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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a call on Wednesday to Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The pair discussed ways of enhancing bilateral relations in all fields.
The call also reviewed issues of mutual interest.
RIYADH: The 161st Ministerial Council meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council, chaired by Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and attended by GCC ministers of foreign affairs, was held in Riyadh on Monday.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the GCC held three separate ministerial meetings with Russia, India and Brazil to open new horizons for cooperation.
The seventh GCC-Russia strategic dialogue ministerial meeting was held with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the GCC-India meeting with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and the GCC-Brazil meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji attended all the meetings.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi underlined that the joint ministerial meetings aim to strengthen strategic relations with countries and organizations.
Participants examined GCC-Russian relations and explored opportunities to strengthen and expand cooperation. They also discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis and the international community’s efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution and support initiatives aimed at ensuring global peace and security.
The meeting emphasized the need for increased coordination on regional and international issues, as well as the importance of multilateral cooperation and stronger economic collaboration to achieve the global Sustainable Development Goals.
Albudaiwi underlined that the meeting is “a continuation of the considerable efforts made by both sides to strengthen friendly relations that fulfill their aspirations, particularly given that this dialogue serves as a permanent platform for discussion at the ministerial level, as it facilitates the exchange of views on key issues of mutual concern, including threats to regional and global security, as well as exploring ways to enhance cooperation in various fields to serve common interests.”
He also reaffirmed the GCC’s solidarity with the Palestinian people, demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to military operations by Israel’s occupying forces, and stressing the importance of ensuring access to all humanitarian and relief aid and essential needs for the residents of Gaza, alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people.
During the first GCC-India meeting, Albudaiwi said that the relations between the GCC countries and India are historical and deep rooted, extending over several centuries and built on foundations of mutual trust and fruitful cooperation, stating that these relations continuously witness significant developments, reflecting the strong will of both parties to enhance the partnership in various fields.
The meeting covered a range of topics, including the joint action plan and ways of bolstering cooperation between the GCC and India. Discussions also focused on reinforcing bilateral and multilateral coordination to enhance international security and peace.
Albudaiwi said: “Today's meeting will contribute to strengthen the ties between us and open new horizons for joint cooperation, as we stand before a great opportunity to enhance collaboration in the various areas addressed in the memorandum of understanding and to implement the joint action plan that has been reached between the GCC and India for the period (2024-2028).”
In his opening remarks, Jaishankar said: “Our meeting today is not just an occasion to reflect on our achievements but an opportunity to chart an ambitious and far-reaching course for the future.
“The relationship between India and the GCC is rooted in a rich tapestry of history, culture, and shared values. These bonds have grown stronger with time, evolving into partnerships that span economics, energy, defense, technology, education, people-to-people ties, and beyond,” the Indian minister said.
Jaishankar said that the framework to grow GCC-India cooperation details “the three Ps: people, prosperity, progress.” He said that close to nine million Indians live and work in the GCC. “Our interactions are key to driving prosperity in the GCC and in India.”
The Indian minister also emphasized that the GCC is a cornerstone of energy supply.
The meeting discussed several reports regarding the implementation of decisions made by the Supreme Council of the GCC during the 44th summit held in Doha in December 2023. The meeting also reviewed memoranda and reports submitted by the ministerial and technical committees and the GCC General Secretariat, as well as topics related to dialogues and strategic relations between GCC member states and various countries and global blocs.
JEDDAH: A newly commissioned Pakistani warship, PNS Hunain, visited Jeddah on its first international voyage and conducted a bilateral exercise with the Kingdom’s naval forces, Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia said on Sunday.
PNS Hunain, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, was commissioned into the Pakistan Navy in July this year during a ceremony held at Constanta Port in Romania.
The vessel is equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems and is designed for multi-purpose operations, including anti-ship and anti-air warfare.
It also supports search and rescue missions, maritime security operations and can embark helicopters for extended operations.
“The newly commissioned PNS Hunain visited #Jeddah on its maiden voyage,” the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh informed in a social media post. “Also conducted bilateral exercise with #RSNF Ship Al Riyadh.”
The Pakistan Navy regularly participates in both bilateral and multilateral exercises, particularly with regional countries, to enhance interoperability and ensure collective maritime security.
It is also actively involved in addressing non-traditional threats such as piracy, contributing to the safe passage of trade through critical sea lanes, particularly in the Indian Ocean.
RIYADH: Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz University has won a gold medal at the 9th International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada.
The university also received a special international award from the World Invention Intellectual Property Associations, and the best video presentation award out of over 700 participants for its project “Fasyla.”
The “Fasyla” project, for which the team was recognized, is an innovative design system that engages users in environmental work using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and LIDAR, or light detection and ranging.
Hassan Al-Sulami, the “Fasyla” project team leader, told Arab News: “Winning this award was not easy. We faced many challenges, including preparation difficulties and initial fears with over 700 participants from 50 countries.
“However, through extensive training, we earned the best presentation award and received praise from international judges.”
The “Fasyla” system guides users on effective planting and cultivation methods based on city targets. Users earn points that can be redeemed for valuable prizes through partnerships with various companies, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The system integrates company efforts and social responsibility initiatives to support global climate goals and promote sustainability.
The team are looking forward to presenting the project at the Global CSR Forum in Riyadh on Oct. 28. They will showcase it to the National Center for Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, through the National Center for Wildlife, hosted the 10th Regional Forum of the International Union for Conservation of Nature for West Asia in Riyadh on Monday.
The event was held under the patronage of Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, minister of environment, water and agriculture, and chairman of the center’s board.
The three-day forum gathered more than 200 experts representing union members from West Asia, along with key authorities from the region and the West Asia Regional Office.
The forum addressed nature conservation challenges in West Asia, facilitated program planning, and discussed the region’s participation in the 2025 World Conservation Congress.
It also focused on preparations for the event and enhancing regional cooperation to boost biodiversity preservation.
Mohammed Ali Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, said: “Hosting this forum highlights our commitment to preserving the environment and wildlife, while supporting sustainable human, social, and economic development.”
He said the forum aligns with Saudi Arabia’s environmental initiatives, including the launch of protected area system plans, which aim to conserve 30 percent of the Kingdom’s land and marine territories by 2030 under the Saudi Green Initiative.
The forum covered topics such as training on nature-based solutions, integrating reserves into the IUCN Green List, sustainable land restoration, and using innovative techniques for monitoring and combating desertification.
Razan Al-Mubarak, president of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, said: “The successive challenges facing our region, West Asia, such as water scarcity and extreme heat, require a collaborative and creative approach that increases spending on the environment and sustainability.
“Finally, I cannot stress enough the importance of involving the active and inclusive role of local communities in the various regions of West Asia. We must work together to develop realistic and effective solutions and implement them in a way that takes into account the diversity of cultures in our region.”
The forum, held every four years, promotes communication and collaboration among West Asia members, providing a platform for exchanging ideas, addressing environmental challenges and developing conservation strategies.
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan inspected the second phase of the King Fahd Cultural Center’s development project in Riyadh, set to open in April 2025.
The project involves renovating exhibition halls, theaters, offices and a restaurant, as well as developing the external area and green spaces, following the completion of the first phase last April.
Prince Badr toured the sections restored and developed in the first phase, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The first phase launched a major theater with 2,750 seats. It hosted the debut of Zarqa Al-Yamama Opera, Saudi Arabia’s first and the largest Arabic opera globally, produced by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission.
The center also hosted the fourth National Cultural Awards on Monday, honoring cultural pioneers from various fields under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Prince Badr also visited the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language in Riyadh, where he reviewed the academy’s initiatives in language planning, computational linguistics, educational and cultural programs.
He praised the academy’s efforts in promoting the Arabic language locally and internationally, and highlighted the importance of collective efforts in advancing the language.
The minister toured the Arabic Language Exhibition for Children, which features interactive tools designed to teach Arabic.
He also visited the Abjad Center for Teaching Arabic, which offers advanced curricula for non-native speakers, and met students from various countries.
Prince Badr concluded his visit at the Arabic Intelligence Center, where he was briefed on AI tools for Arabic-language processing and preservation in the digital space.
