CHENGDU, China: Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), stressed the importance of tourism and the need to empower it to support and enhance the economy and create more job opportunities.
This came during a speech delivered on Wednesday by Prince Sultan at the opening of the 22nd session of the General Assembly of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Chengdu, China.
He also pointed out that Saudi Arabia has worked with UNWTO to achieve the largest growth of the tourism sector.
“Under the direction of King Salman, Saudi Arabia is moving with all its power to promote, empower and support tourism at all levels to continue more successes and leaps that are in line with the aspirations of citizens, residents and visitors of the Kingdom,” the prince added.
He also pointed out that “tourism is the second sector in terms of numbers that provide job opportunities for Saudi citizens.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping explained the importance of supporting tourism in the world because it is an important channel for the exchange of knowledge and cultures among countries, economic development and job creation.
“The incoming tourism to China accounts for 10 percent of the local economy as 95 million people visit the country per year. China comes in fourth place at the international level.”
He added that the volume of spending on domestic tourism reaches more than $600 billion and that China is working at full capacity to further develop tourism because of its strength in providing real employment opportunities for citizens.
“The best way to develop the economy is through the empowerment of tourism and removal of obstacles it faces in various fields, and encouraging people to travel and enjoy the world,” he said in a speech delivered by his deputy prime minister.
The Chinese president stated that tourism is a job for all. He called for the mutual opening of doors and announced China’s desire to work with all countries to develop solutions for travel visas.
“Fifty-eight percent of passengers annually get visas; therefore, it is necessary to facilitate and improve procedures bilaterally with countries so that tourism can perform its role,” he said.
The secretary-general of the WTO, Taleb Rifai, cited the need to promote international tourism and support travel. He also said that 1.2 billion people travel annually and expected that the number will reach 1.8 billion people in 2030.
The General Assembly of the WTO, at its 22nd session, is the largest assembly to be held in the history of the UNWTO, with some 1,100 officials and 75 ministers representing more than 132 countries.
Bahrain and Egypt have been elected members of the executive council for the Middle East region along with Saudi Arabia, which is already a member of the council.
SCTH president: Saudi Arabia oriented to promote, enhance tourism
SCTH president: Saudi Arabia oriented to promote, enhance tourism
Saudi hospital launches palliative care program for young patients
JEDDAH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre has launched the first dedicated palliative care program for adolescents and young adults in the Arab world.
This initiative aims to improve the quality of life of young patients with life-threatening illnesses by offering integrated care throughout their treatment journey.
The program not only enhances patient care but also serves as a model for similar initiatives, addressing a critical gap in palliative services for young patients across the Arab world.
Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for those with life-limiting illnesses, such as advanced cancers, heart disease, neurological disorders and organ failure. It also offers psychological and social support, aids decision-making and improves the overall patient experience.
For adolescents and young adults, the program addresses age-specific challenges including balancing treatment with education or work, coping with the psychological impact of illness and maintaining autonomy in care decisions.
The program features a multidisciplinary team of palliative care physicians, specialized nurses, social workers and mental health experts to support both patients and their families.
The World Health Organization reports that only 14 percent of patients globally who need palliative care receive it, highlighting a significant service gap.
Research shows that integrating palliative care into treatment plans for young patients with critical illnesses reduces symptom burden and improves overall quality of life. Cancer patients, in particular, often face inadequate pain management, psychological support, and guidance during their treatment.
The program has earned accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, the European Society for Medical Oncology and the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care.
This ensures the highest standards of clinical competency, enabling healthcare professionals to deliver evidence-based, culturally sensitive palliative care.
Saudi AI chief reviews crowd management tech in Makkah
- Abdullah Al-Ghamdi explores advanced technologies for Grand Mosque operations and highway security
RIYADH: Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority President Abdullah Al-Ghamdi has visited the Grand Mosque Operations Center in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He met the director of Public Security and chairman of the Hajj Security Committee, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, along with several security officials and Saudi programmers from the authority working at the center.
Al-Ghamdi reviewed the operations of the Baseer platform, developed by the authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, represented by Public Security.
The platform uses computer vision and AI to monitor and analyze the movement of visitors to the Grand Mosque, ensuring smooth crowd management and assisting in locating missing persons.
He also reviewed the Sawaher platform, designed to enhance the safety of the Grand Mosque, contributing to a secure and smart environment that facilitates worshippers and Umrah performers in performing their rituals seamlessly.
Al-Ghamdi also visited the Highway Security Center in Al-Shumaisi, where he was briefed on the Banan device, which enhances identity verification using biometric features.
He observed the center’s operations, the command room and the advanced technology used in the Saudi Lucid vehicle, which is equipped with AI tools.
KSrelief delivers aid to Syria, Yemen, Lebanon
- Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food packages to some of the world’s most vulnerable people
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food packages to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
In Syria, 170 packages were distributed to families in need in the Rif Dimashq governorate as part of the Etaam Ramadan food project.
In Yemen, KSrelief distributed 1,300 baskets to vulnerable groups in the Al-Wadi district of the Marib governorate, benefiting 9,100 individuals. In the Aden governorate, 1,188 parcels were given to people with disabilities.
The Etaam project in Yemen targets displaced individuals, those in greatest need, and people with disabilities in Aden, Hadramout, Marib, Al-Mahra, Shabwah, and Hajjah, benefiting 160,812 individuals.
Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million).
Additionally, KSrelief distributed 564 food baskets to people in need in Deir Ammar, northern Lebanon, benefiting 2,820 individuals.
In Syria, KSrelief provided food baskets and hygiene kits to 803 families in Harem, benefiting 4,818 individuals.
White House thanks crown prince for facilitating Russia, Ukraine talks
RIYADH: The White House has thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for facilitating talks with Russia and Ukraine about safe navigation in the Black Sea.
A statement said: “The United States expresses gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his leadership and hospitality in once again facilitating these important discussions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
The US reached separate agreements with Russia and Ukraine in Riyadh to keep the waterway — a vital route for agricultural goods — secure.
The two parties visited the Kingdom to discuss, along with US and Saudi officials, first steps on settling crucial issues in the hopes of reaching a wider resolution to the conflict.
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has annexed parts of the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the talks, calling them early steps toward a peaceful settlement.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: “We will need clear guarantees. And given the sad experience of agreements with just Kyiv, the guarantees can only be the result of an order from Washington to Zelensky and his team to do one thing and not the other.”
Saudi Arabia condemns Israel attack in Syria that killed civilians
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday an Israeli attack on Syria that killed civilians.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom reiterates its categorical rejection of the continued attempts of the Israeli occupation authorities to undermine the security and stability of Syria and the region through their blatant and repeated violations of relevant international laws.
Syrian authorities said the attack on the village of Kuwayya killed at least 6 civilians.
The Syrian foreign ministry in a statement condemned “the continued Israeli aggression on Syrian territory, which saw a dangerous escalation in the village of Kuwayya” in the southern Daraa province.
Israel has continued its bombing campaign in Syria even after the ouster of Bashar Assad, whose rule came to an end last year after a swift rebel advance led to him fleeing to Russia.
