Officials discuss Saudi-South Korean cooperation in nuclear power and defense

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Delegates at the Korea-GCC Cooperation Seminar at the Marriot DQ Hotel in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Jafar AlSaleh)
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Abdel Aziz Hamad Aluwaisheg, assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiations at the GCC, and Albaraa Al-Iskandarani, deputy minister of international economic affairs at the Ministry of Economy and Planning, at the Korea-GCC Cooperation Seminar at the Marriot DQ Hotel in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Jafar AlSaleh)
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Ambassador Choi Byung-hyuk at the Korea-GCC Cooperation Seminar at the Marriot DQ Hotel in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Jafar AlSaleh)
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Albaraa Al-Iskandarani, deputy minister of international economic affairs at the Ministry of Economy and Planning, at the Korea-GCC Cooperation Seminar at the Marriot DQ Hotel in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Jafar AlSaleh)
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Lee Kwon-hyung, senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, at the Korea-GCC Cooperation Seminar at the Marriot DQ Hotel in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Jafar AlSaleh)
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Delegates at the Korea-GCC Cooperation Seminar at the Marriot DQ Hotel in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Jafar AlSaleh)
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Khalid bin Mohammed AlSulaiman, chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Tech Engineering Consultants, at the Korea-GCC Cooperation Seminar at the Marriot DQ Hotel in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Jafar AlSaleh)
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Prof. Saleh AlKathlan, senior advisor at the Gulf Research Center, at the Korea-GCC Cooperation Seminar at the Marriot DQ Hotel in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Jafar AlSaleh)
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Kang Han-ok, vice president for SMART Development at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, at the Korea-GCC Cooperation Seminar at the Marriot DQ Hotel in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Jafar AlSaleh)
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Abdelaziz Sagar, chairman of the Gulf Research Center, at the Korea-GCC Cooperation Seminar at the Marriot DQ Hotel in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Jafar AlSaleh)
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In Nam-sik, director-general for strategic region studies at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, at the Korea-GCC Cooperation Seminar at Marriot DQ Hotel in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Jafar AlSaleh)
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Updated 14 November 2024
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Officials discuss Saudi-South Korean cooperation in nuclear power and defense

  • First Korea-Gulf Cooperation Council cooperation seminar organized by the Gulf Research Center and the South Korean embassy
  • Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Choi Byung-hyuk said that the seminar was an opportune space to discuss economic cooperation and to come to a shared understanding of regional conflicts

RIYADH: Officials and nuclear experts discussed cooperation in nuclear energy and defense between South Korea and Saudi Arabia during an event in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The first Korea-Gulf Cooperation Council cooperation seminar organized by the Gulf Research Center and the South Korean embassy hosted around 80 participants to discuss trade relations, cooperation in the energy sector, and regional conflicts in the Middle East.

South Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Choi Byung-hyuk, said the seminar was an opportune space to discuss economic cooperation and to come to a shared understanding of regional conflicts in the GCC, specifically Gaza and the Red Sea, as well as a space to diversify energy cooperation in the nuclear and renewables sectors.

Kang Han-ok, vice president for SMART development at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, presented a joint research project currently underway between South Korea and Saudi Arabia on small modular reactors.

“SMRs are being highlighted as carbon-zero energy sources that complement the intermittent nature of renewable energy in the global power supply sector,” Kang said.

He noted how the SMART100 SMR, jointly designed by Saudi and South Korean entities, was approved by Seoul’s nuclear regulator in September.

The reactor was jointly developed by KAERI, the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, and the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corp.

Kang explained the reactor is now ready to be exported globally. “With its SDA acquaintance, SMART is now ready for global deployment in the demand of the power and thermal energy sectors,” he said.

Kang also spoke about ways to increase nuclear power plant cooperation between South Korea and GCC member states, citing the plan to establish a joint nuclear research and development center between the Saudi National Atomic Energy Project and KAERI.

The chairman of the Gulf Research Center, Abdulaziz Sager, emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s ability to rely on South Korea as a strong ally and defense supplier encouraged a relationship of trust and long-term partnership in the Kingdom’s security planning.

The seminar comes almost one year after the signing of a free trade agreement between South Korea and the GCC, signed on Dec. 28, 2023.

At the time, South Korea committed to eliminate 89.9 percent of tariffs on all products while the GCC committed to eliminate 76.4 percent, facilitating increased trade between the two parties.

The Korea-GCC FTA was 20 years in the making. Discussions for the agreement began in 2008, but it is yet to be verified or ratified. Lee Kwon-hyung, senior research fellow from the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, put forward recommendations on how to pave the way for the agreement and how to best utilize it once finalized, including establishing an artificial intelligence data center to transition towards a green energy economy relying on solar, wind, and nuclear power for electricity generation.

“The AI data center needs a lot of electricity, so an energy transition and a digital transition are very imperative, and with the AI Data Center we can make industrial restructuring in both countries,” Lee said.

Prof. In Nam-sik, director general for strategic region studies at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, evaluated the impact of geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East and East Asia on Korean-GCC relations, as well as the transformation of the US-led liberal international order.

On the war on Gaza, In said: “The situation threatens to shift the two-state solution toward an apartheid scenario, further destabilizing the region.”

On Iran, In continued: “Iran’s expanding influence through its regional proxy contributes to ongoing instability, with concerns that the current dynamics may accelerate Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“The transition in Iran’s leadership raises uncertainties, with hopes for a gradual regime change that might reduce Iran’s revolutionary stance.”

Commenting on US influence, In said: “As the US pivots its strategic focus to Asia, Gulf nations are adopting flexible diplomacy, leveraging both US and Chinese influence.”

In stated that the Middle Eastern and European fronts are already linked, and North Korean military support to Russia signals an increasing risk of interconnected conflicts across regions.

To combat these regional and international threats, In urged South Korea and the GCC to work together on security cooperation across information sharing and technology, joint maritime security exercises, and shared support for multilateral forums, in addition to continued political dialogue in the above mentioned areas.


Prince Faisal bin Mishaal sponsors opening of QISR International Surgical Conference

Updated 5 sec ago
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Prince Faisal bin Mishaal sponsors opening of QISR International Surgical Conference

  • Conference, aimed at showcasing the latest surgical advancements, is being held at the King Khalid Cultural Center and will continue for three days

BURAIDAH: Qassim Gov. Prince Faisal bin Mishaal has sponsored the opening ceremony of the 2024 Qassim International Surgical Conference, under the theme “Revolutionizing Surgery with Technology.”

The event, aimed at showcasing the latest surgical advancements, is at the King Khalid Cultural Center and will continue for three days.

During the ceremony, Prince Faisal emphasized the importance of such conferences in harnessing modern technology to advance health care services, particularly in surgery, which has witnessed remarkable progress thanks to technological innovations.


Health minister begins official visit to Greece

Updated 23 min 46 sec ago
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Health minister begins official visit to Greece

  • Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel met with Greek counterpart Adonis Georgiadis
  • Al-Jalajel: Visit exemplifies the strong Saudi-Greek relations, enhances cooperation in mutual areas of interest and paves the way for future partnerships in healthcare innovation

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Health Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel began his official visit to the Hellenic Republic on Thursday.

He will hold meetings with his Greek counterpart, Adonis Georgiadis, and pharmaceutical industry leaders.

The visit includes tours of Greek pharmaceutical facilities, aimed at exploring collaboration opportunities in drug research, development and local drug manufacturing.

“This visit exemplifies the strong Saudi-Greek relations, enhances cooperation in mutual areas of interest and paves the way for future partnerships in healthcare innovation,” Al-Jalajel said, highlighting the visit’s strategic importance for the healthcare sectors of both countries.

During the visit, Al-Jalajel will evaluate various healthcare initiatives, focusing on emergency response systems, telemedicine platforms and virtual healthcare solutions.

It aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 healthcare transformation goals, seeking to leverage international expertise to enhance service efficiency. Key areas of potential collaboration include virtual medicine, emergency services, digital health and enhancing healthcare services in tourist islands.


Museums Commission signs deal with National Center for Palms and Dates

Updated 58 min 8 sec ago
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Museums Commission signs deal with National Center for Palms and Dates

  • It aims to highlight the Kingdom’s cultural and historical identity

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Center for Palms and Dates on Thursday during the International Dates Conference and Exhibition at the Roshan Front in Riyadh.

The MoU, signed by the director general of partnerships and business development at the commission, Khaled Baasiri, and the CEO of the center, Dr. Mohammed Al-Nuwairan, aims to highlight the Kingdom’s cultural and historical identity and enhance integration between government agencies to achieve the strategic objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. It aims to harness joint capabilities and expertise to develop the palm and dates sector, enhance its cultural value, and contribute to strengthening the national economy, in an effort to achieve fruitful cooperation between the two parties.

The agreement came within the framework of the two organizations’ efforts to provide an enriching cultural, educational and tourism environment for the community.

Al-Nuwairan said that the partnership aimed to achieve key goals that served the interests of both sectors alike.

“Through this cooperation, we seek to raise the heritage and cultural value of dates globally, as well as achieve promising economic income,” he said.

Al-Nuwairan said that there was a clear mechanism that had been agreed on with the commission. This included developing cultural and educational programs and interactive workshops inside museums and schools, with the aim of educating students and the public about the stages of palm cultivation, processing dates and linking them to the environmental heritage of the Kingdom.

Baasiri said that the commission was working on designing integrated cultural paths, including visits to historical farms, establishing a museum specializing in palm trees and dates, and holding exhibitions that told the story of palm trees and dates in the Kingdom.

“Palm trees and dates are of great importance in our Arab culture, as they are a symbol of authenticity and generosity, and this importance has made them an essential element of the museum narrative, whether in public or specialized museums,” he said.

Baasiri said that the commission would work to expand cooperation with intersecting government agencies and to learn about community desires from different parties, which contributed to diversifying cultural presentation methods and innovating smart display methods that contributed to achieving common strategic goals.

The move is part of making museums vital places that preserve heritage and present it in ways that contribute to enhancing knowledge and awareness among local and international visitors.


The road to COP16: synergy among conventions paves the way for Riyadh

Updated 21 November 2024
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The road to COP16: synergy among conventions paves the way for Riyadh

  • Khaled Al-Abdulkader: Land degradation impacts agricultural systems, soil fertility, and climate stability
  • Al-Abdulkader: If you invest $1 in land restoration, the returns can reach up to $30

BAKU: As the world looks ahead to COP16 in Riyadh, a clear message is emerging from discussions at COP29 in Baku: addressing global challenges requires breaking down silos between conventions on land, climate, and biodiversity. These three pillars are deeply interconnected, and their integration is essential for building a sustainable future.

The importance of land degradation is a recurring theme, with experts pointing to its role as both a symptom and a driver of broader environmental crises.

Land degradation not only diminishes biodiversity but also reduces agricultural productivity and undermines climate resilience, leading to an estimated $10 trillion in annual economic losses, according to the Economics of Land Degradation Initiative.

COP16 aims to position land rehabilitation at the forefront of global environmental policy by emphasizing its cross-cutting role in achieving sustainable development goals.

The intersection of land, climate, and biodiversity

In an interview with Arab News, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development, underlined the significance of restoring degraded lands as a cornerstone of integrated environmental action.

“Land degradation impacts agricultural systems, soil fertility, and climate stability. Restoring land not only enhances biodiversity and carbon sequestration but also offers significant economic benefits, creating opportunities for local communities,” he said.

Al-Abdulkader highlighted how Saudi Arabia is implementing initiatives that directly align with the objectives of the UN’s three major conventions: the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Projects such as mangrove restoration and ecosystem rehabilitation illustrate how land restoration can simultaneously support biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, and provide financial returns.

“If you invest $1 in land restoration, the returns can reach up to $30. This demonstrates how land-based solutions can address not only environmental challenges but also economic and social priorities,” he added.

Nature-based solutions: a transformative investment

A panel discussion at the Saudi Pavilion during COP29 also shed light on the potential of nature-based solutions in tackling land degradation and its associated impacts. These involve human interventions that emphasize existing facets of healthy ecosystems.

Astrid Schomaker, executive secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, stressed that sustainable land use and rethinking agricultural practices are critical. “Nature-based solutions, when implemented with societal and environmental safeguards, yield outstanding returns. They represent a transformative investment for both ecosystems and communities,” she remarked.

Schomaker called for agriculture to shift towards more sustainable practices, recognizing its dual role as a contributor to and a victim of environmental degradation. This aligns with the broader push for nature-based solutions that can mitigate climate change, conserve biodiversity, and ensure food security, all while fostering economic resilience.

Saudi Arabia’s role on the global stage

As the host of COP16 in December, Saudi Arabia is poised to bring innovative frameworks to the table. Al-Abdulkader noted that the Riyadh conference will feature groundbreaking initiatives, including the introduction of thematic days focused on land, agricultural systems, innovation, and people.

The Kingdom has already demonstrated its leadership through its commitment to restoring vegetation cover and promoting sustainable land use. Such efforts align with Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes environmental sustainability alongside economic diversification.

The need for global synergy

COP16 in Riyadh will serve as a platform to enhance collaboration across borders, ensuring that land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate action are addressed in tandem.

“We need to foster more synergy among the conventions,” Al-Abdulkader emphasized. “This includes not just technical cooperation but also mobilizing financial resources, improving institutional capacities, and ensuring that every stakeholder — from governments to local communities — is involved.”

The call for enhanced cooperation was echoed by Manual Pulgar-Vidal, former president of COP20, who emphasized the need for actionable targets that integrate the efforts of all three conventions. “The Riyadh conference will be an opportunity to launch a comprehensive action agenda that ensures land restoration remains a global priority,” he said.

The road ahead

With the road to COP16 now clearly mapped out, the focus is on uniting nations, organizations, and individuals to address the challenges of land degradation and its ripple effects. The discussions at COP29 have laid the groundwork for a future where land restoration is recognized not only as an environmental necessity but also as an economic opportunity.

The Riyadh conference promises to be a milestone in global environmental cooperation, with the potential to set new standards for integrating land, biodiversity, and climate objectives.


Amount of desalinated water produced by Saudi Arabia each day equivalent to global oil production

Updated 50 min 35 sec ago
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Amount of desalinated water produced by Saudi Arabia each day equivalent to global oil production

  • President of the Water Authority tells Local Content Forum 2024 in Riyadh the Kingdom aims to be a pioneer in desalination industry

RIYADH: The volume of desalinated water produced by Saudi Arabia each day is equivalent to daily global oil production, the president of the Saudi Water Authority said on Thursday.

Speaking on day two of the three-day Local Content Forum 2024 in Riyadh, Abdullah Al-Abdulkarim said the Kingdom desalinates an estimated 15 million cubic meters of water daily. In 2023, global oil production amounted to nearly 15.3 million cubic meters a day, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The nation’s water sector has undergone significant shifts in recent years as a result of critical issues such as climate change and growing demand for fresh water, he added, and there are “great opportunities for the Kingdom to become a pioneer” in the desalination industry.

The Water Authority is working tirelessly to support Saudi manufacturers and contractors and help them enter the desalination sector, Al-Abdulkarim said.

“Partnerships in the water sector start from research and innovation, and transforming them into new projects,” he added.