JEDDAH: Minister of Labor and Social Development Dr. Ali bin Nasser Al-Ghafis stressed that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is based on three main axes: a vibrant society, a prosperous economy and an ambitious homeland.
“Saudi women are an important element of our strength. We will continue to develop talents and invest their energies to enable them to obtain appropriate opportunities to build their future and contribute to the development of our society and economy,” he said.
During his speech at the 107th International Labor Conference in Geneva, under the theme of “Women at Work” which addresses problems and issues that impede their role in the development of society, Dr. Al-Ghafis said that the National Transition 2020 program contained 36 strategic objectives supporting empowerment, independence and self-reliance of Saudi women.
“We aim to increase women’s participation in the labor market from 22% to 30% in 2030, which will contribute to an increase of 3% of non-oil GDP,” he added.
Dr. Al-Ghafis stressed the Kingdom’s keenness to support women’s work and help them overcome difficulties. They set goals to achieve this by increasing women’s participation in the labor market, increasing the contribution of productive families, facilitating businesses, developing the retail sector and increasing the number of small and medium enterprises.
He pointed out emphasis had been placed on enabling women to strike a balance between social life and work through the system of social welfare services, which provided women with greater opportunities without disrupting the family system.
Dr. Al-Ghafis noted among the initiatives aimed at economically empowering women in all regions of the Kingdom include; the “Qurra” program that was launched to support childcare services for working women, and the “Wusul” program to support the transfer of working women.
The ministry also launched the “Support for Self-Employment” program, which provides greater opportunities for women to receive better wages according to their skills, and the “Part-time” and “Remote Working” programs that enable women to strike a balance between work and taking care of the family,
He said the ministry has also set up programs to empower women in rural and remote areas and engage in the labor market, noting the results of these efforts increased the number of Saudi women employed in the private sector to about 565,000 by the end of 2017, which represents about 32% of the Saudi labor market.
Vision 2030 based on three axes, Saudi women important element of Kingdom’s strength: Minister
Vision 2030 based on three axes, Saudi women important element of Kingdom’s strength: Minister
- The National Transition 2020 program contains 36 strategic objectives supporting empowerment, independence and self-reliance of Saudi women
- The Kingdom is keen to support women’s employment and help overcome difficulties
Saudi, Iraqi defense ministers discuss cooperation in phone call
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman received a phone call from his Iraqi counterpart Thabet Al-Abbasi on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two discussed Saudi-Iraqi relations and cooperation between the two countries in the military and defense fields, SPA added.
They also spoke about regional developments and shared efforts to enhance security and stability in the region and beyond.
Saudi deputy minister and UNRWA chief discuss KSA’s ongoing support for Palestinians
- The two men also discussed aspects of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and UNRWA
RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received Phillipe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, in Riyadh on Tuesday.
During the meeting, they discussed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to support the Palestinian people, according to a post by the Foreign Ministry on X.
The two men also discussed aspects of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and UNRWA.
Separately, Elkhereiji met with the British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Neil Crompton, and they discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, as well as prominent developments in the regional and international arenas.
RSAF personnel complete training in US missile defense system
- US-led THAAD program involved operational exercises, combat simulations
- Training part of Kingdom’s strategy to enhance armed forces’ capabilities
RIYADH: A second company from the Royal Saudi Air Force graduated this week after completing their training in an American anti-ballistic missile defense system.
The graduation ceremony, held at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, was attended by Maj. Gen. Pilot Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Rabiah, the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Institute commander and other representatives from the two countries.
The US-led program involved technical and operational exercises, combat simulations and advanced field training supervised by representatives of the manufacturers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and military experts, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Another company of RSAF graduates completed the program last year as part of the Ministry of Defense’s strategy to enhance the capabilities of its forces through professional training.
The THAAD system is considered one of the most advanced and precise methods to tackle ballistic missile threats and has been adopted by the Kingdom as part of its air defense strategy.
Saudi fund signs $10m loan for renewable energy project in Solomon Islands
- Deal will help island nation reduce its reliance on conventional energy
- Since 1974, SaudFund for Development has financed 800 projects worth more than $21bn
RIYADH: The Saudi Fund for Development on Tuesday signed a $10 million development loan agreement with the Solomon Islands to support a renewable energy project.
The deal was signed by the fund’s CEO Sultan Al-Marshad and the Solomon Islands’ Finance and Treasury Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
The project aims to develop renewable energy infrastructure in the country by establishing solar power plants with a total capacity of 35.5 megawatts and energy storage systems.
This will reduce its reliance on conventional energy and support sustainable development goals for economic and environmental growth, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The loan is the fund’s first to the Solomon Islands and demonstrates its commitment to supporting developing countries and small island states in overcoming economic, social and environmental challenges.
Since its foundation in 1974, the fund has financed more than 800 projects worth more than $21 billion in more than 100 countries.
Through its global initiatives, the fund enhances livelihoods, expands access to services and empowers communities, fostering inclusive growth and creating opportunities worldwide.
On the sidelines of the signing, Al-Marshad and his delegation met Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele. They discussed the fund’s 50-year development efforts and ways to strengthen cooperation.
Five Arabian sand gazelles born in Buraidah Oasis
- Environmental achievement reflects national efforts to resettle wildlife, restore ecological balance in the Kingdom, and enhance the sustainability of its natural resources
- Center continues to implement its strategic plans to preserve wildlife and enrich biodiversity in the Kingdom, in line with the SGI, the National Environment Strategy, and Vision 2030
RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife has announced the birth of five endangered Arabian sand gazelles in the Buraidah Oasis, as part of the center’s breeding and resettlement programs.
This environmental achievement reflects national efforts to resettle wildlife, restore ecological balance in the Kingdom, and enhance the sustainability of its natural resources, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The center continues to implement its strategic plans to preserve wildlife and enrich biodiversity in the Kingdom, in line with the Saudi Green Initiative, the National Environment Strategy, and Vision 2030.
