Jeddah meeting to discuss future of marine ecosystems

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Experts, researchers, and decision-makers in marine environment protection from within and outside the Kingdom will attend International Coral Reef Initiative meeting in Jeddah. (Supplied)
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Experts, researchers, and decision-makers in marine environment protection from within and outside the Kingdom will attend International Coral Reef Initiative meeting in Jeddah. (Supplied)
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Experts, researchers, and decision-makers in marine environment protection from within and outside the Kingdom will attend International Coral Reef Initiative meeting in Jeddah. (Supplied)
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Experts, researchers, and decision-makers in marine environment protection from within and outside the Kingdom will attend International Coral Reef Initiative meeting in Jeddah. (Supplied)
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Experts, researchers, and decision-makers in marine environment protection from within and outside the Kingdom will attend International Coral Reef Initiative meeting in Jeddah. (Supplied)
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Experts, researchers, and decision-makers in marine environment protection from within and outside the Kingdom will attend International Coral Reef Initiative meeting in Jeddah. (Supplied)
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Updated 07 September 2024
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Jeddah meeting to discuss future of marine ecosystems

 

— International Coral Reef Initiative to focus on protection, sustainability, blue economy growth

Arab News

RIYADH: The 38th meeting of the International Coral Reef Initiative will be held in Jeddah from Sept. 9 to 13, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Experts, researchers, and decision-makers in marine environment protection from within and outside the Kingdom will attend the event.

The meeting will aim to exchange knowledge, address challenges, and discuss future trends in coral reef protection.

The initiative, comprising 45 countries that cover 75 percent of the world’s coral reefs, serves as a global platform to protect marine ecosystems.

The meeting’s goals include improving coral reef conservation methods against threats like climate change, pollution, and unsustainable fishing, while fostering collaboration between governments, nongovernmental organizations, and private companies.

It will focus on organizing blue economy activities to balance economic development with environmental sustainability, and empowering human capacities through knowledge exchange and training.

The event will also explore ways to raise societal awareness of the importance of coral reefs for biodiversity and the blue economy.

Khaled bin Mohammad Asfahani, CEO of the General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea, expressed gratitude for the Kingdom’s leadership and the organization's regulatory tools to oversee coral reef protection in the Red Sea.

He highlighted the organization’s global recognition and support from international conservation groups, including the International Coral Reef Initiative, due to its resources and expertise.

Asfahani said: “We welcome the arrival of a group of scientists, researchers and decision-makers to engage in a discussion regarding the most recent advancements in coral reef conservation and to share their ideas and experiences.

“This will ensure the sustainability of marine environmental resources and economic development, as well as provide the requisite information to support decision-making.”

Asfahani emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainable development and coral reef protection — reflected in hosting the meeting — which aligns with Vision 2030’s goals of fostering international cooperation, developing human capacities, raising environmental awareness, and advancing research and innovation in marine conservation.


Japan ambassador attends manga exhibition in Riyadh

Updated 15 January 2025
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Japan ambassador attends manga exhibition in Riyadh

  • ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition held to mark 70 years of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan

RIYADH: Japan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Yasunari Morino attended the opening ceremony of the “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition here on Tuesday.

Held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art, the show is one of many upcoming events celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The exhibition celebrates the work of renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.

In his speech, Morino said it was a “delight to see more and more Saudi people enjoying the Japanese culture from (the) traditional to contemporary.”

He added that he was happy to see “Saudi artists being inspired by the Japanese manga to create their artworks.”

“I sincerely hope this exhibition will make another footprint of the Japanese culture in KSA and give a great impact in the Saudi art scene,” he said.

The exhibition has been organized in cooperation with the Saudi Museums Commission and the Japan Foundation and is open to the public until Feb. 8.

A version of this article appeared on Arab News Japan

 


Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 2,000 food parcels in Pakistan

Updated 15 January 2025
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Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 2,000 food parcels in Pakistan

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed 2,028 food parcels in Pakistan’s flood-affected Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions, benefiting 13,159 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Sunday’s initiative forms part of this year’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan.

The aid reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to assist needy individuals in Pakistan.


Energy ministers discuss Saudi-Japan cooperation

Updated 15 January 2025
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Energy ministers discuss Saudi-Japan cooperation

RIYADH: Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto held discussions on cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz on Tuesday.

The officials reviewed current ties and stressed the importance of joint efforts in energy transitions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ministers welcomed the progress made under the Manar Initiative, which is a Saudi-Japan effort to promote clean energy.

The initiative was launched after former Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2023.

A version of this story originally appeared on Arab News Japan


Saudi aid agency KSrelief treats hundreds at Aden prosthetics center

Updated 15 January 2025
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Saudi aid agency KSrelief treats hundreds at Aden prosthetics center

  • The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has helped to treat 452 Yemenis, who lost limbs because of the ongoing conflict, at the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center in Aden governorate, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

A total of 1,407 procedures were completed for men, who made up 65 percent of patients, and women at 35 percent.

In addition, 54 percent were displaced individuals and 46 percent residents.

The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy.

KSrelief continues to provide general and critical care for vulnerable Yemeni people, the SPA reported.


New study documents reptile species in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve 

Updated 14 January 2025
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New study documents reptile species in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve 

  • Researchers identified 31 species — 25 lizards and six snakes — following 1,551 field observations within the reserve

RIYADH: A groundbreaking scientific study has unveiled the first detailed list of reptile species in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Conducted by the reserve’s development authority, the study was published in the Amphibian & Reptiles Conservation journal.

Researchers identified 31 species — 25 lizards and six snakes — following 1,551 field observations within the reserve. Three species were also newly documented, raising the reserve’s known total to 34.

The research highlighted two endangered species, the Egyptian monitor lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia) and the Wolfgangboehmei gecko (Tropicolotes wolfgangboehmei), which both face threats from climate change and human activity, according to the study.

Spanning from November 2022 to October 2023, the study employed tools such as genetic barcoding and highlighted the reserve’s ecological diversity.

Aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program and the Saudi Green Initiative, the study is part of efforts to protect endangered species and sustain wildlife in Saudi Arabia. Researchers recommended enhanced monitoring and adaptive conservation strategies to mitigate environmental challenges.