RIYADH: Riyadh-based foreign ambassadors offered their heartiest greetings and best wishes to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi people on the occasion of the 87th National Day of Saudi Arabia.
The envoys acknowledged the tremendous developments taking place throughout the Kingdom and wished the Kingdom well in attaining its Vision 2030 goals.
Belgian Ambassado Geert Criel said he was honored to present to the royal family, the government and the people of Saudi Arabia his best wishes for peace, happiness and prosperity in the Kingdom. As in past years, he said he would look forward to working with Saudi partners on the continued strengthening of bilateral relations and cooperation.
Conveying his warmest congratulations to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and to the people of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of their National Day, Ralph King, ambassador of Australia, looks forward to continuing close cooperation in all fields, to enhance the prosperity and security of both nations.
Portuguese Ambassador Manuel Carvalho conveyed his greetings and good wishes to the Saudi people and to the Saudi authorities under King Salman and the crown prince on the country’s National Day.
Christopher Henzel, chargé d’ affaires of the US Embassy here, said as President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia made clear, the US values the longstanding relationship with Saudi Arabia and it will continue to work together long into the future.
Henzel said: “Our militaries have a strong partnership, and we continue to cooperate in the region to defeat terrorism, cut of terrorist funding, and combat extremist ideology to ensure both our countries can live in peace and security.”
Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed said that India and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial and friendly relations reflecting the centuries-old economic and socio-cultural ties.
“Saudi Arabia, as part of our extended neighborhood, holds an eminent position in our political, commercial, security, energy and defense engagements. We consider Saudi Arabia a factor of stability in the region and an economic powerhouse,” he added.
Albanian Ambassador Sami Shiba said Saudi Arabia is a major economic power an important player in the Middle East.
Bangladesh Ambassador Golam Moshi said he was deeply impressed over the leadership, which is taking Saudi Arabia to new heights. “Bangladesh enjoys a special relationship with the Kingdom by way of our common culture, religion and fraternity.”
Swedish Ambassador Jan Knutsson told Arab News: “The past year has seen very strong progress in the bilateral ties between Sweden and Saudi Arabia with a number of important visits in both directions. Sweden remains committed to working with the Kingdom to achieve its impressive Vision 2030, and is ready to contribute whenever possible.”
Pakistan Ambassador Khan Hasham bin Saddique said his country enjoys historically excellent relations with the Kingdom. “Our relations are based on the mutual aspirations and faith of the people of the two countries. The people of Pakistan hold the leadership of Saudi Arabia in high esteem. The depth of this relationship is expressed by profound feelings of affection, friendliness and enthusiasm.”
Conveying his heartiest greetings to King Salman and the crown prince, Sri Lankan Ambassador Azmi Thassim said that all Sri Lankan Hajj pilgrims, who undertook the Hajj pilgrimage this year, were grateful to the Saudi government for the great efforts made to ensure that every single need of the pilgrims was provided to make the pilgrimage very special.
Chinese Ambassador Li Huaxin said the Saudi-Sino relationship has touched a new high in the last one-and-a-half years. There was an exchange of visits between the leaders and the smoothly operated mechanism of the high-level committee of the two countries have led to a new era for the all-around and rapid development of China-Saudi relationship.
Maldivian Ambassador Abdullah Hameed said: “It gives us great pleasure to express our good wishes to the leadership of Saudi Arabia.”
Brunei Ambassador Dato Yusoff Ismail said the Kingdom has rendered tremendous efforts to provide excellent services to ensure the welfare and well-being of Hajj pilgrims.
Offering his best wishes, Ukraine’s Ambassador Vadym Vakhrushev wished the Kingdom years of prosperity and the well-being of the nation.
Jaime Sergio Cerda, ambassador of Argentina, wished security and stability for Saudi Arabia with the full implementation of Vision 2030 for Saudi Arabia’s prosperity.
Djibouti Ambassador Diaa-Eddin Saed Bamakhrama said Djibouti considers Saudi National Day as part of his country’s celebrations.
Indonesian Ambassador Agus Maftuh Abegebrie said this year marks the highlight of Saudi-Indonesian bilateral relations, particularly the setting up of the SAUNESIA (Saudi – Indonesia) Partnership.
“The historic visit of King Salman to Indonesia last March, among others, laid a foundation for strengthening bilateral relations between the two brotherly nations and citizens in a number of important sectors,” he stressed.
Diplomatic community impressed with Saudi Arabia's development strategies
Diplomatic community impressed with Saudi Arabia's development strategies
Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program arrive in Madinah
- The third batch of the guests include 250 people from African countries, with the Egyptian delegation of 22 Umrah performers arriving as ahead
- The program is set to host a total of 1,000 visitors from 66 countries divided into four batches for this year, as approved by King Salman
MADINAH: The third batch of participants in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Umrah and Visitation for Islamic year 1446 began arriving in Madinah on Wednesday.
Their 10-day visit to the Kingdom includes prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque, performing Umrah, and touring historical and cultural landmarks as well as museums in Madinah and Makkah.
Officials from the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance welcomed the program’s guests at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.
The Egyptian delegation, comprising 22 Umrah performers, was the first to arrive among the third batch, which includes 250 people from 18 African countries: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Mali, Senegal, Cameroon, Chad, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Guinea, Mozambique, and Mauritania.
The program is set to host a total of 1,000 visitors from 66 countries divided into four batches for this year, as approved by King Salman.
Crown prince to Trump: Saudi Arabia seeks to push US investments to $600bn during second term
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia intends to broaden its trade and investment in the United States to at least $600 billion over the next four years, the Saudi Press Agency reported early on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told US President Donald Trump about the Kingdom's plan during a phone conversation late Wednesday, the report said.
With Trump's vow to carry out wide-ranging reforms in the world's largest economy, the Kingdom seeks to participate in opportunities for partnership and investment, SPA quoted the crown prince as saying.
The report did not indicate any details of the planned investments.
The two leaders also discussed ways for cooperation between their countries to promote peace, security and stability in the Middle East, in addition to enhancing bilateral cooperation to combat terrorism.
Trump assumed office on Monday and said he would restore American prestige and rebuild its economic power.
Trump made the Kingdom his first foreign visit during his first term and the countries signed a number of investment agreements worth about $400 billion.
The crown prince said in 2018 that part of the “armaments will be manufactured in Saudi Arabia, so it will create jobs in America and Saudi Arabia, good trade, good benefits for both countries and also good economic growth. Plus, it will help our security”.
Trump campaigned on his America First policy which seeks to prioritize the US economy and American citizens.
He signed an executive order on Monday to establish “a robust and reinvigorated trade policy that promotes investment and productivity, enhances our Nation’s industrial and technological advantages, defends our economic and national security”.
Prince Mohammed conveyed his and King Salman’s congratulations to Trump upon his return to the Oval Office and the Saudi leaders wished the American people further progress and prosperity.
Trump expressed his thanks to the king and crown prince for their congratulations, stressing his keenness to work with them on everything that would serve the common interests of both nations.
Trump was well received in the Kingdom in 2017 and attended a number of events in Riyadh with the king and crown prince. King Salman presented the US president with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Kingdom’s top civilian honor.
The king hosted a state dinner for Trump, where both took part in a traditional war dance ahead of the banquet.
The pair also opened the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, part of a broad initiative to tackle the root causes of extremism and stop terror financing.
Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli attack on West Bank’s Jenin
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned Israeli forces’ attack in the occupied West Bank’s Jenin area, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.
Gunfire and explosions rocked Jenin on Wednesday, an AFP journalist reported, as the Israeli military kept up a large-scale raid for a second day.
The operation, launched just days after a ceasefire paused more than a year of fighting in Gaza, has left at least 10 Palestinians dead, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Israeli officials have said the raid is part of a broader campaign against militants in the West Bank, citing thousands of attack attempts since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023.
“The Kingdom renews its demand for the international community to assume its responsibilities towards halting Israeli violations of relevant international laws and treaties,” a Saudi foreign ministry statement read.
Saudi Arabia warned that the continuation of these violations might cause the fighting and chaos to return to occupied Palestinian territories, thus risking the security and safety of civilians and undermining chances of peace in the region.
Saudi Arabia announces new national policy to eliminate forced labor
- Osama Ghanem Alobaidy: This policy adopted by the Kingdom will ensure the protection of persons living or working in the Kingdom and create a safe working environment
- Sattam Alharbi: It demonstrates our collective commitment to creating a safe environment for everyone living and working in our country, ensuring their rights are protected
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has introduced its National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced.
“This policy adopted by the Kingdom will ensure the protection of persons living or working in the Kingdom and create a safe working environment,” Osama Ghanem Alobaidy, adviser and professor of law at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, told Arab News.
In 2021, Saudi Arabia, became the first GCC country to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, bringing it in line with international standards to eliminate forced labor.
“This shows the Kingdom’s commitment to improve and protect the rights of individuals living or working in the Kingdom,” Alobaidy said.
The newly introduced policy aims to eliminate forced labor through prevention and protection measures.
According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, it will also strengthen national, regional and international coordination to integrate better efforts to combat forced labor.
Deputy Minister for Control and Development of the Work Environment Sattam Alharbi said: “The introduction of the National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor is an important milestone for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“It demonstrates our collective commitment to creating a safe environment for everyone living and working in our country, ensuring their rights are protected,” Alharbi said.
“The introduction of the national policy also builds on our ongoing work to safeguard employees’ rights, in collaboration with global and local partners.”
The national policy also includes victim-focused initiatives that will enhance care, support and access to justice.
It will support the implementation of measures to provide legal, social and economic support for forced labor victims, aiding their recovery and protecting against the risk of re-victimization.
This new policy is not the first of its kind for the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has been implementing multiple measures to protect the rights of its workforce.
“The Kingdom already has a set of laws, rules and regulations addressing this matter even before the adoption of this policy,” Alobaidy said.
In October of 2024, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Insurance Authority launched an insurance service that would cover unpaid wages for up to six months and provide travel assistance for expatriates in the Kingdom in the case of private-sector defaults.
Alobaidy highlighted the multiple laws that the Kingdom has put in place to protect the workforce: “The law on trafficking of persons and the labor laws for example and regulations prohibit any forms of forced labor.”
Elaborating on Saudi Arabia’s decision to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, the professor said: “It is also commendable that the Kingdom took the lead among GCC countries in ratifying the protocol to the forced labor convention to eliminate forced labor.”
“The Kingdom’s adoption of this policy is welcome news to persons working or living in the Kingdom since it will ensure greater protection of their rights,” he said.
“This will enhance the work environment in the Kingdom in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives,” Alobaidy said.
Saudi ambassador receives UN Special Envoy to Syria in Riyadh
Saudi Ambassador to Syria Faisal Al-Mujfel received UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen in Riyadh on Wednesday.
During the meeting, they discussed topics of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Meanwhile, Saudi aid agency KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor-General for Planning and Development Aqeel Al-Ghamdi recently met Ambassador of Gabon to Saudi Arabia Ibrahim Membourou in Riyadh.
The two sides discussed relief and humanitarian issues, as well as prospects for humanitarian work in Gabon.
