Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to global humanitarian efforts at high-level UN meeting
Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to global humanitarian efforts at high-level UN meeting/node/2582995/saudi-arabia
Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to global humanitarian efforts at high-level UN meeting
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Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, assistant supervisor general of planning and development at the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, spoke at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ donor support group in New York on Thursday. (SPA)
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Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, assistant supervisor general of planning and development at the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, spoke at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ donor support group in New York on Thursday. (SPA)
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Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, assistant supervisor general of planning and development at the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, spoke at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ donor support group in New York on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to global humanitarian efforts at high-level UN meeting
Delegation emphasizes Kingdom’s strong advocacy for integration of modern technology to enhance efficiency
Updated 13 December 2024
Arab News
NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia has become one of the largest international humanitarian donors, reaffirming its commitment to supporting global efforts, a Saudi official said this week.
Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, assistant supervisor general of planning and development at the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, spoke at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ donor support group in New York on Thursday, where he led the Kingdom’s delegation.
He emphasized Saudi Arabia’s strong advocacy for the integration of modern technology in humanitarian operations to enhance efficiency and better serve vulnerable populations, particularly in conflict-affected regions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Kingdom’s support for OCHA operations, including the provision of unrestricted funding, was underscored as vital for enabling prompt and effective responses to crises.
Al-Ghamdi also outlined KSrelief’s inclusive approach to humanitarian aid, with a focus on supporting women, children, and persons with disabilities. He stressed the importance of designing humanitarian programs that addressed the unique needs of the most vulnerable populations around the world.
The UN meeting reinforced the collective efforts of donor countries to advance humanitarian responses and tackle challenges in delivering aid in complex crisis zones. Saudi Arabia’s ongoing contributions were commended as a model of global solidarity and leadership in addressing pressing humanitarian needs, the SPA added.
Kamal Al-Junaidi is the first Arab to preside over the committee
Updated 5 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization recently made history by chairing the 51st advisory committee meetings of the International Mobile Satellite Organization in London.
Kamal Al-Junaidi is the first Arab to preside over the committee, creating a milestone for both the Kingdom and the Arab world in maritime governance, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
His role also reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in international maritime organizations and commitment to advancing maritime communication and safety systems.
Al-Junaidi managed the sessions and acted as a neutral facilitator, helping member states reach consensus on key issues, including oversight of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, implementation of Long Range Tracking and Safety standards and audit reviews for satellite communication providers.
He also led discussions on proposed maritime safety regulation amendments, monitored the organization’s strategic direction to ensure alignment with IMO standards and submitted the committee’s recommendations to the General Assembly.
The 51st session took place at the IMO headquarters in London, with representatives from 44 countries engaging in in-depth discussions on key maritime challenges.
Madinah records 82% satisfaction rate in quality of life, survey says
Rise of 16% over previous finding
Updated 4 min 3 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: As part of its push to enhance livability under Vision 2030, Madinah has recorded an 82 percent satisfaction rate in the quality of life, marking a 16 percent rise over the previous finding, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.
The new findings, released by the Madinah municipality, reflect significant public approval of recent improvements to parks, public services and infrastructure.
More than 75,220 citizens and residents participated in the survey, according to the SPA.
Driven by smart lighting, safe pedestrian pathways and improved public facades, satisfaction with the urban landscape rose to 78 percent — an 18 percent increase.
Road quality satisfaction jumped to 62 percent, up 27 percent, following enhancements in road design and lighting systems.
General cleanliness ranked among top-performing areas, with satisfaction reaching 81 percent.
Neighborhood cleanliness stood at 71 percent, while satisfaction with environmental sanitation rose to 61 percent, a 28 percent increase, fueled by improved pest control, rainwater drainage, and faster municipal response times.
The survey also showed 69 percent satisfaction with waste management, specifically the handling of construction and demolition debris.
Some 71 percent of residents expressed satisfaction with direct municipal services, and 64 percent with indirect services, supported by the region’s smart service portal and digital assistant.
Public amenities recorded a satisfaction rate of 68 percent after the municipality added more than 14 new parks and expanded green space per capita to 2.1 sq. meters.
Community engagement also featured in the survey, with 68 percent of residents satisfied with their role in shaping local decisions through open forums and channels of direct communication.
The municipality said the results underscored its commitment to transparency and resident-focused development, and will be used as a reference point for future initiatives aimed at raising the quality of life across the region.
The municipality has undertaken efforts to improve the city’s infrastructure and tourism appeal.
Madinah ranked 88th globally on Euromonitor International’s 2024 index of the world’s top 100 city destinations, and was seventh globally on the Tourism Performance Index.
Preliminary legal procedures were completed in all cases, and all seized items were handed to the relevant authorities
Updated 7 min 32 sec ago
Arab News
JEDDAH: Saudi authorities have made numerous drug-related arrests throughout the Kingdom recently, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested a Yemeni resident in Jeddah for attempting to sell 194,000 amphetamine pills.
Security patrols in Jazan thwarted two smuggling attempts involving 213 kg of qat in Al-Aridah governorate, while in Fifa governorate, 51 kg of qat were seized.
Border Guard patrols in Jazan’s Al-Dayer sector arrested seven Yemenis for smuggling 140 kg of qat.
In Asir’s Al-Raboah sector, patrols foiled an attempt to smuggle 19 kg of hashish and arrested three Ethiopians with 75 kg of qat.
Preliminary legal procedures were completed in all cases, and all seized items were handed to the relevant authorities.
Authorities urged the public to report drug activity by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 elsewhere. Reports can also be submitted confidentially via email to 995@gdnc.gov.sa or by calling 995.
Departing pilgrims praise Saudi hospitality, organization during Hajj
As well as taking their personal memories of a well-organized Hajj, each of the departing pilgrims is given a copy of the Holy Qur’an as a gift from King Salman
Updated 21 min 13 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi authorities at the Halat Ammar border crossing in the Tabuk region have been saying their goodbyes to departing Hajj pilgrims from around the world.
The farewell process reflects Saudi Arabia’s coordinated efforts to serve pilgrims under the supervision of Tabuk Gov. Prince Fahd bin Sultan.
Government and service agencies have been working professionally to ensure procedures are completed smoothly and pilgrims have access to any necessary, health and guidance services, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
As well as taking their personal memories of a well-organized Hajj, each of the departing pilgrims is given a copy of the Holy Qur’an as a gift from King Salman.
Many commented on how well managed the Hajj had been and expressed their gratitude to the officials and organizers at the Two Holy Mosques and other holy sites.
Egyptian Mostafa Allam said: “We did not expect such organization and coordination at every stage, from reception to farewell.”
Kawthar Mohamed, also from Egypt, said: “Everyone treats us kindly, with constant smiles and good service.”
Mohammed Ibrahim Abdulrahman, a pilgrim from Jordan, said: “We felt as though we were among our own family. Thanks to the Kingdom, its government and people for their generosity and care.”
Palestinian Issa Abdulwahab said: “Not for a moment did it feel like a departure, but rather a farewell filled with love and appreciation.”
‘The Arts Tower’ brings new meaning and color to Riyadh’s Sports Boulevard
For Gharem, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, like “The Arts Tower,” constantly lifts eyes upward, motivating people to leap from the familiar into the unexpected, pushing them to embrace the future with imagination
Updated 15 June 2025
Nada Alturki
RIYADH: As you venture down the promenade of the capital’s latest attraction, Sports Boulevard, a new landmark is sure to catch your eye.
A tower at the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road bursts with color and character.
The mind behind this work, named “The Arts Tower,” is renowned Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem, who has centered the mundane within the architectural landscape early on in his career with works like “Siraat” (The Path) and “Road to Makkah.”
The Arts Tower at the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road bursts with color and character. (Supplied)
Gharem told Arab News: “This piece is a witness to the transformation that’s happening here. It’s a symbol of investment into the cultural infrastructure as proof of how important that is to any society or community. I think the tower represents this transformation, especially that it, in itself, transforms one of the symbols of energy into a beacon for creative expression.”
Previously one of numerous 83.5-meter electricity pylons, the tower was meant to be removed for the sake of the Sports Boulevard project.
“I asked if I could have one,” Gharem said, explaining that, as one of the nominated artists to propose a work to beautify the boulevard, he was keen to use the existing structure.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The selected proposal features a total of 691 colored panels that were installed to bring the tower’s vibrant facade to life.
• The pieces used are all related to the grand narrative of the Kingdom, including economic diversity, cultural transformations, and social changes.
Author and curator Nato Thompson said about the work in a statement: “By repurposing a symbol of energy infrastructure and turning it into a beacon of artistic expression, Gharem highlights the evolving role of culture and art in Saudi Arabia’s development journey.
“It stands as living proof of the Kingdom’s commitment to nurturing its cultural landscape, making arts and creativity an inseparable part of its identity just as oil and energy were in the past.”
The selected proposal features a total of 691 colored panels that were installed to bring the tower’s vibrant facade to life.
Abdulnasser Gharem, Saudi artist
It utilizes elements from Saudi architecture and patterns we recognize from our old homes, primarily the triangular shape.
“I was lucky that the tower was made up of triangles, which is a geometrical shape that brings together the different regions of the Kingdom and the historical features of our beginnings, so it’s a symbol of unity,” Gharem said.
The pieces used are all related to the grand narrative of the Kingdom, including economic diversity, cultural transformations, and social changes.
This piece is a witness to the transformation that’s happening here. It’s a symbol of investment into the cultural infrastructure as proof of how important that is to any society or community.
Abdulnasser Gharem, Saudi artist
“The colors are alluding to the connection between our history and heritage and the concepts of cheerfulness and mental hospitality. A tower always forces you to look up.”
For Gharem, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, like “The Arts Tower,” constantly lifts eyes upward, motivating people to leap from the familiar into the unexpected, pushing them to embrace the future with imagination.
“The piece is based on sunlight,” he said. “The daylight gives a completely, completely different dimension to the work compared to its urban illumination during the night.
The sketch of “The Arts Tower” by Abdulnasser Gharem. (Supplied)
“The colors do not just appear; they shift, transform, and come alive in different ways throughout the day. Here, nature becomes a crucial element to the structure.”
Even the wind has played a part in determining the number and placement of the colored pieces used. “It taught me that there needs to be some gaps in order to allow the piece to breathe and I was forced to humble myself upon the power of nature.
“The wind became my partner in design,” he said.
“The Arts Tower” is designed to make people feel represented and connected.
While the Sports Boulevard promotes physical activity, the creative landmark serves a deeper purpose: it is a thoughtful space meant to inspire human interaction and community — and more importantly, invite them to slow down, engage, and ponder the future.
“Culture is one of the key factors for our country’s development path. At the end of the day, culture is just as important as energy. It’s worth investing in, and it’s a certificate that the Kingdom is committed to nurturing its cultural scene,” Gharem said.
