Thursday’s meeting in Beijing between the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers was a significant step on an unexpected path that may potentially lead to a level of regional stability not seen in over 40 years.

It was in the first week of March 2020, only a few days before the global coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic — with the consequent lockdown — that a handful of prominent Iranian singers performed in the first ever Persian Culture Night in the historic Saudi city of AlUla.

The Saudi-Iranian agreement achieved with Chinese mediation is a significant development in regional geopolitics, containing an unprecedented commitment from the Iranian side of respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs and restoring security cooperation.

I remember that day, 20 years ago, very well. I had only just started my career as a reporter with the now defunct Future Television in Lebanon, and Al Arabiya was the eagerly awaited media newcomer.

Something feels different at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, and not just the unseasonably mild weather in the Alpine ski resort of Davos. There was a distinct sense of something missing, many of the delegates agreed.

As millions around the world celebrate the birth of Christ, we — at Arab News — take this opportunity to wish all our Christian readers, both in Saudi Arabia and abroad, a Merry Christmas.