Saudi ambassador to Yemen says talks with Houthis aim to revive Yemeni ceasefire

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber shakes hands with the political leader of the Houthis, Mahdi Al-Mashat. (@mohdsalj)
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Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber shakes hands with the political leader of the Houthis, Mahdi Al-Mashat. (@mohdsalj)
Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber visits Sanaa with an Omani delegation. (@mohdsalj)
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Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber visits Sanaa with an Omani delegation. (@mohdsalj)
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Updated 11 April 2023
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Saudi ambassador to Yemen says talks with Houthis aim to revive Yemeni ceasefire

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber shakes hands with the political leader of the Houthis, Mahdi Al-Mashat.
  • Saudi Arabia has always stood with Yemen during dire political and economic circumstances and crises: Al-Jaber
  • UN describes talks with Saudi and Omani delegations and the Houthi militia as welcome step toward de-escalation in tensions

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber said recent talks held with the Houthis in Sanaa aimed to revive a ceasefire and end conflict in the country.

“Continuing the Kingdom’s efforts to end the Yemeni crisis, and in support (of) the Saudi Initiative of 2021 to reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, I visit Sanaa along with a delegation from the brotherly Sultanate of Oman to stabilize the truce and ceasefire,” Al-Jaber tweeted on Monday.

A truce announced roughly a year ago has significantly reduced active hostilities within Yemen, and is still largely respected even though it officially expired in October.

The envoy said he also wants to “support the prisoner exchange process and explore venues of dialogue between Yemeni components to reach a sustainable and comprehensive political solution.”

He added that Saudi Arabia has always stood with Yemen during dire political and economic circumstances and crises.

“Since 2011, these brotherly efforts have continued to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly people of Yemen to restore security, stability, and economic prosperity,” Al-Jaber said.

The UN described the talks with the Saudi and Omani delegations and officials from the Houthis as “a welcome step toward the de-escalation in tensions.”

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric was responding to questions from reporters in New York, following reports that progress had been made toward a permanent cease-fire, the UN said in a statement.

“Neighbouring Oman has been involved in peace talks with the warring parties in Yemen, running in parallel with UN efforts, led by Special Envoy Hans Grundberg, who Mr. Dujarric said was continuing to ‘explore options to extend and expand’ an UN-brokered six-month truce, which expired last October,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s government has welcomed Saudi Arabia’s extensive diplomatic efforts to end more than eight years of war between the government and the Houthi militia.

Muammar Al-Eryani, Yemen’s minister of information, said that his government applauds Saudi efforts to end the conflict in Yemen and restore peace and stability in the country, and that it would support any peace initiative that would end the suffering of Yemenis.

“We express our appreciation for the exceptional efforts made by the brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to bring peace to Yemen, as well as our full support for their efforts to achieve peace in the region and move it from a stage of conflicts and internal strife to one of stability and security,” the Yemeni minister said.


Arab-Islamic ministerial committee meets at UN headquarters to discuss Gaza war

Arab-Islamic ministerial committee meets at UN headquarters to discuss Gaza war
Updated 30 November 2023
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Arab-Islamic ministerial committee meets at UN headquarters to discuss Gaza war

Arab-Islamic ministerial committee meets at UN headquarters to discuss Gaza war
  • Meeting led by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan
  • Ministers call for lasting peace, implementation of two-state solution

RIYADH: A ministerial committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit held a meeting on Wednesday at the UN headquarters in New York, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The meeting was led by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and attended by representatives from China, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, Turkiye, Indonesia, Malaysia and the UAE.

The agenda focused on recent events in Gaza, including the outcomes of the humanitarian truce for Palestinian prisoners and efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

The meeting underscored the role of the UN Security Council’s permanent members in protecting civilians and enforcing international humanitarian laws, and highlighted the need to establish secure channels to allow urgent humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

The ministers reiterated their call for lasting peace through the implementation of resolutions supporting a two-state solution and the creation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The committee also urged the global community to consistently apply international legal and moral principles, and to protect Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank from the Israeli army and violent illegal settlers.


Agreement signed to achieve Saudi Green Initiative goals in Taif

Agreement signed to achieve Saudi Green Initiative goals in Taif
Updated 29 November 2023
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Agreement signed to achieve Saudi Green Initiative goals in Taif

Agreement signed to achieve Saudi Green Initiative goals in Taif

Taif Gov. Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud on Wednesday witnessed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Green Taif Organization, represented by its chairman, Saad bin Ayed Al-Otaibi, and the Green Horizons Environmental Association, represented by board member Saad bin Rabah Al-Ajmi.

The deal seeks to achieve the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative in Taif by increasing and preserving vegetation cover and protecting resources, identifying areas suitable for afforestation, determining the types of seedlings appropriate for each site, and other initiatives.

It will also implement training courses in relation to the environment, preserving its development and sustainability, and implementing initiatives, campaigns and awareness-raising activities.
 


Who’s Who: Ahmed Al-Shammari, GM of marketing and communications at National Gas and Industrialization Co.

Who’s Who: Ahmed Al-Shammari, GM of marketing and communications at National Gas and Industrialization Co.
Updated 30 November 2023
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Who’s Who: Ahmed Al-Shammari, GM of marketing and communications at National Gas and Industrialization Co.

Who’s Who: Ahmed Al-Shammari, GM of marketing and communications at National Gas and Industrialization Co.

Ahmed Al-Shammari has been the general manager of marketing and communications at the National Gas and Industrialization Co. in Riyadh since October this year.

Al-Shammari was selected due to his extensive professional background in strategic communications and customer experience, as well as his more than 15 years of experience in providing leadership in directing communication and branding initiatives, which reflect, articulate and promote the mission, vision and identity of the organization.

His areas of expertise include public relations, corporate social responsibility, media relations, content creation, events management, project management and strategic planning.

Al-Shammari was previously executive director for corporate communication and customer experience at the Fund for Martyrs and Wounded, Prisoners and Missing Persons in Riyadh.

In 2022, he was director of corporate communications at Saudi Mining Services Co., ESNAD.

Al-Shammari has also held important roles at Saudi Arabian Mining Co., also known as Ma’aden, where his responsibilities included overseeing development of communication, branding strategies and delivering impactful public relations programs that advanced the company’s mission and values.

Prior to that role, he was the internal and external communication manager‎ and corporate communication manager at the same company.

Al-Shammari started his career in July 2012 as corporate communication specialist at Saudi Railway Co.

He was the company’s corporate communication supervisor from March 2014 to April 2017, and the corporate communication manager from May 2017 to December 2018.

Al-Shammari earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from the University of Southern Indiana in 2005. He completed the leadership program at Harvard Business Review and Strategic Leadership from Harvard Business School in 2019.


More than 1,000 bicycles given away as part of AlUla cycle path opening

More than 1,000 bicycles given away as part of AlUla cycle path opening
Updated 30 November 2023
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More than 1,000 bicycles given away as part of AlUla cycle path opening

More than 1,000 bicycles given away as part of AlUla cycle path opening

ALULA: More than 1,000 bicycles have been awarded to participants of road safety and cycling courses in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla to mark the opening of a new 45 km cycle path on Wednesday.

Members of the AlUla Cyclists Club made up just part of the 200-strong group of cyclists competing in a race as part of the ceremony, as well as people living locally, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.

There were also 150 students using paths designed to enhance the skills of cyclists at all levels. 

The cycle path forms part of the AlUla Vision and sports sector strategy that aims to develop activities that improve people’s quality of life and increase the number of people taking part in sporting activites as well as the number of international competitions.


Red Sea Global nursery brings life to the desert with 5m plants cultivated in just 3 years

Red Sea Global nursery brings life to the desert with 5m plants cultivated in just 3 years
Updated 30 November 2023
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Red Sea Global nursery brings life to the desert with 5m plants cultivated in just 3 years

Red Sea Global nursery brings life to the desert with 5m plants cultivated in just 3 years

RIYADH: A blooming impressive 5 million plants have been grown in the massive Red Sea Global nursery since it was launched three-years-ago.

Currently running at full capacity, the announcement puts the 1 million square meter nursery – the region’s biggest - on course to producing more than 30 million, state news agency SPA reported.

The vast horticultural collection, that includes local plants, flowers, and other greenery will be replanted at Saudi resorts, hotels, and other projects including the Red Sea and Amaala destinations.

With the majority of nursery’s plants being indigenous species makes them ideal for the local environment, the report added.

And the introduction of additional desert species follows thorough assessments to ensure their coexistence with local plants and animals.

The nursery’s senior manager, Muteb Al-Osaimi, said combatting desertification – when fertile land turns to desert – was complex process.

“This presents an opportunity to transcend reasonable limits, elevate sustainability standards, and collaborate with an international team of experts who share a passion for environmental enhancement. Concurrently, we contribute to crafting beautiful destinations by designing captivating landscapes, creating inviting spaces for visitors to unwind, and fostering flourishing wildlife,” said Al-Osaimi.

With a workforce currently at 80, the Red Sea Global project is being used to provide employment and training for Saudi locals.