RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 15th session of the G20 leaders’ summit and its presidency of the group confirm Kingdom’s leading role globally, according to Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih.
Al-Falih made his comments at a meeting of the G20 Trade and Investment Working Group on Thursday that addressed pressing global trade issues including the Riyadh initiative for the future of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The minister said that Saudi Arabia has initiated a number of policies to enhance cooperation in trade and investment, including supporting a multilateral trading system, as well as promoting economic diversification and cross-border investment flows.
“The G20 member states and the countries known for best practices — including the encouragement of competitiveness between micro, small and medium enterprises and the maximization of benefit from special economic zones and trade — have participated in economic diversification and the promotion of economic empowerment for all, including youth and women,” he said.
The minister revealed that the working group has established procedures to support international trade and investment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: “The G20 states dedicated $11 trillion to protect and support the global economy from the repercussions of COVID-19,” he said, citing an historical initiative agreed in April this year to suspend the debt payments of 73 countries.
The Trade and Investment Working Group discussed foreign direct investment and ways that developing and least-developed countries can attract investment.
Al-Falaih also spoke about Saudi Arabia’s focus on three critical areas: Empowering people by creating conditions that enable them to live in dignity; preserving the planet by enhancing joint efforts to protect global resources; and adopting bold long-term strategies to share the benefits of innovation and technological progress.
Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency confirms its global importance: Saudi investment minister
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Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency confirms its global importance: Saudi investment minister
KSA cracks down on non-compliant Umrah transport
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority, in collaboration with relevant authorities, has apprehended several violators for transporting Umrah performers using non-compliant buses as part of a field control initiative it conducted.
The authority clarified that this campaign is part of its ongoing monitoring efforts to ensure that transport facilities comply with regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The initiative aims to enhance the safety and security of Umrah performers, and the authority has urged all establishments to adhere to the approved regulations.
It emphasized that these campaigns are designed to enhance compliance, elevate service quality, and ensure the safety of transport service users, SPA added.
Recently, the Transport General Authority fined over 400 foreign trucks in several regions of the Kingdom for regulatory offenses.
Historic Al-Safa Mosque in Baha restored in traditional Sarawat style
- The mosque, distinguished by its Sarawat-style construction, was renovated to preserve its historical integrity
RIYADH: Al-Safa Mosque, a 13th-century landmark in the Baha region, has been restored as part of a national project, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques aims to revitalize Baha’s architectural heritage and highlight its cultural significance.
The mosque, distinguished by its Sarawat-style construction, was renovated to preserve its historical integrity while enhancing its structural and aesthetic elements.
The restoration in Baljurashi governorate prioritized the use of natural materials. Sarawat Mountain stone and locally sourced wood were used for the ceilings, columns, windows and doors, maintaining the structure’s authenticity.
The mosque’s footprint, at 78 sq. meters, and its capacity, accommodating 31 worshippers, was unchanged by the restoration.
Built about 1,350 years ago, Al-Safa Mosque is situated within a network of buildings and narrow passages typical of the region’s high mountain villages.
The structure is notable for its stone construction and limited openings. Distinctive juniper columns support the mosque, and the restoration includes preserving and redeveloping these columns, incorporating traditional staircase carvings.
Historical accounts suggest that the mosque was established by the Prophet’s companion Sufyan bin Auf Al-Ghamdi. Historically it served as a vital social hub, facilitating communal gatherings for resolving disputes and discussing village affairs, especially between Maghrib and Isha prayers.
It is one of 30 mosques in 13 regions in phase two of the project, which includes six in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, and two each in the Eastern Province, Jouf, and Jazan. The Northern Borders, Tabuk, Baha, Najran, Hail and Qassim each have one mosque in the scheme.
Phase two follows phase one, completed in 2018, in which 30 mosques were restored in 10 regions. Saudi companies and heritage restoration experts are leading the development efforts, according to the SPA.
The project balances traditional and modern construction standards, ensuring the sustainability of mosque components while preserving heritage.
Saudi companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the development efforts, according to the report.
The project’s four strategic objectives include restoring historic mosques for worship, preserving architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, and enhancing the religious and cultural significance of religious sites.
KSrelief expands food aid across global crisis zones
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food packages to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
In Pakistan, 4,790 packages were distributed to families in need across Balochistan, Kashmir, and Punjab as a part of the Etaam Ramadan project, benefiting 32,631 individuals.
In Somalia, KSrelief distributed 1,550 packages to vulnerable families in Baidoa, benefiting 6,930 people.
Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million).
Additionally, KSrelief provided 600 packages in Port Sudan, benefiting 3,057 impoverished and displaced people.
In Lebanon, the Saudi Arabia aid agency distributed 800 packages to needy families in Sidon, benefiting 4,000 individuals.
Saudi Arabia gears up for Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27
Riyadh: As Saudi Arabia prepares to mark Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27, the Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action.
The national event highlights Saudi Arabia’s efforts to combat climate change while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In the lead-up to the occasion, the Saudi Green Initiative launched several interactive campaigns during Ramadan to encourage public participation in sustainable practices.
Social media users can still contribute by sharing their photos on the Saudi Green Initiative Day Photo Board, a show of the community’s dedication to eco-friendly initiatives.
The initiative’s mascot, Nomoor, continues to engage youth and children through the “30 Positive Steps to Protect the Environment” challenge, promoting sustainable habits across all age groups.
Three winners of the challenge will be announced on Saudi Green Initiative Day in recognition of their contributions.
With the submission deadline approaching, participants are encouraged to highlight their sustainable Ramadan practices and join the challenge.
Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Green Initiative Day underscores the Kingdom’s ambitious sustainability goals, calling for collective action in climate efforts and environmental awareness.
Saudi Arabia condemns new Israeli agency for displacing Palestinians from Gaza Strip
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically rejects Israeli violations of international and humanitarian laws in the Gaza Strip
- Israel’s new agency will be tasked with relocating Palestinians to unspecified third countries
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel’s recognition of illegal settlements in the Occupied West Bank and the establishment of an agency aimed at displacing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip on Monday.
The ministry said it categorically rejects Israeli violations of international and humanitarian laws in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
“(Saudi Arabia condemns) Israeli occupation authorities’ announcement of the establishment of an agency aimed at displacing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip,” the ministry said in a statement.
Israel said it is creating a government agency to oversee the “voluntary departure” of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip following approval from the Israeli security cabinet over the weekend.
Since late 2023, at least 50,000 people have been killed during the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip, and almost 1.9 million Palestinians in Gaza are now internally displaced.
Israel’s new agency will be tasked with relocating Palestinians to unspecified third countries under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence.
On Monday, Saudi Arabia also condemned the approval of 13 illegal settler outposts in the West Bank over the weekend. The Saudi ministry said that the decision was made “in preparation for their legalization as colonial settlements.”
It added that lasting peace can only be achieved if the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights and establish an independent state on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
