G20 summit sets out to build a future for all

The Saudi presidency stands for ensuring that everyone has access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, and that medications will be distributed equitably. (Photo/Basheer Saleh)
Short Url
Updated 22 November 2020
Follow

G20 summit sets out to build a future for all

  • King Salman set the agenda for the G20 summit in his opening remarks, including fighting the pandemic, continued support for the global economy, assistance for developing countries

RIYADH: This is a G20 summit like no other. It is taking place virtually because of a pandemic that endangers lives and livelihoods, and has plunged the world into the deepest recession since the Second World War.
It is also the first time that Saudi Arabia is hosting the summit. The Kingdom is the only Arab member of the G20, and one of only three majority Muslim countries alongside Indonesia and Turkey.
The G20 represents the 19 most powerful economic countries plus the EU, representing 90 percent of global gross domestic product, more than 75 percent of trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population. When faced with the global financial crisis 12 years ago, the G20 demonstrated the importance of international cooperation at that level. Then, as now, the world economy stood on the brink of a major recession, with the financial system under threat of collapse.
This time the world faces a crisis that is greater in magnitude and deeper since it also affects the health and lives of the global population. The coronavirus pandemic again raises questions of how to guarantee financial stability, economic recovery and, most importantly, access to vaccines and medical support for all.
The theme of the Saudi presidency is “Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All.” It was chosen wisely, because the pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated inequalities between countries and among populations within countries. The virus knows neither boundaries nor borders.
An extraordinary summit in March played midwife to global stimulus packages equating to an injection of $11 trillion into the global economy. It also mobilized $21 billion to combat the pandemic. The G20 provided emergency support for the world’s poorest countries, including the debt service suspension initiative. A total of 73 countries were eligible and 46 have taken advantage of the assistance so far.
King Salman set the agenda for the G20 summit in his opening remarks, including fighting the pandemic, continued support for the global economy, assistance for developing countries, and laying the foundations for a robust, sustainable and inclusive growth.
The summit will discuss an extension of the debt service suspension. Private lenders also will be encouraged to take part in the initiative, which so far they have not done.
In the same vein, leaders will continue discussing stocking up the International Monetary Fund’s firepower by issuing an additional $500 billion in special drawing rights, or SDRs. During the financial crisis the IMF issued more than $270 billion in SDRs. Up to now most countries supported the issuance of SDRs, while the US failed to do so.
The Saudi presidency stands for ensuring that everyone has access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, and that medications will be distributed equitably. The Kingdom has contributed $500 million to support the ACT accelerator and COVAX search for an effective vaccine for all countries. G20 leaders have been urged to plug the $4.5 billion hole required to produce and distribute the vaccines globally. In a pandemic preparedness and response side event, world leaders joined King Salman in emphasizing that global cooperation is needed to combat the virus as well as support from and of multilateral frameworks, namely the WHO.
Why the summit matters to the world: The pandemic has ravaged lives and livelihoods around the world. The world economy has been badly hurt and can only truly recover if the fight against the virus has been won.
The virus knows no borders. Therefore, we are not safe until everybody is safe, which is why it is so important to give all countries, even the poorest, access to vaccines and antiviral drugs.
To this end the G20 cooperation and support of multilateral frameworks is crucial. This is why the ACT accelerator and COVAX are an integral part of finding solutions to the pandemic.
This is where the debt relief program, which postpones interest and principal for the poorest countries, is very important, because they need to rebuild their economies and healthcare systems.
The virus has worsened inequalities; the poorest countries and poorest segments in the population are particularly affected by the pandemic. Women have been especially hard hit by the economic fallout, which again brings us back to the Saudi presidency placing particular emphasis on women assuming their rightful positions and standing in society.
Why the day mattered to GCC and KSA: Saudi Arabia has provided enlightened leadership to the G20 in a year of unprecedented challenges. From a global perspective, Arab and Muslim nations are holding leadership positions. They are part of the family of nations, which comes with responsibilities and privileges.
The Kingdom’s commitment to multilateralism is important at a time when many multilateral arrangements are under review/threat. This holds particularly true for the WHO and the World Trade Organization (WTO), where the Riyadh initiative for the future of the WTO will positively influence the future of the organization.
The GCC and Saudi Arabia stand at the crossroads between East and West. As oil-producing countries, they depend on a thriving global economy. The economy can recover only if we get a handle on the virus. Therefore, the focus of day one on pandemic preparedness and response was the right thing to do not only from a humanitarian standpoint, but also from an economic perspective.


New museums campaign focuses on Saudi heritage

Updated 11 sec ago
Follow

New museums campaign focuses on Saudi heritage

  • To preserve Saudi heritage, the commission announced the development of museums in 11 regions

RIYADH: The Museums Commission launched the “Telling Tomorrow’s Story” campaign on Monday to raise awareness of museums’ role in preserving history, strengthening national identity, and promoting creative expression.

The campaign reflects the commission’s vision, which focuses on innovation, the preservation of cultural treasures, and fostering creativity for future generations.

It features digital content highlighting the commission’s museums and cultural centers, including the National Museum, Al-Masmak Palace Museum, Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax, Diriyah Art Futures, and the Tariq Abdulhakim Museum in Jeddah.

It also introduces future museums, such as the Black Gold Museum in Riyadh and the Red Sea Museum in Jeddah, which will enrich the Kingdom’s cultural landscape.

To preserve Saudi heritage, the commission announced the development of museums in 11 regions: Qassim, Jouf, Asir, Tabuk, Hail, Najran, Arar, Dammam, Makkah, Jazan, and Baha.

The regional museums, under the motto “Our Saudi Story,” will celebrate Saudi history, heritage, and identity, weaving a collective narrative of the Kingdom’s diverse cultural tapestry and rich history.

These museums will offer permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events, becoming inclusive spaces for knowledge, creativity, and community.


Riyadh exhibition to boost Saudi palm sector goals

Updated 14 min 37 sec ago
Follow

Riyadh exhibition to boost Saudi palm sector goals

  • The exhibition will feature participation from more than 100 local and international entities

RIYADH: The International Dates Conference and Exhibition is set to take place at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center from Nov. 19 to 28 under the theme “World of Dates.”

The event aims to solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in the production and export of dates, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates, the exhibition will feature participation from more than 100 local and international entities.

It will showcase innovative date products and serve as a global platform for knowledge exchange and market expansion, promoting Saudi dates in international markets.

The event seeks to support innovation in the dates industry, enhance the competitiveness of Saudi products, and position the palm and dates sector as a key contributor to economic development, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030.

The exhibition will also include a scientific conference in collaboration with King Faisal University, SPA reported.

The conference will focus on local and international efforts to advance the palm and dates sector in Saudi Arabia by adopting smart solutions to improve agricultural practices, highlighting the health benefits of dates, and encouraging the use of e-commerce.


Saudi Fashion Commission, French luxury giant to award sustainable startups

Updated 49 min 19 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Fashion Commission, French luxury giant to award sustainable startups

  • Finalists will undergo mentorship and workshops to refine their key performance indicators and pitching skills

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Fashion Commission and France-based luxury conglomerate Kering have announced a competition to discover and support innovative startups making a meaningful impact on sustainability within the fashion industry.

The initiative, Kering Generation Award X Saudi Arabia, will foster circular innovation, focusing on key themes such as customer engagement, the circular economy, and water protection.

The application process is now open to startups based in or expanding into Saudi Arabia. By December, 20 finalists will be shortlisted to participate in a boot camp in Riyadh.

Finalists will undergo mentorship and workshops to refine their key performance indicators and pitching skills, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The top 10 proposals will move to the jury evaluation phase, judged on innovation, sustainability, and commercial potential.

The competition will culminate in an awards ceremony in January in Riyadh, where the top three winners will be announced.

The winners will receive a 10-day mentorship trip to Paris with Kering’s sustainability teams and the opportunity to showcase their innovations at the ChangeNow Summit 2025.

The launch follows a strategic memorandum of understanding between the commission and Kering, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader vision to promote sustainable practices in the fashion sector.

CEO of the commission Burak Çakmak said: “This initiative reflects our commitment to driving innovation and building a sustainable future for fashion in Saudi Arabia.”

Kering’s chief sustainability officer, Marie-Claire Daveu, added: “Through this partnership, we aim to inspire the next generation and foster impactful change in the Saudi fashion ecosystem.”

The collaboration highlights Saudi Arabia’s dedication to creating a sustainable and innovative fashion industry aligned with global standards.


Saudi project clears 614 Houthi mines in Yemen

Updated 53 min 22 sec ago
Follow

Saudi project clears 614 Houthi mines in Yemen

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 614 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included three anti-personnel mines, 36 anti-tank mines, 574 unexploded ordnances and one explosive device, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 469,576 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.


Kingdom launches new framework to standardize digital services

Updated 18 November 2024
Follow

Kingdom launches new framework to standardize digital services

  • The initiative aims to unify platform designs, ensuring a seamless and consistent digital user experience
  • The event gathered dignitaries, digital transformation leaders from public and private sectors, and key stakeholders

RIYADH: The Digital Government Authority has launched the Platform Code, a national framework for designing and developing government platform interfaces in Saudi Arabia.

Unveiled during an event in Riyadh, the initiative aims to unify platform designs, ensuring a seamless and consistent digital user experience.

The event gathered dignitaries, digital transformation leaders from public and private sectors, and key stakeholders.

Ahmed Al-Suwaiyan, governor of the Digital Government Authority, said that the Platform Code aligns with local and global digital standards.

He described it as a critical step toward comprehensive digital transformation, enhancing compliance, and fostering efficient and impactful services aligned with Saudi Arabia’s strategic digital goals.

The Platform Code, an open-source design system, integrates coding frameworks, design tools, and community guidelines, enabling rapid development of unified user experiences. It allows designers and developers to address specific needs using pre-built assets.

The authority also unveiled the Saudi Digital Strategy, focused on growing the digital economy and expanding opportunities for public and private sector products.

Other initiatives included the Digital Transformation Ambassador program, fostering an integrated digital community, and the Scene Program, promoting holistic user experiences locally and globally through advanced frameworks and tools.

Committed to advancing digital governance, the authority aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in innovative digital services.

It leverages cutting-edge technologies like AI and emerging tech while offering consultancy programs and fostering leadership in digital transformation.

These efforts contribute to Vision 2030’s goals of enhanced service quality and economic growth.