Kuwait's total imports rose by 22% in Q2 2025 to 3.26 billion dinars, driven significantly by increased demand for vehicles, gold, and medical supplies, reflecting robust economic activity and consumer confidence.
Kuwait's Deputy Foreign Minister, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, recently urged comprehensive reform of the United Nations system, particularly the Security Council, to enhance its effectiveness and representativeness. This call, echoed by other Kuwaiti officials, emphasizes structural changes, equitable representation, and adherence to international law amidst global challenges.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for high-quality work to draft the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for Economic and Social Development. The initiative follows the Fourth Plenum of the 20th Central Committee, which adopted key recommendations focusing on high-quality growth, new drivers, expanding domestic demand, and opening-up.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has indicated his willingness to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to address escalating tariffs on Brazilian exports and growing tensions surrounding Venezuela. Lula, speaking from Jakarta, aims to challenge the 50% tariffs imposed by the U.S. and discuss broader geopolitical issues, though the White House has yet to confirm a meeting.
South Africa's ambitious R440 billion transmission grid expansion program, the Independent Transmission Projects (ITP), has attracted significant global interest. International developers, including India's Adani Power and major Chinese state-owned firms, are among 17 entities vying to construct 14,000 km of new power lines to support the nation's energy transition.
Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Prabowo Subianto met in Jakarta on October 23, 2025, to sign eight key cooperation agreements spanning oil, gas, electricity, technology, mining, and agriculture. The leaders emphasized boosting bilateral trade, which reached $6.3 billion in 2024, and strengthening ties between the Global South nations.
Leaders from Iceland and Greenland, Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen, have renewed their cooperation declaration. The agreement, reported on October 23, 2025, emphasizes strengthening ties in trade, fisheries, education, and infrastructure, building on a 2022 accord. Both nations aim to accelerate a bilateral trade agreement and explore telecommunications infrastructure.
France's proposed 2026 defense budget outlines plans to expand its Rafale fighter fleet from 225 to 286 aircraft, with an order for 61 additional jets to modernize the French Air and Space Force. However, the DGA has reportedly reaffirmed the 225-aircraft target, creating conflicting reports on the final fleet size.
Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer announced a record-breaking order backlog of $31.3 billion for the third quarter of 2025, marking its highest level ever. This significant growth spans its commercial, business, defense, and services sectors, reflecting strong global demand and strategic orders across its diverse portfolio.
China is leveraging its status as the world's largest creditor to expand the global use of its currency, the yuan (RMB). This strategy involves offering yuan-denominated loans at favorable domestic interest rates and encouraging the conversion of existing dollar-denominated debts, aiming to reduce reliance on the US dollar and enhance its financial influence.
Brazil's recent pre-salt oil auction, the 3rd Cycle of the Permanent Production Sharing Offer, saw five of seven blocks awarded. State-run Petrobras and Norway's Equinor secured key areas, including the Jaspe block in partnership. Australian Karoon Energy and a Chinese consortium of CNOOC and Sinopec also acquired blocks, signaling renewed global interest in Brazil's deep-water exploration potential.
The Chinese Communist Party's Fourth Plenum is underway in Beijing, focusing on the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) amidst a significant economic downturn. Discussions are overshadowed by a prolonged real estate crisis, faltering exports, weak domestic demand, and slowing GDP growth, with leaders seeking strategies for technological self-reliance and boosting consumption.
Brazil officially installed its National Mining Policy Council (CNPM) on October 16, 2025, marking a strategic move to develop domestic supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths. Chaired by the Minister of Mines and Energy, the council aims to update the national mining strategy, enhance value-added processing, and assert national sovereignty over mineral resources, with President Lula emphasizing a shift from raw material exports.
Mexico has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the world's third-largest exporter of medical devices in 2023, with exports valued at $17.6 billion. This significant leap is attributed to strategic geographical advantages, a skilled workforce, and robust trade agreements like the USMCA, solidifying the nation's role in the global healthcare supply chain.
Photovoltaic modules from Chinese solar technology giant LONGi are now supplying clean electricity to water pump irrigation systems in eastern Egypt. This 500-kilowatt project, a testament to China-Egypt Belt and Road Initiative cooperation, significantly reduces agricultural operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions, saving over 50,000 yuan monthly.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani announced on October 20, 2025, the cancellation of a nuclear inspection agreement with the IAEA. This decision follows the reimposition of UN sanctions and Larijani's assertion that IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi's reports will no longer be effective, signaling a tougher stance on nuclear cooperation.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has appointed federal deputy Guilherme Boulos as the new Minister-Chief of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, replacing Márcio Macêdo. Announced on October 20, 2025, the appointment aims to strengthen government ties with social movements and popular sectors in Brazil.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak met with a Sudanese delegation on October 20, 2025, to bolster cooperation in transport, energy, trade, agriculture, and education. The discussions built on agreements from the 8th Joint Intergovernmental Commission, aiming to deepen ties between the two nations.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met briefly with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Vatican City on October 20, 2025, during his visit to the Holy See for a canonization ceremony and discussions on peace and bilateral ties.
France's ongoing political instability, marked by a hung parliament and frequent government changes, is jeopardizing major Franco-German military projects like FCAS and MGCS, and broader EU security efforts. A significant budget deficit and fiscal challenges further complicate the nation's ability to meet its European commitments.
