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The Saudi aid agency KSrelief was honored with the Global Humanitarian Achievement Award by the National Council on US-Arab Relations, in recognition of relief efforts that have made a substantial impact in crisis regions around the world.
Delano Roosevelt, the council’s second president and CEO, presented the award to the supervisor general of KSrelief, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, in Washington, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Dr. Al-Rabeeah said the award is an international acknowledgement of Saudi Arabia’s leading role in relief efforts.
He underlined the Kingdom’s commitment to assisting people in need, supporting those affected by crises, and assisting refugees wherever possible.
He also affirmed that Saudi Arabia has consistently been a leader in charitable and humanitarian initiatives and is at the forefront of donor countries on regional and international fronts.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Delano Roosevelt, CEO of National Council on US-Arab Relations, presents the award to the supervisor general of KSrelief, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, in Washington. (SPA)
Saudi crown prince calls for Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
An extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit kicked off in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Monday to discuss Israel’s ongoing wars in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
“We reiterate our rejection of the genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an opening speech at the summit.
He stressed the need to continue efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state on the lands of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The crown prince also condemned Israeli attempts to prevent the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) from delivering aid to Gaza.
Bin Salman said that his country rejects any threat to the security and sovereignty of Lebanon.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, for his part, called on the Arab and Islamic countries to show the highest levels of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
He also demanded the implementation of a UN resolution to halt Israeli assaults on Gaza and to secure the delivery of humanitarian aid into the enclave.
More than 50 leaders of Arab and Islamic countries are taking part in the summit, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Jouf Gov. Prince Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz has praised the country’s leaders and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture for supporting the region’s record-breaking developmental and economic initiatives.
Prince Faisal made the comments during a ceremony marking the region’s achievements, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Two certificates were presented by Guinness World Records representative Kenzi Al-Dafrawi to Mazen Badawood, CEO of the Al-Jouf Agricultural Development Co.
The certificates honored the company for having the world’s largest and most modern organic olive farm, the SPA reported.
The event was attended by Abdulaziz Al-Rujai, director general of the ministry in the Jouf region.
Prince Faisal said: “We take pride in the national accomplishments that the Kingdom’s Vision 2023 has realized in promoting self-sufficiency and achieving food security.”
Badawood thanked Prince Faisal for his dedication to serving the people of the region.
He said Jouf’s agricultural, environmental and water purification projects provide a model for others to follow.
The awarding of the two certificates coincided with Organic Food Day, celebrated on Nov. 11, which the Kingdom marked with a series of events across the country.
Organic Food Day is aimed at encouraging people to make healthy dietary choices and embodies efforts to achieve sustainable food security, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan.
The ministry aims to encourage farmers to adopt organic farming practices, educate consumers, as well as promote resource sustainability and local production.
As a part of the celebrations, Riyadh is hosting the Saudi International Exhibition for Organic Products from Nov. 11 to 13 to support the local community, and position the nation as a leading hub in this growing sector.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Two certificates were presented by Guinness World Records representative Kenzi Al-Dafrawi to Mazen Badawood, CEO of the Al-Jouf Agricultural Development Co.
The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Local Organising Committee (LOC) has received several awards for a historic edition of the continental championship.
Both Qatar Tourism and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recognised the achievements made by Qatar in hosting the tournament earlier this year.
The LOC received two Qatar Tourism Awards for Premier Sports Events of the Year and Accessibility Initiative of the Year.
The awards were presented to the LOC by Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar Chairman Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona, and Regional Director (Middle East) Basma al-Mayman.
At the AFC Annual Awards, the Qatar Football Association (QFA) received the AFC Asian Cup Host Appreciation Award for the tremendous role they played in delivering a memorable tournament.
The Award was presented by Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifah, AFC President, to Jassim Rashid al-Buenain, QFA President.
The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 was hosted by Qatar in the beginning of 2024, having previously organised the competition twice before, in 1988 and 2011. The tournament, which saw Qatar defend its title on home soil, broke records for overall attendance, digital engagement and press coverage.
A total of 86,492 spectators made their way to the iconic Lusail Stadium for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 final.
With that, a record-breaking attendance of 1,509,496 fans was registered for the tournament, surpassing the previous attendance record of 1.04mn set during the 2004 edition hosted by China.
source/content: gulf-times.com (headline edited)
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The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Local Organising Committee received two Qatar Tourism Awards for Premier Sports Events of the Year and Accessibility Initiative of the Year. The awards were presented to the LOC by Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar Chairman Saad bin Ali al-Kharji.
The UAE has won membership in the Board of Directors of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for the period 2025-2027, after receiving the unanimous votes of member states during the General Assembly meeting held last week in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, in a new achievement added to the country’s record of distinguished international achievements.
Her Excellency Dr. Farah Al Zarouni, Assistant Undersecretary for the Standards and Legislation Sector at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, was announced as a member of the Board of Directors.
The UAE’s winning of membership in the Board of Directors of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) as the first Arab country to win this membership, with the unanimous votes of all countries, reflects the continuous efforts made by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in the quality infrastructure system, and its various initiatives to develop standard specifications, conformity systems and programs. The UAE plays a vital role in supporting the work of the committee, which includes more than 170 countries under its umbrella, and provides a global and neutral standardization platform for more than 30,000 experts worldwide, in addition to spreading the best Emirati and Gulf practices in the field of standardization, and enhancing the competitiveness of Emirati products and the sustainability of supply chains at the regional and international levels.
His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, stressed that winning membership in the Board of Directors of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a distinguished achievement for the UAE as the first Arab country to win membership in the Board of Directors by unanimous vote of the participants, noting that all progress achieved by the UAE comes thanks to the vision of the leadership and its keenness to support building expertise, raising efficiency and improving performance in all sectors.
His Excellency explained that obtaining the unanimous vote comes as a result of the strategic partnership and cooperation approach between the UAE and various countries, pointing out that the new achievement confirms the country’s growing position in the quality infrastructure system, and the depth of global confidence in the efficiency and capacity of this system in the country, especially since it comes after the UAE won membership in the Board of Directors of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) last September.
He said: The quality infrastructure system represents one of the pillars and enablers of industrial growth in the UAE, supporting the objectives of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology (300 Billion Project) and the “Make in the Emirates” initiative, stressing that the country’s membership in the “IEC Board of Directors” enhances its role as a major partner in shaping the future of quality infrastructure at the international level and developing specifications, innovations and modern technology, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and renewable energy.
Her Excellency Dr. Farah Al Zarouni, Assistant Undersecretary for the Standards and Legislation Sector at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, headed the UAE delegation participating in the meetings of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in the United Kingdom, which included representatives from the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Space42, Emirates Global Aluminium, and ABB.
Al Zarouni said that the ministry is working within integrated efforts with partners in local government agencies and the private sector to enhance the efficiency of production sectors with specifications and systems that are in line with the best international practices, and facilitate the access of Emirati products to new markets, noting that the UAE has more than 27,000 standard specifications and technical regulations that support the outputs of industrial sectors, innovation, sustainable manufacturing, energy efficiency programs, and others; She stressed that the UAE membership will enhance the efforts of Emirati and international integration to unify and harmonize new developments in the standardization system and reach leading positions that support Emirati competitiveness.
As part of the UAE’s participation in the annual meetings of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the country was keen to enhance its participation in the IEC Young Professionals Program to build national youth capacities and empower them in the field of standardization and conformity programs, as the country participates annually by nominating two young Emiratis in this program.
The programme was attended by Eng. Majid Bin Zobaa from ABB and Eng. Maha Al Shehhi from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. The country’s candidate, Eng. Majid Bin Zobaa, was able to win the seat of Young Professional Leader for 2024 for the Asia and Middle East group.
Winning the seat of the organization’s Young Professional Leader is a distinguished achievement, as it is the country’s fourth consecutive win since 2021, and the fifth since participating in the program. It enhances the effective role played by the UAE at the international level, and reflects the efficiency and capabilities of young citizens to represent the country during participation in the activities of regional and international organizations in a way that serves the country’s interests and achieves its strategic goals.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is one of the largest international organizations leading in setting and developing standards for the electrical, electronics and related technologies sectors. It aims to facilitate international trade in products and services by setting international standards that ensure quality and safety, and conformity assessment programs, and allows manufacturers to produce products of advanced quality and performance. The specifications issued by it are considered one of the most important and reliable international standards in the electrical sector.
IEC specifications are widely used in the production of equipment used in power transmission and distribution devices for home appliances and office equipment, semiconductors, optical fibers, batteries, solar energy, nanotechnology, marine energy, electronics, electromagnetic compatibility, medical technology, safety and environment, and other fields.
Othman Al Omeir was awarded the Legacy of Change Medal by the Parliamentary Society for Arts
Celebrated journalist and editor Othman Al Omeir was awarded the Legacy of Change Medal by the Parliamentary Society for Arts last week.
The ceremony, held in Committee Room 14, an esteemed space within the House of Parliament usually reserved for significant political announcements, acknowledged Al Omeir’s contributions to media and advocacy.
The assembly was organized by Rebeca Riofrio, chairwoman of the Parliamentary Society for Arts, and brought together leaders from the creative industries.
Among the distinguished guests was Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls Alex Davies-Jones, who delivered an impassioned speech underscoring the UK government’s commitment to addressing the issue of violence in the arts. Her speech highlighted the importance of advocacy for all artists, echoing the assembly’s overarching theme of resilience and protection within the creative sectors.
Other notable figures such as Joshua Kane and Marine Tanguy were also honored for their impactful contributions to arts and culture.
Born in Saudi Arabia and a British citizen for the past 40 years, Al Omeir has spent decades shaping the Arab world’s media.
He has been closely connected with the Parliamentary Society for the past five years and has long championed initiatives to protect creatives and uphold the integrity of journalism. His presence, alongside influential figures such as Minister Davies-Jones, Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Dame Tessy Antony de Nassau, and Lady Paris Smith, underscored his dedication to advancing a free and supportive media landscape.
As the founder of Elaph, the first independent Arabic e-newspaper, Al Omeir sought to break free from censorship and provide a space for liberal perspectives, promoting open dialogue on issues affecting the Arab region and beyond.
Nowadays, he serves as one of the advisers for the Parliament News Magazine, a publication that has gained recognition for addressing critical social issues since 2019.
In his ongoing work, Al Omeir uses his platforms to encourage the industry to work collectively to safeguard its talent, highlighting the pervasive challenges that creatives can face, such as violence and substance abuse.
Reflecting on the award, Al Omeir stated: “To receive this recognition in such a revered space as Committee Room 14 is deeply meaningful. Media is not just about information; it’s a powerful force for justice and societal progress. We must use this influence to protect those who bring creativity and truth into our world, ensuring they can express themselves without fear.”
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Born in Saudi Arabia and a British citizen for the past 40 years, Al Omeir has spent decades shaping the Arab world’s media. (Supplied)
The Neom giga-project in Saudi Arabia is currently using one fifth of all the steel produced in the world, an official said on Monday.
The futuristic city will be the world’s largest customer for construction materials for several decades, said Manar Al Moneef, Neom’s chief investment officer.
She told the Global Logistics Forum in the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh that the $500 billion project would be one of the world’s leading drivers of the global logistics sector in coming years.
“Neom is going to be the largest customer over the next decade. If you look at our demand in logistics it’s 5 percent of the global logistics market,” she told the forum, in rare public comments.
Neom’s demand for steel meant “we are 20 percent of the global steel market. If you look at our demand in elevators, cement and so on … put simply, Neom is going to be the largest customer over the next few decades,” Al Moneef said.
Neom, located in the far northwest of Saudi Arabia, is the jewel in the crown of Saudi Arabia’s economic development projects, which have been valued at more than $1.25 trillion.
However, some projects have slowed down as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) faces funding pressures caused by lower oil prices and pressure to funnel cash towards projects in Riyadh before the World Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup, both taking place in the Saudi capital.
The Neom projects include a horizontal city called The Line which is due for final completion at 170km long in 2045. A small central section just 5km long has a target date of 2030.
Dhiraj Joshi, a partner at the management consultancy Arthur D Little Middle East, said: “Projects like Neom, Oxagon, getting all the hotels ready in various parts, is a long-term investment strategy so there is no hurry [in] the next four or five years when we get done with Expo and World Cup.”
Neom would be prioritised again later, Joshi said.
source/content: agbi.com / Arabian Gulf Business Insight (headline edited)
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Neom could be the world’s largest customer for construction materials for several decades, according to an official / pic: Getty Images / UnSplash
A Saudi has sent to the Guinness World Records what is believed to be the world’s largest stamps collection.
Reda Shaib, a philatelist, started the project two years ago in Al-Ahsa.
“Shaib’s collection contains 1.1 million different Saudi stamps,” Mohsin Hassan Al-Shaikh, adviser to the Saudi Philatelic and Numismatics Society (SPNS), said. The collection includes stamps issued since the Kingdom was founded, he said.
He said that Shaib took every opportunity to ask people he met to support the project, adding that It would be a matter of great pride for the Kingdom to enter into the Guinness World Records.
Part of Shaib’s collection was shown to visitors at the King Fahd Cultural Complex, where the Ministry of Culture and Information marked the Saudi National Day by organizing an exhibition of books and pictures about Saudi Arabia.
Al-Shaikh thanked Shaib for including SPNS members in his project, making them feel an increased sense of belonging to the organization.
He said that a US collector had earlier come up with a similar project consisting of 500,000 stamps.
Qatari Mountaineer Sheikha Asma bint Thani Al-Thani made history as she posed atop the Castensz Pyramid in Central Papua, two days back on October 11, 2024, becoming the first Arab woman and Qatari to complete the prestigious Explorer’s Grand Slam.
“The Explorers Grand Slam is one of the world’s most prestigious adventure challenges, involving climbing the highest peak on each continent and skiing to the North and South Poles. Fewer than 75 people in history have completed this incredible feat,” she wrote on her social media account, adding that she was honoured to be the first Arab woman and Qatari national to achieve this milestone.
Sheikha Asma began her Explorer’s Grand Slam journey with Kilimanjaro in 2014, after which she reached the North Pole in 2018, she then conquered the Aconcagua in 2019. In 2021, Sheikha Asma summitted Elbrus and then began the following year with Mount Vinson in January, from where she skied to the South Pole Last Degree. Then in May 2022, she was at the top of her dream destination – the mighty Everest. In June 2022, she conquered Mt Denali, then leaving her one summit away from the Grand Slam.
Writing about her journey so far, Sheikha Asma stated, “A journey that began in 2014 with a dream and a determination to break boundaries. Along the way, I’ve learned that persistence, no matter how challenging the road, always pays off. Each summit represents a step closer to realizing my potential, but more importantly, it’s a testament to staying true to your dreams, even when the path ahead seems impossible.”
Sheikha Asma has also successfully summited Mount Lhotse, Kangchenjunga, Mount Ama Dablam, Mount Dhaulagiri, Mount Manaslu, and Labuche Peak.
Sheikha Asma dedicated her most recent victory to every young girl with big dreams, as she encouraged them to keep dreaming big, “there are no limits to what we can achieve if we remain persistent and believe in ourselves. Keep climbing, keep dreaming, and know that the summit is always within reach.”
Arabic and French experts this week underlined the importance of learning languages to enhance intellectual and cultural communication.
At an event in France to mark Arabic Language Month, they noted how, without the Arabic language, the world would not have been able to access a significant portion of the intellectual heritage of Greek philosophers, as well as mathematics and sciences from ancient times.
Hamdi Al-Adawi, professor of linguistics at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, described the role of language in expressing a person’s inner thoughts and feelings, and described the historical interplay between Arabic and French.
“The Arabic language has played a vital role towards affirming the role of Islam in enhancing communication between different civilizations, blending civilizations, and fostering the exchange of cultures,” he told Arab News.
Al-Adawi noted that the convergence of certain words, concepts and meanings between languages is key to accepting other cultures and coexisting peacefully with them.
He also said that there are many shared terms among languages, which encourages leveraging these similarities to understand the commonalities between these languages and their cultural connotation.
Al-Adawi concluded that the cultural exchange between the Arabic and French languages is tangible and well documented.
Some examples include the Belgian orientalist Henri Lammens, who identified more than 700 Arabic words in his French-language writings in the early 20th century, and the French writer Pierre Giraud who acknowledged the influence of Arabic on the French language, providing a list of 280 Arabic words that were used in French during different periods.
Jack Lang, the secretary-general of the Arab World Institute, said that “the Arabic language is music, and it is a global language.” He noted that it ranks fifth among the most spoken languages in the world.
“We cannot ignore the fact that the Arabic language has served as a bridge for communication between peoples. Without the Arabic language, we would not have been able to access a significant portion of Greek philosophers, nor mathematics and sciences from ancient times,” he said.
Lang, who is a former French minister of education, highlighted the efforts being made by Saudi Arabia to preserve the Arabic language, saying that the Kingdom was “moving towards exerting a considerable cultural effort.”
He added that he currently observes “large cultural events happening throughout Saudi Arabia.”
He also praised Saudi Arabia’s role in assisting other countries in their commitment to the Arabic language through the Arab World Institute, which is based in Paris.
Lang noted the intention to establish a House of the Arabic Language in France, in collaboration with King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language.
KSGAAL launched Arabic Language Month in France on Oct. 7, in collaboration with the Arab World Institute.
Events included a seminar, a panel discussion and a scientific competition focused on the art of diction, with participation from several contestants.
Abdullah Al-Washmi, secretary-general of KSGAAL, said that the academy is active in various fields to promote the Arabic language, locally and globally.
The academy launched the Arabic Language Month program in France, which aimed to display KSGAAL activities related to teaching Arabic to non-native speakers and to highlight the Kingdom’s efforts in serving the Arabic language and its sciences worldwide.
Additionally, the academy is working to offer training programs to enhance teachers’ competencies and improve Arabic language learning outcomes for students, in line with the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program, one of the initiatives under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by interested individuals and intellectuals, led by the Kingdom’s ambassador to France, Fahad Al-Ruwaili.
KSGAAL will continue the activities of Arabic Language Month in France on Nov. 1, featuring tours in several French cities in collaboration with French and international educational institutions.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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The Arabic Language Month in France featured several linguistic competitions. The awards were presented by Fahad Al-Ruwaili, Saudi Ambassador to France, Jack Lang, Secretary-General of the Arab Institute in France, and Abdullah Al-Washmi, Secretary-General of King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (from the right: the first, the third and fourth respectively)A group photo of the participants in the Arabic Language Month in France, which commenced on Monday, shows the Saudi ambassador in the second row from the left, sixth from the group
