Day: September 28, 2021

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, US National Security Advisor Discuss Bilateral Relations

Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received today Jake Sullivan, US National Security Advisor, who is currently visiting Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, they discussed the UAE-US strategic ties and ways of developing and strengthening them across various sectors.

They also exchanged views on regional developments and collaboration towards promoting peace and stability in the region.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

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Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, Formula 1, Organize Workshop

Jeddah, The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and Formula 1 have organized a workshop at the Hilton Hotel for local media representatives participating in media coverage of Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for Formula 1, scheduled for Jeddah between December 3 and 5.

The workshop, which was held yesterday, addressed several aspects, including the history of Formula 1 races, acquainting participations with the Grand Prix, explaining the judging mechanism and scoring points in Formula 1 races, and an account on the teams and racers participating in the current edition and top safety measures followed in organizing the event.

The workshop also reviewed Formula 1 calendar and top international cities that hosts the race rounds, in addition to the vision and goals of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in organizing Formula 1 races, and reviewing the characteristic of Jeddah Corniche track for Formula 1, considered the longest street track with a total length of 6.175 kilometers and the fastest track with an average speed of 252.8 kilometers per hour during one lap.

The event also addressed the mechanism of accrediting media outlets and how to conduct media interviews with racers, in addition to explaining laws of communication with participating teams and racers and ways to conduct remote interviews and the top media sources specialized in Formula 1 races.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

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Justice Minister receives NIHR president

Manama, Sept. 28 (BNA): Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa received President of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) Ali Ahmed Al Derazi.

The meeting discussed issues of common interest in the field of human rights.

The minister praised the efforts of the institution to consolidate human rights principles and promote a culture of awareness and respect for human rights.

He stressed the importance of their role and efforts in receiving and studying human rights complaints, and referred them to the competent authorities that contribute to solving them faster and its contributions in formulating and discussing reports submitted by the Kingdom in regional and international agreements on human rights.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

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Saudi Arabia, EU Hold First Round of Dialogue on Human Rights

Brussels, The first round of dialogue between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the European Union (EU) on human rights was held at the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels, it was reported today.

The Saudi delegation was headed by President of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad with the participation of Saudi Ambassador to the EU Saad Al-Arify and specialists from the Foreign Ministry and HRC.

The EU side was headed by Representative of the EU for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore in the presence of several EU officials and ambassadors and representatives of 22 EU countries.

At the beginning of the session, which took place yesterday, Gilmore welcomed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s human rights reforms and holding this dialogue, referring to the importance of the event in forming a new platform for establishing an open dialogue on human rights issues, noting that the EU considers the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a main strategic partner.

For his part, Al-Awwad reviewed reforms the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has realized in human rights within a short period of time, noting that the top factors that contributed to achieving these reforms included having a political will represented by the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, stressing that this will aspires to make the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a model in all fields.

Al-Arify also welcomed holding the session and praised the efforts exerted by the two sides, expressing hope that this dialogue will support the solid relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and EU.

The two sides realized the reforms taken in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under several human rights categories that covered freedom of opinion and expression, forming associations, women’s rights, rule of law, religious freedom, right to work, and means of cooperation between the two sides under the umbrella of the UN.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

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Saudi Arabia Supports 3 Initiatives to Protect Marine Environment at IMO

London, In the presence of Saudi Ambassador to UK Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, who is also Chairman of the Transport General Authority and Kitack Lim, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization in London, signed three agreements to support initiatives related to protecting and developing the marine environment, in a way that conforms to the National Strategy for Transport and Logistic Services and contributes to realizing the Saudi Vision 2030.

The first initiative (Glofouling) aims at protecting marine system from paint used on the body of ships and limiting the use of some kinds of paints that might harm marine life, mainly parts of ships that are underwater.

The second initiative (Glolitter) aims at protecting marine environment from various types of wastes, in a way that enhances efforts to protect fish wealth and marine life, including developing countries and small island countries.

Meanwhile, the third initiative (IMO Cares) is an initiative to reduce ships’ emissions and seeks to join efforts to coordinate joint action within one system to protect all marine areas in the world and develop the marine sector.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

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Ministry of Health Reports 50 New COVID-19 Cases, 53 Recoveries in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, The Ministry of Health announced the registration of 50 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 53 recoveries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the past 24 hours.

The ministry added that the number of critical cases reached 277.

The statistics showed that the total number of infections in the country reached 547,035, while the recovery tally reached 536,079.

The ministry reported five new deaths, bringing fatalities tally in the Kingdom to 8,709

The Ministry of Health advised everyone to contact the toll free (937) for consultations and inquiries around the clock, to obtain health information and services.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

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Saudi Arabia Joins International Community in Celebrating World Heart Day

Jeddah, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joins the international community in celebrating the World Heart Day that is held this year under the theme “Psychological fitness and the health of your heart”. The event is annually celebrated on September 29 with the aim of following a healthy lifestyle, adopting healthy food habits, contributing to adopting plans necessary to limit smoking rates to reduce the risk of heart cancer and reducing the rate of the spread of the blood pressure at the international level.

For its part, the Ministry of Health enriched the awareness aspects of dangers of heart diseases, which are considered the main and first cause for deaths around the world with a percentage of 31 per cent of the global deaths, noting that there is a chance to prevent most of the heart and blood vessel diseases through controlling behavioral risk factors, such as smoking, unhealthy diets, obesity and physical inactivity.

The Ministry, through its platform, focused on broadcasting medical advice and instructions related to how to deal with heart diseases, their causes and prevention methods, such as practicing sports for at least 30 minutes per day due to its importance in reducing the risk of having heart diseases, in addition to coordination with public and private health, educational and social sector to spread the culture of prevention of heart diseases and reducing its spread in the society.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

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Saudi Stock Exchange Main Index Ends Trading Higher at 11,382 Points

Riyadh, Saudi Stock Exchange’s main index ended trading higher here today, gaining 13.32 points to close at 11,382.41 points.

The total value of the trading reported was SAR 8.8 billion, while the toll of shares traded was more than 260 million, divided into over 300,000 deals.

The Saudi Parallel Equity Market Index (NOMU) ended the day losing 5.25 points, to close at 23,918.12 points, with a valuation of more than SAR 88 million and an overall tally of 500,000 stocks traded and divided into as many as 2,787 deals.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

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Center for Palms and Dates in Al-Ahsa Enters Guinness World Records with 127 National Kinds of Date Palms

Al-Ahsa, Center for Palms and Dates in Al-Ahsa has registered a world record in the Guinness World Records through having more than 127 kinds of national and international kinds and registering the biggest bank of genetic origins of date palms in the world.

Center Director Khalid Al-Husseini noted that the center works on developing a database for date palms and preserving them from extinction, as well as facilitating studies and physiological and morphological research on these kinds and the level of its conformity to the local climate conditions.

He stressed that this achievement is added to other national accomplishments and seeks to realize the Saudi Vision 2030 goals in enriching the scientific aspect of researchers and specialists in the agricultural sector.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

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Tourism Development Fund signs two financing agreements to develop a leading tourist destination in Jeddah

Riyadh, The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) signed two financing agreements with Dallah Al-Baraka Group and Dallah Real Estate Company, a leading developer of real estate and tourism projects, for the development of a tourism project at the Durrat Al-Arous resort in Jeddah.

The first agreement includes funding from TDF to develop the ‘Durrat Lagoon’ destination, which will be operated by Hotel Indigo, a leading boutique brand and part of IHG Hotels and Resorts’ portfolio of preferred brands.

The second agreement was signed with 17Sixty to provide a variety of first-of-their-kind recreational activities and adventures, enabling visitors to the Durrat Al-Arous resort to safely explore the depths of the Red Sea.

Both financing agreements were signed at TDF’s headquarters in Riyadh by Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of TDF, and Mohiuddin Saleh Kamel, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dallah Al-Baraka Group.

Through the agreements, TDF continues to enable the development of tourist destinations in various areas of the Saudi tourism sector, enriching the visitor experience and enhancing the value and impact of strategic projects in the sector.

Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of TDF, said: “Achieving sustainability in the Saudi tourism sector requires directing investments and support towards diversified projects that provide a comprehensive tourism experience – and these agreements with Dallah Real Estate Company and 17sixty reflect this.

“TDF is focused on providing innovative solutions that link investors to the abundant opportunities in the Saudi tourism sector, contributing to achieving the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy and consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the world,” he added.

Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy aims to develop 10 main destinations in various areas of the tourism sector. These destinations are characterized by broad diversity where history and culture meet the beauty of nature, and a wealth of ancient monuments.

TDF plays a pivotal role in enabling investment in Saudi tourism that is not only limited to concessional financing. The Fund works to unify the efforts of the tourism sector and its partners including lenders, operators and service providers, to enhance the investment experience and facilitate private sector access to opportunities in various regions of the Kingdom that are distinguished by their natural, geographical and cultural offering.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

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World’s Largest Oil Processing Plant of Abqaiq Becomes 3rd Aramco Facility to Join Prestigious WEF Global Lighthouse Network

Dammam, The World Economic Forum (WEF) has recognized a third Aramco facility, Abqaiq, for its pioneering adoption and integration of cutting-edge technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The Abqaiq oil processing facility, the largest oil processing plant in the world, joins Aramco’s Uthmaniyah Gas Plant and Khurais oil complex in the Forum’s prestigious Global Lighthouse Network. Global Lighthouse status is awarded to projects that demonstrate leadership in 4IR technologies to transform factories, value chains and business models.

Abqaiq is one of 21 new facilities added to the network, taking the total number to 90 worldwide, and Aramco is the only international energy company to be recognized.

Aramco’s Digital Transformation Vice President, Nabil Al-Nuaim, said: “We are delighted to be recognized once again for our adoption and deployment of cutting-edge technologies. That three of our key facilities have been added to the Global Lighthouse Network in less than three years is a testament to the importance we place on our Digital Transformation Program, and the rapid pace at which it is advancing. Through pioneering the large-scale use of 4IR solutions, such as Artificial Intelligence, Industrial Internet of Things (IioT), automation and robotics, we are setting new benchmarks for global industry. In the process, we are achieving significant improvements in cost, efficiency, product quality, energy consumption and environmental performance.”

Abqaiq is a cornerstone of Aramco’s operations and produces Arab Light Crude Oil, Arab Extra Light Crude Oil, Gas Condensate and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL). The facility provides around 5% of global oil supplies.

Source: Saudi Press Agency