A high-profile meeting of the Saudi and European businessmen will be held at the French consulate in Jeddah today. This meeting titled “European Business Group Event,” the first of its kind to be organized by the Riyadh-based Delegation of the European Union to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in the Kingdom, is expected to attract about 300 attendees, mainly top-notch Saudi and European businessmen and decision-makers, as well as industry leaders.
This was disclosed by Ambassador Adam Kulach, head of the EU Delegation in Riyadh yesterday. “This business meeting is being organized in response to the initiative of the EU member states and their diplomatic missions in the Kingdom,” said Kulach, adding that the event will be attended by heads of the business councils of different EU member states, which have been meeting with their Saudi counterparts bilaterally until now.
In his interview, Kulach spoke about the progressively growing relations between the GCC and the EU with special reference to the closer ties in the fields of education and culture. He briefly spoke about the EU’s Erasmus Mundus program, which supports students from the Gulf states to pursue education in a consortium of European universities. Kulach also spoke about several EU Delegation’s future programs and events. He also pointed out that there will be substantial EU participation in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference in Doha.
The conference, which will take place from November 26 to December 7, will be a very important environmental event. In fact, the Doha Summit faces a number of significant challenges, including the need to extend the Kyoto Protocol before it lapses at the end of the year. It also requires diplomats to agree a roadmap for delivering a new legally-binding climate change treaty that can be agreed by 2015 and brought into effect from 2020.
Asked about the participation of diplomats and businessmen in Jeddah meeting today, he said that the meeting will be attended by representatives of the business councils of France, the UK, Italy, Germany and Austria. “Saudi Arabia is a major trading partner of the 27-member EU bloc,” said the envoy, adding that the EU member states see tremendous potential in Saudi Arabia. He said this meeting will bring together business representatives and EU officials including diplomats on one platform to discuss how the two sides can seize opportunities to boost commercial links further.
He said the event in Jeddah will reaffirm EU’s commitment to the development of relations with the Kingdom. It will also reaffirm the EU’s desire to achieve a qualitative improvement in Saudi-EU ties, while the event will help to reinforce EU-GCC cooperation also. There will be substantial representation at the meeting from the Council of Saudi Chambers and from several Saudi business houses, he added. To this end, Kulach noted that the European Union has been one of the most important trading and investment partner of Saudi Arabia.
The EU today is the world’s largest single market with a population of more than 500 million people. The EU as bloc imported Euros28 billion worth of goods and services from Saudi Arabia last year. EU exports have been in the region of Euros 26 billion annually. In fact, imports from Saudi Arabia increased by 71 percent last year compared to a year before, he noted. “Moreover, we are working within the framework of the GCC-EU joint action plan further,” he said.
He pointed out that the EU and GCC have established solid platforms for dialogue and regular consultations on issues of mutual concerns. In the field of education, Kulach said that the Kingdom and EU are working closely now. This is a promising area of engagement, he noted. “At least 30,000 students are studying at different universities across the European Union region,” said Ambassador Kulach, adding that the Kingdom and EU are on the right tracks to promote a comprehensive cooperation program in this field.
A simple look at the demographic development in the GCC countries reveals a structure that has children and students making up a majority. Hence, there is a greater scope in the field of education for EU and for GCC states including Saudi Arabia. Currently there are about eight million students in the GCC countries in the 6-18 age groups. At the higher education level, students’ enrolment figures are rapidly growing across the Gulf states.
This growth pattern of Saudi and Gulf students will also be seen eventually in the European academic institutions, said the envoy, while appreciating the King Abdullah Scholarship Program. He said that the Gulf states are of considerable political, economic and cultural significance for the European Union. A prosperous and stable Gulf region, having close economic and political relations with Europe, is in the best interests of the EU, he added. The relationship between the EU and the GCC is governed by a cooperation agreement signed way back in 1988 as well as a joint action program agreed by the two blocs in 2010.
French consulate in Jeddah to host Saudi-European business meeting
French consulate in Jeddah to host Saudi-European business meeting
Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s Gaza electricity cut
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned Israel’s move to cut electricity to the Gaza Strip in what the Kingdom described as a practice of “collective punishment” against Palestinians in Gaza.
The Kingdom stressed its categorical rejection of Israeli violations of international humanitarian law, a foreign ministry statement said.
It reiterated its call on the international community to take urgent measures to restore electricity and the flow of aid to the Gaza Strip immediately without conditions or restrictions.
The Kingdom “renewed its call to activate international accountability mechanisms for these serious violations,” the statement concluded.
Israel cut off the electricity supply to Gaza, officials said Sunday, affecting a desalination plant producing drinking water for part of the arid territory.
It also suspended last week supplies of goods to the territory of more than 2 million Palestinians, an echo of the siege it imposed in the earliest days of the war.
Saudi Arabia welcomes Syrian agreement in northeast
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomed an agreement between the interim Syrian government and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that controls the country’s northeast.
The Kingdom praised the measures taken by the Syrian leadership to safeguard domestic peace in Syria and efforts made to complete the path of building state institutions, a Saudi foreign ministry statement said on Monday.
The deal includes a ceasefire and the merging of the main US-backed force there into the Syrian army.
The deal was signed by interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
The deal to be implemented by the end of the year would bring all border crossings with Iraq and Turkiye, airports and oil fields in the northeast under the central government’s control. Prisons where about 9,000 suspected members of the Daesh group are also expected to come under government control.
— With input from AP
Saudi crown prince, US Secretary of State discuss regional developments
- Rubio in Kingdom ahead of crucial talks with Ukraine aimed at ending conflict with Russia
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday evening.
Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier on Monday ahead of crucial talks with Ukraine aimed at ending three years of conflict with Russia.
They reviewed relations between the two countries and opportunities to enhance and develop them in various fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They also discussed the latest regional and international developments, exchanged views on them, as well as efforts made toward achieving security and stability, SPA added.
The reception was attended by Mike Waltz, US President Donald Trump’s national security advisor.
On the Saudi side, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense and Saudi ambassador to Washington, Princess Reema bint Bandar, were also in attendance.
The top US diplomat is in Jeddah ahead of the talks with Ukrainian officials expected on Tuesday, leading a delegation that also includes Waltz.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also arrived in the Kingdom on Monday.
Pakistani community hosts large iftar gathering in Jeddah
- The iftar table featured a variety of traditional Pakistani dishes, including pakoras, samosas, haleem, and dahi bhalla, alongside Rooh Afza, a drink often enjoyed during Ramadan
JEDDAH: The Pakistani community in Jeddah organized its annual iftar gathering this week, bringing together a large number of residents along with representatives from the Pakistani Consulate.
The initiative strengthens community ties, upholds the shared values of Ramadan, and enhances the spiritual essence of the holy month, Saudi Press Agency reported, with heartwarming scenes of unity, brotherhood, and camaraderie among attendees.
The iftar table featured a variety of traditional Pakistani dishes, including pakoras, samosas, haleem, and dahi bhalla, alongside Rooh Afza, a drink often enjoyed during Ramadan. Traditional sweets, symbolizing Pakistani hospitality, were also part of the feast.
Guests embraced their cultural heritage by wearing traditional Pakistani attire. Men donned the shalwar kameez, a customary outfit for religious and social occasions, while women wore vibrant, intricately embroidered garments, adding a cultural charm that reflected their pride in their traditions.
Muhammad Irfan, press counselor at the Pakistani Consulate, highlighted the significance of such gatherings in fostering unity and strengthening the bond among community members.
He expressed his joy at witnessing the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity that Ramadan promotes.
“As you see, Pakistan has a huge community in Jeddah and the western region,” he told SPA. “Saudi Arabia is a second home for all of us.”
He emphasized how celebrating Ramadan in Saudi Arabia brings an added spiritual experience: “It just feels like home. So we don't feel much of a difference, rather it brings a more elevated spiritual experience, especially being close to the Haram.”
His wife, Rubina Irfan, also spoke about the communal aspect of Ramadan in the Kingdom.
We prepare for Ramadan here the same way we do in Pakistan. As a community, Ramadan is really enjoyable in Saudi Arabia.
Rubina Irfan
“We prepare for Ramadan here the same way we do in Pakistan. As a community, Ramadan is really enjoyable in Saudi Arabia. Here, we go for Taraweeh together, share food, and see each other,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of traditional Pakistani dishes during Iftar. “We cannot do Iftar without pakoras, samosas, rolls, and dahi bhalay. These are the traditional Pakistani foods,” Rubina explained.
“In water, we mix fruit syrup and sugar — it’s called Rooh Afza water, and everybody loves it because it gives you energy.”
Tahir Ayoub, the coordinator of the Pakistani community gatherings, described the distinct experience of observing Ramadan in Saudi Arabia: “Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is an entirely different experience. Specifically, the last ten days, with Qiyamul-Layl (late night prayers) and other spiritual gatherings, are truly marvelous.”
He concluded by expressing how remarkable Ramadan in Saudi Arabia feels compared to other places: “It’s an incredible experience, and whenever I return to Pakistan, I always say that nowhere in the world is Ramadan like it is in Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi envoy chairs landmark global conference, says barriers denying women equal rights must fall
- Call from Abdulaziz Alwasil, Kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN, comes in New York at opening of 69th Commission on the Status of Women
- Jenna Riffi, a Saudi woman who became the youngest member of the NEOM megacity project team at age 16, tells event of her trailblazing journey in science and engineering
NEW YORK CITY: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, on Monday urged nations to use a pivotal conference in New York on the status of women not only as a chance to reflect on achievements to date, but to translate decades of commitments to gender equality into concrete, measurable action.
He warned that global challenges such as climate change, conflict and economic instability pose risks that could reverse the significant strides made in gender equality, and said true progress demands “unwavering political will,” inclusive leadership and continuous investment.
His comments came during the opening session in New York of the 69th Commission on the Status of Women, which underscored the urgent need to advance efforts to achieve gender parity worldwide.
The commission, established in 1946, is a key global platform for gender equality and the empowerment of women. It meets annually to review and appraise progress toward these aims and make recommendations for further action.
This year’s session marks the 30th anniversary of the historic 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a groundbreaking framework adopted by 181 countries during the 4th World Conference on Women. The declaration set ambitious goals for the advancement of women’s rights, including equal access to education, healthcare and economic participation, and the eradication of violence against women and girls.
Alwasil, who serves as chairperson of the commission’s 69th session, said it is important to reflect on the achievements that have been made since the Beijing Declaration, while also confronting the challenges that remain.
“The promise of Beijing remains as urgent as ever,” he added, acknowledging that although progress has been made — including more women in leadership positions, improved access to education, and the introduction of legal frameworks to advance gender equality — much still needs to be done.
He warned that global crises such as climate change, conflict and economic instability threaten to undo hard-won gains in gender equality, and that real progress requires political will, inclusive governance and sustained investments.
“We must create the conditions for women and girls to lead, shape policies and drive solutions," Alwasil said.
He highlighted the important need to convert commitments into concrete actions, and underscored the importance of a gender-equal approach in all policies and initiatives.
“Let us use this historic moment not only to reflect on our achievements and challenges, but also reignite our collective determination to turn commitments into concrete action,” he added.
“This means ensuring that gender equality is centered across all policies, which must be fully funded and implemented. It means dismantling the structural barriers that continue to exclude women and girls from leadership opportunity and equal rights.
“It means holding ourselves accountable, not only for the progress we celebrate, but for the gaps that persist.”
The Saudi envoy gave a portion of his speaking time to three remarkable women who shared their journeys. They included Jenna Riffi, a young woman from Saudi Arabia, who captivated the audience with the story of her personal journey as a trailblazer in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
At just 16 years old, she became the youngest member of the NEOM project team, a futuristic project to develop and build a sustainable, smart megacity in Saudi Arabia. As an advocate for the empowerment of women, she told how the support of her family, the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification, and international opportunities had enabled her to pursue a career in renewable energy and electrical engineering.
“I stand today as proof that determination, resilience and a supportive environment can empower young women to achieve incredible dreams,” Riffi said.
She credited Vision 2030 in particular for providing young women like her with opportunities to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields such as science and technology. Through educational programs and leadership initiatives, it has played a key role in changing the narrative about the roles of women in Saudi society, she added.
Riffi also highlighted the importance of continuing support for women and girls in all areas of life, noting: “Every step you take builds a bridge for the next generations.”
The commission will convene for two weeks, during which delegates and advocates from around the world will discuss a range of critical topics, including poverty, work opportunities, climate change, violence against women, and youth engagement.
