Saudi Cabinet intends Sudan donor conference to support humanitarian efforts

A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on May 19, 2023 shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the Arab League Summit in Jeddah. (AFP / HO / SPA / File)
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Updated 14 June 2023
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Saudi Cabinet intends Sudan donor conference to support humanitarian efforts

  • Saudi Arabia would co-chair the conference with Qatar, Egypt, Germany, the UN OCHA, the EU, and the UNHCR
  • Saudi cabinet reaffirms kingdom's continued efforts to bring conflicting sides closer to end crisis through political dialogue

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will host on June 19 the “Donor Conference for Sudan and the Region” to provide humanitarian support for Sudan during the ongoing crises.

A Foreign Ministry statement on Tuesday said that Saudi Arabia would co-chair the conference with Qatar, Egypt, Germany, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the EU, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The Cabinet on Tuesday expressed the Kingdom’s aspiration for a wide participation in the conference, reaffirming its continued efforts to bring the conflicting sides closer to end the crisis through political dialogue.

In a different arena, the Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the ministerial meeting to defeat Daesh, which was held in Riyadh, regarding mechanisms and procedures aimed at enhancing cooperation and coordinating joint efforts in this field. It backed the Kingdom’s chairmanship of the focus group on African affairs to confront Daesh, and working to establish a focus group to combat the organization of ISIS Khorasan in Afghanistan.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken following the ministerial meeting that threat of the terrorist organization is not limited to Sahel countries, but rather extends to the whole world. 

He added that the Kingdom is making great efforts to combat the financing of Daesh.

Blinken said that the US would provide nearly $150 million in aid for areas in Syria and Iraq that were liberated from the Daesh extremist group.

The Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh includes more than 80 countries and continues to coordinate action against the extremist group, which at its height controlled large parts of Syria and Iraq. 

At the Cabinet meeting chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, the officials discussed the results of the joint ministerial meeting between the GCC foreign ministers and the United States, citing aspects of the strategic partnerships between aimed at enhancing peace, security, stability, integration and economic prosperity in the Middle East.

The Cabinet reiterated, during the second ministerial meeting between the Arab League and the Pacific Small Island Developing States, the Kingdom’s keenness to confront the mutual and urgent global challenges, including food security, supply chains, climate change and sustainable development.

The meeting, which was hosted in Riyadh, expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host Expo 2030. 

Discussing the 10th Arab-China Business Conference, the ministers commended the unprecedented number of attendance, which exceeded 3,500 participants representing 26 countries, and the signing of agreements with a total value of over $10 billion. 

The agreements signed in the Kingdom focused on various sectors including technology, renewables, agriculture, real estate, minerals, supply chains, tourism, and healthcare.

According to the Investment Ministry, the Saudi government signed deals with several Chinese entities for projects including a joint venture for automotive research, development, manufacturing and sales, development of tourism and other apps, and production of rail wagons and wheels in the Kingdom.

Locally, The ministers commended the IMF’s praising of the remarkable growth in the Saudi economy as a result of the continued development of the non-oil sector at a high pace, the tangible recovery in investments, and the continued implementation of economic reforms aimed at achieving comprehensive and sustainable growth.


KSrelief to host 4th Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum in February 2025

Updated 20 min 40 sec ago
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KSrelief to host 4th Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum in February 2025

  • Themed “Navigating the Future of Humanitarian Response,” the forum will coincide with KSrelief’s 10th anniversary

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center will host the fourth Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum on Feb. 24-25 next year, under the patronage of King Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Themed “Navigating the Future of Humanitarian Response,” the forum will coincide with KSrelief’s 10th anniversary and is being organized in partnership with UN humanitarian agencies.

It will bring together global leaders, donors, humanitarian workers, and experts to address pressing challenges in humanitarian aid.

The event will also feature high-level panel discussions with renowned researchers and specialists from Saudi Arabia and around the world.

Topics will include the role of humanitarian diplomacy in mitigating conflicts and disasters, strategies for effective delivery of aid and relief supplies, and addressing displacement amid escalating conflicts and natural disasters, SPA added.

KSrelief, Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian arm, continues to play a pivotal role in addressing crises and supporting vulnerable communities worldwide, and the forum underscores its commitment to fostering dialogue and innovation in the humanitarian sector.

The previous edition of the forum in 2023 concluded with recommendations to minimize funding gaps in relief aid and leverage science and innovation for quicker response and improved coordination in humanitarian efforts.


Muslim World League chief meets Pope Francis in Vatican City

Updated 23 December 2024
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Muslim World League chief meets Pope Francis in Vatican City

  • During his visit to Italy, Al-Issa received an honorary fellowship in post-doctoral law studies from the University of Bologna

RIYADH: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League, met Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, in the Vatican to discuss mutual cooperation and shared interests.

During his visit to Italy, Al-Issa received an honorary fellowship in post-doctoral law studies from the University of Bologna.

The ceremony was attended by the university’s president, the law faculty’s dean, academics, and religious leaders from both Islamic and Catholic communities.

The honor recognized Al-Issa’s efforts in advancing the goals of the UN Charter, promoting peace, reducing cultural tensions, and fostering mutual understanding and collaboration among communities.

The MWL chief emphasized that the reasons for awarding him the post-doctoral fellowship in law from one of the most prestigious Western universities “reflect our Islamic values, which we must clarify to everyone.”

As part of his visit, Al-Issa launched the Islamic Studies and Arabic Language Award at the Catholic University of Milan.

The event was attended by high-level Vatican officials, marking the launch of a groundbreaking initiative to promote the teaching of the Arabic language and Islamic studies in Europe.

Islamic leaders described the award as a long-awaited step on an influential platform within Christian communities. The award includes categories that clarify Islamic concepts and promote the beauty and importance of the Arabic language.


Saudi wildlife center releases 66 endangered animals in King Khalid Royal Reserve

Updated 23 December 2024
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Saudi wildlife center releases 66 endangered animals in King Khalid Royal Reserve

  • 40 rhim gazelles, 10 Arabian oryx, 10 houbara bustards and 6 idmi gazelles released as part of wider initiative to enhance biodiversity and restore ecological balance
  • Solar-powered tracking devices fitted to some of the animals to monitor patterns of movement, behaviors and how they adapt to their environment 

RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife has released 66 endangered native animals into the King Khalid Royal Reserve in Al-Thumamah region of northeastern Riyadh.

Forty rhim gazelles, 10 Arabian oryx, 10 houbara bustards and six idmi gazelles were released as part of a wider ongoing initiative, in partnership with the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority, that aims to enhance biodiversity, restore ecological balance, promote sustainability, and support eco-tourism in the reserve, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“This release is a significant step toward maintaining ecological systems and promoting biodiversity,” said Mohammed Qurban, the CEO of the wildlife center.

The stated aim of organization is to become a global leader in wildlife protection, by focusing on breeding endangered species and reintroducing them into natural ecosystems in line with international conservation standards.

Qurban said the center is dedicated to conducting research on endangered species and monitoring biodiversity in protected areas using advanced technologies that track animal populations and collect data that is critical in efforts to address conservation challenges and opportunities.

Talal Al-Harigi, CEO of the development authority, said solar-powered tracking devices have been fitted to some of the released animals. These will enable researchers to monitor them via satellite to gain valuable insights into their patterns of movement, behaviors and how they adapt to their environment.

The initiative also helps to support efforts to restore ecological balance and increase vegetation cover in the reserve, which essential to help species adapt to natural habitats, he added.


City governor launches $160m first phase of Madinah Gate project

Updated 23 December 2024
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City governor launches $160m first phase of Madinah Gate project

  • Development will comprise apartments, hotel, retail units, bus station

MADINAH: Madinah governor Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz on Monday launched the $160 million first phase of the Madinah Gate project.

The mixed-use development will comprise a 325-bedroom DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, 80 shops, 44 restaurants, apartments, recreational facilities and a bus station, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It will also have a direct connection to the Haramain High-Speed Railway, which links Madinah with Makkah.

Madinah Gate — the first two phases of which will span 37,000 sq. meters — is being developed as a collaboration between Saudi Arabia Railways and developer Knowledge Economic City Co., with support from the city’s authorities.

Amin Shaker, chairman of the development company, said the project — its first in southern Madinah — would help strengthen the city’s status as a global visitor destination.


New partnership set to drive Kingdom’s architecture industry

Updated 23 December 2024
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New partnership set to drive Kingdom’s architecture industry

  • Deal will help promote local talent, foster innovation

RIYADH: The Architecture and Design Commission has signed a strategic partnership with contracting firm Nesma & Partners to promote the Kingdom’s architecture and design industry.

The commission’s CEO Sumayah Al-Solaiman and Nesma’s Managing Director Rami Al-Turki on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for collaboration in professional development and industry innovation.

The partnership aims to prepare a new generation of Saudi professionals to compete on the world stage and reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub for architecture and design excellence.

“The initiative aims to empower architects and designers to develop their skills and enhance their capabilities, creating an environment that nurtures Saudi talent while fostering innovation and creativity in the sector,” Al-Solaiman said.

It would also help to advance the commission’s mission to forge strategic alliances with industry leaders, she said.

Under the deal, the two sides will cooperate in areas such as industry best practice, knowledge exchange and professional workshops. It will also involve the joint sponsorship of competitions, awards and conferences.

“As a leading Saudi contractor, we are committed to providing training and creating employment opportunities for Saudi architects,” Al-Turki said.

“Our strategic partnership with the commission reflects our values of innovation, excellence and social responsibility.”

The initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals for sector development, focusing on building a sustainable ecosystem for architecture and design professionals.

The commission emphasized its commitment to advancing scientific research and creating an integrated environment that supports the sector’s creative community.