Gulf and Red Sea Regions

Egypt will implement a comprehensive plan in which its ports will be upgraded. The country plans to become a logistics hub in the MENA region with the aim of promoting its position in international trade. The new plan, expected to be completed by 2024, involves 58 projects for upgrading Egyptian ports at an estimated cost of  63 billion Egyptian pounds (around 4 billion US dollars).

Many eligible Ethiopian voters headed to polls yesterday (21 June) to participate in the country’s first multi-party elections in 16 years. The elections are the incumbent prime minister Abiy Ahmed first democratic test. Elections in several constituencies, many of them in the Amhara and Oromia regions, are postponed until 6 September due to electoral irregularities. The dates for elections in the Tigray region are not yet scheduled. 

The prime minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, has said that the government wants a "peaceful, democratic" election and urged for unity ahead of the country's approaching election next week.

Yemen’s Houthi movement has expressed its willingness to engage in a comprehensive prisoner exchange with the Yemeni government, said Abdul Qader al Murtaza, chairman of the Houthi administration's Committee for Prisoner Affairs. 

On Thursday (10 June), the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, met with Yemeni Foreign Minister, Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak. High Representative/Vice-President Borrell reiterated strong EU support to the Yemeni government and the people of Yemen, highlighting the significant work of the EU in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres.

A sixth round of talks in Vienna between Iran and several global actors is resuming this week in an effort to bring Iran and the JCPOA countries to an agreement on nuclear issues. Iran has expressed its desire to reach an agreement as soon as possible but several obstacles still exist according to Iranian sources. 

An Omani delegation visiting Sanaa met with the leader of the Houthi movement, Abdul Malik al-Houthi. In the meeting, several humanitarian and political issues were discussed. Local reports suggest that there is near consensus on opening the country's main ports.

Poetry holds a dear place in Arab culture. Poetry groups in the UAE have always celebrated poetry and encouraged expression and for the community to come together virtually, to celebrate poetry and provide a safe space for spoken word, poetry and expression.