The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, has embarked on a new tour of the Middle East that will take him to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar, from today until Nov. 4.
The visit, which includes bilateral meetings, business forums, and encounters with heads of state, is part of the government’s strategy to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with a region that has become both a global investment hub and a growing center of influence in international politics.
According to the Colombian presidency, the trip’s agenda focuses on attracting investment for infrastructure and energy projects, advancing the ecological transition, and diversifying Colombia’s international partnerships.
But it also serves a broader political purpose: Positioning the country as a voice of its own within the so-called global south, at a time when world leaders are redifining global geopolitical balances.
Upon his return, Gustavo Petro will chair the 4th CELAC-EU Summit in Santa Marta, scheduled for Nov. 9–10, with the participation of presidents from some of the 33 member countries of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the 27 members of the European Union (EU).
Colombia’s Petro kicks off Middle East trip to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar
The president’s first stop will be Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to have a busy schedule centered on economic cooperation. His meeting with top Saudi officials aims to open investment opportunities in sectors such as clean energy, infrastructure, and tourism — three areas the Colombian government views as key to national development.
Riyadh, the capital of the Arab country, which is advancing its ambitious “Vision 2030” plan to diversify its economy beyond oil, is seeking partners in emerging regions that offer stability and productive potential. Colombia, with its commitment to the energy transition, may be attractive to sovereign funds interested in projects related to green hydrogen, sustainable mining, and electric transportation.
In this context, Petro seeks to consolidate a strategic relationship with one of the main financial centers of the Arab world. His economic team has indicated that the goal is to promote agreements that go beyond symbolic diplomacy and translate into concrete projects that create jobs and enable technology transfer.
The visit also has a political dimension: Bringing Colombia closer to a country that, beyond oil, wields significant influence in multilateral forums and the global energy agenda.
In fact, from today through Thursday, Petro will take part in the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9), a global forum that brings together the world’s most influential leaders to promote sustainable growth, foster innovation, and channel investments that contribute to human well-being.
FII9, held under the theme “The Key to Prosperity: Opening New Frontiers of Growth,” will feature more than 600 speakers and 15 presidents from different nations.
Egypt and Qatar: Petro’s next stops
The second stop will be Egypt, a country with which Colombia has sought to strengthen environmental and multilateral ties. Since COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Petro has emphasized the need for alliances among global south countries to confront the climate crisis and propose fair financing mechanisms. Egypt, with its experience organizing environmental summits and its strategic geographic position, represents a natural ally in that effort.
In Cairo, the Colombian president will meet with his counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, as well as with representatives from international organizations and the private sector. The agenda will address sustainability, food security, and technological cooperation. According to diplomatic sources, the two sides will also seek to advance agreements in higher education and culture — areas that can reinforce the historical ties between the two nations.
The visit to Egypt also carries symbolic value. Petro has repeatedly expressed interest in strengthening dialogue between Latin America and Africa — two regions that, despite sharing similar challenges of development and inequality, maintain limited communication.
With this trip, Colombia aims to build bridges to the African continent through one of its most relevant players, while also projecting its foreign policy beyond the traditional frameworks of the Western Hemisphere.
The tour will conclude in Qatar, a country that over the past two decades has multiplied its influence thanks to its energy wealth, global investment capacity, and role as a mediator in international conflicts. For Colombia, Qatar represents an opportunity for cooperation in high technology, innovation, and air transport.
The country also currently hosts peace talks between the Colombian government and the illegal armed group Gulf Clan, the nation’s largest criminal organization. The negotiations formally began in Doha in September with an agreement that includes an initial “confidence-building” phase and a pilot plan for the substitution of illicit crops in five municipalities where the group operates.
So far, it remains unclear what concrete agreements Colombia and the small emirate might sign, but Qatar’s diplomatic and mediation expertise could prove especially valuable — particularly amid the current context of rising tensions between Colombia and the United States.