Dubai hosted the UN climate summit COP28, aiming to encourage countries to accelerate their energy transitions. The choice of a petroleum-rich emirate as the event's location has led to boycotts by many activists. Despite its reputation for artificial islands and desert ski slopes, Dubai is striving to enhance its green credentials, leveraging startups to achieve this goal.

Trade between the United Arab Emirates and Iran has reached $24 billion over a twelve-month period as of last March, marking a significant recovery to levels not seen since 2012. This resurgence in trade follows a more relaxed geopolitical climate in the region, with the UAE sending its ambassador back to Tehran in August 2022 after a hiatus since 2016. Economic ties have historically been strong, with a substantial Iranian community in the UAE. Both countries are aiming to increase trade to $30 billion in the next two years, and high-level official visits are anticipated to further strengthen relations. This development coincides with Saudi Arabia's normalization of relations with Iran, facilitated by China.

Trade exchanges between the United Arab Emirates and Iran have reached levels not seen since 2012, driven by a more relaxed geopolitical climate. Despite past tensions, including the recall of the UAE ambassador from Tehran in 2016, economic ties have remained strong. The UAE has facilitated the return of Iranian businesses, easing visa and banking processes. Iran aims to achieve $30 billion in trade with the UAE within two years, with potential high-level visits anticipated. The regional context, including Saudi Arabia's normalization of relations with Iran, is expected to further support these exchanges.

Andrea Mounecif, a 34-year-old Italian and founding member of the ecotourism association FuoriVia, leads a journey along the Danube to promote responsible tourism. Inspired by the concept of 'convivenza' and the teachings of Virginio Bettini, the group engages with local communities to foster ecotourism projects. Mounecif's dedication to ecotourism stems from witnessing the negative impacts of mass tourism in his hometown, Venice. The group's efforts have previously led to successful ecotourism initiatives along historical routes in Europe. Mounecif's philosophy is influenced by David Le Breton's views on the liberating nature of walking.

Pope Francis's first visit to Bahrain, an island in the heart of the Persian Gulf, includes participation in a global interfaith forum aimed at promoting human coexistence. The event, under the patronage of Bahraini King Hamed Ben Issa Al Khalifa and attended by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and other religious dignitaries, highlights Bahrain's use of religious tolerance as a diplomatic tool. Despite being a state with Islam as its official religion and Sharia law in effect, Bahrain's constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and worship. The country has a diverse religious landscape, including a synagogue, Buddhist and Hindu temples, and several Christian churches. Bahrain's strategy of interfaith dialogue, which began in earnest in 2017, has led to the normalization of diplomatic relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords. However, human rights organizations have criticized Bahrain for religious discrimination, particularly against the Shiite majority, which is seen by authorities as aligned with Iran. Bahrain distinguishes between the freedom to practice religion and the politicization of religious identity, the latter of which it opposes.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's tour in the Gulf yielded mixed results, securing only one new energy agreement with the United Arab Emirates to export a shipment of liquefied natural gas to Germany by the end of 2022 and additional quantities in 2023. The UAE's oil company ADNOC will also supply Germany with up to 250,000 tonnes of diesel per month in 2023. However, no gas export agreement was reached with Qatar, despite ongoing discussions for several months, as Germany appears hesitant to commit to the long-term contracts desired by the emirate.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is visiting Qatar, the last country on his Gulf tour, to discuss energy as Germany seeks to diversify its gas supply sources away from Russia. Qatar, a leading producer of liquefied natural gas, has primarily exported to Asian countries, but a partnership signed in May could change this dynamic. No public announcement on a gas agreement has been made, and European countries have historically opposed the long-term contracts favored by Qatar.

Al-Ula, a historic region in Saudi Arabia, is being transformed into a major international tourism destination under the Vision 2030 plan led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The region, rich in Nabatean and pre-Islamic heritage, aims to attract millions of visitors and diversify the national economy. Key projects include archaeological research, luxury hotels, and cultural festivals. The Royal Commission for Al-Ula (RCU) and international partnerships, such as with France's Afalula, play crucial roles in this development. The initiative also seeks to improve the local economy and global image of Saudi Arabia.

Two weeks ago, on May 1st, Deliveroo delivery workers in the UAE went on strike to protest reduced delivery fees and increased work hours. Their demands were met the next day. Inspired by this, Talabat workers also went on strike last week, demanding higher delivery fees, but their demands remain unmet. The strikes, driven by inflation partly due to the war in Ukraine, have highlighted the financial struggles of these workers, many of whom are from the Indian subcontinent. Despite significant media coverage and social media amplification, local authorities have remained silent.

In October, Sheikh Hamad Jaber al-Ali al-Sabah announced that women could join the Kuwaiti army, but only in medical and support roles. This decision, which opened applications on December 19, faced opposition in Parliament, leading to a motion of censure against the Defense Minister that ultimately failed. The Defense Minister adhered to the fatwa authority's recommendations, imposing conditions such as a ban on carrying weapons, requiring approval from a husband or legal guardian, and mandating the hijab. Reactions are mixed, with conservatives satisfied and others deeming the conditions discriminatory. The Association sociale et culturelle des femmes au Koweït plans to challenge the decision legally.