Digital Cooperation Organization signs multiple memorandums of understanding as fourth general assembly ends

Representatives of member states of the DCO are pictured at its 4th General Assembly in Amman, Jordan. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 20 February 2025
Follow

Digital Cooperation Organization signs multiple memorandums of understanding as fourth general assembly ends

  • Secretary-general says event marked 4 years of progress

AMMAN: The Digital Cooperation Organization signed numerous memorandums of understanding during its fourth general assembly in Amman, which concluded on Wednesday.

The memorandums were signed between the DCO and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, the Agency for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Sultanate of Oman and 500 Global.

A statement of intent was also signed between the DCO and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation.

The signings came after a delegation from the DCO visited Jordan’s Prime Minister Jaafar Abdel Fattah Hassan.

Sami Smeirat, the Jordanian minister of digital economy and entrepreneurship, and the chairman of the DCO Council, said that Jordan’s presidency of the organization in 2024 had demonstrated the country’s ability to lead global efforts toward building an inclusive digital economy.

He said: “Throughout this year we have launched ambitious initiatives, strengthened public-private partnerships, and laid solid foundations to empower youth and women in the technology sector.”

Smeirat spoke of the 2025 presidency, which was handed to Kuwait.

He said: “We hand over the presidency to our brothers in the State of Kuwait. We reaffirm Jordan’s commitment to remaining an active partner in achieving the organization’s goals. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts to realize our shared vision: a digital world marked by prosperity and fairness for all.”

Deemah Al-Yahya, the secretary-general of the DCO, said that the general assembly marked four years of progress for the organization.

The secretary-general highlighted DCO’s upcoming ambitions, adding: “While we have achieved much over the past four years, there is still important work ahead to drive digital economic growth for all.”

Wednesday’s event featured panels and discussions with leading experts from across the world.

The DCO was founded in November 2020 and currently has 16 nations as members, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh and Oman. It also has 39 observer and partner organizations.


Saudi Foreign Ministry urges India, Pakistan to resolve dispute through diplomacy

Updated 27 min 9 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Foreign Ministry urges India, Pakistan to resolve dispute through diplomacy

  • 26 people were killed in an attack near the resort town of Pahalgam in India-controlled Kashmir

RIYADH: The Saudi Foreign Ministry on Wednesday called on India and Pakistan to avoid escalation and seek diplomatic means to resolve any disputes.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its concern regarding the escalating tension between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” the ministry said in a statement on X.

It urged both countries to “reduce tensions and resolve disputes through diplomatic means.”

The Saudi statement comes as tensions between the neighboring countries escalated after 26 people were killed in an attack near the resort town of Pahalgam in India-controlled Kashmir.

Pakistan said it has “credible intelligence” India intends to launch military action. India claims it has identified the three attackers involved in the Kashmir attack, including two Pakistani nationals.

 


Japan FM in Riyadh to bolster ties with Saudi Arabia

Updated 30 April 2025
Follow

Japan FM in Riyadh to bolster ties with Saudi Arabia

  • Saudi Arabia plays ‘crucial role for peace, stability and prosperity’ globally, says Takeshi Iwaya

RIYADH: Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya arrives in Riyadh on Wednesday to hold talks with Saudi Arabia officials on strengthening strategic cooperation.

Iwaya’s visit comes as the two nations celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.

In an exclusive opinion piece for Arab News published on Wednesday, Iwaya outlined his vision to help lead the international community “from division to cooperation.”

He described Saudi Arabia as playing “a crucial role for peace, stability and prosperity” globally.

He highlighted the deepening ties in several sectors including energy, education, entertainment and emerging technologies, and reiterated Japan’s strong support for Vision 2030.

This visit marks Iwaya’s first to the Middle East as foreign minister. He will also travel to the UN in New York as a part of his current travels.


Saudi Arabia welcomes first Hajj pilgrims in Jeddah, Madinah

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser receives first group of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims.
Updated 29 April 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia welcomes first Hajj pilgrims in Jeddah, Madinah

  • Flights from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia and India start the annual pilgrimage season

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser received the first group of Hajj pilgrims on Tuesday at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

The flight, carrying 396 pilgrims from Dhaka, Bangladesh, was one of several scheduled to arrive at Jeddah airport and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

Al-Jasser said: “Six main airports have been allocated to serve the pilgrims: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport in Madinah, Prince Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Yanbu, Taif International Airport, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.”

He said flights will continue until the beginning of Dhul Hijjah, supported by an integrated system of services to ease pilgrims’ journeys from arrival to departure, reinforcing the Kingdom’s leadership in serving the Two Holy Mosques and worshippers.

In another flight from Bangladesh, 414 pilgrims arrived at Jeddah airport and were received by Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia M. Delwar Hossain and officials from both countries.

The envoy extended his best wishes to the arriving Hajj pilgrims and assured them that the Bangladesh Embassy, consulate, and Hajj mission are always available to support them if needed.

The pilgrims expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome and efficient arrangements at the airport. A total of 87,100 people from Bangladesh are expected to perform Hajj this year.

The first flight carrying 442 beneficiaries of the Makkah Route Initiative from Islamabad, Pakistan, arrived in Madinah on Tuesday.

More than 89,000 Pakistani pilgrims will travel under the government’s scheme during Pakistan’s 33-day Hajj flight operation.

Pilgrims will travel to Makkah and Madinah on 342 flights, with the last departing Pakistan on May 31.

Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Pakistan’s minister for religious affairs, and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki bid farewell to the pilgrims at the airport.

Yousaf advised Pakistani pilgrims to strictly adhere to Saudi Arabia’s laws and respect the local culture during the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

“As Hajj pilgrims, you are traveling to the sacred land as the guests of Allah and ambassadors of Pakistan, and you are urged to respect the laws and culture of Saudi Arabia,” the minister said in a televised address as he bid farewell to the pilgrims.

Yousaf said he would “soon” travel to Saudi Arabia to review Hajj arrangements.

“I will take every possible measure to resolve the issues faced by Pakistani pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and will personally be among them to provide facilities,” he added. 

Yousaf said the government was pushing to extend the Makkah Route Initiative facilities to more Pakistani cities in the future.

Yousaf said each pilgrim was provided a mobile SIM card that contains an application, which can be used to guide pilgrims with directions in case they lose their way in Mina.

Meanwhile, the second Hajj flight of the day left from Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore, carrying 150 pilgrims to Madinah via AirSial airline.

Six flights are scheduled to depart from Pakistan for the Kingdom on Tuesday: two from Lahore and one each from Islamabad, Karachi, Quetta and Multan.

This year’s annual pilgrimage will take place in June, with nearly 89,000 Pakistanis expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme and more than 23,620 Pakistanis expected to perform Hajj through private tour operators.

From Malaysia, the first group of Makkah Route Initiative pilgrims arrived in Madinah on Tuesday from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The initiative aims to provide high-quality services to pilgrims from participating countries. It includes completing all travel procedures in the pilgrims’ home countries, such as issuing electronic visas, confirming health status, and finalizing passport control at the departure airport.

Additionally, luggage is coded and sorted according to each pilgrim’s transport and accommodation arrangements in the Kingdom.

Upon arrival, pilgrims are transported to their residences in Makkah and Madinah, and their luggage is delivered directly to their accommodation.

The Makkah Route Initiative is a Ministry of Interior program implemented in cooperation with the ministries of foreign affairs, health, Hajj and Umrah, and other government entities.

The first group of Indian Hajj pilgrims also arrived in Madinah on Tuesday, when 262 pilgrims from Hyderabad were received by officials who greeted them with flowers and souvenirs.

Entry procedures were completed efficiently and smoothly, thanks to the coordinated efforts of various entities operating at the airport.

All relevant authorities have launched their operational plans to ensure the pilgrims’' smooth arrival and transfer to their accommodation in Madinah, reflecting the Kingdom’s strong commitment to facilitating the pilgrims’ journey and enabling them to perform their rituals with ease. 


Foreign ministers co-chair Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council meeting in Doha

Updated 29 April 2025
Follow

Foreign ministers co-chair Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council meeting in Doha

  • Discussions include ways to enhance cooperation between the countries in the energy, sports and tourism sectors

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, co-chaired a meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council’s executive committee in Doha on Tuesday.

The topics for discussion included ways to enhance Saudi-Qatari cooperation in the energy, sports and tourism sectors, and investment activities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Saudi and Qatari delegations also reviewed progress on initiatives implemented so far, praised the cooperation between the council's coordinating committees, and emphasized the need to maintain the momentum in service of the shared interests of both countries.

Sheikh Mohammed said the council is evidence that Qatar and Saudi Arabia are “able to achieve exceptional results in the fields of politics, security and military cooperation,” the Qatar News Agency reported.

Riyadh and Doha have also become prominent international destinations in the sports, culture and tourism sectors, he added, and role models for future hosts of major sports and cultural events. Their achievements not only boost their national economies, he said, but help project a strong image of both countries on the international stage.

Earlier, Prince Faisal was welcomed at the airport upon arrival in Doha for his official visit by Ahmed Al-Hammadi, secretary-general of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan, the Saudi ambassador to Qatar. His trip follows an official visit to Oman where he held talks with his counterpart, Badr Al-Busaidi, on Monday.


New survey to improve public health services in Saudi Arabia

The initiative uses the methodologies and questionnaires of the WHO’s World Health Survey Plus. (SPA)
Updated 29 April 2025
Follow

New survey to improve public health services in Saudi Arabia

  • The survey targets a representative sample of citizens and residents across Saudi Arabia’s regions through individual and household questionnaires

RIYADH: The Ministry of Health has launched field visits, as a part of the World Health Organization’s flagship plan, to improve public services, and monitor trends and behaviors.

The initiative uses the methodologies and questionnaires of the WHO’s World Health Survey Plus, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

It supports the Kingdom’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, aligning with Vision 2030’s goal of enhancing quality of life for the nation’s people.

The survey targets a representative sample of citizens and residents across Saudi Arabia’s regions through individual and household questionnaires.

These cover demographics, health status, risk factors, and healthcare system data, the SPA reported.

To strengthen the national health information system and identify sector priorities, the survey includes more than 14,000 participants across 13 administrative regions via health clusters.

It also aims to build a reliable health database, track SDG indicators, support early detection of chronic diseases, raise awareness of healthy behaviors, and guide the development of health services based on community needs.