RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned in the strongest terms on Sunday the attempted assassination of Comoros President Azali Assoumani.
The president of the Indian Ocean island nation was “slightly injured” in a knife attack while attending the funeral of a religious leader on Friday, his office said.
The suspect, who was identified as a 24-year-old male soldier, was then found dead in a police cell on Saturday.
The Kingdom affirmed its support for Comoros and its people in the face of all threats to its security and stability.
The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry wished the president a speedy recovery and the country’s people safety, stability, and prosperity.
Assoumani’s injuries were not serious and he had returned to his home, his office has said in a statement. It added that the attacker was arrested by security forces and was taken into custody, but authorities said he had been discovered a day later “unresponsive” in a cell where he was being held and was declared dead.
Saudi Arabia condemns knife attack on Comoros president
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Saudi Arabia condemns knife attack on Comoros president
- President of Comoros was “slightly injured” in a knife attack while attending the funeral of a religious leader on Friday
- Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry wished the president a speedy recovery
Environment Fund partners with ROSHN to drive sustainable building innovation
- ROSHN aims to develop more than 400,000 energy-efficient homes in pedestrianized communities
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Environment Fund on Wednesday signed an agreement with the Public Investment Fund-owned developer ROSHN to stimulate investment and boost research into sustainable building practices.
The agreement focuses on exploring sustainability in building designs, improving building standards, and introducing incentives to encourage environmental development practices.
The memorandum of understanding also aims to build upon the relationship between both parties, working toward the common goal of achieving environmental sustainability.
Both ROSHN and the Environment Fund will work together to improve awareness about environmental issues, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Fawaz Al-Enezi, vice president of marketing and communications, signed on behalf of the Environmental Fund, while Wassim Khashan, executive general manager of marketing, signed for ROSHN Group.
Also on Wednesday, ROSHN signed another MoU with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, pledging to work together to increase vegetation cover and combat desertification.
The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the opening of the ROSHN Green Initiative Center in Riyadh.
The center will have a tree nursery that will produce greenery for ROSHN communities and surrounding areas.
The center will also have an educational hub that will be open to the public, offering interactive learning sessions for members of the public and organizations interested in supporting the Kingdom’s sustainability programs.
According to the company, ROSHN’s Green Initiative has so far produced more than 32,000 seedlings, 25,000 mangrove trees, and 4,300 other trees planted across the Kingdom.
More than 3,000 volunteers and 75 schools were enlisted to help achieve these results.
When fully operational, the center is set to be able to produce around 2,000 trees per year.
ROSHN is a major developer that was launched as part of Vision 2030, aiming to develop more than 400,000 energy-efficient homes in pedestrianized communities.
Tasked with developing a number of housing projects around the country, ROSHN espouses a particular focus on improving the quality of living for residents.
The Environment Fund was established in 2019 to provide financial support to environmental and meteorological initiatives.
KSrelief delivers 25 ambulances to Ukrainian Health Ministry
- Delivery is part of a larger commitment of 125 vehicles aimed at supporting the country’s healthcare system
- Ambulances were officially delivered to the Ukrainian authorities by the director of KSrelief’s health and environmental aid department Dr. Abdullah Al-Muallem
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency, KSrelief, has supplied 25 ambulances to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health.
The delivery is part of a larger commitment of 125 vehicles aimed at supporting the country’s healthcare system. They will be handed over in Poland ready to travel over the border.
The ambulances were officially delivered to the Ukrainian authorities by the director of KSrelief’s health and environmental aid department, Dr. Abdullah Al-Muallem. Also present was Mohammed Rashid Al-Hadithi, the Kingdom’s deputy ambassador to Poland.
The initiative forms part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts. Medical and shelter supplies, along with electrical devices and generators, were also delivered by 21 aircraft.
In addition, the Kingdom has pledged $400 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine. This includes $100 million from KSrelief and $300 million in oil derivatives financing, offered as a grant.
KSrelief has also signed two agreements with the World Health Organization and the UN Refugee Agency to provide $10 million in medical and shelter aid to Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries, particularly Poland.
Saudi Arabia will not recognize Israel without Palestinian state, crown prince tells Shoura Council
- Crown prince strongly condemns the “crimes of the Israeli occupation” against the Palestinian people
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday said the Kingdom would not recognize Israel without a Palestinian state during an address to the Shoura Council.
He also strongly condemned the “crimes of the Israeli occupation” against the Palestinian people.
“The Kingdom will not stop its tireless work toward the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,” the crown prince said.
Prince Mohammed thanked “countries that recognized the Palestinian State in embodiment of international legitimacy,” and urged other countries who had not done so to “take similar steps.”
The Kingdom seeks to enhance regional and international security and peace by making efforts to reach political solutions to the crises in Yemen, Sudan, Libya, and Ukraine, the crown prince said.
Turning to the Kingdom’s domestic situation, the crown prince said that any achievement made through Saudi Vision 2030’s comprehensive umbrella of various paths is an elevation for the nation, a benefit for the citizen, and immunity from fluctuations and changes for future generations.
“We are proceeding with optimism and confidence in continuing the journey to achieve our targets, according to a comprehensive and integrated approach based on careful review and prioritization,” the crown prince said.
The crown prince added that while the Kingdom moves forward “on the paths of modernization and diversity,” the country is keen to protect its identity and values “which are an extension of the journey of our grandfathers and fathers.”
Saudi, US officials discuss nonprofit sector regulation
- Saudi delegation, led by Yahya Almosteh, VP of legal affairs, legislation and regulations at the center, met with IRS Global Operations executive director Mary Hammond and her team
- Visit featured workshops and discussions on governance, legislation and nonprofit sector regulation
RIYADH: A delegation from Saudi Arabia’s National Center for the Nonprofit Sector recently visited the US Internal Revenue Service in Washington, DC.
The visit featured workshops and discussions on governance, legislation and nonprofit sector regulation, facilitating an exchange of expertise and best practices between the two countries.
The Saudi delegation, led by Yahya Almosteh, vice president of legal affairs, legislation and regulations at the center, met with IRS Global Operations executive director Mary Hammond and her team.
Key topics included IRS best practices in nonprofit regulation, tax exemption and compliance.
Established in 2018 as part of Vision 2030’s National Transformation Program, the center aims to organize and expand nonprofit organizations, enhance their social impact, and streamline government efforts in licensing, supervision and coordination.
2025 named ‘Year of Handicrafts’ to showcase Saudi artisan talents worldwide
- Ministry of Culture aims to elevate traditional crafts and empower artisans through national celebration
JEDDAH: The Ministry of Culture has announced 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts,” recognizing the cultural and artistic significance of this tradition in Saudi society.
The initiative, approved by the Cabinet, aims to celebrate Saudi artisans’ creativity and showcase their talents globally.
Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan expressed appreciation for the Cabinet’s decision and emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting Saudi cultural heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Badr said: “At the Ministry of Culture, we work to instill pride in the national identity and all the tangible and intangible cultural elements associated with it.
“This is one of the goals of the National Cultural Strategy under the umbrella of Saudi Vision 2030, which places national identity and Saudi culture among its ambitious objectives.”
The “Year of Handicrafts” will serve as a platform to honor this essential component of national identity, celebrating its cultural and artistic value.
Prince Badr added: “Saudi handicrafts reflect the creativity of Saudi society through weaving, handmade artifacts and artistic innovations passed down through generations.
“Among these are pottery, traditional clothing, ceramic utensils, leatherwork, copperwork, tailoring, dyeing, blacksmithing, gold and jewelry crafting, and other handmade creations by Saudi artisans.”
The Ministry of Culture aims to elevate Saudi handicrafts locally and internationally, empowering artisans and boosting their contribution to the economy.
This will be achieved through events organized with partners to highlight the cultural, historical and economic importance of handicrafts.
Since 2020, the ministry has celebrated an annual “cultural year” to honor key elements of Saudi culture.
The “Year of Arabic Calligraphy” was celebrated in 2020 and extended into 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Kingdom celebrated 2022 as the “Year of Saudi Coffee,” 2023 as the “Year of Arabic Poetry,” and 2024 is the “Year of the Camel.”
The “Year of Handicrafts” in 2025 promises to celebrate the artistry and heritage that form the core of Saudi identity, ensuring that this invaluable legacy is preserved and shared globally.
