RIYADH: A Shoura Council committee has called for the transfer of the Saudi Customs Department to an independent public authority, financially and administratively.
This came within a series of recommendations proposed by the Financial Committee in its report based on the annual report of the Customs Department at the Shoura Council’s 12th ordinary session on Monday.
Commenting on the report, one member urged all concerned parties to concert efforts to develop customs ports for the realization of Saudi Vision 2030. Another member asked for supporting the Customs Department with qualified cadres and providing them with training and incentives in recognition of their efforts in protecting the Kingdom from the entry of fake or banned commodities.
In another issue, the Council passed a draft law on flour mill production after the members listened to a report presented by the Committee of Water, Agriculture and Environment on the draft project. The 29-point project aims to organize and monitor flour mills after their privatization.
In another decision, the Council asked the Public Authority of Irrigation to use the geographical information system (GIS) to develop operation and monitoring programs of farms, their components and irrigation networks.
In a related issue, the Council called on the General Authority of Survey to streamline and unify the activity of the survey sector in the Kingdom and coordinate with the concerned parties to unify use of global standards of geo-spatial information.
Later, the Council deliberated on a report presented by the Committee of Economy and Energy based on the annual report of the General Authority of Competition (GAC).
Among its recommendations, the Committee asked the GAC to subject procedures of exclusive transmission of football matches to fair completion systems and build partnerships with civil society organizations concerned with consumer protection and commerce chambers. It also asked the GAC to employ qualified legal cadres to properly deal with complaints on competition irregularities.
At the outset of the session, the Council approved an amended code of conduct for suppression of acts of piracy, armed robbery targeting ships and illegal sea activity in the western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden region.
Saudi Shoura wants Customs Department run as independent authority
Saudi Shoura wants Customs Department run as independent authority
KSrelief to host 4th Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum in February 2025
- Themed “Navigating the Future of Humanitarian Response,” the forum will coincide with KSrelief’s 10th anniversary
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center will host the fourth Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum on Feb. 24-25 next year, under the patronage of King Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Themed “Navigating the Future of Humanitarian Response,” the forum will coincide with KSrelief’s 10th anniversary and is being organized in partnership with UN humanitarian agencies.
It will bring together global leaders, donors, humanitarian workers, and experts to address pressing challenges in humanitarian aid.
The event will also feature high-level panel discussions with renowned researchers and specialists from Saudi Arabia and around the world.
Topics will include the role of humanitarian diplomacy in mitigating conflicts and disasters, strategies for effective delivery of aid and relief supplies, and addressing displacement amid escalating conflicts and natural disasters, SPA added.
KSrelief, Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian arm, continues to play a pivotal role in addressing crises and supporting vulnerable communities worldwide, and the forum underscores its commitment to fostering dialogue and innovation in the humanitarian sector.
The previous edition of the forum in 2023 concluded with recommendations to minimize funding gaps in relief aid and leverage science and innovation for quicker response and improved coordination in humanitarian efforts.
Muslim World League chief meets Pope Francis in Vatican City
- During his visit to Italy, Al-Issa received an honorary fellowship in post-doctoral law studies from the University of Bologna
RIYADH: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League, met Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, in the Vatican to discuss mutual cooperation and shared interests.
During his visit to Italy, Al-Issa received an honorary fellowship in post-doctoral law studies from the University of Bologna.
The ceremony was attended by the university’s president, the law faculty’s dean, academics, and religious leaders from both Islamic and Catholic communities.
The honor recognized Al-Issa’s efforts in advancing the goals of the UN Charter, promoting peace, reducing cultural tensions, and fostering mutual understanding and collaboration among communities.
The MWL chief emphasized that the reasons for awarding him the post-doctoral fellowship in law from one of the most prestigious Western universities “reflect our Islamic values, which we must clarify to everyone.”
As part of his visit, Al-Issa launched the Islamic Studies and Arabic Language Award at the Catholic University of Milan.
The event was attended by high-level Vatican officials, marking the launch of a groundbreaking initiative to promote the teaching of the Arabic language and Islamic studies in Europe.
Islamic leaders described the award as a long-awaited step on an influential platform within Christian communities. The award includes categories that clarify Islamic concepts and promote the beauty and importance of the Arabic language.
Saudi wildlife center releases 66 endangered animals in King Khalid Royal Reserve
- 40 rhim gazelles, 10 Arabian oryx, 10 houbara bustards and 6 idmi gazelles released as part of wider initiative to enhance biodiversity and restore ecological balance
- Solar-powered tracking devices fitted to some of the animals to monitor patterns of movement, behaviors and how they adapt to their environment
RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife has released 66 endangered native animals into the King Khalid Royal Reserve in Al-Thumamah region of northeastern Riyadh.
Forty rhim gazelles, 10 Arabian oryx, 10 houbara bustards and six idmi gazelles were released as part of a wider ongoing initiative, in partnership with the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority, that aims to enhance biodiversity, restore ecological balance, promote sustainability, and support eco-tourism in the reserve, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
“This release is a significant step toward maintaining ecological systems and promoting biodiversity,” said Mohammed Qurban, the CEO of the wildlife center.
The stated aim of organization is to become a global leader in wildlife protection, by focusing on breeding endangered species and reintroducing them into natural ecosystems in line with international conservation standards.
Qurban said the center is dedicated to conducting research on endangered species and monitoring biodiversity in protected areas using advanced technologies that track animal populations and collect data that is critical in efforts to address conservation challenges and opportunities.
Talal Al-Harigi, CEO of the development authority, said solar-powered tracking devices have been fitted to some of the released animals. These will enable researchers to monitor them via satellite to gain valuable insights into their patterns of movement, behaviors and how they adapt to their environment.
The initiative also helps to support efforts to restore ecological balance and increase vegetation cover in the reserve, which essential to help species adapt to natural habitats, he added.
City governor launches $160m first phase of Madinah Gate project
- Development will comprise apartments, hotel, retail units, bus station
MADINAH: Madinah governor Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz on Monday launched the $160 million first phase of the Madinah Gate project.
The mixed-use development will comprise a 325-bedroom DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, 80 shops, 44 restaurants, apartments, recreational facilities and a bus station, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It will also have a direct connection to the Haramain High-Speed Railway, which links Madinah with Makkah.
Madinah Gate — the first two phases of which will span 37,000 sq. meters — is being developed as a collaboration between Saudi Arabia Railways and developer Knowledge Economic City Co., with support from the city’s authorities.
Amin Shaker, chairman of the development company, said the project — its first in southern Madinah — would help strengthen the city’s status as a global visitor destination.
New partnership set to drive Kingdom’s architecture industry
- Deal will help promote local talent, foster innovation
RIYADH: The Architecture and Design Commission has signed a strategic partnership with contracting firm Nesma & Partners to promote the Kingdom’s architecture and design industry.
The commission’s CEO Sumayah Al-Solaiman and Nesma’s Managing Director Rami Al-Turki on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for collaboration in professional development and industry innovation.
The partnership aims to prepare a new generation of Saudi professionals to compete on the world stage and reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub for architecture and design excellence.
“The initiative aims to empower architects and designers to develop their skills and enhance their capabilities, creating an environment that nurtures Saudi talent while fostering innovation and creativity in the sector,” Al-Solaiman said.
It would also help to advance the commission’s mission to forge strategic alliances with industry leaders, she said.
Under the deal, the two sides will cooperate in areas such as industry best practice, knowledge exchange and professional workshops. It will also involve the joint sponsorship of competitions, awards and conferences.
“As a leading Saudi contractor, we are committed to providing training and creating employment opportunities for Saudi architects,” Al-Turki said.
“Our strategic partnership with the commission reflects our values of innovation, excellence and social responsibility.”
The initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals for sector development, focusing on building a sustainable ecosystem for architecture and design professionals.
The commission emphasized its commitment to advancing scientific research and creating an integrated environment that supports the sector’s creative community.
