FAO Chief: Horticulture Must Drive the Next Transformation of Global Agrifood Systems

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu told the International Horticultural Congress in Kyoto that unlocking horticulture's full potential is essential to delivering healthy diets and resilient food systems, warning that rising …

Karim Ashfield

August 25, 2026

FAO Chief: Horticulture Must Drive the Next Transformation of Global Agrifood Systems

Economy

Rising Prices Reshape Consumer Behavior Across the Middle East

Persistent inflationary pressure across Middle Eastern economies is straining household budgets and shifting spending patterns among consumers in both oil-rich Gulf states and import-dependent nations. Governments and central banks in the region are navigating a delicate balance between supporting growth and containing price increases.

Economy

Gulf Sovereign Wealth Funds Reshape Global Investment Landscape

State-owned investment vehicles from the Gulf region have expanded their reach across continents, acquiring stakes in technology, infrastructure, and financial institutions. Their growing portfolios reflect a deliberate strategy to diversify national economies and extend geopolitical influence beyond traditional energy markets.

Economy

Gulf and Levant States Pivot to Tourism as a Pillar of Economic Diversification

Several Middle Eastern governments have elevated tourism to a central component of their long-term economic strategies, channeling investment into infrastructure, heritage sites, and hospitality sectors. The shift reflects a broader regional effort to reduce dependence on hydrocarbon revenues.

Economy

New Trade Routes Reshape Economic Landscape Across the Middle East

Expanding overland and maritime trade corridors are generating measurable economic activity across the Middle East, connecting Gulf states, the Levant, and North Africa in ways that were logistically limited a decade ago. Infrastructure investments and bilateral trade agreements have accelerated the movement of goods, positioning the region as an increasingly significant link between Asian, European, and African markets.