JEDDAH: The Shoura Council approved a number of resolutions pertaining to the annual report of the Ministry of Defense for the fiscal year 1437/1438 AH, which supports the efforts of the Ministry and its plans to develop its employees and various sectors.
This came on Tuesday during the work of the Council’s 44th ordinary session of the second year of the seventh session held under the chairmanship of the president of the council, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mahtani.
The council has also approved another resolution concerning the draft regulations against fraud and breach of trust. The draft law deals with criminal offenses relating to companies listed on the Saudi stock market overseen by the Capital Market Authority for crimes of forgery or falsification of documents or provision of false or misleading financial statements. The draft law also includes developing mechanisms to address this issue, as well as defining the role of each entity in this regard.
The draft law consists of 14 articles and aims to combat all types of fraud, in addition to destroying money and squandering it on purpose.
On the other hand, the Council has also approved the draft regulations for imams and muezzins in the Grand Mosque.
The Regulations consist of 30 articles and aim to organize the affairs of imams and muezzins in the Grand Mosque, and determining their rights, duties and responsibilities.
The council has also requested Saudi Customs to activate the Authorized Economic Operator program adopted by the World Customs Organization, and to include in their reports the volume of adulterated goods imported in the Saudi market through coordination with other government agencies.
The council then discussed the report of the Committee on Economics and Energy on the annual report of the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy for the year 1437/1438 AH.
In its recommendations to the council, the committee called on the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy to set fourth mechanisms and funding organizations encouraging the private sector to invest in the field of nuclear energy and maximizing local content in their projects, in collaboration with the banking sector and government lending funds.
The committee has also urged King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy to work with stakeholders to identify local reserves of uranium ore and their exploitation to meet domestic demand in the future.
The committee also called for the city to address challenges of infrastructure necessary for the implementation of the solar energy project to be constructed with SoftBank Vision Fund, and passing the appropriate legislation to make it more competitive. The committee also urged the city to include in its future reports a timeframe for its plans, performance indicators for its strategy, and completion rates of the atomic and renewable energy programs.
Saudi Arabia's Shoura Council concentrates on Ministry of Defense and anti-fraud regulations
Saudi Arabia's Shoura Council concentrates on Ministry of Defense and anti-fraud regulations
- The Shoura Council approves a number of resolutions pertaining to the annual report of the Ministry of Defense, which supports the efforts of the Ministry and its plans to develop its employees and various sectors
- The council approved another resolution concerning the draft regulations against fraud and breach of trust
Australian deputy PM highlights Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance during visit
DUABI: Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Donald Marles underlined the importance of Saudi Arabia as a key partner for Australia, highlighting its position as the country’s second-largest trading partner in the Middle East.
In a statement issued by his office on Thursday, Marles said his visit to Saudi Arabia is focused on enhancing cooperation within the G20 framework and other multilateral institutions, as well as reaffirming Australia’s commitment to a rules-based global order.
Marles described Saudi Arabia as a pivotal partner in addressing shared global challenges, emphasizing the significance of deepening economic and diplomatic ties. He added that the visit offers an opportunity to explore new avenues for collaboration and strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
KSrelief’s humanitarian works benefit individuals from Yemen, Ukraine and Sudan
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) humanitarian projects in Yemen, Ukraine and Sudan continue to benefit individuals needing medical and therapeutic intervention.
In Yemen, KSrelief provided services through the Prosthetic and Rehabilitation Center in Aden to 562 patients in November as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare sector and help individuals who require prostheses.
The center also delivered 1,395 services, including the manufacturing, fitting, and rehabilitation of prosthetic limbs, along with physical therapy and specialized consultations.
Also in Aden, a team of medical volunteers undertook an adult urology surgery campaign from Dec. 15 to 22, with the nine specialists performing 15 procedures on patients. The project was implemented in collaboration with the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen
In Rzeszow, Poland, KSrelief volunteers fitted prosthetic limbs for 32 Ukrainian refugees between Dec. 8 to 15.
In Sudan’s Port Sudan, volunteers from KSrelief ran a pediatric surgical program and has successfully examined 15 children and performed seven successful surgeries so far.
‘Common Ground’ festival celebrates Saudi Arabia and Iraq cultures
- Art, music and folklore to feature at Riyadh event until Dec. 31
- Over 100 works from Iraqi and Saudi artists will be on display
RIYADH: The Kingdom launched the second “Common Ground” festival on Wednesday to celebrate the rich cultures of Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Organized by the Culture Ministry, “Common Ground” features a variety of activities including art, music and folklore.
The ministry invited residents to “explore and celebrate Iraqi culture and the historical and cultural bonds between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Iraq through art, music, storytelling and more.”
The festival, which runs until Dec. 31, is being held at Mega Studio in Riyadh’s Boulevard City.
The event includes a tribute to writer Kareem Al-Iraqi, who died last year, for his contribution to art and literature, which includes novels, plays, songs and screenplays.
The opening night featured songs by renowned Iraqi singer-songwriter Kadim Al-Sahir. And Thursday will have several seminars led by heritage experts.
There will also be over 100 works from Iraqi and Saudi artists on display at the festival.
Meanwhile, in AlUla on Wednesday, Iraq’s Prime Minister Shia Al-Sudani was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for discussions on regional events.
Saudi aid agency KSrelief launches pediatric surgical program in war-ravaged Sudan
- Medical team assesses 15 children and carries out 7 successful operations during first few days of the project, which is staffed by volunteers
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief this week launched a volunteer pediatric surgical program in the Sudanese city of Port Sudan.
By Wednesday, the medical team had assessed 15 children and carried out seven successful surgeries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Sudan is locked in a civil war between two rival factions of the country’s military government that began in April 2023. It has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced about 12 million people.
The conflict has also had a devastating effect on healthcare, with more than two-thirds of major hospitals in out of service, according to the World Health Organization.
Riyadh governor receives newly appointed Palestinian envoy
Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Palestine to the Kingdom Mazen Ghoneim in Riyadh on Wednesday.
During the meeting, they discussed various topics of common interest, and Prince Faisal wished the ambassador success in his new duties, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz met with Ambassaor of India to the Kingdom Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan to discuss topics of mutual interest.
