Israel says 93 UN aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Monday to lead the Kingdom’s delegation to the second Gulf Cooperation Council–Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Faisal will also attend the GCC–ASEAN–China Summit and related forums on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, SPA added.

The summits will focus on enhancing partnerships across a range of sectors to drive development and prosperity, while also strengthening cooperation and coordination on issues of mutual interest.

The Saudi Warehousing and Logistics Expo has returned to the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, running from May 27–29. Taking place under the patronage of the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, the event plays a central role in supporting the Kingdom’s logistics transformation. With the sector projected to reach $15 billion by 2030, the expo provides a timely platform for stakeholders to align priorities, explore new solutions and contribute to national development objectives under Vision 2030. Forming a central part of the exhibition is the Saudi Warehousing and Logistics Summit, returning for its second edition. 

The CPD-certified program brings together public and private sector leaders and service providers to engage in constructive dialogue, share practical insights and address the sector’s evolving needs. In line with the ambitions of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub, the summit offers a strategic platform to align on priorities and support the growth of a sustainable, agile and internationally competitive logistics landscape.

“Saudi Warehousing and Logistics Summit returns as an essential meeting ground for leaders shaping the future of supply chain, warehousing and logistics in the Kingdom,” said Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president — construction, dmg events. “By bringing together a broad spectrum of voices, the summit plays a key role in guiding industry strategies aligned with Saudi Arabia’s growth ambitions for the warehousing and logistics industry.”

This year’s summit agenda is built around seven key pillars: transformation, resilience, collaboration, generative AI, customer centricity and ESG. Speakers will explore practical approaches to streamlining operations, expanding warehousing capacity, building risk-resilient supply chains and adopting AI to meet rising customer and market expectations. With logistics playing an increasingly strategic role in economic diversification and trade facilitation, the summit will also highlight the need for stronger cross-industry collaboration and investment in talent.

“Saudi Warehousing and Logistics Summit creates space for strategic and data-driven engagement across sectors. I look forward to sharing the stage with fellow industry leaders to address real challenges, share success stories and insights and develop a shared understanding of what’s needed to move forward,” said Ali Hakami, chief supply chain and procurement officer at Hana Water, and a key speaker at the summit.

The speaker lineup features senior leaders and decision-makers from across the ecosystem, including Mutasim Al-Olayan, strategic planning director, Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services; Alaa Banbelh, director of new logistics program, Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services; Hala H. Alhuraibi, aviation and logistics director, Ministry of Investment; Abdullah Munif Al-Munif, vice president for commercial business, Saudi Ports Authority; Sami Almoghirah, logistics director, Special Integrated Logistics Zone Company; Adeel Abdullah A. Alsharif, director of materials and logistics, Tahakom; and Wouter Nijland, master planning and development director, Matarat, among others. 

A dedicated case study will be delivered by Michael Stockdale, group head of supply chain and logistics, Red Sea Global, highlighting the application of strategic supply chain design and sustainability principles. One of the sessions, “Ensuring Future Readiness: Building an Efficient and Resilient Supply Chain,” prioritizes discussions on striking the right balance between performance and cost in a resilient and efficient supply chain. 

The Saudi Warehousing and Logistics Summit highlights the Kingdom’s focus on logistics as a key enabler of economic growth and trade connectivity, contributing directly to Vision 2030 outcomes.