Day: February 19, 2023

Riyadh, The donor group supporting the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) held a meeting in Riyadh today. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Aqeel bin Juman Al-Ghamdi, Assistant Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), who is also the head of the group and the representative of the Kingdom to the group. The three-day meeting, which marks the fifth meeting under the Saudi presidency of the donor group for 2022-2023, was attended by more than 500 trainees.

The agenda of the meeting included a discussion on proactive work in the humanitarian field, a proposed visit by donor members to South Sudan from March 13 to 17, 2023, and a presentation on Yemen as a pivotal country by the OCHA organization.

Dr. Al-Ghamdi said that many stakeholders in the international arena have come to agree on the importance of proactive humanitarian action. He emphasized that there are great opportunities to protect lives and livelihoods, reduce human suffering and losses and that early intervention will reduce vulnerability before a disaster strikes and enhance preparedness for disaster response. He added that the development of the humanitarian approach among donors has taken a positive upward trend in recent years. More than 75 governments and more than 60 humanitarian relief agencies are working to mitigate the expected impact of humanitarian crises.

Dr. Al-Ghamdi reiterated the Kingdom’s continuous support for humanitarian and development efforts in Yemen. He mentioned that since 2015, the Kingdom has provided a total of $20.7 billion in humanitarian and development aid to Yemen. Of this amount, $14.2 billion was provided for humanitarian aid at the bilateral level, as well as through UN agencies and international and national non-governmental organizations, and in partnership with the private sector and civil society.

Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting the 5th high-level meeting and gave an overview of global events, especially concerning the earthquake disaster that occurred in Syria and Turkey. He stressed the need to develop and expand the scope of humanitarian teams, especially OCHA in Syria during the current time, citing obstacles that hinder the entry of aid to the stricken areas.

Meanwhile, several donors thanked the Kingdom and OCHA for their efforts in Yemen and the coordination with other partners and donors to provide humanitarian aid to Yemen. The next meeting of the donor group will be in Geneva at the expert level on the 27th and 28th of April.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh– The Permanent Committee of International Humanitarian Law has concluded its first three-day training course for 2023. The course was attended by more than 500 trainees and delivered by international and local experts. The course, entitled “Basic Rules of International Humanitarian Law,” was held at the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz College of Command and Staff at the Ministry of National Guard. The College Commander, Maj. Gen. Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani, the Chairman of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority and Chairman of the Permanent Committee of International Humanitarian Law, Dr. Jalal bin Mohammed Al-Owaisi, were present.

Dr. Al-Owaisi stated that the committee is consistently working to intensify training programs in cooperation with the military and civil sectors in the Kingdom to increase awareness of international humanitarian law. He also praised the efforts made by the Ministry of National Guard, an active member of the permanent committee, in ensuring the success of the training programs.

Dr. Al-Qahtani commended the training courses and lectures provided by the Permanent Committee to spread knowledge and awareness of international humanitarian law. These courses targeted employees from various sectors in the country.

The course covered several topics, including concepts of international humanitarian law, historical development, sources, principles, the scope of application, key implementation mechanisms, and its main terms. In addition, it discussed the rights and duties of workers in the field of humanitarian services during armed conflicts. The course also delved into contemporary challenges to international humanitarian law in wars by proxy and cyber wars.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Washington– Saudi Doctor Yahya Mohammed Al-Qahtani, faculty member of Howard University, has invented modern technologies in manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles, directly supporting national plans to invest in electric vehicles.

Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency, Al-Qahtani reviewed details of these technologies that are the outcomes of a research project, saying: “The research managed to reduce the duration of electric vehicles batteries to 12 minutes after it used to take hours, and managed to reduce battery weight to 20%, which will reduce the cost and contribute to providing a local product that can support national plans in investment in electric vehicles.”

He added that the next step he aspires to realize is to localize his findings through research published by a team led by him and complete the first phase of his patent registration for a commercial product by establishing a local investment company to ensure having a Saudi product.

Al-Qahtani stressed that his project is an essential part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to invest in electric vehicles, stressing that his product will contribute to the localization of the industry in this area, which is growing in an unprecedented way.

He added, “The production of electric vehicles has grown from 200,000 cars in 2012 to about 15 million cars in 2022.”

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jeddah– Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Transport General Authority (TGA), launched today at Jeddah Yacht Club the “Ebhar” Platform, a unified platform to streamline the entry, movement and sailing of touristic yachts across the Kingdom, enabling yacht owners and shipping agents to complete all related services.

Senior officials of all concerned entities in the marine transport and yacht tourism sector attended the inauguration ceremony, organized by the TGA.

Addressing the gathering, Al-Jasser said that the National Strategy of Transport and Logistics, launched several months ago by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, aims to support and enable pioneering national strategies, develop national tourism, and develop marine infrastructure in accordance with the objectives of the maritime sector strategy, which has, as one of its objectives, to create a profitable economy in such vital sector, enhance the role it plays to GDP, and invest in the unique geographical location of the Kingdom including its various marine destinations.

The minister stated that the Kingdom is witnessing a significant expansion of coastal and maritime assets, including the development of exciting new destinations such as Neom, Amaala, and Red Sea projects aimed to support economic diversification in line with the Kingdom Vision 2030, noting to the promising future of the boat and yacht market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.4% between 2022 and 2028.

Al-Jasser, indicated that the digital platform “Ebhar” has turned to become a unified online portal concerned with all government procedures after having transitioned from dealing with seven government entities to only one entity that provides the services through one interconnected platform, whose procedures have been engineered to keep pace with international best practices for the purpose of streamlining the procedures related to entry and movement of yachts in Saudi territorial waters and according to advanced quality and logistical services.

“Ebhar” is connected to more than 20 government entities, which will enable yacht owners to have direct and easy access to information, registration of services, presence in marinas, procedures related to the country’s visits, entry and exit, issuance of navigational licenses, registering yachts under the Saudi flag and sailing permits, in addition to many services, such as information and weather updates that enhance customers’ experience with a view to attaining the objectives of the National Strategy of Transport and Logistics.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Australian Tanasi Kokkinakis beat Jordanian Abdullah Shelbaya, in two straight sets ( 6/1 and 6/4) in the singles final of the Interior Ministry’s Tennis Challenger.

Meawnhile, Finnish Patrick Niklas Salminen and Dutchman Bart Stephens outclassed their opponents in the doubles final to clinch the trophy.

Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa attended the final and crowned the winners, in the presence of His Majesty the King’s Advisor for Youth and Sports Saleh bin Isa bin Hindi.

Youth Affairs Minister Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Public Security Chief Lieutenant-General Tariq bin Hassan Al Hassan and Bahrain Tennis Federation Chairman Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa also attended.

Gen. Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa hailed the support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to sports in Bahrain.

He also commended the role of HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) Chairman His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa in supporting youth and sports.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Middle East Conference and Exhibition for Oil, Gas and Geosciences (MEOS GEO 2023), opened today at the Exhibition World Bahrain Center in Sakhir.

On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa inaugurated the event.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the importance attached to the oil and gas sector, in light of the comprehensive development march led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

He expressed thanks and gratitude to HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for patronising this vital event that has been held in the Kingdom of Bahrain every two years since 1979.

He noted th Government’s support to the oil sector, given the great importance of energy which spurs growth and yields the prosperity of countries in the world.

He commended the efforts of Oil and Gas Holding Company (Nogaholding), headed by His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of HM the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, Nogaholding Chairman, to further the development of the oil and gas sectors.

“The conference) is an opportunity to exchange information and experiences, learn about the latest studies and successful experiences in exploration for oil and gas, find appropriate solutions aimed at achieving commercial benefit”, he said.

The conference is held this year under the slogan “Today’s Facts… Tomorrow’s Energy”, with the participation of more than 15,000 senior officials, engineers, specialists and academics who will discuss the current challenges facing the oil and gas industry, and explore solutions to achieve sustainable energy development.

Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs Dr. Muhammad bin Mubarak bin Daina extended sincere thanks and gratitude to HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for patronizing the event.

He said that the oil companies, under the umbrella of Nogaholding, headed by HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, always strive to achieve the strategic goals aimed at strengthening Bahrain’s national economy development projects.

He noted that plenary discussions will contribute to examining the challenges facing the oil industry during the coming period, pointing to the importance of the topics that will be presented at the conference.

More than 200 exhibitors from various international oil companies representing 40 countries are participating in exhibition, including Oil and Gas Holding Company, Saudi Aramco, Chevron, Shell, Baker Hughes, Halliburton, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, ExxonMobil, Nesser, ADNOC, the Italian company Eni, and other firms from the GCC countries, Australia, Canada, China, France, India, Italy, the USA, and others.

Source: Bahrain News Agency