RIYADH: Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Sulami, deputy speaker of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council, commended Brazil’s initiative to launch the Global Alliance to Combat Hunger and Poverty, affirming that Saudi Arabia has been a member of the alliance since May 2024, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

This came during the 10th Summit of G20 Parliamentary Speakers held in Brasilia, Brazil, focusing on the theme “Parliaments for a Fair World and a Sustainable Planet.”

Al-Sulami led the Kingdom’s delegation at the international gathering, revealing that Riyadh would host the UN Conference on Land and Drought in December.

The deputy speaker elaborated on Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive approach to addressing poverty and hunger through the efforts of the government and the Shoura Council, which have created a social safety net through various support programs, the Social Development Bank, and the contribution of charitable organizations.

On the international front, Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian contributions have been substantial, SPA reported. From 1975 to 2024, the Kingdom provided nearly $133 billion in development assistance, reaching 171 countries worldwide. This aid has supported over 7,090 humanitarian and development projects. Currently, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre manages 1,700 projects aimed at combating hunger and poverty around the world.

Al-Sulami highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to workplace equality through its adoption of ILO Conventions 100 and 111. The Kingdom’s laws ensure equal pay and employment opportunities, with no discrimination between men and women in jobs and wages. These efforts have yielded significant results, with female participation in the labor market reaching 37 percent by 2023, exceeding expectations set in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The Kingdom has also provided $187 million in urgent relief to Gaza, along with $1.6 billion in development and humanitarian assistance, according to SPA.

Saudi Arabia launched the Global Alliance for the Two-State Solution in partnership with other Arab and Islamic countries, the EU, and Norway, hosting its first meeting in Riyadh on Oct. 30, 2024. Following the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on Nov. 11, 2023, the Kingdom announced another edition of the summit scheduled for Nov. 11, 2024. These efforts aim to achieve an immediate ceasefire, end the Israeli occupation, provide relief to the Palestinian people, and establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

The P20 summit addressed several crucial topics, including parliamentary contributions to fighting hunger, poverty, and inequality; the role of parliaments in sustainable development; and adapting parliamentary systems to 21st-century governance challenges. Iman Al-Jubreen, a member of the Shoura Council delegation, presented a working paper on women’s representation in decision-making positions, sharing Saudi Arabia’s experience in women’s empowerment.

RIYADH: Heavy rain, snow and giant hailstones mean the Northern Borders region in Saudi Arabia is experiencing an unusual start to winter.

Video clips shared on social media show hail and snow blanketing areas in Al-Jouf, Hail and Tabuk with the mountains now covered, according to local residents.

Posting a video on X, a user called Sarahh wrote: “Hail suffered heavy hail on 2 November, the desert road between Rafha and Hail turned white. Heavy hail also occurred in Turaif and north of Madinah region.”

Saudi Arabia.
November 2, 2024

Hail suffered heavy hail on 2 November, The desert road between Rafhaa and Hail turned white. Heavy hail also occurred in Turaif and north of Medina. pic.twitter.com/LBFVYOjIZ3

— Sarahh (@Sarahhuniverse) November 7, 2024

“The heavy rainfall, hailstorm, with record-breaking sub-zero temperatures at this time and snowfall as a result … are a pleasant surprise and also an indicator that climate change is real. For those who say climate change is not real, take a peek at the cold weather conditions that Saudi Arabia is currently going through in the Northern Borders region at the onset of winter,” said Riyadh resident Mohammed Al-Harbi.

The weather has also caused flash floods in some areas, while on Friday the National Center for Meteorology forecast: “Dust-stirring winds will blow and moderate to heavy rain accompanied by hail, leading to flash floods in parts of Hail, Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, Jazan, Aseer, and Al-Baha.”

Light to moderate rain is expected in parts of the Makkah and Madinah regions, it said, adding that there may also be fog in those areas and in southern parts of the Eastern region.

Meanwhile, winds over the Red Sea will be westerly to north westerly at speeds of 10-30 km per hour in northern and central parts, and southwesterly to westerly at speeds of 10-30 km per hour in the southern part. Waves may reach from 1-1.5 meters with thunder clouds forming in the latter, with calm to choppy waters.

In the Arabian Gulf, winds will be northerly to northwesterly, reaching 10-40 km per hour. Waves may range from 1-2 meters and the sea will be relatively calm.