Saudi Arabia played ‘critical role’ in global COVID-19 response

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José Manuel Barroso, Gavi Board Chair. (Supplied)
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Updated 04 April 2022
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Saudi Arabia played ‘critical role’ in global COVID-19 response

  • Saudi Arabia made crucial efforts to help close the global vaccine equity gap, says Gavi board chair

RIYADH: The chair of the board of vaccine group Gavi, José Manuel Barroso, said Saudi Arabia played a critical role in the global COVID-19 response, and made crucial efforts to help close the global vaccine equity gap.

COVAX, the global COVID-19 vaccine initiative, co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, alongside key delivery partner UNICEF, is raising urgent funds to support lower-income countries’ COVID-19 vaccination needs, and Barroso conducted a number of virtual meetings with senior Saudi officials to discuss it.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Barroso, who is also the former prime minister of Portugal and president of the European Commission, said: “I indeed had the pleasure of attending virtual meetings with key officials at the Ministry of Finance in Saudi Arabia and the leadership of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center to discuss COVAX’s ongoing fundraising effort. CEO of Gavi Dr. Seth Berkley spoke to officials at the Ministry of Health to discuss how Saudi Arabia’s support could contribute to our efforts to break COVID in 2022.

Decades before the pandemic, Saudi Arabia invested in its healthcare systems and focused on increasing the number of healthcare workers. This investment and preparation meant that when the pandemic hit, Saudi Arabia was better equipped than most countries to handle the virus.

José Manuel Barroso

“I also had a very positive virtual meeting with Dr. Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, where we agreed to work together on shared objectives for global good and solidarity,” he added.

“Saudi Arabia has played a critical role in the global COVID-19 response. In November 2020, as the chair of the G20 Summit in Riyadh, the country succeeded in mobilizing donors to commit sizable funding to respond internationally to the COVID-19 pandemic, amounting to over $825 million including vaccines, medical supplies and medical equipment for 33 countries.

“This money has helped protect millions of lives, but the pandemic will continue to evolve and we must be prepared.”

There is sufficient supply to meet countries’ COVID-19 vaccine demands, but seeing a new COVID variant emerging every four months, it is absolutely critical that the world avoid the scenario of 2020 when money had to be raised before doses could be secured, Barroso said.

“We have learned the importance of securing funding ahead of time, especially should variant-adapted vaccines be required or if additional annual booster shots are needed. To mitigate against this risk, COVAX is seeking to secure contingent funding of $2.7 billion so that we are ready to place orders for additional vaccines as soon as they are needed.

“This ability to move rapidly is essential not only from a vaccine equity standpoint, but it is also necessary from a health security standpoint. Our focus is also on helping countries protect as many people as possible, which is why we are seeking $1 billion for in-country delivery, to improve both the rollout and uptake of vaccines,” said Barroso.

He pointed out that Saudi Arabia, together with the rest of the GCC states, can also extend stronger support to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.

“Of the 92 countries eligible to receive donor-funded vaccines through the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment, 37 are OIC member states and over 740 million, or over 60 percent of all COVAX vaccine doses, have been delivered to these nations. With Ramadan beginning, it is an opportune time to demonstrate solidarity with low and low-middle income countries,” he said.

“Saudi Arabia allocated $150 million to support the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment, $5.3 million was pledged by KSrelief, and we have also received $2.3 million from the Gamers Without Borders initiative of Saudi Esports. This support, pooled together with funding from other donor countries has enabled COVAX to deliver over 1.4 billion doses worldwide, protecting millions of lives across 144 countries, including 83 lower-income countries and territories.

“Efforts like this are helping to close the global vaccine equity gap, and there has been an increase in global vaccine coverage in recent months.”

However, the world urgently needs to make sure vaccines end up in arms at a faster rate, so as not to leave space for the virus to mutate, he added.

With additional support, he said, Gavi and COVAX can help countries remove barriers preventing vaccine uptake by providing technical assistance, funding for vaccinators and health workers and support to build delivery systems, as they have done over the last few months disbursing over $600 million of delivery funding.

On Saudi Arabia’s successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Barroso said: “Decades before the pandemic, Saudi Arabia invested in its healthcare systems and focused on increasing the number of healthcare workers. This investment and preparation meant that when the pandemic hit, Saudi Arabia was better equipped than most countries to handle the virus.

“This is a great lesson for the world and demonstrates the importance of investing in our health systems and preparing for future pandemics and disease outbreaks. With over 62 million vaccine doses administered, and strong community awareness of COVID-19, Saudi Arabia’s response to the pandemic should be applauded.”

Adding that the pandemic is far from over, he noted: “We are living through the worst pandemic in a hundred years, and while the global vaccine equity gap has started to close, there are still ample differences in vaccine coverage between the poorest and the highest-income countries. There have been over 6 million official deaths from COVID-19 with the global economy shrinking by $12.5 trillion.

“This is not the time for the world to become complacent; we have seen a new variant emerge every four months. In fact, a sub-variant of the highly transmissible omicron version of coronavirus, known as BA.2, is now dominant worldwide, prompting surges in many countries in Europe and Asia,” he added.

Barroso said COVAX has built a global procurement, shipment and delivery system to improve vaccine equity and bring COVID-19 vaccines to lower-income countries, resulting in the delivery of over 1.4 billion doses to 144 countries.

Transparency has been a fundamental part of the process of COVAX management, he added, adding COVAX regularly updates and consults with key partners and governments, and holds targeted briefings.


Saudi energy minister joins launch of consortium to promote sustainable concrete

Updated 26 January 2025
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Saudi energy minister joins launch of consortium to promote sustainable concrete

  • NovusCrete seeks to accelerate adoption of durable saltwater concrete
  • Initiative led by the Oil Sustainability Program and includes leading Saudi organizations

RIYADH: Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Sunday attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding to launch the NovusCrete consortium, a global collaboration to develop and accelerate the adoption of sustainable and durable saltwater concrete.

The consortium, led by the Kingdom's Oil Sustainability Program, also seeks to create standards for using seawater in concrete, promote sustainability in construction by recycling waste, extend infrastructure lifespan, and reduce environmental impact.

Leading Saudi organizations taking part in the consortium include the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Investment Recycling Company, NEOM through its Design and Construction Sector, Sika, and ClimateCrete.

The participating parties said they aim to develop sustainable technologies for concrete production, focusing on reducing the construction sector’s carbon footprint and enhancing material efficiency.

They will also improve Saudi Arabia’s construction sector by promoting seawater concrete solutions using local materials.

The signing ceremony in Riyadh was also attended by Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of PIF; Saad Al-Qasabi, governor of the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization; and Khalid Al-Salem, president of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.

The new consortium includes international organizations, such as the American Concrete Institute.

It aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to balance economic growth and environmental sustainability.


India celebrates 76th Republic Day in Riyadh, highlighting cultural ties with Saudi Arabia

Updated 26 January 2025
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India celebrates 76th Republic Day in Riyadh, highlighting cultural ties with Saudi Arabia

  • ‘Let us continue to work together,’ says Ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan

RIYADH: Ambassador of India to the Kingdom Suhel Ajaz Khan underlined that a mutual appreciation of culture was strengthening ties between Saudi Arabia and India during the latter’s 76th Republic Day celebration in Riyadh.

“A shared love for culture brings our countries together,” he said. “From Bollywood cinema to yoga, music, and food, we have continued to be inspired by each other.

“We were delighted to participate in the annual Riyadh Season 2024 under the Global Harmony Initiative of the Saudi government,” he added, referring to a series of events which began in October to celebrate the culture of the Kingdom’s different expatriate groups.

India’s Republic Day was celebrated on Sunday evening in the Cultural Palace in Riyadh and brought together both Saudis and Indians in a commemoration of culture and history.

Omar Khan, an Indian native who has called the Kingdom his home for nearly three decades, attended the event.

The product manager at STC Technologies told Arab News: “I’m a second-generation, third-culture kid. I’ve seen Republic Days for the past three decades in Saudi Arabia.

“I think one thing that’s very important is the representation of my country. It makes me proud that, although India is a distant land for me and Riyadh is home, I feel very connected, and I see that the partnership of Saudi Arabia and India has grown leaps and bounds.

“I’m very proud to say that I am somebody who grew up in Saudi Arabia and yet is Indian by his roots.”

Indian youngsters took to the stage following the ambassador’s speech to perform a dance routine showcasing their country’s music and culture.

The embassy event also featured multiple booths to highlight the many Indian-owned businesses and products in the Kingdom, in the food, tourism, and medical sectors.

India’s Ministry of Tribal Affairs also had a booth to showcase handmade products from the country, including coats, artifacts, and silk pashminas.

Staff from Aster Sanad Hospital were present to help visitors with medical issues.

The ambassador said: “India will work with our international partners, including Saudi Arabia, to contribute to a world of peace, prosperity, and inclusive growth.

“With these words I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people for their long-standing friendship and support.

“Let us continue to work together to build a future based on mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.”


World Monument Fund to protect historic sites with Bahraini, Saudi, and Gulf partners

Updated 26 January 2025
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World Monument Fund to protect historic sites with Bahraini, Saudi, and Gulf partners

  • There is a lot of interest in heritage of GCC countries, says fund president

MUHARRAQ: On a historical preservation tour around the Arabian Gulf region, the World Monument Fund recently visited the city of Muharraq in Bahrain before visiting Saudi Arabia.

A historically rich city with a story that dates to the late 19th century, Muharraq is the cultural heart of Bahrain.

Prior to gaining independence from British rule in 1971, Muharraq was Bahrain’s capital and center for public and governmental administrative, educational, and planning projects, before being replaced by Manama in 1923.

Bahrain's cultural heart, Muharraq, has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. (AN photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)

Though the city held many significant historical sites, its residents began to leave soon after and the area was left neglected.

Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, president of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and chairperson of the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, founded the Sheikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa Center for Culture and Research in 2002, a non-profit organization, as a form of cultural renaissance.

Since its founding, the center’s purpose has been to form a space where thinkers could gather and share ideas in philosophy, literature, poetry, art, and culture.

FASTFACT

In discussion with the Royal Commission of AlUla and the Heritage Commission for future partnerships, the World Monument Fund is visiting AlUla as well as Historic Jeddah for the Islamic Arts Biennale.

The most significant aspect of its work, however, has been the house restoration projects in Muharraq and Manama, where 28 historical houses, many of which belonged to prominent Bahraini figures and families, have been brought back to life under the leadership of Al-Khalifa.

As the World Monuments Fund celebrates 60 years, the organization is committed to safeguarding heritage around the globe. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)

Over the weekend, a delegation from the World Monument Fund visited the Sheikh Ebrahim Center to see the restored houses firsthand.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the mission of the World Monuments Fund is to safeguard heritage all around the world, Benedicte de Montlaur, president of the fund, told Arab News.

Al-Khalifa was awarded the Watch Award by the World Monument Fund in 2015 and after a few visits to their offices in New York, she was asked to join them as a member of the board of trustees, making her the only Arab on the board.

Bahrain's cultural heart, Muharraq, has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. (AN photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)

In an interview with Arab News, Al-Khalifa said she felt it was her responsibility to keep them informed about the Arab world and all that it has to offer.

“The picture that travels to the world is not always true or complete, and in our Gulf countries there are many landmarks, monuments, and national identities that we would like to showcase,” she said.

The delegation first visited the Abdullah Al-Zayed House for Bahrain Press Heritage, the house of the first journalist to start a daily newspaper in the kingdom and which now hosts local and international speakers from the media sector.

Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa poses for a group picture with visiting guests in Bahrain. (AN photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)

Next up was the Kurar House, where Al-Kurar Ladies spend their time embroidering traditional Bahraini thobes and other garments by hand. Like the strings of an instrument, three women work on the thread separately, and one stitches them together simultaneously on the fabric, creating a harmonious rhythm.

The delegation also got to see the only room left of Sheikh Ebrahim’s original house, a room that dates back around 200 years.

Following the tour of the Sheikh Ebrahim restored houses projects, they also visited the houses of the Pearling Path and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dilmun Burial Grounds.

A delegation from the World Monument Fund recently visited various sites in Bahrain including the Sheikh Ebrahim Center to see historical restored houses. (AN photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)

With over 70 projects in the Arab world including the Louvre, the Smithsonian, and Babylon in Iraq, restoring the Imam Palace in the city of Taizz in Yemen, and Abydos in Egypt, the fund’s next mission is to become more active in the Gulf region.

“We see that there is a lot of interest in heritage in countries from the GCC,” de Montlaur said.

The first stop was Kuwait, where plans are underway to have Failaka Island added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Opera concert at visit of World Monument Fund delegation to Bahrain. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)

After visiting their partners from the UNESCO Regional Center and the Sheikh Ebrahim Center in Bahrain, the delegation’s next destination is Saudi Arabia, “a country that is devoting a lot of time and energy at the moment to heritage,” de Montlaur said.

In discussion with the Royal Commission of AlUla and the Heritage Commission for future partnerships, the World Monument Fund is visiting AlUla as well as Historic Jeddah for the Islamic Arts Biennale.

“If you do not know your past, it is very difficult to build a future because you lose your identity,” de Montlaur said. “Especially in countries like here, that are developing really fast … it is extremely important also to pay attention to heritage places because it is very easy to destroy them, but when they are gone, they’re gone. They cannot be rebuilt.

As the World Monuments Fund celebrates 60 years, the organization is committed to safeguarding heritage around the globe. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)

“Once you have lost the spirit of a place and built modern buildings everywhere, then you have lost touch with your past.”

Preserving the land’s past also draws in crowds of tourists who get to experience each country’s distinct identity and history for the first time to learn about the place and its people, de Montlaur added.

“Heritage places represent the pinnacle of human achievements of history.”

A delegation from the World Monument Fund recently visited various sites in Bahrain including the Sheikh Ebrahim Center to see historical restored houses. (AN photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)

On how the Arab world can work together to create a stronger stance for historical preservation, de Montlaur said: “I think it is already happening,” citing the various projects in Iraq, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, etc.

She also added: “There is a big need for heritage preservation in other countries outside of the GCC, so they could align their forces.

“There is so much need in Egypt, in Gaza … in Syria … and I think what is very much part of the Arab countries is this solidarity, they can all unite around this heritage because this is the heritage of all the Arabs.”

Al-Khalifa added: “In Gaza, many landmarks have been destroyed, part of the upcoming plan is restoring some of those sites.

“It’s really a heritage of humanity as a whole and that is why every one of us, whether we are from the region or not, should care about it. But before anything else, it is the history and identity of the Arabs,” de Montlaur noted.

Speaking on the shared language and culture that unite Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Al-Khalifa, who is also a part of the Royal Commission of AlUla, said that emotions and love between peoples are what bond them forever.

“This visit is not only to Bahrain but to our Gulf,” she said. “We always repeat: our Gulf is one, our goals are one, and our history is shared; so everything that distinguishes us — from identity to monuments — is an extension of civilizations thousands of years old.”

 


Saudi permanent representative presents credentials to UNESCO chief

Updated 26 January 2025
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Saudi permanent representative presents credentials to UNESCO chief

  • Abdulelah Altokhais is seeking to strengthen Kingdom’s cooperation with UN agency
  • Paris talks focus on collaboration to promote coexistence among peoples and cultures

RIYADH: Abdulelah Altokhais, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to UNESCO, presented his credentials to Audrey Azoulay, the organization’s director-general, at its headquarters in Paris on Sunday.

The Kingdom’s mission to the UN-affiliated agency wrote on the X platform that Altokhias is “continuing Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen joint cooperation with UNESCO and member states toward a better-shared future.”

During his meeting with Azoulay, Altokhais reviewed Saudi Arabia’s contributions to numerous UNESCO projects through its role in the organization’s Executive Council and membership of the World Heritage Committee.

He emphasized the need to enhance collaboration with UNESCO to promote peace and coexistence among peoples and cultures.

Altokhais studied philosophy at the University of Florida, and has worked in the cultural heritage, planning, and tourism fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


Jeddah governor receives Portuguese ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Updated 26 January 2025
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Jeddah governor receives Portuguese ambassador to Saudi Arabia

  • The two men discussed issues of mutual interest

JEDDAH: Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, the governor of Jeddah, received Nuno Mathias, Portugal’s ambassador Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah on Sunday.

During the meeting, the two men discussed issues of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Abdulelah bin Ali Al-Tokhais, the permanent delegate of the Kingdom to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, presented his credentials to Audrey Azoulay, the organization’s director-general, continuing Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen cooperation between UNESCO and member states, the official account @KSAForUNESCO wrote on X.