RIYADH: The Arab League’s Human Rights Committee on Tuesday praised Saudi Arabia for its efforts to strengthen the mechanisms to protect human rights, as it honored its former president.
In the first gesture of its kind, Hadi Al-Yami, who is a member of the Saudi Shoura Council, was honored during a ceremony held on the sidelines of the committee’s 18 session in Kuwait. The guests included Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, the Arab League’s assistant secretary-general for social affairs, and Adel Al-Asoumi, the speaker of the Arab Parliament.
Jaber Al-Marri, the current president of the Arab Human Rights Committee, praised Al-Yami for his role in developing the work of the committee, and helping to create a culture of human rights in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In his speech during the ceremony in his honor, Al-Yami thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying: “This honor signifies appreciation for the Kingdom’s role, as I was the Kingdom’s candidate to chair this committee previously, which reflects the great support that I received during my presidency.”
He added that his country was one of the first to sign and ratify the Arab Charter on Human Rights, and stressed the active part it is playing in strengthening the role of the Arab League and its mechanisms in protecting human rights.
What the Arab Human Rights Committee has achieved so far is an important step within the framework of the human rights process in the Arab world, Al-Yami said. The results of the committee’s work reflect the interest of Arab countries in implementing the Arab Charter on Human Rights, he added, and the support of Saudi Arabia and the other Arab countries that are members of the committee for the promotion of human rights in the region.
Al-Yami said he hopes that the committee will continue its efforts and attract additional support.
“I hope that Arab countries join and ratify it so that the Arab system can keep pace with developments in the field of promoting and guaranteeing human rights in general,” he said.
Arab League’s Human Rights Committee honors member of Saudi Shoura Council
https://arab.news/vsgsh
Arab League’s Human Rights Committee honors member of Saudi Shoura Council
- In the first gesture of its kind, Hadi Al-Yami was honored during a ceremony in Kuwait for his work as the committee’s former president
KSrelief’s 11th aid plane lands at Damascus airport
- KSrelief dispatched dozens of aid trucks and planes after collapse of Assad regime
RIYADH: The 11th Saudi relief plane landed at Damascus International Airport in Syria on Wednesday as part of a humanitarian airlift launched by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.
After the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime early in December, KSrelief has sent dozens of trucks and planes loaded with food, shelter, and medical supplies to meet the urgent basic needs of Syrians.
Experts discuss AI’s role in enhancing pilgrim experiences
- Discussions at Jeddah conference focus on crowd control, personalized services, sustainable solutions
- Tamer Bdran, vice president of NEC Saudi Arabia Ltd., discussed the role of global technical solutions tailored to the unique needs of Hajj and Umrah
JEDDAH: Industry experts gathered to discuss how artificial intelligence can enhance the Hajj and Umrah experience for millions of pilgrims worldwide.
The discussions took place at the fourth Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah, running until Jan. 16.
The event, themed “The Road to the Nusuk,” is hosted by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program, featuring over 300 local and international organizations showcasing innovations to improve the pilgrim experience.
The conversation began with an overview of the current state of Hajj and Umrah, with speakers noting that only 5 percent of available technical capabilities have been utilized so far.
Mohammed Al-Hamid, director of the AI Center at the Ministry of Interior, shared in the session “Personalizing Services for the Guests of Allah: Data and Digital Solutions” that the ministry has made significant progress in data and AI infrastructure.
He added that the ministry has played a key role in transforming the Hajj and Umrah experience into a seamless journey driven by technological innovation.
Al-Hamid said that AI can help manage crowds by tracking movements, identifying potential hazards, and making real-time adjustments to traffic flow.
“We are using AI to develop long-term solutions that enhance the sustainability of Hajj services, including managing human density by analyzing crowd flow and predicting congestion, offering multilingual guidance, utilizing big data to anticipate pilgrims' needs, and efficiently distributing human and technical resources,” he added.
Speakers then expressed optimism about how AI could address the urgent need for faster and more effective services.
Abdulaziz Al-Matahami, deputy minister of planning and digital transformation at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, said that the ministry first digitized traditional services, then moved to integrate government agencies to offer customized services for each pilgrim and Umrah performer.
He highlighted the new version of the Nusuk app, which provides comprehensive services such as hotel and flight reservations, historical tours, and permits for the Two Holy Mosques.
Al-Matahami also announced the launch of the Nusuk Business platform, aimed at enhancing integration with entrepreneurs to deliver innovative solutions for serving pilgrims.
In another session titled “Advanced Solutions and Technologies for Effective Crowd Management,” Fahad Al-Ghamdi, CEO of human resources at National Security Services Co., explained that the company operates as an integrated security system, offering consulting, risk analysis, and advanced technical solutions, such as mobile command and control centers with cameras supported by AI to analyze data in real time.
Tamer Bdran, vice president of NEC Saudi Arabia Ltd., discussed the role of global technical solutions tailored to the unique needs of Hajj and Umrah.
He said: “Technologies such as facial and fingerprint recognition, along with simulating crowd flow using supercomputing, have improved planning and reduced waiting times at ports and airports.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Ambassador to Spain Princess Haifa Al-Mogrin visited the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion at the conference. She was briefed on the ministry's efforts and initiatives to ensure a safe Hajj experience, including AI-enhanced security systems, digital solutions for crowd management at holy sites, the “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign, and the Makkah Route initiative.
Saudi FM arrives in Thailand on official visit
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Bangkok for an official visit to Thailand on Wednesday.
The prince is set to discuss the relationship between Thailand and Saudi Arabia, leading the Kingdom’s delegation at the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-Thai Coordination Council.
Saudi commission registers 3,202 new heritage sites
- Newly registered sites include 16 in Riyadh, eight in Makkah, one in Qassim, two in the Eastern Province, 3,170 in Asir, two in Hail, one in Najran, and two in Baha
- Commission encouraged citizens and residents to report unregistered heritage sites via the Balagh platform, official social media accounts, or local branches
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has registered 3,202 new sites in the National Urban Heritage Register, bringing the total to 28,202.
This reflects the richness of Saudi Arabia’s heritage and efforts to document and protect it, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The newly registered sites include 16 in Riyadh, eight in Makkah, one in Qassim, two in the Eastern Province, 3,170 in Asir, two in Hail, one in Najran, and two in Baha.
This registration follows the promulgation of the Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage Law; and a decision by the commission’s board of directors authorizing its CEO to register and protect heritage and archaeological sites.
The commission encouraged citizens and residents to report unregistered heritage sites via the Balagh platform, official social media accounts, or local branches.
Saudi FM talks to Singaporean, Russian counterparts
- Prince Faisal signs memorandum of understanding with Singaporean FM
- He spoke to Russia’s Sergey Lavrov by telephone
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited Singapore on Wednesday and met his counterpart, Vivian Balakrishnan, as well as Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Prince Faisal and Balakrishnan signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the Singapore-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council.
Saudi Arabia and Singapore are seeking to increase the volume of trade exchange and strengthen relations in various fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Faisal said that Singapore is a key global financial center and that Saudi Arabia is eager to enhance its cooperation with the country to gain significant economic advantages, the SPA added.
The Saudi minister conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his meeting with Wong.
Wong said on X that he had a productive discussion with Prince Faisal regarding their countries’ relations and developments in the Middle East.
Earlier on Wednesday, Prince Faisal discussed regional developments during a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.
He also arrived in Bangkok for an official visit to Thailand on Wednesday, leading the Kingdom’s delegation at the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-Thai Coordination Council.
