AGP Executive Report

Saudi-Pakistan-Turkiye “Makkah Pact” Diplomacy: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif said the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement is boosting unity and peace, as he met Saudi Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadley to discuss deeper cooperation in agriculture, water management and food security, including planned Pakistani experts’ visits to Riyadh. Saudi Work Visa Overhaul: Saudi Arabia introduced new work-visa caps tied to how long a business has been operating—new firms (under two years) can sponsor just 5 foreign workers, while older businesses can access up to 50, with separate rules for Establishing Programme participants. Riyadh Water Infrastructure Deal: Nesma & Partners signed with Saur to advance a recycled water project in Riyadh, moving toward the next tender stage and exploring wider reuse and digital water solutions. Housing & PPP Projects: Saudi Arabia launched RFQs for the King Fahd Suburb Boulevard project via a long-term PPP model, while Cityscape Global 2026 highlights rising homeownership and investor interest. Sports Spotlight: Cristiano Ronaldo became Al-Nassr’s all-time Saudi Pro League top scorer after a 2-1 comeback win over Al-Taawoun; Al Hilal also routed Al Khaleej 5-1 with Yassine Bounou saving a penalty.

Saudi Pro League: Cristiano Ronaldo made history as Al Nassr beat Al Taawoun 2-1, scoring his 978th career goal and becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer in the league, keeping the champions perfect with four wins from four. UN Diplomacy: UN chief Antonio Guterres urged the US and Iran to resume meaningful negotiations, warning of worsening humanitarian and economic fallout and backing mediation efforts involving Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Regional Security: Pakistan and Kuwait signed a defence cooperation protocol in Islamabad, expanding training, intelligence sharing and logistics ties as Gulf tensions ripple after the US-Iran conflict. Saudi-Pak Agriculture: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan agreed to deepen cooperation on agriculture, irrigation and food security, with talks also focused on boosting bilateral trade and investment. Sports (Saudi-linked): Bahrain’s youth handball team booked Asian semis and a Youth World Championship berth by edging Saudi 30-28, while Bahrain also lost a beach soccer friendly to Saudi 1-2.

Saudi Work Visas: Saudi Arabia has revised work-permit rules for employers, tying new-business visa quotas to company age and participation in the Establishing Programme—firms under two years old face a cap of five visas, while older companies can access up to 50. Makkah Pact: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif says the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye sends a “message of unity and peace,” as the trilateral security framework moves from signing to coordination talk. Regional Security: Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing for a wider military campaign against Yemen’s Houthis as attacks on ships and oil assets raise pressure on Riyadh. Customs Crackdown: Saudi customs at Al-Haditha seized 1.95 million amphetamine pills hidden in a lentil shipment. Tech Push: Riyadh launched a Digital Innovation District aimed at attracting global tech talent and investment. Sports Transfer Buzz: Ollie Watkins’ move to Al-Hilal is confirmed in reports, with Aston Villa’s Unai Emery saying Watkins apologized for missing a match and that Nicolas Jackson is set to replace him.

Saudi-France Entertainment Deal: Le Monde reports Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya-linked manga-themed theme park in France hasn’t yet secured approval from Dragon Ball rights holders, even as Macron announced a €6bn/US$7bn project expected to create 22,000 jobs. Yemen Tensions: Yemen’s foreign ministry says Saudi efforts to mobilize followers and mercenaries to harm Yemen are backfiring, warning insurance firms against “false assurances.” Diplomacy with Pakistan: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif praised Saudi Arabia’s “pivotal role” in regional peace as Saudi ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki completed his tenure. Mecca Pact Debate: Bangladesh’s foreign minister said there’s no reason others should worry if the Saudi-Türkiye-Pakistan “Mecca Pact” expands, adding Bangladesh would consider joining only if invited. Human Cost in Saudi Workplaces: Bodies of seven Bangladeshi workers killed in a Riyadh sofa-factory fire have arrived home, with more repatriations ongoing. Sports Governance: Saudi Arabia’s football federation backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino “at this time” amid the FIFA crisis. Weather/Travel Safety: Saudi Arabia issued red alerts for heavy rain and flash floods in parts of the kingdom.

Football Governance: Saudi Arabia’s football federation backed FIFA chief Gianni Infantino “at this time,” urging direct face-to-face dialogue after criticism over the scrapped FIFA Forward Enterprise plan. Human Rights: The UN torture committee urged Saudi Arabia to end corporal punishment, including flogging and amputations, and raised concerns about abuse of detainees and human rights figures. Regional Security: Iraq and Saudi officials met in Baghdad to tighten border controls and expand intelligence sharing amid drone and cross-border attack concerns. Sports Transfers: Al-Hilal moved to settle and end Ali Al-Bulaihi’s spell, while reports say Gabriel Martinelli is nearing a move to the Saudi Pro League. Business & Trade: RSGT and CMA CGM signed definitive agreements for a $434m Jeddah Islamic Port Terminal 4 expansion, adding up to 2.6m TEU capacity. Tech & AI: Microsoft and HUMAIN launched a first phase of Arabic enterprise AI collaboration, bringing HUMAIN’s ALLAM models into Microsoft’s AI ecosystem. Weather Watch: Saudi authorities issued red alerts for heavy rain and flash-flood risk in parts of Makkah.

Professional Training: Saudi Arabia’s Architecture and Design Commission launched a new Professional Learning and Development Platform with digital courses, assessments, and learning records for designers and practitioners. Weather Watch: The National Center for Meteorology issued heavy-rain warnings, including hail, strong winds, and possible flooding in parts of Mecca province and other regions. Regional Security: Saudi, Turkey and Pakistan’s Mecca pact continues to draw analysis as observers debate how it could reshape Middle East power balances and alliances. Nuclear Politics: The US sent its 30-year civil nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia to Congress, with Senate Democrats urging lawmakers to block it over safeguards and enrichment concerns. Strait of Hormuz Pressure: Iran and Oman discussed a temporary transit and mine-clearing plan, but Tehran warned the Strait would stay shut unless the US ends its conflict-linked sanctions. Business & Tech: Tencent Cloud partnered with TruKKer to expand cloud and AI operations in Saudi Arabia. Sports: Al-Ahli advanced in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup after beating Auckland 1-0, while Al Nassr’s Ronaldo was substituted at halftime in a dramatic comeback win over Al Ettifaq.

Diplomacy & Security: Saudi and Turkish foreign ministers held a phone call focused on de-escalation, regional security and stability. Regional Politics: The Syrian Democratic Forces announced they are dissolving as an independent force and fully integrating into Syrian state institutions. Trade & Investment: Saudi Arabia and Senegal signed an MoU to boost cooperation against corruption and cross-border financial crimes. Energy & Shipping: Saudi Aramco offered extra September crude cargoes to Asian buyers via routes outside the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring efforts to cut exposure to disruption risks. Environment: Saudi Arabia received a UN award for World Restoration Flagships at UNCCD COP17 for its National Greening Program, citing major tree planting and land restoration. Business & Tech: Expo 2030 Riyadh and France’s Atout France signed an MoU to expand tourism and knowledge exchange ahead of the World Expo. Sports: Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted at half-time as 10-man Al Nassr staged a late comeback to beat Al Ettifaq 3-2. Health: Saudi Arabia sent condolences over the fatal PIMS hospital fire in Islamabad that killed newborns.

Saudi-France Mega Deals: France’s President Emmanuel Macron announced a €6bn (about $7bn) Saudi-funded theme-park plan near Paris, with three parks in Cergy-Pontoise and one expected to be Dragon Ball–themed, projecting 22,000 jobs and signed during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit. Nuclear Pact to Congress: The US has submitted a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for review, starting a 90-day clock, while Trump says the deal hinges on Saudi Israel normalization under the Abraham Accords. Mawlid al-Nabawi Observed: Saudi Arabia’s regional spotlight is on Prophet Muhammad’s 150th birth anniversary, with major commemorations across Yemen drawing huge crowds and renewed public messaging. Quantum Computing JV: Pasqal and Eleven Ventures will form Pasqal Arabia to deploy and scale quantum computing systems across Saudi Arabia and the region, aiming to build local expertise. Red Sea Security: Reports say Houthis struck a Saudi-linked tanker off Yanbu, adding to ongoing shipping risks in the Red Sea. Sports—Saudi Pro League: Al Nassr’s Ange Postecoglou-led side staged a 3-2 comeback over Al Ettifaq, with Cristiano Ronaldo taken off at half-time amid controversy.

Red Sea Security: Houthis claimed they struck a Saudi-linked tanker off Yanbu, keeping pressure on shipping routes as regional tensions around Hormuz and sanctions continue. Saudi-France Mega-Deals: Saudi Arabia and France signed on a major cultural and entertainment push, including a €6bn/€7bn theme-park plan near Paris with a Dragon Ball Z site, plus a new Saudi cultural center in Paris to deepen ties. AI Push in Saudi: Saudi officials are ramping partnerships and infrastructure for sovereign AI, with Mistral AI and Humain signing to build localized frontier models and enterprise solutions, while talks in France also targeted gaming, quantum and AI security. Health & Global Leadership: Saudi Arabia welcomed the U.S. move to remove Syria from the terrorism list, while Dr. Hanan Balkhy’s WHO nomination highlighted Saudi support for global health. Weather Watch: The NCM forecast rain across parts of Saudi Arabia from Wednesday through the week, with heavier downpours in some areas before clearing. Sports & Culture: Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar is lining up early AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 matches, and Saudi football continues to draw international attention.

Red Sea Security: Yemen’s Houthis claimed they struck the Saudi oil tanker “Amzan” off Yanbu with a ballistic missile, sparking a fire, and also said they hit Saudi troop concentrations in Hadramout with ballistic missiles and drones. Saudi-France Deal: Saudi Arabia and France signed a €6bn agreement to build three theme parks near Paris, including a “Dragon Ball Z” attraction, expected to create about 22,000 jobs, with Qiddiya backing the project. Diplomacy on Palestine & Lebanon: Riyadh and Paris reaffirmed support for Palestinian statehood and urged Israel to withdraw from all Lebanese territory, stressing a diplomatic path and a ceasefire plus humanitarian access in Gaza. Iran Pressure & Sanctions: The US Treasury signaled tougher sanctions on Iran’s business partners and expanded categories of “Iran-related conduct,” as Iran’s currency reportedly hit a record low. Saudi Economy & Finance: Aramco announced deals and an MoU with French firms worth over $3.7bn to strengthen supply chains and advance industrial AI and digital tech. Energy Markets: UKMTO reported a tanker fire after an “unknown projectile” near Yanbu, adding to Red Sea shipping risks. Local Enforcement: Saudi authorities arrested a citizen in Jazan for transporting 13 Ethiopian nationals who violated border security rules. Health Cooperation: Saudi and France signed an MoU to boost health collaboration, covering public health, health security, digital health, AI, trials, and emergency preparedness.

Red Sea Security: UKMTO says a tanker was struck by an “unknown projectile” 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu, sparking a fire; crew were safe and no environmental impact reported. Houthi Claims: The Houthis claim they hit the Saudi oil tanker Amzan with a ballistic missile off Yanbu and targeted Saudi troop concentrations in eastern Yemen with missiles and drones. Saudi-Finance: Al Salam Bank was named joint lead manager and bookrunner for SRC’s $2.75bn dual-tranche sukuk, backed by PIF, with orders reported at $18.7bn. Defense Diplomacy: Bangladesh’s foreign ministry says it’s interested in joining the Mecca Defence Pact involving Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan. Tech & Growth: Saudi’s space economy is projected to reach $31.6bn by 2035, while digital adoption and AI use continue rising. Public Transport: Saudi public bus ridership rose 23.2% in Q2 2026 to over 26.34m passengers.

Mecca Pact Expansion: Iran has reportedly been invited to join the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey “Mecca” joint defence agreement, with Tehran said to be reviewing the offer as CDF Asim Munir prepares to visit Tehran amid US-Iran sanctions pressure. Red Sea Pressure: Saudi oil logistics are again under strain as Houthis target shipping and drones hit Saudi areas, while Yanbu tanker traffic reportedly falls by a third. Hormuz Stakes: Analysts describe a “Battleships” style struggle in the Strait of Hormuz, where insurance costs and shipping risk—not just naval force—are reshaping crude flows. Saudi-France Deals: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s France visit includes an investment roundtable and talks framed around energy route diversification and deeper economic ties. Tech & Telecom: stc and Huawei complete a commercial MB² microwave deployment to boost 5G capacity. Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia opens a visa “Tasheer” center in Damascus to streamline applications and support Saudi-Syria economic ties.

GCC Follow-Up: Saudi Arabia’s GCC High Committee met in Riyadh to track implementation of decisions from the 19th Consultative Meeting, stressing coordination to turn directives into results. Saudi-France Business Push: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s France visit includes a Riyadh–Paris Investment Roundtable in Paris, with talks expected to cover AI, digital infrastructure, logistics and other sectors, plus new MOUs. Tech Leadership: Saudi Arabia topped the global ICT Development Index, highlighted in CST’s 2026 Sustainability Report, alongside space and digital regulation initiatives. Umrah Numbers: GASTAT says 15.2 million people performed Umrah in Q1 2026, with 5.77 million international arrivals. SFDA Crackdown: SFDA fined 17 pharmaceutical establishments SR1.575m for violations tied to medicine tracking and supply reporting. Regional Security: Yemen’s Houthis claimed they shot down a Saudi ScanEagle drone over Hajjah; Saudi officials have not commented yet. Football Transfers & Drama: Al Hilal are in advanced talks for Ollie Watkins, while Arsenal set a price for Gabriel Martinelli as Saudi Pro League interest grows; meanwhile Aston Villa suffered a 4-0 Brighton collapse with Watkins and Martinez left out.

Makkah Defence Pact: Saudi Arabia and Jordan condemned a bombing that hit a bus carrying Syrian security personnel near Damascus, calling it a terrorist attack and backing Syria’s efforts to curb extremism. Regional Security: Bangladesh signaled openness to joining the Saudi-Pakistan-Türkiye Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, saying any move would follow its “Bangladesh First” national interests. Diplomacy & Energy: Egypt pushed to restart Iran-U.S. talks amid Strait of Hormuz tensions, while Iran’s new security chief warned neighbors against joining America’s economic pressure, threatening retaliation against oil-shipping routes. Saudi-France Ties: Macron hosted Saudi Crown Prince MBS in Paris for talks spanning health, transport and energy, with regional issues on the agenda. Saudi Economy & Policy: Saudi set a 90-day limit for GCC-registered private vehicles in the Kingdom (within a 365-day period), with fines up to SR2,000. Green Industry: Saudi says it has completed the world’s largest green hydrogen project at NEOM, targeting ammonia exports from 2027. Sports: Cristiano Ronaldo made history by scoring in 25 straight league seasons as Al Nassr beat Al Riyadh 4-0.

Deportations & Migration: Pakistan says nearly 22,000 Pakistanis were deported from Gulf states between March 1 and July 13, 2026 for visa violations, overstaying, begging and forged documents—Saudi Arabia accounted for the biggest share. Red Sea Security: A new report says Iraq’s parliament received confirmed information about impending US-Saudi strikes on PMF sites six hours before the July 29 attacks, triggering a probe into why warnings and evacuations came late. Regional Diplomacy: Iran’s president claims the world has accepted Iran “won” against the US, while Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to discuss ways to bypass the Strait of Hormuz in Paris. Saudi Economy & Energy: Saudi Aramco is reported to be selling China crude for loadings outside Hormuz, as shipping and LNG flows remain pressured by the wider standoff. Sports (Saudi Pro League): Thomas Partey has joined Al Shabab on a free transfer, while Aston Villa move closer to signing Leon Goretzka; Cristiano Ronaldo also scored as Al Nassr beat Al Riyadh 4-0. Culture & Faith: Nigeria’s Maryam Ibrahim Dan’Azumi won the King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Makkah, with President Tinubu congratulating her.

Middle East Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia joined a broad group of Muslim-majority countries condemning Israel’s strikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase, calling them an “extreme escalation” and a violation of Syria’s sovereignty. Regional Security Pact: Syria is reportedly reviewing whether to join the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey “Mecca” defense pact, while Bangladesh signals openness to a wider framework. Red Sea Shipping: Tanker traffic at Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port fell by more than a third after Houthis announced a blockade through Bab al-Mandeb, forcing Aramco to reroute crude via Egypt. Energy Markets: Oil prices rose as Trump threatened sanctions on Iran’s trading partners, raising fears of tighter supply. Saudi Foreign Affairs: Saudi Arabia condemned the Kabul bombing near an educational center, expressing solidarity with Afghanistan and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. Business & Investment: Pakistan’s Saudi Investment Forum talks focused on deepening economic and business ties, with Saudi firms highlighted as a growing regional hub for partnerships.