Japan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Iwai participates in Secretariat General of GCC meeting

Japanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Iwai Fumio at the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Riyadh. (Twitter: IwaiFumio)
Short Url
Updated 18 October 2022
Follow

Japan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Iwai participates in Secretariat General of GCC meeting

  • Iwai held talks with the Director General of the Office of the Technical Secretariat for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade Faisal Abdullah Al-Muhaidib

DUBAI: Japanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Iwai Fumio participated at the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Riyadh on Sunday.

Iwai held discussions with the Director General of the Office of the Technical Secretariat for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade Faisal Abdullah Al-Muhaidib.

The two discussed trade relations between Japan and other gulf states in the Middle East region.

Iwai tweeted: “Yesterday, at the headquarters of the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, I held discussions with His Excellency Mr. Faisal Abdullah Al-Muhaidib, Director General of the Office of the Technical Secretariat for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade, on trade relations between Japan and the Arab Gulf states.”

 

 

Japan relies heavily on the Gulf states for crude oil imports and the country is working on strengthening its relations in other sectors beyond oil and energy.

Originally published in Arab News Japan.


Oud, sandalwood planting initiative launched in Madinah

Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan has launched a project to cultivate agarwood and sandalwood trees across the region. (SPA)
Updated 16 sec ago
Follow

Oud, sandalwood planting initiative launched in Madinah

  • Project aims to cultivate environmentally and economically valuable tree species like coffee and sandalwood

RIYADH: Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan has launched a project to cultivate agarwood and sandalwood trees across the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event was attended by Dhafer Al-Fahad, CEO of the Jazan Mountainous Development Authority, and featured a presentation highlighting the authority’s work, achievements, and partnerships.

Prince Salman emphasized the initiative’s strategic role in promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the region’s vegetation.

The project aims to cultivate environmentally and economically valuable tree species like coffee and sandalwood, support the local economy, and raise awareness about biodiversity conservation in the Madinah region, aligning with the environmental goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.

The green initiative, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in March 2021, plans to plant 450 million trees by 2030 and rehabilitate 8 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, which would cut about 200 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year.


Saudi cabinet praises results of Syrian delegation talks in Riyadh

Updated 18 min 25 sec ago
Follow

Saudi cabinet praises results of Syrian delegation talks in Riyadh

The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by King Salman, praised on Tuesday the outcomes of recent talks held between senior Saudi officials and a high-ranking delegation from Syria's new administration.

The cabinet reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting Syria's security and stability, as well as continuing its humanitarian and relief assistance to the Syrian people.

In a statement following the session, Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari highlighted the Kingdom's rejection and condemnation of Israeli crimes against Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing Saudi Arabia's stance on international law and humanitarian principles.

Domestically, the cabinet reviewed the progress of development programs aimed at enhancing services for citizens and diversifying the economy, alongside updates on various agenda topics, including those coordinated with the Shura Council and other government bodies.


New deal to provide disability support in Yemen

Updated 07 January 2025
Follow

New deal to provide disability support in Yemen

RIYADH: The Children with Disability Association and the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen signed a cooperation agreement to support Yemenis with disabilities and improve the skills of workers in the field.

Prince Sultan bin Salman, special adviser to King Salman and chairman of the association, and Mohammed Al-Jaber, the program’s general supervisor, signed the agreement in Riyadh.

Prince Sultan said that the memorandum builds on the association’s efforts to address disability-related challenges.

It aims to provide advisory services for launching medical rehabilitation centers for people with different disabilities, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Prince Sultan acknowledged King Salman’s support for the association, which has helped it expand services across the Kingdom.

The agreement also aims to share expertise, promote partnerships and organize activities to improve community integration for children with disabilities, the SPA reported.

The collaboration is part of the program’s broader efforts to support individuals with disabilities and other groups in Yemen.


Hail’s traditional doors and carvings draw crowds to Handicrafts Festival

Updated 07 January 2025
Follow

Hail’s traditional doors and carvings draw crowds to Handicrafts Festival

  • The pavilion also features Islamic plaster engravings inspired by the local environment

RIYADH: Visitors from across the region and beyond are being drawn to the wooden doors and gypsum carvings pavilion at the Handicrafts Festival in Hail, all keen to see the craftsmanship behind the traditional works.

Inspired by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the designation of 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts,” the festival celebrates the rich heritage of such skills and highlights their cultural and economic significance.

Craftsman Abdullah Al-Khazam explained that creating wooden doors and carvings, including those of old Hail houses made from tamarisk and other woods, demanded exceptional skill and attention to detail.

The difference between Najdi doors made with three beams while Hail doors are crafted with four (SPA)

He highlighted the difference the difference between Najdi doors, made with three beams, and Hail doors, which are crafted with four, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The pavilion also features Islamic plaster engravings inspired by the local environment, a hallmark of Najdi architecture used to adorn buildings, entrances, and majlis, or council rooms.

Replicas of traditional engravings from historical Hail majlis are on display, with many visitors expressing an interest in acquiring the pieces to decorate their own homes.

Also on display are drawings and engravings from ancient clay houses, including Qur’anic verses, sayings, decorative patterns, and depictions of trees and plants.

The festival takes place at Qishlah Palace in Hail until Jan. 9.


Saudi Interior Ministry confirms ban on transferring or publishing security surveillance camera recordings

Updated 07 January 2025
Follow

Saudi Interior Ministry confirms ban on transferring or publishing security surveillance camera recordings

  • Anyone who violates the rule will be punished with a fine of SR20,000 ($5,327), interior ministry says

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry confirmed that the provisions of the “Use of Security Surveillance Cameras” law prohibit the transfer or publication of security surveillance camera recordings.

Security surveillance camera recordings can only be transferred or published with the approval of the ministry or the Presidency of State Security, based on a judicial order, or at the request of an investigating authority.

The ministry explained that anyone who violates this rule will be punished with a fine of SR20,000 ($5,327).

This includes anyone who transfers or publishes recordings in violation of the law or damages or vandalizes security surveillance camera systems or recordings.