Category: Politics

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology announced the distribution of charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) along main roads in Oman with the aim of inculcating a culture of espousing modern technologies as a means of diminishing carbon emissions.

The ministry pointed out that it seeks to provide a variety of green mobility solutions and enhancing the EV system in Oman. The approach fits with the ministry’s programme to achieve carbon neutrality (zero carbon emissions) in the transport sector by 2050.

The EV charging stations will be available in more than 90 locations. The 49 stations in Muscat Governorate are distributed as follows: 18 in Bausher, 2 in Muscat, 6 in Muttrah and 22 in A’Seeb.

Ten EV charging stations of North Al Batinah Governorate are distributed as follows: 1 in Sohar, 1 in Shinas, 2 in Liwa, 2 in Saham and 4 in A’Suwaiq.

In A’Dakhiliyah Governorate, there are 8 EV charging stations, distributed as follows: 7 in Nizwa and 1 in Manah.

Al Wusta Governorate has 4 EV charging stations: 3 in Haima and 1 in Duqm.

Dhofar Governorate has 12 EV charging stations, distributed as follows: 4 in Thamrait, 3 in Maqshin and 5 in Salalah.

Each of the governorates of Musandam, Al Buraimi, A’Dhahirah and South Al Sharqiyah has one EV charging station.

Border areas have been accorded 4 EV charging stations.

It is worth noting that the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology is working closely with the private sector to consolidate the infrastructure in Oman and prepare it for electric vehicles, scheduled to be used on most roads. The short-term plan envisages installing more than 140 EV public chargers by the end of 2023, and more than 350 by the end of 2026.

Source: Oman News Agency

A telephone call was held today between Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, and Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Abdallah Bou Habib.

The two ministers reviewed the progress of the Bahraini-Lebanese relations, and ways to bolster them to meet the aspirations of the two countries and their brotherly peoples.

They also discussed issues of mutual interest.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Speaker Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, congratulated Ahmed Abdul Aziz Al Saadoun on his election as the new speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly.

Al Musallam wished his Kuwaiti counterpart success, noting his track record in parliamentary work.

The Speaker affirmed Bahrain’s Council of Representative’s keenness to enhance cooperation with the Kuwaiti National Assembly.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Syria has said that the brutal attacks of the Israeli occupation forces against citizens in the occupied Syrian Arab Golan are just an extension of “Israel” aggressive policies which are considered flagrant violation of the international laws and resolutions.

“Syrian Foreign Ministry salutes our resilient people in the occupied Syrian Golan, and expresses its pride and honor in their honorable stance and their continuous struggle against the Israeli occupation,” Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Ministry added that the brutal attacks of Israeli occupation forces against our people in occupied Syrian Arab Golan are nothing but a continuation of Israel’s aggressive policies and crimes.

It added that the Syrian Arab Republic reiterates once again that the Israeli occupation of Syrian Arab Golan will come to an end and all occupation projects and illegal settlement schemes are null and void and a flagrant violation of Security Council Resolution No. 497 of 1981, which considered Israel’s decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Golan as null and void and has no international legal effect.

“Syrian Arab Golan was and will remain an integral part of the Syrian Arab Republic’s territory, and its return to the homeland will inevitably come, and Syria and its resilient people will spare no effort for its return, using all available means guaranteed by international law, as it is an eternal right that is imprescriptible,” the Ministry concluded.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs received here today copies of credentials of ambassadors of several countries appointed to the Sultanate of Oman.

The Political Affairs Undersecretary received the following ambassadors at the Foreign Ministry in Muscat:

– Bulgan Enkhtuvshin, Ambassador of Mongolia appointed to the Sultanate of Oman.

– David Velasquez Caraballo, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela appointed to the Sultanate of Oman.

– Mogobo David Magabe, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa appointed to the Sultanate of Oman.

– Liselotte Plesner, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark appointed to the Sultanate of Oman.

– Archbishop Nicolas Henry Marie Denis Thevenin, Ambassador of the Vatican appointed to the Sultanate of Oman.

Source: Oman News Agency

Foreign and Expatriates Minister , Fayssal Mikdad , stressed the importance of work carried out by the Council of Arab Economic Unity, and the need to upgrade the efforts exerted to enhance solidarity among Arab countries to face the existing challenges.

Mikdad, meeting Ambassador Muhammadi Ahmed Al-Ni, Secretary-General of the Council of Arab Economic Unity and an accompanying delegation, briefed them on the work of the Council and the specialized Arab federations related to it, and the need to coordinate efforts to enhance joint Arab action for the benefit of Arab countries.

Mikdad said that the unilateral coercive economic measures imposed by the United States and the European Union on Syria are a flagrant violation of international law and have left, along with the terrorist war, catastrophic effects on Syrian citizens’ livelihood.

For his part, Ambassador al-Ni, said that the Council of Arab Economic Unity was keen to be one of the first Arab institutions to visit Syria after Jeddah summit, stressing that Syria’s effective presence in the League of Arab States and its specialized organizations and bodies contributes to strengthening joint Arab action.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, chaired the Kingdom’s delegation to the General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which is taking place in the French capital, Paris.

Delivering a speech at the meeting, Prince Faisal highlighted the Kingdom’s unique geographical location as a hub linking north with south and east with west, and from which the Kingdom seeks to build partnerships with international companies and enhance its global status through collective efforts and cooperation with friendly countries.

“Our strategic priority in the Kingdom is to present an exhibition that is set up by the world to the world and that recognizes the global diversity at the time the international community is preparing the shift towards a sustainable and more equal future,” the prince said, citing the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030.

He also noted that the world is witnessing several challenges that require joint efforts to address and achieve tangible progress towards realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which, he added, are at the heart of the Saudi Vision 2030, led by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which seeks a prosperous and sustainable future.

The prince also said that the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030 is manifested in the theme, “Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow,” which includes agenda items on welfare for all and climate action.

“Expo 2030 constitutes an opportunity to enhance joint projects of global impact and cooperation to find solutions to common challenges through innovation, sustainability, and inclusiveness which all lie at the heart of the design of the Riyadh Expo 2030,” the prince said.

Prince Faisal also unveiled the programs in the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030, including the allocation of USD 343 million to support 100 countries in pavilion construction, maintenance, technology support, travel, events, etc.

“The Kingdom will work on improving more programs side by side with its pioneering partners around the world, besides the private sector, which reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to organize a genuine global expo,” he said.

The prince added that Riyadh is a global, vibrant city with a population of more than seven million, of which 48 percent are non-Saudis who come from more than 130 countries. “Riyadh is proud of its deeply-rooted identity and its rich cultural heritage,” he said.

“We are fully confident of our ability to impress the world and present an unprecedented experience, with constant ambitions and gratitude of all government sectors and the Saudi society. We are highly grateful to all countries that expressed support to our bid to host Expo 2030,” Prince Faisal said.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held a meeting today with President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, who is currently visiting Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed a wide range of topics about cooperation between their countries and explored opportunities for further enhancing their relations, particularly in many areas such as the economy, trade, and development. They also exchanged views on several issues of mutual interest.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Bahraini Ambassador to Canada, residing in Washington, met with Anthony Rota, Speaker of Canadian House of Commons.

During the meeting, the ambassador discussed Bahraini-Canadian relations and expanding cooperation in various disciplines, including economic, educational and security sectors.

The ambassador said the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, launched by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the economic recovery plan led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, provided a conducive environment for cooperation opportunities in the economic sector.

He hailed the launch of the Canadian-Bahrain Friendship Group and looked forward to its contributions to strengthening relations for the benefit of both countries and peoples.

Speaker Rota congratulated Shaikh Abdullah on the launch of the Canadian-Bahrain Friendship Group.

He praised the role of Bahrain in contributing to upholding the security of maritime navigation in the region and stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The steering committee for following up the executive agreement between the Iraqi government and the US Agency for International Development held its first meeting at the Ministry of Planning.

The Ministry of Planning said in a statement, “The Undersecretary for Technical Affairs, Maher Hammad Johan, headed the Iraqi side, while the American side was headed by Todd Sorenson, Director of the US Agency for Development in Iraq.”

The Undersecretary affirmed “the Ministry’s readiness to carry out the work of the committee in order to proceed quickly in implementing the executive agreement signed between the two sides,” noting that “this meeting is the first for the committee that undertakes the implementation of the terms of the agreement and the stipulated tasks according to the terms of reference document.

“The executive agreement aims to promote economic growth, enhance citizens’ confidence in the state, meet the needs of vulnerable population groups and combat violent extremism,” Johan said, noting that “the meeting discussed government directions in light of the new ministerial curriculum, which included several priorities, including: combating financial and administrative corruption, supporting the poor, vulnerable and low-income groups, and developing and improving services that affect the lives of citizens.

He added, “The meeting included a discussion of the allocated and unallocated financial amounts committed to implement ongoing activities within the Agency’s activities and the new amounts distributed under the agreement and its objectives, as well as a discussion of the funding mechanism for the agreement and the mechanism for selecting new projects, as well as the position of previous projects of the US Agency and the next steps.” The meeting also discussed reviewing the Agency’s ongoing programs and aligning them with the government program and coming up with a list of programs that represent the government’s priority in light of its new ministerial platform, to be presented to the committee and in coordination with the relevant government agencies in line with the terms of the signed agreement.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Vice Admiral Abdullah Khamis Al Raisi, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) received in his office at Al Murtafaa Garrison today a delegation from the Ministry of Defense in Japan, headed by Miura Jun, Director General for International Affairs of the Bureau of Defense Policy in the Japanese Ministry of Defense.

The two sides exchanged views and discussed several topics of common interest.

The meeting was attended by Brigadier Hamed Abdullah Al Balushi, SAF Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Planning and the Military Attaché at the Embassy of Japan in Muscat.

Source: Oman News Agency

The National Committee for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) today held its first meeting for the current year at the Ministry of Health’s headquarters.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Hilal Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health, in the presence of HH Dr. Mona Fahad Al Said, Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Cooperation in Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and Chairperson of the Committee along with representatives of various sectors and authorities.

The Minister of Health stressed the importance of strengthening the efforts of various authorities in reducing the significant burden of non-communicable diseases, noting that the NCDs represent economic and social burdens to the world and Oman.

On her turn, HH Dr. Mona underlined the need for redouble efforts in the prevention of NCDs.

During the meeting, Dr. Shadha Saud Al Raisi, Director of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Directorate General of Primary Healthcare and Rapporteur of the Committee, reviewed the global and local burden of NCDs. She highlighted the efforts exerted to prevent and control the NCDs including the progress in implementing the National Policy and Multisectoral Plan for Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), which was approved and launched in February 2018.

It is estimated that non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, chronic respiratory diseases and cancer are responsible for 80% of all deaths in the Sultanate of Oman, and that one in five adults dies due to non-communicable diseases before the age of 70.

The prevalence rates of risk factors causing non-communicable diseases are also high and increasing, as the prevalence of overweight and obesity is estimated at 66%. In the Sultanate of Oman, the average daily consumption of salt is high, reaching 8.5 grams per day, while the daily average salt consumption recommended by the World Health Organization is 5 grams per day.

The NCDs annually cause economic losses estimated at RO1.1 billion annually. 74% of this cost is due to direct medical costs, therefore the prevention of non-communicable diseases is an essential pillar to reduce the burden of these diseases.

The feasibility study of investing in NCDs indicated that it is possible to avoid the death of 19,000 people in the next 15 years if emphasis is laid on four packages of interventions, namely policies to reduce salt consumption in food, reduce tobacco use, interventions to raise awareness of physical activity and to expand clinical interventions to control cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

It is worth mentioning that the role of the National NCDs Committee is to ensure multi-sectoral cooperation between all parties concerned. Moreover, it is concerned with developing plans in the field of NCDs prevention and control, following up their implementation, and proposing draft laws, regulations and decisions related to the safety and health of members of the society and their surrounding environment

Source: Oman News Agency