Riyadh forum highlights healthcare model progress

1 / 2
The two-day event, held under the theme Care and Impact, was attended by Assistant Minister of Health Mohammed Al-Abdulaali. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 28 January 2025
Follow

Riyadh forum highlights healthcare model progress

  • Forum’s scientific program began with the participation of more than 25 local and international speakers, 80 exhibitors and over 1,500 healthcare professionals
  • Mohammed Al-Abdulaali: The Model of Care is confidently and clearly progressing through health clusters

RIYADH: The second Model of Care Forum was inaugurated in Riyadh on Tuesday under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel.

The two-day event, held under the theme “Care and Impact,” was attended by Assistant Minister of Health Mohammed Al-Abdulaali.

The forum’s scientific program began with the participation of more than 25 local and international speakers, 80 exhibitors and over 1,500 healthcare professionals from across the Kingdom.

Al-Abdulaali highlighted the significant achievements of the modern healthcare model in Saudi Arabia, implemented through 20 health clusters, delivering integrated and sustainable care based on innovative, world-class practices.

“The Model of Care is confidently and clearly progressing through health clusters, extending its impact to encompass public healthcare providers alongside the private sector and other entities across the healthcare system,” he said.

Al-Abdulaali concluded his speech by welcoming all attendees and international speakers to witness the success stories achieved in Saudi Arabia through the implementation of the Model of Care across the 20 health clusters.

Discussions at the forum will revolve around the modern healthcare model, care systems and pathways such as palliative care, emergency care, outpatient care, maternal and child care, chronic disease care, preventive care systems, and their role in achieving health excellence.

The forum includes an accompanying exhibition showcasing success stories from the implementation of healthcare model initiatives across the Kingdom.


Saudi leadership congratulates Jordan king after successful surgery

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 9 sec ago
Follow

Saudi leadership congratulates Jordan king after successful surgery

  • King Abdullah left hospital on Tuesday after undergoing minor surgery
  • The 63-year-old monarch was admitted earlier in the day for an incisional hernia at King Hussein Medical City

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables of congratulations on Tuesday to Jordan’s King Abdullah after he underwent minor surgery.

In separate cables, the king and crown prince prayed for the Jordanian monarch’s health and happiness. 

King Abdullah left hospital on Tuesday after undergoing minor surgery, the Jordanian royal palace said.

The 63-year-old monarch was admitted earlier in the day for an incisional hernia at the country’s King Hussein Medical City.

He is set to resume his working schedule on Wednesday, according to the royal palace. 


Saudi Arabia is ‘neutral setting’ for US-Russia talks, says political commentator

Updated 53 min 49 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Arabia is ‘neutral setting’ for US-Russia talks, says political commentator

  • Kingdom has engaged in policy of maintaining ties with ‘key players in the world’
  • Latest meeting highlights increasing role as international mediator

RIYADH: US-Russia talks taking place in Riyadh today exemplify Saudi Arabia’s position as a “neutral setting,” with the Kingdom having engaged in a policy of building ties with various nations, according to a political commentator.

“(Saudi Arabia) has close ties to Russia, America, to China, to the European Union, to the BRICS countries. Saudi Arabia has built a stature where it has maintained excellent ties with all the key players of the world,” Ali Shihabi said.

He said that the Kingdom has pursued a multilateral foreign policy in building close relationships with various nations, particularly in the past five years.

Russia and the US agreed after the Riyadh meeting to begin working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving ties, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Associated Press.

Saudi Arabia’s mediation efforts have gained renewed attention following the country’s role in dialogue over the Russia-Ukraine war.

In 2024, the Kingdom played an influential role as a mediator, and was responsible for facilitating the biggest US-Russian prisoner swap since the Cold War, according to Reuters.

The exchange involved 24 prisoners — 16 moving from Russia to the West and eight sent back to Russia from the West.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was also reportedly involved in a negotiating a Ukraine-Russia prisoner swap in 2022 involving more than 300 people.

Shihabi said that the meeting in Riyadh between Russia and the US “is really a result of the crown prince’s close relationships.”

He said: “Both parties look upon Riyadh and look upon the crown prince as a friend — in a way this is a neutral setting.”

Shihabi underlined that European countries “are hostile to Russia.”

He said that Saudi Arabia is an ideal host for the peace talks because of its “neutrality,” having been a close ally to both countries.

“Saudi Arabia did not impose sanctions on the Russians, it works closely with the Russians in OPEC+, it’s very close to the Americans, it was a place that both parties were comfortable coming to,” Shihabi said.

The meeting in Riyadh came about following phone calls US President Trump had separately with Russian President Vladimir Putin and then Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Feb. 12.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office following the calls, Trump said: “I think we are on the way to getting peace, I think President Putin wants peace, President Zelensky wants peace, and I want peace. I just want to see people stop getting killed.

“We think we’re going to probably meet in Saudi Arabia, the first meeting. We know the crown prince, and I think it would be a very good place to be.”

Shihabi underlined that the Kingdom’s hosting of the talks signals the country’s “very prestigious position,” adding that “it shows the respect that both Russia and America have for Saudi Arabia.”


Saudi Cabinet reaffirms support for global peace talks in Riyadh

Updated 18 February 2025
Follow

Saudi Cabinet reaffirms support for global peace talks in Riyadh

  • Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed relations with both France and the US, ways to strengthen ties across various sectors, as well as regional and international developments
  • Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the talks between Russia and the US in Riyadh, highlighting the Saudi commitment to global peace and security

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired a Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday and briefed ministers on his recent talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

During the talks, he discussed relations with both countries, ways to strengthen ties across various sectors, as well as regional and international developments.

The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the talks between Russia and the US in Riyadh, highlighting the Saudi commitment to global peace and security.

The Council of Ministers reviewed the government’s recent activities, particularly those aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. It also discussed the outcomes of the Kingdom’s participation in regional and international meetings, highlighting its commitment to collective efforts and expanding cooperation to achieve its aspirations and objectives.

The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s call, expressed during the 42nd Arab Interior Ministers Council, to enhance security cooperation, coordinate efforts to combat crime and develop a comprehensive security strategy to address shared challenges.

The council said that the Kingdom’s presidency of the GlobE Network reflects the international community’s confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to drive a major shift in consolidating cooperation among member states, enhancing policies and developing tools to effectively combat corruption.

The Cabinet welcomed the Jeddah Declaration issued by the 13th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World. The declaration outlines a shared vision for leveraging culture to drive social and economic progress, safeguard Islamic heritage and foster collaboration to address global challenges.

For the occasion of Founding Day, observed on Feb. 22, the Cabinet expressed pride in the history of the Saudi state, its deep-rooted heritage and its three-century-long civilization. It commended the nation’s achievements in fostering unity, justice and continuous progress.

The Cabinet highlighted the Kingdom’s prominent position among the top 10 global markets for battery energy storage, marked by the start of operations at the 2,000-megawatt-hour-capacity Bisha project. This reflects the transformation of the energy sector and the Kingdom’s leadership in energy production as well as export.

The Cabinet commended the opening of regional headquarters for 600 international companies within the Kingdom, highlighting global recognition of Saudi Arabia’s economic stability, promising growth trajectory and strategic geographic location, supported by exceptional talent and expertise.


Saudi crown prince receives Russian FM in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
Updated 40 min 43 sec ago
Follow

Saudi crown prince receives Russian FM in Riyadh

  • During the meeting, aspects of Saudi-Russian relations and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields were reviewed

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Tuesday.

During the meeting, aspects of Saudi-Russian relations and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields were reviewed, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Developments in regional and international events, views on them, and efforts made toward them to achieve security and stability were also discussed by the officials. 

The meeting came after Lavrov participated in US-Russian talks hosted by the Kingdom on ending the war in Ukraine. 

Later on Tuesday, Prince Mohammed received the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev.


World Defense Show organizers announce expanded 3rd edition

Updated 18 February 2025
Follow

World Defense Show organizers announce expanded 3rd edition

  • Next edition will be held under the theme The Future of Defense Integration, showcasing the latest technology in air, land, sea, and space
  • Organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries, the event is a key part of the Kingdom’s ambition to localize 50 percent of its defense spending by 2030

RIYADH: Organizers of Saudi Arabia’s World Defense Show have announced an expanded exhibition area with several new sections for its third edition, which will be held in February 2026.

An additional hall will increase floor space to a total of 273,000 square meters, more than 58 percent larger than the first edition in 2022, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

More than 65 percent of the exhibition space is already sold out, according to the report.

The next edition will be held under the theme “The Future of Defense Integration,” showcasing the latest technology in air, land, sea, and space.

Organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries, the event is a key part of the Kingdom’s ambition to localize 50 percent of its defense spending by 2030.

The next edition will be the most successful yet, said the event’s CEO Andrew Percy, as reported by SPA.

There will be more local and international participation, and the exhibition will focus more closely on technology including unmanned and marine defense systems.

New programs in the upcoming edition will include a defense and security industry lab, and an exhibition of future technologies.

A Saudi supply chain zone will allow local small and medium-sized enterprises to network with key players in global supply chains.

Positive feedback from the last two editions exceeded expectations, Percy said, allowing organizers to set new ambitious goals for this upcoming event.

The World Defense Show was first held in 2022 on the outskirts of the Saudi capital Riyadh.

It attracted 600 exhibitors from 42 countries, 82 military and defense delegations, and 65 thousand visitors from 85 countries, according to GAMI.

The second edition in 2024 saw over 106,000 people attend, with 441 delegations from 116 countries.

A total of 61 purchase contracts worth SR26 billion ($6.9 billion) were signed, according to GAMI.