Water & Climate Policy: UAE MOCCAE and FAO launched a “Legislations of the Future” workshop to shape future-ready rules for sustainable agriculture, agritech adoption, water efficiency, and food security. Saudi Economy Watch: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector activity picked up in June, with Riyad Bank PMI rising to a four-month high as domestic demand improved, even as exports stayed weak amid inflation and regional logistics strains. Tourism & Jobs: Saudi tourism and hospitality expanded in Q1 2026, with licensed facilities up 22.7% and workforce reaching about 1.05 million, alongside rapid growth in hotels and serviced apartments. Marine Tech & Skills: Saudi students from King Abdulaziz University, backed by Johnson Controls Arabia, placed seventh at the MATE ROV World Championship 2026, highlighting growing Saudi capability in ocean-focused engineering. Connectivity & Sustainability Research: Saudi CST and IEEE launched the 2026 Non-Terrestrial Networks research competition, inviting global teams to submit work on next-gen wireless concepts with a sustainability angle. Regional Environment Risk (Hormuz): Iran signaled it will introduce “service fees” for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz after a fee-free period, framing charges as covering security, vessel supervision, and environmental protection.