Technology
U.S. federal R&D obligations fell 2.1% in FY2023
NCSES reported that U.S. federal agency R&D obligations fell from $190.5 billion in FY2022 to $186.4 billion in FY2023.
Data includedNEWSVERUM / Global briefing
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Technology
U.S. R&D reached $937 billion in 2023
NCSES, the U.S. National Science Foundation’s statistics center, reported domestic research and experimental development spending of $937 billion in 2023. It estimated $993 billion for 2024.
Data includedInfrastructure
World Bank logistics index compared 139 countries
The 2023 index compared cross-border freight speed and reliability across 139 countries.
Data includedClimate
UNEP: adaptation finance reached $28bn in 2022
International public flows rose from $22bn in 2021 to $28bn. The annual finance gap was estimated at $187–359bn.
Data includedFinance
Trading across Arab capital markets reached US$825 billion in nine months
The Arab Federation of Capital Markets reported an 18 percent year-on-year increase in January–September trading value, alongside higher share volumes and transaction counts.
Business
Committed investment in Oman’s Duqm zone reached OMR8.818 billion
Investment commitments reported at end-June were 141 percent higher than in 2021. Oman also outlined port cargo, refinery capacity and dry-dock activity.
Energy
IEA says electrification is an energy-security option after the Hormuz shock
In an IEA scenario, electricity could cost-effectively supply 33 percent of final energy use by 2035; projected import savings are not realized outcomes.
Energy
EWEC forecasts a reduction of more than 45% in Abu Dhabi power and water emissions by 2035
The utility’s long-term plan projects lower emissions despite rising electricity demand; its solar, battery and reverse-osmosis targets are not completed outcomes.
Data includedBusiness
Qatar launches Doha Investment platform for its domestic portfolio
The platform will focus on the Qatar Investment Authority’s local portfolio. The government also outlined five-year expectations for US$38.5 billion in infrastructure projects and US$22.5 billion in private investment.
Fiscal Policy
IMF discusses Lebanon banking reform and 2027 budget
An IMF mission that visited on 15–18 September reviewed banking restructuring and fiscal planning. The Fund expects contraction and double-digit inflation in 2026.
Agriculture
FAO says herding families in the West Bank received more than 3.3 million vaccine doses over two years
The campaign addressed four livestock diseases; a separate 50,000-dose purchase and wider disease-surveillance work were also announced.
Economy
Petra received 43,901 visitors in September as foreign arrivals remained weaker
Nine-month attendance was 2.8% below last year; Jordanian visitors increased while foreign visitor numbers fell more sharply.