RIYADH: President of the Shoura Council Abdullah Al-Asheikh is leading the Kingdom’s delegation participating in the 138th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The assembly, which began on Saturday in Geneva, will be on the theme of “Strengthening the global regime for migrants and refugees: The need for evidence-based policy solutions.”
In a news conference, Al-Asheikh announced that Saudi Arabia feels the suffering of all people in distress and in need around the world and seeks to assist them and support them. The Kingdom has achieved an advanced place among the top 10 countries in providing aid for migrants, refugees, victims of natural disasters and other people in need, he added.
He said the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid (KSRelief) is an international portal to deliver humanitarian, relief and charitable aid.
Al-Asheikh stressed the Kingdom’s efforts to ensure the care of Syrian refugees. It has received more than a million-and-a-half Syrian citizens and made sure not to deal with them as refugees nor to place them in refugee camps. The Kingdom has also granted them full freedom of movement and offered legal residence for the thousands who wished to stay and treated them as the rest of the residents, giving them free medical care and education. Saudi Arabia is also supporting millions of Syrian refugees in neighboring countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. Its efforts also covered financial and in-kind humanitarian assistance in coordination with hosting governments of other countries and International humanitarian relief organizations.
He said the Kingdom is dealing with Yemeni residents as visitors as they now have nothing to do with their legitimate government. The KSA has granted many concessions to more than half a million Yemenis, exempting them from fines and other penalties. The Kingdom is also assisting Yemeni refugees in Yemen, Djibouti and Somalia.
Al-Asheikh also said the Kingdom will continue exerting humanitarian efforts to preserve humans’ dignity, without any political motivations but in line with the instructions of King Salman, one of the world’s pioneers in the field of humanitarian and charitable work.
Saudi Arabia will maintain leading role in giving humanitarian aid
Saudi Arabia will maintain leading role in giving humanitarian aid
Top Saudi university wins Japan Prize for marine ecosystem research
- KAUST’s Prof. Carlos Duarte, a biological oceanography and marine ecology academic, among prize recipients
- Kingdom solidifies its global standing in developing marine solutions to combat the effects of climate change
JEDDAH: The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has been awarded the prestigious Japan Prize for its research into advancing the understanding of changing marine ecosystems and blue carbon.
The university’s achievement solidifies Saudi Arabia’s global standing in developing marine solutions to combat climate change, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
KAUST’s Prof. Carlos Duarte, a biological oceanography and marine ecology academic, is among the recipients of the Japan Prize. His groundbreaking work in marine ecology has earned him international recognition.
KAUST’s board of trustees’ secretary-general, Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Toonsi, expressed pride in the university’s achievement, emphasizing its role in enhancing global understanding of marine ecosystems.
He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts in sustainable climate-change solutions and marine conservation, a milestone reflecting KAUST’s commitment to excellence as a part of Saudi Vision 2030.
Established in 1985 and often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Japan,” the honor is awarded annually to scientists who make exceptional innovations in science and technology that promote peace and prosperity for humanity.
Duarte will travel to Tokyo in April to receive the award from Japan’s Emperor Naruhito.
Drone Racing World Cup at Boulevard City begins with top prizes at stake
- 3-day event among myriad activities of ongoing Riyadh Season
- Contest is being held in Mideast, North Africa for the first time
RIYADH: Prizes exceeding $346,500 await the winners of the Drone Racing World Cup which begins on Thursday at Boulevard City in Riyadh.
Organized by the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, in collaboration with the World Air Sports Federation, the three-day event is a part of the ongoing Riyadh Season.
The competition is being held for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region since its inception in 2016, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
This year’s edition will feature world champions including Kim Minjae and Yuki Hashimoto, winners of the 2024 FAI World Drone Racing Championship.
Also participating are Killian Rousseau, winner of the 2023 FAI Drone Racing World Cup; Luisa Rizzo, winner of the 2024 Women’s FAI Drone Racing Championship; and Min Chan Kim, winner of the 2023 FAI World Drone Racing Championship.
Several Saudi Arabia pilots will also compete including Muhannad Al-Wohaibi, Ibrahim Al-Sultan, Dalia Al-Safar, Al-Anoud Al-Shalaan, Bader Mutlaq Al-Raqas, Nawaf Al-Hamoud, and Salma Attallah Al-Aqbi.
The qualifying rounds will start on Thursday and continue until midday on Friday, followed by the finals on Saturday.
There will be various activities including a Drones Hub for teaching amateurs and professionals; a Drag Racing Zone for speed competitions on a straight path; and a Fly Free Zone designed for testing and operating drones.
In addition, there will be a VR Drone Racing simulation using virtual-reality glasses; workshops for training, designing, assembling and building drones; and a Fans Zone for those wanting to watch the competitions.
Guests of King Salman’s Umrah program arrive in Madinah
- 250 pilgrims from African countries, 22 from Egypt
- Program includes 1,000 pilgrims from 66 countries
MADINAH: The third group of participants in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation began arriving in Madinah on Wednesday.
Their 10-day visit to the Kingdom includes prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque, performing Umrah, touring historical and cultural landmarks, and visiting museums in Madinah and Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Officials from the Kingdom’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance welcomed the pilgrims at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.
Twenty-two Egyptian Umrah pilgrims were the first to arrive in the city.
The current group includes 250 pilgrims 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 hosting 1,000 visitors from 66 countries divided into four groups 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.
