RIYADH: With eloquence and grace, Princess Reema bint Bandar touched on paramount topics at the recently concluded World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.
Raised in the US and the daughter of an ambassador, Princess Reema is no stranger to diplomacy. An enlightened soul she has always been, but gracious with her kindness and smiles. A philanthropist, motivator, and President of the Saudi Federation for Community Sports, Princess Reema has an impressive resume.
At the WEF, her words penetrated the heart of every Saudi. She echoed their thoughts and mirrored their feelings. Princess Reema spoke distinctively and clearly but, most of all, wholeheartedly, talking about gender equality and the disparaging word “but.”
“Once we exhibit change you come to us with cynicism. I don’t know how to explain how destructive that is. We are so thrilled and excited and the article ends up: ‘This was so fabulous BUT’… why but? Do you say that to anyone else? Is it because we are in the Middle East and there is a history of what you did not feel assimilated to your values? Please understand the values we have are different. They are not right or wrong and they should be honored for what they are.”
The truth is, Saudi youth are stuck in limbo. No matter how hard Saudis have tried to progress toward the future, we are pulled back with skepticism and relentless criticism. Even before Vision 2030, we had massive amounts of youths working relentlessly to put Saudi Arabia back on the map. In every field, we find remarkable youths.
As Saudi women, we feel this especially. Princess Reema emphasized the change that Saudi Arabia is witnessing, claiming: “A woman has a choice to breathe, a woman has a choice to dream and she can take action. Why? Because of the changes the ministers were talking about.”
This year Saudi Arabia has allowed women to sit behind the wheel and take hold of their destiny. In an unprecedented royal decree announced on Dec. 27, King Salman said women will be able to drive in June 2018. It came as a shock and a joy to many. This decree is in line with the Kingdom’s vision to help women achieve their goals and excel in the workforce without hindrance and with fewer obstacles.
“That ‘but’ is so detrimental to the women I work with, and the women I try to inspire, but I will remind you what I remind them: We are not working for anyone outside this nation. We are working for this nation, for the women of our nation, for the men of our nation, for the evolution of where we need to be, and that is how we will benefit you and that is how we will be global.”
Commenting on Princess Reema’s views as expressed at the WEF, Dr. Hoda Al-Hellaisi, a member of the Shoura Council, said: “I was really impressed by her participation in the panel.”
Al-Hellaisi said anyone who gets the opportunity to meet members of the foreign media should highlight the fact that the Western media tend to focus on our shortcomings. “It is high time the Western media focused on our achievements. We are a country that is only 80 years old, and we, as a nation, have achieved much during this time.”
She said every country has different social values, which should be respected and be taken into consideration without being judgmental. Al-Hellaisi said: “It’s easy to criticize.”
The Shoura member stressed the need to allow all nations to move forward at their own pace within their respective traditional and religious framework.
Al-Helaissi said: “Our country has its own value system, and it’s unfair that we are judged through their lenses and not ours.”
The Vision 2030 has enabled many youths and encouraged them to put their feet forward and work together to make the Kingdom prosperous in all ways. From weaning Saudi Arabia’s economy off oil revenues, to supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises. Princess Reema said at the WEF: “Human capital is the new currency.”
She added that the crown prince is vocal and adamant about helping his nation, that his actions portray him saying: “This is your nation, you are my people. What do you need, how can I help you?”
This year at the WEF, Saudi participation was exceptional and made its mark through many of its speakers and attendees. The excitement and ambition of the Saudi youth have escalated for the world to see, for their achievements speak volumes.
Princess Reema’s views at WEF represent aspirations of young Saudis
Princess Reema’s views at WEF represent aspirations of young Saudis
King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language honors winners of “Harf” competition
RIYADH: Contestants from Italy, Malaysia, Nigeria and India have won the four categories of the second “Harf Arabic Language Competition,” dedicated to non-native Arabic speakers.
The second Harf competition began on Nov. 3.
The final results of the “Harf” competition, organized by King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, or KSGAAL, were announced at a special ceremony in Riyadh.
The event was attended by experts and enthusiasts in the field of Arabic language, along with representatives from various linguistic institutions.
Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, KSGAAL secretary-general, said that the “Harf” competition had showcased the beauty and richness of the Arabic language, and had created a competitive environment among learners, motivating them to excel in language skills. The competition had helped in developing solutions to support non-Arab speakers in overcoming the challenges they faced, he said.
Nearly 1,000 contestants participated in the competition, representing more than 20 educational institutions from universities and colleges across Saudi Arabia. More than 600 participants qualified to compete, with 70 advancing to the final stage.
The closing ceremony was distinguished by performance and poetry presentations, as well as success stories shared by the winners.
The KSGAAL allocated prizes for the top three winners in each category of the competition, with a total prize pool of SR100,000 ($26,624). Additionally, the remaining finalists were honored with cash prizes totaling SR22,000 ($5,857).
Simon Focazola from Italy, a student at Qassim University, was ranked first in the vocabulary proficiency category. Shah Jahan Ansari, an Indian student at Taif University, was ranked second, while Abu Ubaidah Othman, a Filipino student at Northern Borders University, came in third place.
First prize in the language and technology category was awarded to Nooraludada Binti Asmi Anwar, a Malaysian student at King Abdulaziz University. Khadijah Abdul-Muttalib Jalo, a student from Mali at Princess Nourah University, won second place, while Ahmad Mo Zakir Kheral, an Indonesian student at Qassim University, came in third place.
The top three winners of the language and cultural communication category were, respectively, Abdulkadir Mohammed Mirashikh, a Nigerian student at the Islamic University of Madinah, Mwatinah Adam Yusuf Amobolaji, a student at Qassim University, and Suniya Yayiour, a Thai student at Princess Nourah University.
First place, in the “research paper” category, was awarded to Junaid Yusuf Abdulraqib, an Indian student at King Saud University. Second and third places went to Asma Abdul-Muttalib Yahya Jalo, a student at Princess Nourah University, and El-Sisi Bangali, an Ivorian student at Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University.
New Saudi envoy to Oman presents credentials to Sultan Haitham
MUSCAT: Saudi Arabia’s new envoy to Oman, Ibrahim bin Saad bin Bishan, presented his credentials to Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at the Al Baraka Palace on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During their meeting, Sultan Haitham commended the historical Saudi-Omani ties and the two nations’ continued progress across various sectors.
The ambassador also conveyed greetings from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the sultan, wishing the Omani people continued prosperity.
Saudi Arabia and Oman are both members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which also includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.
There was also a meeting between the ambassador and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidy, reported the Oman News Agency.
Previously, bin Bishan was supervisor of the Yemen operations room and minister plenipotentiary at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4th Global Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance kicks off in Jeddah
- Three-day conference aims to enhance international efforts to confront challenges associated with antimicrobial resistance
RIYADH: The fourth high-level Global Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance kicked off in Jeddah on Thursday under the theme “From declaration to implementation – accelerating actions through multi-sectoral partnerships for the containment of AMR.”
The three-day conference, being held under the patronage of the Ministry of Health, includes ministers of health, environment and agriculture from various countries, besides the participation of a number of heads of international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, and non-governmental organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in a move to enhance international efforts to confront the escalating challenges associated with antimicrobial resistance, which has become a threat to global health.
Saudi Minister of Health Fahd Al-Jalajel stressed that the conference is an opportunity for the international community to commit to a unified roadmap and set clear guidelines that will help address the increasing drug resistance in humans and animals.
Antimicrobial resistance poses a threat to all age groups, as it affects human, animal and plant health, as well as the environment and food security.
To curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance, the minister explained that we must adopt a comprehensive approach that systematically addresses the challenges that hinder progress, including sharing best practices, innovative financing initiatives, and developing new tools to combat antimicrobial resistance, stressing that the meeting is a vital opportunity to strengthen our collective global response to the risks of this growing “silent epidemic.”
Director General of the World Health Organization Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that antimicrobial resistance is not a future threat but a present one, making many of the antibiotics and other medicines we rely on less effective, and routine infections more difficult to treat.
He praised Saudi leadership in hosting the conference, stressing that the world must work together across a range of sectors, health, environment and agriculture, to stop the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
He pointed out that the Jeddah meeting will help coordinate global efforts across diverse ecosystems, including human, animal and agricultural health, in addition to protecting the environment.
A number of countries have already resorted to imposing laws that prevent the dispensing of antibiotics in pharmacies without a prescription, and the use of antibiotics in animal farms such as poultry and livestock has been regulated in a bid to slow resistance.
Saudi and British defense ministers hold talks on cooperation and Middle East security
- Prince Khalid bin Salman and John Healey discuss ‘joint efforts to address regional challenges’ and ‘shared vision’ for regional and international security and stability
RIYADH: The defense ministers of Saudi Arabia and the UK held talks on Thursday on cooperation between their nations and efforts to bring stability to the Middle East.
During their meeting in Riyadh, Prince Khalid bin Salman and John Healey discussed the “Saudi-British strategic partnership and explored avenues to enhance defense cooperation,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Khalid said: “We also discussed our joint efforts to address regional challenges, as well as our shared vision to promote regional and international security and stability.”
Ahead of the talks, the British Defense Ministry said Healey would “reaffirm the UK’s commitment to a future-facing defense relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The defense secretary will build on the decades-long defense relationship between the (countries) to enhance cooperation on shared security priorities.”
Healey, making his first visit to Riyadh since becoming defense minister following the Labour Party’s election victory in July, was also expected to discuss with Prince Khalid the ongoing efforts to secure ceasefire agreements in Gaza and Lebanon.
Earlier on Thursday, Healey met in Ankara with Yasar Guler, his counterpart in Turkiye, a NATO ally.
Ancient organic farming practices in Taif feed growing industry
- Closed-loop farming supports environment
- Rising Saudi demand for organic products
RIYADH: Organic farming in Taif province’s villages and its serene mountain and valley farms represents a continuation of an ancient tradition.
This approach avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, ensuring that farms do not damage their surrounding environment, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Inherited organic farming wisdom from previous generations boosts the health of consumers and the vitality of soil, water, plants, and wildlife.
The farming methods practiced in Taif involve a closed-loop system in which animal and plant waste is recycled into natural fertilizers.
This approach supports crop cultivation and animal husbandry, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030’s food security and sustainability objectives.
Drawing upon his years of experience tending terraced fields in the Al-Shafa mountains, 80-year-old farmer Abdullah Saed Al-Talhi told the SPA that organic agriculture is a fast-growing industry.
“Consumer demand for nutritious organic products is reshaping our industry,” he explained.
“Working these mountain terraces has taught me that organic farming is more than a cultivation method — it is our legacy to future generations, ensuring sustainable food production for years to come.”
“Organic farming operates through two distinct approaches,” Al-Talhi said. “We have protected greenhouse cultivation and open-field farming, but both share the same fundamental principle: producing pure food without chemical interventions.”
He emphasized that this natural approach encompasses every aspect of farming — from soil enhancement and seed selection to pest control methods.
“The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has spearheaded remarkable efforts to advance organic farming in Taif,” he added.
The ministry offers instructional programs to budding organic farmers, supporting the establishment of new farms, increased production from existing farms, and the import and export of organic products.
Other support from the ministry includes securing certification to ensure the credibility of products in Saudi and international markets.
Speaking at a recent organic market event in Taif, Al-Talhi said: “The market for organic products is experiencing remarkable growth.”
