RIYADH: The Saudi Cabinet denounced terror attacks and bombings in Bahrain, Somalia and Pakistan and expressed the Kingdom’s firm solidarity with the three countries in the face of terror acts in all forms and manifestations.
Chaired by King Salman at Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday, the Cabinet also appreciated continued follow-up of the security authorities to the activities of deviant groups and thwarting of their terror plots aimed at harming the stability and security of the Kingdom.
The thwarting of four cluster terror cells in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Qassim regions affirms the determination of the security authorities to firmly deter terror activities, the Cabinet said.
The Cabinet praised the convening of the Munich Security Conference and the G20 meeting in Munich and Bonn, Germany. It also praised the ongoing efforts for the resumption of political negotiations on the Syrian crisis based on the Geneva communique and UN Security Council resolution 2254.
At the regional level, the Cabinet approved the imposition of a selective tax collectively in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and authorized the minister of finance to set the date for the application in the Kingdom.
The Cabinet also expressed the commitment of GCC embassies and consulates on the assurance of the health of foreign workers through the e-link on medical tests of expats entering GCC countries, and not dealing with medical centers not approved by the GCC health ministers.
Later, the Cabinet approved a series of decisions including:
The Cabinet authorized the crown prince, deputy premier and minister of interior to discuss with Japan a memo of understanding between the Saudi ministry of interior and the Japanese Public Safety Authority on cooperation in the area of security and fighting crimes.
The Cabinet authorized the ministers of economy and planning, commerce and investment, and energy, industry and mineral resources to discuss with Japan side on a memo of understanding between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Japan on the implementation of Saudi-Japanese Vision 2030.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of labor and social development to discuss with the Japanese on a memo of understanding for cooperation in the area of labor and social development between the two countries.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of commerce and investment to discuss on a cooperation program in trade and investment between Saudi Arabia governments of Indonesia, the Maldives, People’s Republic of China, Malaysia and Japan.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of energy, industry and mining resources to discuss with Malaysian for industrial cooperation between the two countries.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of labor and social development to discuss with Malaysian cooperation in the area of labor and human resources between the two governments.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of environment, water and agriculture to discuss with the Indonesian side on a memo of understanding for cooperation in the area of sea fisheries and fish resources between the two countries.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of commerce and investment and board chairman of small and medium enterprises authority to discuss with the Indonesian side in the development of SME sector between the two countries.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of labor and social development to discuss with the Chinese on a memo of understanding in the area of labor between the two countries.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of transport to discuss with Greece on a draft cooperation agreement between Saudi Arabia and Greece in the area of sea transport.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of education to discuss with Indonesia and China on a scientific and educational cooperation between the three countries.
The Cabinet authorized the president of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) to discuss with Greece on two memos of understanding on cooperation in two areas: one on technical and scientific program and satellites and their applications.
Saudi Arabia denounces latest terror acts in region
Saudi Arabia denounces latest terror acts in region
Saudi Arabia sends 25th relief plane to Lebanon
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s 26th relief aircraft loaded with humanitarian aid including food, medical supplies and shelter equipment arrived at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Thursday, state news agency SPA reported.
The plane, operated by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, departed King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh earlier in the day as part of a continuing effort to transport hundreds of tonnes of medical supplies and food aid for Lebanese families displaced by the conflict.
A earlier statement from the Saudi aid agency KSrelief said the aid deliveries showed that the Kingdom was “standing with needy and affected countries … in the face of crises and difficulties.”
Saudi foreign minister arrives in Kuwait for ministerial meeting for Gulf Supreme Council
KUWAIT: Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Kuwait on Thursday ahead of the ministerial meeting for the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for Arab States of the Gulf.
The preparatory ministerial meeting is set to discuss the agenda of the 45th session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf which is scheduled for next Sunday in Kuwait City. Leaders from all over the Gulf will attend the meeting.
The minister was welcomed by his counterpart Abdullah Al-Yahya.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates Riyadh Metro project
- Riyadh Metro network includes six train lines measuring 176 km and 85 stations
- Metro will be open to public from Dec. 1, operate daily from 6am to midnight
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurated the Riyadh Metro project on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The project is considered the backbone of the public transport network in Riyadh, SPA said.
King Salman watched an introductory film about the project, which is distinguished by its exceptional design and technical specifications.
The Riyadh Metro consists of a network that includes six train lines measuring 176 km and 85 stations, including four main stations.
“The Riyadh Public Transport Project, which spans metro and bus networks, is the culmination of concerted efforts made by King Salman and the outcome of his visionary leadership while serving as the Chairman of the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh, the predecessor of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City,” Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said.
The Public Transport Project in Riyadh City was launched based on various studies prepared by the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh.
The studies considered the current and future needs of the public transport sector in the capital and identified the best solutions and options for establishing a sustainable public transport system that is compatible with the city and its characteristics.
The metro will begin to be available for public use from Dec. 1 and will operate daily from 6 a.m. to midnight.
The lines will open over the next two months in stages — with the blue, yellow and purple lines opening on Dec. 1, the red and green lines opening on Dec. 15, and the orange line opening on Jan. 5, 2025.
Following the announcement, Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb posted on X: “Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may Allah protect him, the #RiyadhMetro project was inaugurated — reflecting the leadership’s commitment during this prosperous era to enhancing Riyadh’s infrastructure and raising the quality of life in the city.
“This aligns with the goals of #SaudiVision2030, further establishing the city’s position as a tourist destination that attracts visitors from around the world.”
Abeer Al-Shehri, a Riyadh-based lawyer, told Arab News that the new metro would cut the time she spent in traffic and the number of postponed appointments.
“As a lawyer, my profession involves fieldwork at courts, the Public Prosecution and police stations. Sometimes I have to attend sessions at the office while also having two important appointments to attend,” she said.
“With the traffic, there’s not enough time for both, so I’m forced to postpone one. Additionally, client meetings at the company’s office often take place around noon, and it’s well known that at that time, it’s impossible to reach the location within an hour without being late.
“This forces me to leave at least an hour earlier. The metro will significantly improve the time wasted in traffic, and as a lawyer, it will allow me to commute back and forth to the office in record time.”
Riyadh resident Faisal Suliman Al-Anzy told Arab News that he was “happy and excited” about Wednesday’s announcement.
He plans to use the metro “for visiting friends, (especially at) the weekend when there are traffic jams everywhere.”
Saudi official elected vice chair of organization that sets standards for global food trade
- Saudi Food and Drug Authority says selection of Khalid Al-Zahrani by Codex Alimentarius Commission is a ‘milestone’ and ‘testament to our commitment to global food safety
- Al-Zahrani has represented the Kingdom on several international committees, including at the World Trade Organization
RIYADH: Saudi official Khalid Al-Zahrani was chosen on Wednesday to be vice chair of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which sets the standards for the international food trade that are designed to ensure products are safe and protect consumer health.
Representatives of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority who were present for the vote at the commission’s 47th annual session in Geneva, Switzerland, congratulated Al-Zahrani on his election.
“This is a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia and a testament to our commitment to global food safety and standards,” said Hisham Aljadhey, the authority’s CEO.
“By assuming the role of vice chair of Codex, (Saudi Arabia) aims to further strengthen international collaboration, promote sustainable food practices and ensure the well-being of consumers worldwide.”
Al-Zahrani has served as the Codex chairperson for the Near East region since 2020 and was reelected to the position in 2023.
He also represented Saudi Arabia on several international committees, including the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade, the Gulf Cooperation Council Standardization Organization, and the International Organization for Standardization’s Food Products Committee.
He works closely with the Kingdom’s Food and Drug Authority, which aims to prioritize sustainability and enhance efficiency, inclusiveness and transparency within food systems. The authority was recognized in January by the World Health Organization as one of the first five countries in the world to eliminate the use of industrially produced trans fats in food, alongside Denmark, Lithuania, Poland and Thailand.
“Al-Zahrani’s election highlights the exceptional quality of Saudi staff at the SFDA and the authority's efforts in food-safety legislation and oversight,” the authority said.
The Codex Alimentarius (Latin for “Food Code”) is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations related to food production, labeling and safety, published by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the WHO.
Saudi development fund chief meets Congo’s finance minister
CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development Sultan Al-Marshad met Congo’s Minister of Finance Doudou Fumba Likunde, the Saudi Fund said on X on Wednesday.
During the meeting, they reviewed development cooperation between the two sides that began 40 years ago, as well as discussing ways to enhance economic cooperation to develop vital sectors in Congo.
Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Congo Abdulaziz Al-Badi was present during the meeting.
