Adel Al-Jubeir appointed Saudi climate envoy by royal decree

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir has been appointed as envoy for climate affairs. (File/AFP)
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Updated 30 May 2022
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Adel Al-Jubeir appointed Saudi climate envoy by royal decree

  • Abdulrahman bin Ahmed bin Hamdan Al-Harbi was appointed as the Kingdom’s ambassador to China
  • Dr. Najem bin Abdulla Al-Zaid was appointed as Deputy Minister of Justice

RIYADH: Adel Al-Jubeir was appointed as envoy for climate affairs as part of a host of royal decrees issued on Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Jubeir will keep his Minister of State for Foreign Affairs portfolio and member of the Council of Ministers status.

Abdulrahman bin Ahmed bin Hamdan Al-Harbi was appointed as the Kingdom’s ambassador to China and was relieved of his former position as governor of the General Authority for Foreign Trade.

Dr. Najem bin Abdulla Al-Zaid was appointed as Deputy Minister of Justice.

Other royal decrees include:

Abdul Rahman bin Suleiman Al-Siyari is appointed as a member of the Shoura Council.

Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami is promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General and appointed director of the General Directorate of Public Security.

Maj. Gen. Nayef bin Majid bin Saud is promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General.

Ahmed bin Abdulaziz bin Ibrahim Al-Issa is appointed as director of the General Directorate of Investigation.

Abdulrahman bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Kanhal is appointed as an advisor at the Royal Court.Hamood bin Badah Al-Muraikhi is appointed as an advisor at the Royal Court.

Tariq bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faris is appointed as an advisor to the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.

Badr bin Abdul Mohsen bin Abdullah bin Hadab is appointed as assistant to the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers and is relieved of his former position as assistant to the Saudi commerce minister.

Khalid bin Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Salem is appointed as chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.

Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah is relieved of his post as chairman of the board of directors at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, and is replaced by Fahad Al-Jalajel.


Training program in Asir focuses on traditional wall decoration

Updated 5 sec ago
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Training program in Asir focuses on traditional wall decoration

RIYADH: The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, known as Wrth, in collaboration with Soudah Development Co., has opened registration for a specialized training program on Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art.

This centuries-old art form, traditionally painted by women on the walls of homes in the Asir region, features murals with straight lines, triangles, circles, and squares.

Al-Qatt Al-Asiri gained international recognition in 2017 when it was added to UNESCO’s Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Scheduled for July 27-31 in Asir, the program lets participants explore the history and aesthetics of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, learning the traditional methods with geometric patterns and engravings inspired by the local environment.

It also offers hands-on training in creating natural colors and mastering traditional techniques, the SPA added.

The Arabic term “qatt” means lines, carvings, or cuttings, and represents the detailed interior work done by women. Colors flow gracefully from their hands in a style known as qattatah, forming patterns based on the nature of the surface.

Drawing inspiration from local culture, it showcases intricate geometric patterns reflecting the landscape and the vibrant colors of nature.

Artisans use colors derived from limestone, clays, plants, or powders, prepared with stabilizers and gloss agents. Primary red, yellow, and blue are complemented by green, orange, white, and black.


Biotech deal to enhance poultry safety, quality

Updated 31 min 8 sec ago
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Biotech deal to enhance poultry safety, quality

Riyadh: The National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program has partnered with global biotech firm PhageGuard and Saudi poultry producer Tanmiah Food Co. to introduce advanced solutions promoting sustainable livestock production.

The memorandum of understanding, signed in the presence of Vice Minister Mansour Al-Mushaiti, supports Saudi Arabia’s goal to improve product quality and competitiveness locally and globally.

The deal aims to enhance the quality and safety of local products by adopting innovative solutions that reduce health and environmental risks, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Under the MoU, PhageGuard will provide its biotechnology solutions through its local agent, Portalis Capital, to Tanmiah Food Co., which will implement and localize these technologies in the Saudi market.

The deal supports poultry sector development, boosts operational and production efficiency, and fosters a knowledge- and innovation-driven livestock industry, the SPA reported.

It focuses on bacteriophage technology as a biological alternative to traditional antibiotics, addressing concerns over antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These phages target Salmonella bacteria, helping reduce its spread, lower antibiotic use and promote safer food production.

Applying this technology will help mitigate foodborne illness risks from salmonella in poultry and eggs, enhancing product quality and safety and strengthening competitiveness in local and global markets.


Kingdom arrests 23,167 illegals in one week

Updated 36 min 33 sec ago
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Kingdom arrests 23,167 illegals in one week

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 23,167 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 14,525 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 5,511 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,131 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,593 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 69 percent were Ethiopian, 30 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 41 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 22 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($267,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.


Saudi Arabia to support education for Yemeni children

Updated 19 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia to support education for Yemeni children

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has signed a cooperation agreement to support education for children affected by conflict in the Al-Hawtah and Tuban districts of Yemen’s Lahij governorate, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The project, in partnership with a local civil society organization, will directly benefit 6,833 people and indirectly reach 16,000 others, according to the report.

The agreement was signed via video conference by Ahmed Al-Baiz, KSrelief’s assistant supervisor-general for operations and programs.

The project will include awareness campaigns promoting education — with a particular focus on encouraging school attendance among girls; the distribution of school bags, uniforms, and hygiene kits; the provision of psychological and social support, child protection services, and referral mechanisms; teacher training for volunteers; and the provision of materials for classrooms.

Selected classrooms will also be refurbished “to improve the learning environment,” the SPA stated.

The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian efforts through KSrelief, with the aim of supporting education and protecting children in crisis areas, ensuring access to a safe and sustainable learning environment.


Saudi Arabia suspends seven Umrah companies for housing pilgrims in unlicensed accommodations

Updated 19 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia suspends seven Umrah companies for housing pilgrims in unlicensed accommodations

  • The violations came as part of the Hajj and Umrah ministry’s oversight efforts to improve quality of services
  • The ministry called on all Umrah companies, institutions to fully comply with approved regulations, instructions

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended seven Umrah companies over violations of regulatory controls, including housing pilgrims in unlicensed accommodations, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported this week.

The violations were identified as part of the ministry’s ongoing oversight efforts to improve the quality of services provided to the ‘Guests of God,’ according to the SPA report.

“The Ministry explained that these violations constitute serious transgressions that affect the safety and comfort of pilgrims,” it said.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said it had immediately begun taking legal measures against the violating companies in preparation for the implementation of the penalties stipulated by the law, according to the report.

“The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah affirmed its keenness to ensure that pilgrims receive their full rights, in accordance with the highest standards of quality and efficiency, stressing that it will not be lenient with any party that fails to fulfill its contractual obligations or endangers the safety of pilgrims,” the report read further.

The ministry called on all Umrah companies and institutions to fully comply with the approved regulations and instructions, and to ensure the provision of agreed-upon services within the specified timetables to contribute to enhancing the experience of pilgrims and achieving their satisfaction during their stay in the Kingdom.