RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said that the Kingdom experienced a paradigm shift in terms of management, governance and the manner of dealing with internal and external challenges during the era of King Salman.
Speaking ahead of the second anniversary of King Salman’s accession to the throne, the foreign minister reiterated the wise Saudi leadership’s keenness to adopt and follow a balanced foreign policy, based on the Kingdom’s experience in dealing with security challenges, and to keep pace with the developments and challenges in the region, foremost among them terrorism.
“It has been two years since King Salman took the reins of power in the Kingdom,” Al-Jubeir said. “I feel, like all Saudi citizens do, the significance of this occasion, which reflects the quantitative and qualitative achievements attained since King Salman acceded to the throne. The king will continue the process of construction and development initiated by the founder of the Kingdom, King Abdulaziz, and his sons,” he added.
“Over the past two years, the Kingdom has witnessed a paradigm shift in management, governance and the manner of dealing with internal and external challenges,” the minster continued.
“Every sincere citizen will acknowledge all achievements attained in such a short period, which raised the country’s stature and helped the country move forward to realize the aspirations of the Saudi citizens, providing them dignity and well-being in a secure, safe and stable environment — and away from unrest and violence that swept through our region over the past years.
“Among the things that contributed to achieving this was a well-established religious doctrine as well as a moderate, balanced approach based on openness and respect for other states and individuals,” Al-Jubeir said.
The Saudi foreign minister added that the era of development witnessed under the leadership of King Salman has achieved a quantum leap in the way state-run institutions perform, through the establishment of two significant councils: the Council of Political and Security Affairs and the Council of Economic and Development Affairs.
“The two councils constitute the basis of a structural and developmental change of the state administrative institutions — including political, security, economic and developmental affairs. This resulted in the adoption of the National Transformation Program 2020 and Vision 2030,” he said.
Externally, Al-Jubeir said, “the Kingdom’s government has been keen to adopt and follow a balanced foreign policy, based on the country’s experience in dealing with security challenges, and to keep pace with the ongoing requirements posed by new developments and threats afflicting the region, mostly because of terrorism, coupled with outside intervention of parties aiming to destabilize our security and stability.”
The minister pointed out that such policy was materialized in “Operation Decisive Storm” in Yemen and the subsequent efforts to restore hope to this country in order to maintain the legitimacy of its leadership, its stability and political independence and to keep it away from external interventions and internal division. He also said that the Kingdom’s policy in Yemen, Syria, Libya or other conflict zones has always been one that gave priority to political and peaceful solutions in the first place.
Speaking of the Kingdom’s aid and support to other countries, the minister said the foundation of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center reflects the humanitarian role of the Kingdom, which is ranked first internationally in humanitarian aid.
“This occasion gives me hope and confidence that the future of the Kingdom is in the good hands of the wise leadership of King Salman, assisted by the crown prince and deputy crown prince (may Allah protect them all),” he concluded.
King Salman’s reign ‘a paradigm shift in governance’
King Salman’s reign ‘a paradigm shift in governance’
Riyadh to host second edition of Model of Care Forum
- Forum aims to introduce the Saudi healthcare model locally and internationally, highlight success stories, and outline future goals and ambitions
- Forum represents the second phase in a four-part strategic process in the healthcare sector’s transformation
RIYADH: Riyadh will host the second edition of the Model of Care Forum under the patronage of Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel.
Organised by the Health Holding Co. on Jan. 28-29, the forum will be held at Malfa Hall in Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City.
The forum aims to introduce the Saudi healthcare model locally and internationally, highlight success stories, and outline future goals and ambitions in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.
It also promotes partnership in healthcare among individuals and their families by taking necessary measures to maintain their health, ensuring the provision of healthcare that meets societal needs according to the highest quality standards.
The forum represents the second phase in a four-part strategic process in the healthcare sector’s transformation, aimed at developing the healthcare model in the Kingdom.
The Health Holding Co. is playing a key role in enabling healthcare delivery through 20 health clusters across Saudi Arabia.
Directorate imposes new exit visa requirement
- Directorate addressed employers, stating that if a resident identity is valid for fewer than 30 days, the final exit visa may not be issued
- Resident identity must be renewed for the issuance of the final exit visa
RIYADH: The Saudi General Directorate of Passports has said that resident identities must be valid for at least 30 days when applying for a final exit visa.
The directorate addressed employers, stating that if a resident identity is valid for fewer than 30 days, the final exit visa may not be issued. In that case, the resident identity must be renewed for the issuance of the final exit visa.
It noted that if a resident identity is valid for more than 30 days and fewer than 60 days, a final exit visa may be issued for the resident identity’s remaining period.
If the resident identity is valid for 60 days or more, the final exit visa may be issued for 60 days only.
The directorate noted that employers may issue final exit visas for their sponsored workers or affiliated family members through the Ministry of Interior’s Absher Business platform, and the Muqeem portal.
Saudi king and crown prince congratulate Joseph Aoun on being elected president of Lebanon
- In a congratulatory cable, King Salman wished Aoun success and the Lebanese people further progress and prosperity
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Joseph Aoun on being elected president of Lebanon on Thursday.
In a congratulatory cable, King Salman wished Aoun success and the Lebanese people further progress and prosperity.The crown prince sent a similar cable.
Lebanon’s parliament voted Thursday to elect the country’s army commander, Joseph Aoun, as head of state, filling a more than two-year-long presidential vacuum.
Thursday’s session was the 13th attempt to elect a successor to Michel Aoun, whose term ended in October 2022.
King Abdulaziz Public Library launches Thara Saudi, Athar initiatives
- Through Thara Saudi the KAPL offers a number of programs that contribute to highlighting cultural tourism
- Athar is an interactive platform inspired by one of the pioneering national documentation projects, “The Encyclopedia of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”
RIYADH: General Supervisor of the King Abdulaziz Public Library Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muammar launched the Thara Saudi and Athar initiatives at the third Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh.
Through Thara Saudi the KAPL offers a number of programs that contribute to highlighting cultural tourism, while Athar is an interactive platform inspired by one of the pioneering national documentation projects, “The Encyclopedia of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Speaking at the launch, Muammar said: “The Thara Saudi Arabia is the initiative through which the library seeks to provide a distinctive cultural tourism experience that reflects the rich and diverse history and culture of the Kingdom and aims to present a sustainable vision that contributes to enhancing local culture in global languages.
“It comes as an expression of the efforts of 40 years of cultural and cognitive work, which created a national legacy and a sustainable impact,” added Muammar.
He said the KAPL also launched the Athar initiative, which represents the historical monuments and landmarks mentioned in the encyclopedia of Saudi Arabia, enabling tourists to discover the Kingdom in an unprecedented way.
This project is designed to enhance the Kingdom’s position as a global destination for cultural tourism, and reflects the great diversity Saudi Arabia enjoys.
Through its pavilion at the Saudi Tourism Forum, which was held from Jan. 7-9 at the Riyadh Front, the KAPL seeks to enhance cultural awareness and provide knowledge content that contributes to highlighting the Saudi national heritage, and encourages the exploration of the Kingdom’s unique cultural destinations.
In November the KAPL launched an initiative to position Saudi Arabia as a top global destination for cultural tourism by attracting visitors worldwide to explore the library’s diverse branches.
This project aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by strengthening national identity, fostering cultural exchange, and supporting sustainable development.
Through its efforts, the KAPL seeks to showcase Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, folk arts, and traditions, while deepening citizens’ connections to their cultural roots and contributing to economic diversification.
Al-Baha almond season flourishes with vibrant blooms
AL-BAHA: Saudi Arabia's southwestern region of Al-Baha transforms into a stunning landscape in winter, with gardens and parks adorned in shades of white and pink blossoms of almond trees.
This year, the almond blossom season in the region is remarkable amid ideal weather conditions fostering dense, vibrant flowers. Local farmers are optimistic about the upcoming harvest, carefully tending to the trees to ensure optimal yield.
Almond cultivation is a longstanding tradition in Al-Baha, playing a vital role in the local economy by creating job opportunities for farmers and promoting agricultural trade. The exquisite almond blossoms also attract tourists, advancing the growth of ecotourism in the region.
The cultivation of almond trees is prevalent throughout the Sarawat Mountains in Al-Baha, as well as in the governorates of Baljurashi, Al Mandaq, and Bani Hassan.
READ MORE: Saudis are still nuts about almonds amid revival in cultivation
A single almond tree can yield about 200 kilograms of nuts each season, farmers say.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in Al-Baha has been instrumental in promoting almond tree cultivation by introducing investment opportunities and enhancing farmers' expertise through a range of informative workshops.
