AGP Executive Report

Energy & Climate Watch: El Niño is officially underway, and forecasters warn it could be “very strong” and costly—bringing wetter, stormier conditions for California and wider global disruption to agriculture and supply chains. Gaza Infrastructure: Sana’a officials inspected reinforced concrete work on the Gaza Street rehabilitation project, including surface bridges and a first-phase concrete pour valued at 70 million riyals. Regional Tech & Education: Arab Code Week’s Golden Educator competition crowned a Kuwaiti institute first place and shared the top honor with a Palestine school, highlighting AI and digital learning projects across 18 Arab countries. Middle East Security Tech: The US says Trump will discuss demining the Strait of Hormuz at the G7, as a US-Iran framework for ending the Iran war reportedly nears—raising stakes for shipping and critical minerals. Aviation Safety: SriLankan Airlines’ A330 returned safely to Colombo after a lightning strike reportedly affected an engine, with investigations underway. UNRWA Staff Overhaul: UNRWA dismissed 70 Gaza staff over alleged Hamas ties, amid renewed scrutiny of the agency’s internal links.

Cybersecurity & Capacity Building: UNITAR opened its first global cybersecurity office in Riyadh, aiming to boost cyber resilience through training, policy work, and knowledge exchange with Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority. Aviation & Digital Reform: Bahrain used the Berlin Aviation Summit and ILA Berlin to push a tech-led aviation strategy, highlighting digitised procedures, faster certifications, and a DHL plan for a major MRO hangar at Bahrain International Airport. Defense Tech Supply: The UK confirmed it is transferring thousands of Martlet anti-drone missiles to Ukraine, with claims of real combat use and plans for further batches. Archaeology in the Levant: A prehistoric cave south of Haifa—sealed for hundreds of thousands of years—was reported as unusually well-preserved, with early human activity and tools beginning to emerge. Energy & Resources Debate (Jordan): An energy expert argued Jordan’s gas, oil shale, and minerals could transform the economy, but said weakened exploration institutions have held back investment and development. Climate Monitoring: Scientists warned that Earth observation systems are at risk, as warming and marine heatwaves intensify.

Palestine Action in the spotlight: Four activists tied to an Elbit Systems raid in Bristol were sentenced in London with judges citing a “terrorism connection,” while Protest & policing: 72 supporters were arrested outside Woolwich Crown Court during the sentencing. Digital security & drones: An Iran-linked group claimed it hacked FBI drone systems used around World Cup venues, warning of threats to teams. Social platforms outage: Facebook and Instagram suffered a major global disruption, with users across the Middle East reporting logouts and blank feeds. Climate risk: Scientists say El Niño is officially here and could reach historic strength, raising odds of extreme heat, floods, droughts, and fires. Tech & finance in the region: EquiLend was selected by alrajhi capital as a securities finance technology partner, signaling continued modernization in Middle East markets. AI & logistics angle: China’s ports topped global efficiency rankings, highlighting automation-driven resilience amid supply-chain shocks.

Longevity & Biotech Policy: Dubai launched a Longevity Authority to shift healthcare from expensive chronic treatment toward healthier ageing, betting on life sciences and medical innovation to cut long-term disease burdens. Cybersecurity Market Watch: A new report projects the privileged access management market could grow to nearly $19.73B by 2030 as cloud/hybrid adoption and ransomware, insider threats, and credential theft drive stronger identity security. Drones & “Low-Altitude” Logistics: Shenzhen showcased drone delivery and aerial routes for goods like food and medicine, highlighting China’s push toward a low-altitude economy. Space for Everyday Services: Cyprus unveiled EarthView Cyprus, using near-real-time satellite data to support wildfire, drought, maritime monitoring, and smarter farming. Regional Tech, Trade & Finance: The IMF urged EU VAT harmonization and said emissions trading should stay, while markets tracked hopes for a US-Iran deal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Palestine-Relevant Security Context: The week’s coverage also kept spotlighting Middle East escalation risks that can disrupt shipping and tech supply chains tied to the region.

Middle East Energy Shock: Markets tracked fresh US-Iran flare-ups as Trump threatened “VERY HARD” strikes and possible moves against Kharg Island, while the Strait of Hormuz disruption kept energy-inflation fears alive and pushed the ECB to raise rates for the first time since 2023. G7 Diplomacy: Europe and G7 allies head into a France summit aiming to narrow differences with Trump on Iran, Ukraine, and trade, with Arab leaders invited to the broader talks. Climate Risk: NOAA confirmed El Niño is forming and could become one of the strongest on record, raising odds of heat, floods, droughts, and fires. Tech Talent Mobility: Vienna-based JobMetasearch launched an AI platform to match non-EU tech workers with visa-sponsored roles across Europe and auto-tailor resumes. Health Tech & Biotech: QubeHealth-Pay closed a Series A at Rs 416 crore to expand healthcare payments, while Vertex presented new CASGEVY® data for younger patients at EHA. Humanitarian Tech in Gaza: UAE’s “Step of Hope” prosthetics program uses 3D scanning and secure data transfer to fabricate custom limbs and localize manufacturing. Regional Infrastructure: EtihadWE awarded a $285M EPC desalination contract for a Fujairah SWRO plant, boosting water security. Sports Medicine: Aspetar supports Arab teams at World Cup 2026 with injury prevention and rehab backed by sports-science expertise.

West Bank Displacement: Amnesty says Israel is carrying out a state-backed “ethnic cleansing” campaign in the occupied West Bank, pointing to UN-tracked village emptiings and thousands of forced displacements tied to demolitions and outposts. AI Cancer Care in the Region: Bengaluru startup 4baseCare raised Rs 128 crore to expand its AI-driven precision oncology platform and genomics network, with plans to scale across India and emerging markets including the Middle East. Innovation Pipeline in Qatar: Qatar Science & Technology Park opened applications for Stars of Science Season 18, aiming to turn Arab ideas into ventures with mentorship, workspace, and ecosystem access. Energy & Infrastructure Under Strain: Markets remain jittery as US-Iran tensions push oil higher and keep pressure on tech stocks; the Strait of Hormuz risk continues to ripple into shipping and logistics. Water Security in the Gulf: ACCIONA says desalination plants supply nearly half of Qatar’s freshwater, highlighting how resilient infrastructure is becoming a core regional priority. Transport Tech & Trade: A new report forecasts steady growth for global freight forwarding through 2030, driven by digital tools and value-added services amid geopolitical disruption. Autonomous Shipping: Clear Robotics secured funding to build a large fleet of zero-emission autonomous ships, signaling faster adoption of driverless maritime tech. Funding for Offshore Wind Collaboration: Japan and Britain are considering a framework to cooperate on offshore wind, alongside AI and semiconductor supply-chain resilience.

UN Report on Palestinian Civilians: A UN inquiry says Palestinians are “victims of all sides,” with Israel blamed for settler violence in the West Bank and Hamas-affiliated forces blamed for Gaza attacks, while accusing Israeli authorities of enabling impunity. Human Rights Watch: Amnesty alleges Israel is carrying out “ethnic cleansing” of West Bank Bedouins and herding communities, linking forced displacement to annexation plans. Defense Tech in the Gulf: A US autonomous sea drone reportedly rescued Apache helicopter crew members after a crash near the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting growing unmanned recovery capabilities. Cyber/Drone Supply Chains: The US House passed a bill to block Western tech from reaching Iranian-made drones, targeting electronics supply routes. AI & Finance Leadership: Paysecure appointed Vanessa Mantzarioti as CFO, signaling continued fintech scaling across Europe and the Middle East. Regional Tech & Trade: China’s May trade data points to stronger momentum in tech-heavy exports like semiconductors, advanced manufacturing equipment, EVs and AI-related products. Healthcare Innovation in Dubai: Dubai launched a Longevity Authority to regulate and accelerate life sciences, biotechnology, and advanced healthcare innovation. Energy Shock & Inflation: US CPI hit 4.2% in May amid Middle East conflict-driven fuel costs, adding pressure to markets and households.

US-Iran Escalation: The U.S. began “proportional” strikes on Iran after an Apache helicopter crash near the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran retaliated with attacks reported over Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan—raising fresh risks to the fragile ceasefire and regional stability. Regional Security Tech: The incident also highlights how drone and drone-boat rescue capabilities are shaping modern conflict response around key shipping lanes. Cyber & Enterprise Security: ESET was named the only Challenger in Gartner’s 2026 Magic Quadrant for endpoint protection (ESET PROTECT), a signal for organizations in the region tightening device security. Industrial Growth in the Levant-Arab Sphere: Egypt opened the first phase of the El-Gharably Industrial Complex in Alexandria, aiming to scale steel structures and export-ready manufacturing. Health Research: A Sweden cohort study found living with cats doesn’t worsen short-term asthma outcomes for children with asthma/allergies. Market Watch: Asian stocks slid on the renewed US-Iran exchange, with oil easing slightly as investors weigh geopolitical risk.

Uncrewed Rescue at Hormuz: The U.S. says a drone boat carried out the first known sea rescue after an AH-64 Apache went down near Oman, with both pilots reported safe as Washington vows to respond to Iran’s alleged role. Energy Shock Spillover: Markets are bracing for “post-Hormuz” volatility as Fitch warns the disruption could fade into oversupply and lower Brent prices once the strait reopens. Border Tech & Smuggling: Jordan’s border forces report downing drones and seizing millions of Captagon pills plus GPS devices, highlighting how traffickers are upgrading tactics. AI for Agriculture: The “GreenTech Amsterdam 2026” expo spotlights smart farming and AI-driven water and crop management, pushing food-security tech into the spotlight. Clean Energy Funding: The EU launched T-MED, aiming to mobilize up to €25B by 2035 to scale Mediterranean renewables and clean-tech manufacturing. Gaza Internal Violence: A UN report says Hamas-affiliated forces carried out beatings and public executions in Gaza, with cases tied to alleged collaboration and aid looting. Local Digital Trust: Jerusalem Insurance signed cooperation deals to adopt certified electronic signatures, aiming to strengthen secure digital transactions. Energy Storage Deal: WLF Energy and Farasis Energy announced a strategic partnership to develop and deploy next-gen battery and energy-management tech.

AI & Chips in the Region: Nvidia is deepening its Korea push with memory and AI cloud deals, including a multi-year SK Hynix partnership and SK Telecom’s plan for a gigawatt AI cloud. Cybersecurity & AI: At the Korea-Qatar AI Forum, experts argued AI must be treated as both a cybersecurity tool and a cybercrime risk, proposing a joint AI-enabled response framework. Defense Tech Funding: French counter-drone startup Alta Ares raised €50m to scale AI-enabled drone and missile interception, with deployments reported across Ukraine, the Middle East and Asia. Apple Safety Tools: Apple rolled out expanded child account protections and Communication Safety updates, aiming to reduce exposure to harmful content in Messages and FaceTime. Local Tech for Palestine-adjacent Readers: Gaza border-area teachers and psychologists can apply for grants up to NIS 72,000, with incentives for English, computers, science and counseling roles. Startups & Managed AI: Dubai-based Algebra AI launched with $7m to build tailored, managed AI systems for mid-market businesses across the GCC. Air Defense & Drones: The global conflict surge is reflected in new data showing the highest interstate conflict and fatality levels since WWII. Market Tech Spillovers: Egypt’s Exchange will launch futures on CIB and TMG shares on June 18, as derivatives trading expands.

Autonomous Warfare Watch: A new report says Israel has expanded AI-controlled drones for intelligence and strike missions, with more autonomy in surveillance and targeting across Gaza, the West Bank and southern Lebanon. Defense Tech & Drones (MENA supply chain): Quantum Cyber signed an LOI to buy a Bridgeport, Connecticut facility to ramp up domestic manufacturing of autonomous drones and counter-UAS systems. Healthcare Robotics: Smith+Nephew completed first clinical cases using its next-gen CORI◊ XT handheld robotics platform, extending handheld robotics across knee and shoulder arthroplasty. Energy + Industry Tech: Emerson and Saudi Aramco will co-develop an AI-based corrosion monitoring system to predict failures and optimize maintenance across Aramco operations. Climate Policy vs Aviation: Major European airlines warned EU plans to extend carbon trading to outbound international flights could raise fares and costs. Renewables in the Arab world: Arab Energy Organisation data shows renewable capacity in AEO member states hit ~39.2 GW in 2025, up ~36%, led by solar. Food security risk: FAO urged open trade in agricultural inputs and efficient fertilizer use as Strait of Hormuz disruptions threaten fertilizer flows and farm output. Palestine-relevant context: Amid the Iran-Israel escalation, Israel also reopened Gaza’s Kerem Shalom crossing “gradually” for aid after earlier closures.

Middle East Energy’s 50th anniversary: The Dubai power event returns Sept 1–3, spotlighting how electrification and AI/data-centre growth are reshaping grid demand and pushing “smarter” infrastructure. AI infrastructure build-out: Naver and Nvidia are partnering on large-scale AI data-centre projects across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, with gigawatt-scale capacity plans. Cloud rights scrutiny: Microsoft says it’s tightening human-rights and security controls after an internal review of how Israeli forces used Microsoft cloud tech for surveillance of Palestinians. Market shock from Iran-Israel flare-up: Asia stocks slid and oil rose after Iran missile strikes on Israel, while investors also unwind an AI-led rally amid rate-hike fears. Egypt industrial push (jobs + exports): PM Mostafa Madbouly inaugurated expansions at Sahinler Egypt and Jade Textile in Alexandria, with garment exports targets up to $55m (Sahinler) and $250m–$500m (Jade). Electricity market reform: Egypt’s electricity minister met Nexus Analytica to support digital transformation and regulatory frameworks for separating generation, transmission and distribution. Tech + finance in the region: BitGo MENA launched regulated electronic trading in Dubai under VARA oversight, expanding institutional digital-asset execution and custody options. Nuclear risk warning: SIPRI says nuclear weapons are regaining central roles as arsenals modernize and arms-control transparency weakens.

Middle East Tech & Security: Israel says it uncovered a sprawling tunnel network under Lebanon’s Beaufort castle, describing it as a Hezbollah hub with weapons, medical gear, and living quarters—another reminder of how conflict is reshaping regional infrastructure and risk. Aviation Costs: IATA warns airline profits could be cut in half as jet fuel costs jump, with extra fuel bills pushing fares higher—important for travel planning across the region. AI Governance: Veeam’s new report highlights a “trust gap” as many firms deploy AI agents but only a small share are truly AI-ready, with data and governance lagging behind. Cyber & Privacy: A German journalist alleges rape and sexual abuse by prison staff after the 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla; Adalah calls for an urgent criminal investigation. Local Digital Infrastructure: Dubai’s RTA reports 90% completion on a 1,500-metre bridge to cut Dubai Harbour travel time from 12 to 3 minutes. Education & Language Tech: Qatar Foundation launches the “Rasekh” accreditation framework to align international schooling with Arabic language and local context. World Cup Media Tech: beIN SPORTS unveils trilingual, high-tech coverage plans for FIFA World Cup 2026 across MENA.

AI Policy Shift: White House AI adviser Sriram Krishnan says he’ll step down at the end of June after helping craft the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan and AI policy framework, with plans to build new institutions to tackle major AI challenges. Defense Tech & Oversight: US Sen. Bernie Sanders alleges Netanyahu is working with Congress to hide Israel aid inside Pentagon co-production deals, raising alarms about deeper US-Israel defense technology integration. Middle East Tech Economy: IDC warns the Middle East conflict is already reshaping global IT spending, with downside risks rising if escalation lasts beyond three months via energy and inflation pressures. Energy Security in the Region: SOCAR is expanding its role around Israeli gas—exploration, LNG shipments, and power plant support—positioning Azerbaijan as a buffer as Israel’s gas exports fluctuate. Healthcare Innovation in Jerusalem: Jerusalem’s FourWard platform launches to connect academia, hospitals, industry, and startups to speed applied research and tech commercialization. Public Health Tech in Qatar: Qatar’s PHCC rolls out “Ahlan Oral Health 2026” using community visits and Microsoft Teams training for 1,000+ healthcare practitioners, targeting older adults and caregivers.

Digital Government in Kuwait: Kuwait’s Central Agency for Information Technology submitted a KD9.99m contract for auditing plans to eliminate paper transactions within three years, alongside a 3-year deal with a telecom provider for AFA Cloud Google services to digitize administrative procedures and improve platform integration. AI & Cybersecurity Funding: India’s Innefu Labs raised $30m to expand AI-powered intelligence and cybersecurity, aiming to scale R&D and prepare for a future public listing. Health Tech in the UAE: Magnetic Tattoo Removal inventor Linda Paradis presented her patent-based approach at a Dubai dermatology conference, pitching a non-laser method for progressive pigment reduction. Education Tech in India: NTA released the UGC-NET June 2026 subject-wise CBT schedule (June 22–30) with two daily shifts and guidance on city intimation slips. Regional Security & Tech Risks: Reports say Israel used white phosphorus in Lebanon; human rights groups warn of severe civilian harm, while digital-media investigations also flag alleged links between Gulf and Russian video networks. Space & Markets: SpaceX’s upcoming IPO is set to test US stock momentum as investors weigh tech sell-offs and Middle East-driven energy risks.

AI Funding & Defense Tech: Innefu Labs secured $30M in a Series B led by Panthera Growth Partners to expand global AI for national security, cyber security, and intelligence—aiming for sovereign, mission-critical capabilities and a future IPO. US–Israel Security Tensions: The Pentagon reportedly raised Israel’s counterintelligence threat level to “critical,” citing concerns over increased surveillance of senior U.S. officials. Middle East Conflict & Tech-Driven Defense: The U.S. approved a $1.98B anti-drone weapons sale to Kuwait, including counter-drone tech from Anduril, as explosions and missile/drone alerts were reported across Kuwait and Bahrain. Energy & Infrastructure: Woodfield Systems built India’s first domestically manufactured LNG marine loading arm, with shipment planned to a Middle East oil and gas client—part of Make in India and reducing reliance on imported LNG equipment. Markets & Semiconductors: Wall Street snapped a nine-week winning streak as a strong U.S. jobs report and chip selloff hit Nasdaq and the broader tech complex. Local Tech Governance: Pakistan launched a fixed tax scheme for small shop owners (up to Rs200M turnover), using a one-page declaration and QR-coded compliance plate, with POS requirements eased. Digital Power & Politics: A “Digital Power” ranking using social media activity placed Modi, Trump, and Netanyahu among the most influential public officials online.