JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Tuesday received the 58th annual report of the General Auditing Bureau (GAB) for the fiscal year 1438/1439 (end-2017 to end-2018), which showed the total funds collected, supplied or provided to the public treasury amounted to SR9 billion.
GAB President Dr. Hossam bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Anqari presented the report to the king at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
The king appreciated the performance of the bureau and its officials.
Al-Anqari said the amount collected, supplied or provided to the public treasury was four times more than the previous fiscal year.
“The total amount demanded to be collected by GAB was about SR38 billion, almost double the amount claimed back in the previous fiscal year. This substantial increase in the collected amounts reflects good performance of the bureau.”
The official said GAB has established electronic connections with around 100 government agencies in line with the royal directives to allow the bureau to establish Shamel e-audit system and to make it available to auditees for free.
He said GAB has established the Saudi Center for Financial Auditing and Performance Monitoring and provided a wide range of training programs to the staff of the internal audit departments at GAB’s auditees.
Al-Anqari said rental contracts have been finalized for a number of buildings that serve as GAB’s branch offices, highlighting that most of the new buildings for the branches have been completed in several provinces.
He said GAB continues to actively represent Saudi Arabia in regional and international organizations through his position as the second vice-chairman of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), chairman of its committee on policies and financial and administrative affairs, and chairman of its donor steering committee.
“GAB is also an executive board member of the Arab Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ARABOSAI) and the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI),” he added.
Following the Cabinet’s approval, he said, GAB signed a number of memorandums of understanding with its counterparts in the UAE, Egypt, Russia and the US to exchange experience in accounting, auditing and other professional issues.
The GAB chief thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for lending support to the bureau.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman receives 58th annual audit report
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman receives 58th annual audit report
Saudi Arabia, Lithuania sign air transport services agreement
- Riyadh, Vilnius to work together to develop regulatory frameworks
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Lithuania signed an agreement on Monday to cooperate in civil aviation and air transport services.
Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, the president of the General Authority for Civil Aviation, and Ramunas Davidonis, the Lithuanian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, signed the agreement in Riyadh.
The two countries will work to develop regulatory frameworks for air transport traffic and expand the operational network of their national air carriers.
The cooperation will further enhance Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics center for civil aviation and air transport services, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aims to position the country as a hub for aviation connectivity to 250 international destinations, serving an expected 330 million passengers annually by 2030.
French President Macron arrives in Riyadh for official visit
RIYADH: French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh on Monday evening for an official visit to Saudi Arabia, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport, Macron was received by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, along with the Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi and Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh.
Also in attendance were Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili, Saudi ambassador to France, and Patrick Maisonnave, French ambassador to the Kingdom.
The visit underscores the strengthening ties between Saudi Arabia and France, with discussions expected to focus on water resource sustainability and other key areas of cooperation, SPA added.
Saudi FM participates in Cairo conference to support humanitarian work in Gaza
- Prince Faisal says crisis has ‘reached an unbearable limit’
- Kingdom has provided more than 6,600 tonnes of food, shelter, medical supplies, to Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan chaired Saudi Arabia’s delegation at Monday’s Cairo Ministerial Conference to Enhance the Humanitarian Response in Gaza.
Prince Faisal said during his speech that the humanitarian crisis in Palestine had “reached an unbearable limit, and in no way can the deterioration of the situation in the region be allowed any more.”
At least 44,000 Palestinians have lost their lives during Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip since October 2023, and more than 100,000 have been injured.
Prince Faisal said that Israeli actions against children, women and the elderly; the destruction of infrastructure in the Gaza Strip; the forced displacement of 2 million Palestinians and the confiscation of their lands would “perpetuate suffering, fuel extremism in the region … and undermine the chances of coexistence and sustainable peace.”
He said that Israel’s illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and government policies to affect the legal and historic status of Jerusalem “represent direct attacks on international law and threaten the two-state solution.”
Prince Faisal stressed the importance of an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He also warned that the Israeli-approved law to prohibit the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees from working inside Israel “would have catastrophic consequences for the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.”
Saudi Arabia has provided more than 6,600 tonnes of food, shelter equipment and medical supplies, including ambulances, to Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023.
Prince Faisal said that the “brutal genocide in Gaza is the biggest test of the international order,” and called for the recognition of the Palestinian state and the respect of all UN resolutions.
Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, also attended the conference.
Riyadh forum to address inclusivity in social protection
- Focus on sustainable insurance systems and strengthening regional cooperation
- Initiatives proposed at the forum could reshape the future of social security in the region
RIYADH: The Regional Social Security Forum for Asia and the Pacific will be held in Riyadh from Dec. 3 to 5, under the patronage of Saudi Finance Minister and Chairman of the General Organization for Social Insurance Mohammed Al-Jadaan.
Organized by the International Social Security Association every three years, the forum is a key regional gathering on social security and insurance protection.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting reflects its commitment to addressing future challenges and opportunities in social security, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It also emphasizes the Kingdom’s role as a center for regional and international cooperation, strengthening its leadership in fostering strategic partnerships and knowledge exchange.
The forum will discuss evolving social protection needs, the leadership of social security institutions in developing protection systems, and the impact of economic and demographic changes. It will also discuss the transformation of service management and delivery, and how social security enhances resilience and sustainability.
Representatives from about 30 Asia-Pacific countries, members of the International Social Security Association, will attend. More than 400 participants, including institutional leaders, social protection experts, decision-makers, and representatives from 58 international organizations, will meet to discuss and improve social protection systems.
Marwan Al-Ghamdi, assistant governor for strategy and transformation at the General Organization for Social Insurance, told Arab News that the Kingdom’s hosting of the forum reflects its commitment to strengthening international cooperation to address social insurance challenges and develop innovative policies for inclusivity and sustainability.
“The organization’s mission, focused on achieving social protection for individuals and communities, depends on enhancing sustainable insurance systems, in addition to empowering future generations to build a prosperous future for all,” Al-Ghamdi said.
He added that the Kingdom’s experience in developing social protection systems is as an inspiring model for international institutions and the social insurance sector globally. This experience enriches forum discussions by showing programs that strengthen social protection as part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Hosting the forum offers an opportunity to reinforce regional cooperation and exchange best practices, strengthening social insurance systems in Asia-Pacific countries, Al-Ghamdi said.
Discussions may lead to innovative services and products that address challenges such as bridging gaps in cover and protecting workers. Successful experiences also raise awareness of the importance of comprehensive social protection and achieving the SDGs, he added.
Al-Ghamdi said that the forum facilitates the exchange of experiences and the formulation of shared policies to address challenges. Participants can launch innovative initiatives to enhance sustainable, high-quality social protection systems in the region.
The initiatives proposed at the forum could reshape the future of social security in the region, as partnerships help develop effective insurance strategies that meet community needs and strengthen the social insurance sector, he added.
Jeddah to host Hajj forum and expo in January
- Event aims to enhance pilgrim services, promote innovation, and foster transparency and competitiveness in Hajj-related industries
- Conference will bring together ministers, diplomats, academics, Hajj service providers, and representatives from 250 entities across 87 countries
RIYADH: Under the patronage of King Salman, the fourth Hajj Conference and Exhibition will be held from Jan. 13-16 in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program, the event aims to enhance pilgrim services, promote innovation, and foster transparency and competitiveness in Hajj-related industries.
The conference will bring together ministers, diplomats, academics, Hajj service providers, and representatives from 250 entities across 87 countries.
It will feature 47 panel discussions, 50 workshops, and a specialized exhibition with 280 exhibitors showcasing the latest Hajj technologies and services.
The ministry invites global experts and participants to join the event. Registration details are available at hajjconfex.com.
