, promoting international collaboration, and investing in youth talent his key contributions, Dr. Sultan has been a driving force behind the adoption of a pragmatic approach to the global energy landscape to meet rapidly expanding energy demand driven by the rise of emerging markets and exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI).He has championed robust industry leading corporate governance standards that enhance integrity and compliance to mitigate risks and enable sustainable over 20 years, Dr. Al Jaber has combined public service with global business leadership, applying strategic vision and practical action to some of the world's most complex challenges, including advancing a comprehensive approach that embraces diverse energy options to meet increasing energy demand.'As the UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr. Al Jaber has been a driving force behind industrial growth and economic diversification,' said MEI President Ambassador (ret.) Stuart E. Jones, 'and as Group CEO of ADNOC, he has consistently delivered a pro-growth, pro-investment, and pro-people framework to address the rising energy needs of markets and communities. His leadership reflects a bold, inclusive vision for addressing the defining challenges of our time. MEI is delighted to be associated with Dr. Al Jaber through this distinguished award.'In his role as the Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, he has led the company's transformation into an advanced and progressive international energy company at the forefront of deploying AI and advanced technologies. He also serves as Executive Chairman of XRG, ADNOC's international energy investment company, designed to meet the surging demand for energy in an AI-enabled the founding CEO and current Chairman of Masdar, a global renewable energy leader, Dr. Al Jaber has played a central role in positioning the UAE as a hub for energy, sustainability and technology Al Jaber said, 'It is an honour and privilege to be awarded the Distinguished Global Leadership Award by the Middle East Institute, and I am humbled to accept this prestigious award on behalf of the UAE leadership and the many teams that I work with on a daily basis. Since 1946, MEI has worked to strengthen understanding of the Middle East, and I want to thank them for their dedication and commitment to promoting positive relations between the Middle East and the my career, I have advocated that energy is a solution rather than a problem. That is why we need a pro-growth world, with pro-investment policies and concrete actions that include an 'and-and' approach, which embraces diverse energy options to meet the rapid growth in energy demand and unlock value creation opportunities in the energy-AI nexus.'As COP28 President in 2023, Dr. Al Jaber led nearly 200 countries to adopt the historic UAE Consensus, a market-based climate agreement that injected energy realism into policy discussions to drive practical solutions. Dr Al Jaber has continued to act as a cross-sectoral convenor to achieve tangible brought together energy, technology and finance leaders at the ENACT Majlis in Abu Dhabi and Washington DC to address the growing energy needs of AI, while unlocking its potential to transform energy addition to his ministerial and corporate roles, Dr. Al Jaber leads multiple institutions advancing frontier technologies and economic opportunity. His decades of service have earned worldwide recognition for aligning energy security with climate his many honours, Dr. Al Jaber has received the U.N.'s Champion of the Earth award, was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II, and received the Order of the Union from the President of the 2024, he was recognised with the CERAWeek Leadership Award for building consensus toward a more sustainable energy Al Jaber holds a in Chemical Engineering from the University of Southern California, an MBA from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Coventry 2026 Distinguished Global Leadership Award will be presented at MEI's 78th Annual Gala, held at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC, in March 2026. The evening will bring together senior US government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the international policy community to celebrate Dr. Al Jaber's extraordinary achievements and enduring legacy.
DW
17-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
What are Israel's objectives in Syria? – DW – 07/17/2025
Israel's attacks on Syrian territory served other purposes than to protect the Druze minority, observers say. What is driving Benjamin Netanyahu's agenda in Syria? Even before the sun had risen on Thursday, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa had already made several announcements on national television. In a dawn speech, he said that the internal unrest between Sunni Bedouins and the Druze minority, resulting in the deaths of around 360 people in the southern province of Sweida, had ended. He also confirmed government forces were no longer deployed in the area. Al-Sharaa then underscored his commitment to protect the rights and freedoms of the Druze community and reaffirmed their place in Syrian society. But the main part of his speech was directed at Syria's neighbor Israel. This week, Israel launched attacks on Syrian government buildings in Damascus and Syrian troops in the Sweida region, resulting in the deaths of 20 people. According to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the attacks were necessary "to save our Druze brothers and to eliminate the gangs of the regime." Yet, in al-Sharaa's view, Israel was only exploiting the unrest by targeting civilian infrastructure and seeking to derail peace and reconstruction efforts in his country. "We, the people of Syria, know very well who is trying to drag us into war and who is working to divide us," al-Sharaa said, adding that "we will not give them the opportunity to entangle our people in a war that serves only to fragment our homeland and sow destruction." The latest strikes on the Syrian capital mark an escalation of Israel's military campaign in the country. Israel started bombing Syria much more frequently after the overthrow of the country's dictator, Bashar Assad, in early December 2024, ostensibly to ensure that Assad's weapons didn't fall into the hands of the new government. According to Charles Lister, head of the Washington-based Middle East Institute's Syria initiative, Israel has carried out just under 1,000 strikes on Syria, and occupied 180 square kilometers of the country since December 2025. Lister notes that Syria's government has not retaliated at all. Officially, the countries have been at war since 1967. That year, Israel occupied Syria's Golan Heights, a strategic plateau at the border, and then effectively annexed it in 1981. However the international community regards the Golan Heights as Syrian territory under Israeli military occupation. The US and Israel recognize the territory as Israeli. After Assad's fall, Israeli troops have moved beyond a demilitarized zone along the Israel-Syria border that's been monitored by the United Nations since a 1974 ceasefire deal between the two countries. "Israel is trying to carve out an informal buffer zone in southern Syria," Ryan Bohl, senior Middle East and North African analyst at the US-based security intelligence firm Rane Network told news agency Bloomberg this week. Earlier in March, Israel's Netanyahu said Syria's south must be a demilitarized zone. "The recent strikes are a message to the government in Damascus that Israel follows with interest and concern what is happening in Syria," Yossi Mekelberg, a professor of international relations at London's Regent's University, told DW. "One of the problems with the current Israeli government is that its only modus operandi is using force," he added. "There is pressure in Israel to protect the Druze, as there is a long and deep-rooted alliance between the Druze and Jews in Israel," Mekelberg said. In Israel, the Druze are a community of around 150,000. Druze men regularly serve in the Israeli military. In Syria, around 700,000 Druze make up one of Syria's largest minorities. But it's been suggested that the timing of Israel's strikes on Syria this week was also key. On Wednesday, Netanyahu had to appear in court as part of his ongoing corruption trial. His coalition government has also become increasingly fragile after two parties left it earlier this month. This could lead to general elections at the beginning of 2026. Netanyahu has also been under increasing pressure by the US and European states to end the war in Gaza and is faced with calls for the return of the hostages still held by Gaza-based militant group Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist group by the US and many other countries. And Netanyahu is dealing with domestic and international condemnation for the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza as a result of Israel's ongoing military campaign there. "Considering Netanyahu's show of unabated cynicism and opportunism he could be using situations [such as the clashes involving Syria's Druze minority] to deflect from his legal affairs and the crisis within his coalition," Mekelberg said. "Keeping at least one front open and portraying himself, despite October 7, as 'Mr. Security,' especially when he might contemplate early general elections, is the way that he has always operated." Next week the Israeli parliament goes on summer break which will pause domestic politics until October. Israel's other objective is for Syria to be a very weak state or to be a broken state so that it is unable to threaten Israel, the Rane Network's Bohl told Bloomberg. This seems to be happening, says Nanar Hawach, senior Syria analyst at the think tank International Crisis Group. "Damascus came out weakened from the recent clashes, it was forced to retreat militarily [and] it lost the trust of not only the Druze community but also of different communities that are not aligned with the state," he told DW. In his view, Syria is now even more fragile. "Damascus also lost geopolitically as the government has now less presence in the south, especially in Sweida," he said. He doubts that Syria's interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa could keep his promise and protect the Druze minority. "It seems to be more a political gesture than a credible guarantee," Hawach said, explaining that government forces were seen as siding with anti-Druze militias and there were credible reports of some units abusing Druze civilians. "Unless Damascus reforms its security approach and holds its forces accountable, it will struggle to convince the Druze, or other minority communities, that it can genuinely ensure their safety," he concluded. 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Euronews
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Iran regime to change but not towards democracy, veteran diplomat says
A former US diplomat who helped negotiate the Iran nuclear deal said regime change in Iran remains unlikely despite the recent Israel-Iran conflict, warning that the 12-day strikes may have strengthened hardline elements within the Iranian government instead. Ellen Eyre, who served on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiating team under US President Barack Obama, told a virtual Middle East Institute meeting Tuesday that while political changes have begun following the most recent Israel-Iran conflict, they would not result in Western-style government replacement. Eyre said the recent conflict's consequences "are likely to make the current regime more militarised, isolated and security-focused," contrary to expectations that reformist factions, including President Masoud Pezeshkian would gain influence. When asked whether the Trump administration could leverage current conditions for diplomatic progress, Eyre expressed scepticism about the US's capabilities for such interventions. "Even in the best case scenario, the US has not been very successful in carrying out such subtle manipulations of the power structures of other countries," she said. The former diplomat noted that Iranian reformists "play a marginal role" and suggested that Washington lacks both the expertise and the political will to boost their chances from outside. Does IRGC hold all the cards? Iran's current regime shows no signs of immediate change, with military commanders and politicians still publicly pledging loyalty to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Furthermore, calls for a nationwide uprising by Israel and opposition groups abroad have not materialised since the conflict ended. Meanwhile, Eyre said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is the most likely actor to exploit any future succession proceedings. Notably, according to her, Khamenei initially held limited power but gradually expanded his authority through appointing loyalists and gatekeeping access to resources. "Whoever succeeds Khamenei has to go through the same process. But the new leader will be very weak in the short term and will inevitably follow Khamenei's policy. The IRGC will play a leading role in this power vacuum," Eyre said. She suggested that if Khamenei's successor fails to establish sufficient authority, "it is likely that the leadership position will become a ceremonial and demonstrative position and the real power will be in the hands of the Corps." Following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, President Donald Trump has indicated that nuclear negotiations with Iran might resume, but that there was no urgency to restart discussions. "They want to have a conversation. I'm in no hurry to have a conversation because we've taken down their facilities," he said on Tuesday. Although Tehran has put its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, on hold, Pezeshkian has hinted at possible openness to resume talks on Monday, stating in a social media post that "the window for diplomacy is open and we are pursuing this peaceful path seriously." Tehran has maintained it will not abandon uranium enrichment under any circumstances.
