Author: oaadmin

Riyadh: The General Directorate of Passports has said that it is fully prepared to handle the arrival of pilgrims in the Kingdom for the upcoming Hajj season 1445 AH.

According to a statement released after a meeting chaired by Director General of Passports Lieutenant General Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya, the directorate will use the latest technology and multilingual staff to ensure a seamless pilgrim experience.

Al-Yahya urged passport officers to serve the pilgrims with dedication.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received today a phone call from Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov.

The two ministers discussed bilateral ties and issues of common interest.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: The Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control has launched a training program to bolster early cancer detection efforts across the region.

The initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), aims to equip healthcare professionals with the skills needed to identify cancer in its earliest stages.

The program will train a group of instructors from Gulf countries for five months on the basics of preparing and evaluating early cancer detection methods.

The training will encompass both in-person and remote learning modules. Practical tasks will be integrated in the program, providing valuable hands-on experience.

This collaborative effort aligns with the center’s broader vision of strengthening regional public health training in non-communicable diseases, and building human capacity across the Gulf.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Dubai, Emirates and flynas today signed an expanded two-way interline partnership on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), with plans to open up connections and more travel choices for flynas customers via Dubai.

The agreement was signed by Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim and flynas Group CEO and Managing Director Bander Almohanna.

Emirates’ current interline with flynas provides its customers with enhanced connectivity via its four gateways: Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, and Dammam, to over 15 domestic points in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also includes the convenience of single ticket itineraries with onwards booking and baggage transfers.

With the expansion of the interline to a bilateral arrangement, flynas customers can connect across any of Emirates’ gateways in the Kingdom to a select roster of onward destinations on the airline’s network in the Far East, West Asia and Indian Ocean and Europe, via Dubai.

Almohanna said: ‘We are quite pleased to offer
more choices to our customers through Emirates’ wide network. Once the expanded interline partnership is activated, customers will be able to book their travel on the flynas website, through online travel agencies as well as with local travel agents.”

Kazim said: ‘The existing flynas links provide our customers with an array of possibilities to travel smoothly across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in particular to business hubs and emerging leisure and cultural destinations. Connecting our networks solidifies our commitment to offering travellers in Saudi Arabia access to even more destinations and helping them benefit from unique travel options. The expansion of our interline agreement demonstrates our commitment to Saudi Arabia, and this is only the beginning. We look forward to exploring more opportunities to widen the scope of our partnership in the future.’

Attending the signing were Emirates Airline and Group Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, flynas Chairman Ayed Al Jeaid,
and other senior representatives from both airlines.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: Under the patronage of Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) Conference 2024 has begun.

The conference, organized by the General Directorate of Civil Defense, will take place at the InterContinental Hotel in Riyadh from May 7th to 8th.

The Acting Director General of Civil Defense, Major General Dr. Hammoud bin Sulaiman Al-Faraj and the Secretary-General of the ICDO, Yap Mariatou, were in attendance.

The conference highlighted Saudi Arabia’s successful crowd management efforts during the Ramadan and Hajj seasons. It also presented the Saudi Civil Defense’s operational models and discussed current challenges in the field of civil protection.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: As part of the second Strategic Aid Dialogue on International Development and Humanitarian Aid, the fourth roundtable meeting on “The effectiveness of aid, research, and study impact” was held at the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) headquarters in Riyadh. The meeting was chaired by the Director-General of Development Affairs at the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Eng. Bandar bin Abdullah Al-Bazie, and attended by and representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs and finance, Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, and KSrelief. From the British side, Director General of Humanitarian and Development at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office Melinda Bohannon and several UK officials attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed ways to share successful strategies and lessons learned, improve development practices, develop tangible and implementable recommendations to integrate community resilience, monitor and evaluate future projects, and stre
ngthen the Saudi Arabia-UK partnership through a shared commitment to effective aid and sustainable development. It also identified opportunities to increase coordination among donor entities to improve aid effectiveness, stressed the importance of cooperation in enhancing the humanitarian, development and peace (HDP) nexus to ensure peace and prosperity in fragile and at-risk countries, and outlined the fundamental principles to enhance programs that support the nexus approach to ensure sustainability and resilience.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) Secretary General, Deemah AlYahya, received the credential of Sayyid Faisal bin Turki bin Mahmoud Al Said, the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, becoming the first permanent representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the Organization, according to a DCO news release.

According to the statement, the DCO Secretary General welcomed the appointment of the Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman, saying, “We look forward to working closely with the Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to strengthen cooperation between Oman and the Organization. This cooperation will play an active role in supporting the Organization’s mission of enabling digital prosperity for all by accelerating the inclusive and sustainable growth of the global digital economy.”

The accreditation of the Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the DCO comes as part of the efforts of the Organization’s Secretariat General to e
nhance cooperation and diplomatic communication with its Member States to activate the Organization’s initiatives aimed at achieving an inclusive and sustainable digital economy in which every country, company, and individual has a fair opportunity to prosper in the digital economy.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: As part of the high-level session of the second Strategic Aid Dialogue on International Development and Humanitarian Aid between Saudi Arabia and Britain, the third roundtable meeting on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) roadmap was held at the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in Riyadh, chaired by Director of Community Support and Acting Director of International Relations and Partnerships at KSrelief, Dr. Hana Omar, with the participation of representatives of the Ministry Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY). On the British side, the Director General of Humanitarian and Development at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Melinda Bohannon, and several officials participated.

The session was productive, discussing views and methods for accelerating progress on the SDGs, identifying challenges in achieving them, agreeing on prioritizing SDGs re
lated to Saudi-British cooperation, and exploring opportunities for development cooperation to achieve the SDGs.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: The Kingdom’s transportation and logistics sector is ready to welcome pilgrims this upcoming Hajj season 1445 AH, as various entities are working together to ensure a smooth and integrated experience for travelers arriving in the Kingdom.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is at the forefront of the effort, ready to offer its services at six key airports: King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah), Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (Madinah), Taif International Airport (Taif), King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh), Prince Abdul Mohsin bin Abdulaziz International Airport (Yanbu), and King Fahd International Airport (Dammam).

To accommodate the influx of pilgrims, GACA has secured 3.4 million seats on 7,700 flights.

MATARAT Holding, a transportation and ground-handling services provider, is also well-equipped to serve pilgrims. It has set up 13 travel lounges at the six airports above, mobilized over 21,000 personnel, and implemented the “passenger with no bag” s
ervice, which enables pilgrims to complete departure procedures and check in luggage remotely, 24 hours before their flights.

Saudia Airlines, the national carrier, is equally prepared to transport pilgrims worldwide. It has allocated over 1.2 million seats and deployed a fleet of 150 fully equipped aircraft for the purpose.

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) is facilitating pilgrim movement between holy sites on Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro Line through over 2,000 scheduled trips and 17 trains dedicated to pilgrim transportation.

The “bracelet tickets” initiative will enable pilgrims to access camp information via QR codes and receive train schedule alerts on their smartphones.

The Haramain High Speed Railway will offer over 3,800 trips during the season on 35 trains covering five stations.

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) is prepared to receive approximately 10,000 pilgrims arriving at Jeddah Islamic Port. Mawani offers a three-pronged approach: logistics services, to ensure efficient handling of contai
ners and cargo flow, pilgrim reception, by deploying personnel, equipment, and maritime services for a smooth arrival experience, and Hady and Adahi facilitation, by collaborating with port authorities to ensure the safe handling of sacrificial livestock.

Mawani will also continue its “leave without luggage” initiative, which enables pilgrims to check in their luggage 48 hours before departure.

The Transport General Authority (TGA) is fully prepared for the upcoming Hajj season of 1445 AH, assuring its ability to transport pilgrims efficiently. The TGA will provide over 27,000 buses and 5,000 taxis for pilgrim transportation. To ensure smooth movement, the TGA has designated 16 public transport routes and coordinated with relevant authorities. Safety measures are in place, including monitoring licensed carriers’ compliance with requirements. Moreover, the TGA will offer the “Taxi” application and utilize traffic monitoring technology. The authority also plans to expand the use of virtual reality (VR) glasse
s, which were introduced during the previous Hajj season.

The Roads General Authority (RGA) has made all necessary preparations to receive pilgrims through the road network surrounding the Kingdom. The road network is highly connected and ranked among the best globally, facilitating easy movement for pilgrims to the holy sites. The RGA has also installed over 4,000 linear metres of concrete and metal barriers, placed over 500 warning and guidance signs, and implemented safety measures such as ground paints, and warning vibrations. These measures ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims during their journey.

The Saudi Post (SPL) is ready to handle over 230,000 official mail items during Hajj. SPL has prepared 45 post offices, provided 32 electric scooters, and equipped three mobile units for efficient logistical services. It has advanced facilities in Jeddah and Madinah to streamline operations and ensure fast parcel delivery. The aim is to meet pilgrims’ needs and provide a smooth and secure logistical exp
erience through including excellent logistical services.

The transportation and logistics sector plays a crucial role in serving pilgrims by offering various means of transportation, such as land, air, sea, and rail. Through the National Strategy for Transport and Logistic Services, the sector aims to empower various sectors and achieve goals including the “Pilgrim Experience Program” and Hajj and Umrah targets. These plans to assist pilgrims involve ensuring top-notch road networks, preparing airports and increasing their capacity, and providing multiple modes of transport.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Nairobi, The Quality of Life Program, a key initiative under the Saudi Vision 2030, participated in the inaugural session meetings of the Executive Board of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, currently convened in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

Furthermore, the Quality of Life Program organized an accompanying exhibition, showcasing the Kingdom’s endeavors across various quality-of-life domains outlined in the Saudi Vision 2030. Discussions at the exhibition centered on international collaboration to bolster the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations Human Settlements Program.

The exhibition curated by the Quality of Life Program featured displays highlighting the cultural and civilizational heritage of the Kingdom. It also spotlighted the program’s pivotal initiatives related to urbanization, sustainable development, and advocacy for the significance of urban design. Additionally, it underscored efforts to foster community involvement in local governance and foster
international partnerships aimed at enhancing the quality of urban life globally.

In conjunction with the first session of the UN Executive Board, the Quality of Life Program hosted a reception for several representatives from diplomatic missions spanning various countries. The reception served as a platform to explore collaboration opportunities and synergies between the objectives and initiatives of the Quality of Life Program and the UN’s overarching goals, with a shared aspiration to foster safer and more sustainable cities worldwide.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: The Saudi Fashion Commission launched ‘The Lab,’ Saudi Arabia’s first-of-its-kind studio for fashion product development.

The launch event was attended by officials, industry specialists, media representatives, and government entities at The Lab’s headquarters in Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City, called ‘Misk City,’ in Riyadh.

Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak said The Lab sheds light on the progress and prosperity of the fashion industry in the Kingdom, serving as the first studio of its kind in the region, situated in the heart of Riyadh.

He noted that the studio facilitates the fashion manufacturing process, enabling local designers and brands to easily achieve their creative visions.

The Lab enhances innovation and provides essential support throughout the fashion cycle, Cakmak added.

Cakmak said The Lab not only focuses on promoting creativity but also supports sustainable practices within the industry, embodying a deep commitment to developing a thriving fashion ecosystem in Saudi Arabi
a.

Moreover, the Lab represents a qualitative leap and an unprecedented initiative in the fashion industry in the Kingdom, he stated.

It provides advanced infrastructure equipped with cutting-edge technologies to enhance manufacturing capabilities and foster innovation within the Kingdom.

The studio also offers local designers and businesses the opportunity to showcase their creative endeavors under the ‘Made in Riyadh’ label, Cakmak said.

Misk City CEO David Henry said The Lab aims to develop fashion products in the city, serving as a distinctive mark that will elevate the fashion industry in the Kingdom.

The studio will also enable local designers and businesses to showcase their creations at both the local and global levels, Henry added.

He highlighted Misk City’s contribution to promoting national retail brands in the fashion sector and supporting and developing small and medium-sized local companies.

The Lab highlights the broad support for the development of the fashion sector and aims to enhance
the partnership between the Fashion Commission and Misk City.

Additionally, the studio seeks to support cooperation in the development of education and training programs for young Saudi designers and open new avenues for investment in the fashion sector in Saudi Arabia.

This positions The Lab as the starting point for hosting fashion events and festivals in Misk City.

The launch event was attended by Misk Foundation CEO Badr Al-Badr and the foundation’s deputy CEO Omar Najjar.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Nairobi, Quality of Life Program CEO Khalid Al-Baker met with United Nations Human Settlements Program acting Director Michal Mlynar on the sidelines of the first session of the executive board of the Human Settlements Program in Nairobi, Kenya.

The meeting addressed international experiences related to improving quality of life as well as efforts to realize the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Al-Bakr reviewed the efforts exerted in the Kingdom to promote the humanization of cities, smart cities, and develop the urban landscape. He also discussed prospects of cooperation with the UN program to achieve sustainable development goals globally and the progress in the Global Quality of Life Initiative project.

Source: Saudi Press Agency