Day: August 23, 2022

Riyadh — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awarded King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) in Saudi Arabia five Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certificates under the Existing Building: Operation and Maintenance (EBOM) rating system with a rating of over 80 points.

KAPSARC’s facilities are the only buildings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to have achieved LEED-EBOM Platinum certification.

Platinum LEED-EBOM certifications were awarded to five of KAPSARC’s community buildings, which together total 52,284 square meters. The certificates were awarded for achieving the highest international sustainability standards across KAPSARC’s facility design, construction, operations, and maintenance procedures. All five certificates were obtained in 2021 and 2022 as a testament to KAPSARC’s commitment to environmental and sustainability stewardship.

In 2021, KAPSARC’s waste management program diverted 94% of solid waste from landfill through rigorous waste stream audits that eliminated single-use goods and developed an effective waste segregation strategy across multiple stages. During the same period, the Center reduced the compound’s water consumption by 30% by utilizing advanced tools and techniques for indoor and outdoor water use, such as a weather-based irrigation system in conjunction with a micro-irrigation system, mulching, native plant planting, and efficient faucets. The Center’s energy usage was also reduced by 35% due to its yearly energy audits, which regularly identified and implemented low-cost energy conservation measures.

KAPSARC President Fahad Alajlan highlighted that, “This has been a remarkable building since its inception. And of course, behind every great facility is a great team. We realize these significant achievements would not be possible without the hard work of our Facilities Management team. This milestone reflects the Center’s dedication to climate conscious development and highlights the progress KAPSARC has achieved in working toward its sustainability goals.”

KAPSARC was certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as the largest LEED Neighborhood Development project in the Middle East in 2017. In 2014 and 2016, KAPSARC was awarded Platinum LEED New Design and Construction certifications. In 2012, KAPSARC was certified LEED Gold for Homes, making it the first and largest project outside North America to have received such an accolade.

KAPSARC’s modular hexagonal buildings were designed to have low carbon footprints during the Saudi summer season, which requires intensive air cooling.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh — The Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO) has praised the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s directives to dispatch an emergency airlift to help afflicted people from floods in Sudan.

ARCO Secretary General Dr. Saleh bin Hamad Al-Tuwaijri stressed that the generous directives to offer emergency relief assistance to the Sudanese people comes in a time that thousands of families suffer from losing their homes and private properties as a result of heavy rainfall over the past few days, which affected basic services for life, such as roads and energy resources, which increases the impact of the disaster on the lives of the population and their need for shelter, food and medicines.

On behalf of the organization, he expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation for this humanitarian gesture and the immediate response from the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is considered always among the first to offer humanitarian and relief aid to afflicted people and the needy.

Dr. Al-Tuwaijri called on the international community, including governments and international organizations, to respond to the catastrophic situation in Sudan, noting that the Sudanese Red Crescent, as part of its basic responsibilities and its membership in the Sudanese national emergency committee, has a plan to receive humanitarian assistance and deliver it to the afflicted people in coordination and cooperation with donors.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh — Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for the Arab States Dr Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf has stressed the role of the international community in helping Afghanistan and the Afghan people towards achieving security and stability.

This came during the Secretary General’s meeting with US Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights Rina Amiri today at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh.

In the meeting, the officials reviewed the international efforts being exerted towards providing support and assistance to the Afghan people to achieve their aspirations for security and stability.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has seized a consignment of food products (nine tons of dried fruits) at Jeddah Islamic Port due to containing non-permitted colors and violating nutrition label.

The authority indicated that the products were seized before entering the market. Legal measures were also taken against the violating facility.

SFDA called on consumers to report violations by facilities under its supervision by calling the unified number (19999).

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh — Saudi Stock Exchange’s main index ended trading higher here today, losing 139.71 points to close at 12420.77 points.

The total value of the trading reported was SAR 6.3 billion, while the toll of shares traded was 156 million, divided into over 374,000 deals.

The Saudi Parallel Market Index (NOMU) ended the day losing 162.21 points, to close at 21562.58 points, with a valuation of SAR 49 million and an overall tally of more than 774,000 stocks traded and divided into as many as 3420 deals.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama — Bahrain General Index closed trading higher today at 1,900.60 points, gaining 0.96 points. The Bahrain Islamic Index closed at 673.70 points, 0.11 points higher than its previous closing rate.

The volume of traded shares amounted to 2,966,813, with a total value of 904,423 Bahraini dinars, through 74 deals.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh — The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) has called on local cybersecurity startups to register for its new cybersecurity accelerator. Starting today, August 23, interested parties can use a dedicated platform on the NCA’s website www.nca.gov.sa to submit their application.

The accelerator forms part of the “CyberIC” program for the development of the cybersecurity sector, and is one of the principal tools by which the NCA aims to stimulate the local cybersecurity ecosystem. The accelerator program is designed to increase the number of cybersecurity startups by linking them with investors, targeting approximately 40 startups in the field within three years. It will provide more than 6.5 million riyals in financial support for expanding companies, as well as provide more than 500 hours of guidance and direction.

More broadly, the accelerator aims to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Kingdom and encourage innovative and creative solutions to cyber challenges across a range of disciplines, including: data security, cloud security, internet of things security, artificial intelligence security, and proactive information about cyber threats, as well as increasing the number of companies specialized in the cybersecurity sector, the accelerator will help to raise the percentage of local content in the domestic ecosystem, in line with the Kingdom’s localization strategy. The NCA is also working to attract foreign and local investors to the industry, as part of its efforts to develop the sector and build specialized national capabilities.

The NCA’s launch of the cybersecurity accelerator is made in partnership with its technical arm, the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), and Plug and Play, which is one of the largest technology business accelerators in the world. Both parties will contribute to the program by helping startup businesses during their training, as well as by providing a supportive environment throughout the program. Other focus areas include participating in follow-up and evaluation of projects, the application of best practice and the holding of workshops and supportive meetings where experiences can be exchanged and consultations carried out.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Khartoum — Two relief airplanes, carrying more than 100 tons of food and shelter aid, representing the first batch of the Saudi aid airlift to support those affected by the torrential rains and floods in Sudan which is being dispatched by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in implementation of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The two airplanes were received by Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali bin Hassan Jaafar, and a number of Sudanese officials.

Ambassador Jaafar said that the humanitarian aid comes to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the torrential rains and floods in various Sudanese cities and governorates, noting that this reflects the brotherly relations that bring together the two brotherly peoples, and is an extension of the Kingdom’s support to Sudan in various fields. He also stressed that the Kingdom will always remain supportive of international humanitarian work for all needy people around the world.

This comes within the framework of the Saudi continuous support for the humanitarian and relief work and to help the needy groups in all affected countries around the world.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh — Advisor at the Royal Court and General Supervisor of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah met here today with Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries Mamadou Sow.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of issues of common interest related to humanitarian and relief affairs and ways to enhance them.
Mamadou Sow praised the KSrelief’s high performance in the field of humanitarian work, which has reached advanced international ranks.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh — Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf stressed the importance of the GCC-Romanian relations and their strengthening to serve common interests.

This came during his meeting here today with Ambassador of the Romanian Republic to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mihail-Constantin Coman.

During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral relations between the GCC countries and the Republic of Romania and the latest regional and international developments of common interest. They also discussed strengthening and developing joint relations between the GCC and the Republic of Romania in various fields, as well as the developments of the memorandum of understanding signed between the GCC and the Republic of Romania in February, 2019.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh– Advisor at the Royal Court and General Supervisor of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah met here today with U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights Rina Amiri.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the aspects of cooperation regarding the humanitarian and relief affairs.

Rina Amiri expressed her admiration for the advanced professional performance of the KSrelief and its support for the needy people in all countries, especially Afghanistan.

Source: Saudi Press Agency