Saudi minister promotes education sustainability at G20 meeting in Brazil

Saudi minister promotes education sustainability at G20 meeting in Brazil
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Saudi Minister of Education Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan addressed the G20 Education Ministers’ Meeting in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Supplied)
Saudi minister promotes education sustainability at G20 meeting in Brazil
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Saudi Minister of Education Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan addressed the G20 Education Ministers’ Meeting in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Supplied)
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Updated 31 October 2024
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Saudi minister promotes education sustainability at G20 meeting in Brazil

Saudi minister promotes education sustainability at G20 meeting in Brazil
  • Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan: School-community engagement in Saudi Arabia constitutes a fundamental element of our national strategy
  • Saudi Ministry of Education has established a department dedicated to community responsibility and volunteer work

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Education Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan has emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting sustainability in education and investment in skills, innovation and entrepreneurship to achieve a sustainable future for citizens and enhance global competitiveness for future generations.

Al-Benyan was speaking during the G20 Education Ministers’ Meeting in Fortaleza in Brazil, where he emphasized the Kingdom’s support of the goals and priorities of the Education Working Group.

He highlighted the importance of cooperation between schools and communities to provide students with experiences and resources that enhance the importance of learning for them.

Al-Benyan said that the engagement of educational institutions with the community enabled educators to meet the diverse needs of students and their families, promote inclusivity, and help students to develop into active citizens.

“School-community engagement in Saudi Arabia constitutes a fundamental element of our national strategy, as the Kingdom’s educational institutions understand the importance of connecting with the community — not just as recipients of volunteer efforts but also as active participants in societal development,” he said.

The Saudi Ministry of Education has established a department dedicated to community responsibility and volunteer work, focusing on integrating sustainable development goals into education and creating initiatives that address local needs.

Al-Benyan said that a new school evaluation index had been developed to assess community engagement effectively, with Vision 2030 setting ambitious targets for the non-profit sector, aiming to reach 10,000 community organizations, contribute more than 5 percent of GDP, and engage one million volunteers.

He added that the Kingdom had seen a more than 150 percent increase in educational non-profit organizations in 2024.

Al-Benyan also discussed two flagship projects aimed at supporting teachers — the National Institute for Professional Education Development and the Teachers Fund. The institute is focused on four key areas: teacher preparation, teacher development, leadership nurturing, and teacher advocacy.

He called for collaborative efforts to develop a new global perspective that ensured a just and sustainable future for all citizens.


Saudi Arabia sends 25th relief plane to Lebanon

Saudi Arabia sends 25th relief plane to Lebanon
Updated 12 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia sends 25th relief plane to Lebanon

Saudi Arabia sends 25th relief plane to Lebanon

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s 26th relief aircraft loaded with humanitarian aid including food, medical supplies and shelter equipment arrived at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Thursday, state news agency SPA reported.

The plane, operated by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, departed King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh earlier in the day as part of a continuing effort to transport hundreds of tonnes of medical supplies and food aid for Lebanese families displaced by the conflict.

A earlier statement from the Saudi aid agency KSrelief said the aid deliveries showed that the Kingdom was “standing with needy and affected countries … in the face of crises and difficulties.”


Saudi foreign minister arrives in Kuwait for ministerial meeting for Gulf Supreme Council

Saudi foreign minister arrives in Kuwait for ministerial meeting for Gulf Supreme Council
Updated 10 min 54 sec ago
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Saudi foreign minister arrives in Kuwait for ministerial meeting for Gulf Supreme Council

Saudi foreign minister arrives in Kuwait for ministerial meeting for Gulf Supreme Council

KUWAIT: Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Kuwait on Thursday ahead of the ministerial meeting for the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for Arab States of the Gulf. 

The preparatory ministerial meeting is set to discuss the agenda of the 45th session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf which is scheduled for next Sunday in Kuwait City. Leaders from all over the Gulf will attend the meeting. 

The minister was welcomed by his counterpart Abdullah Al-Yahya.


Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates Riyadh Metro project

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates Riyadh Metro project
Updated 28 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates Riyadh Metro project

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates Riyadh Metro project
  • Riyadh Metro network includes six train lines measuring 176 km and 85 stations
  • Metro will be open to public from Dec. 1, operate daily from 6am to midnight

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurated the Riyadh Metro project on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The project is considered the backbone of the public transport network in Riyadh, SPA said.

King Salman watched an introductory film about the project, which is distinguished by its exceptional design and technical specifications.

The Riyadh Metro consists of a network that includes six train lines measuring 176 km and 85 stations, including four main stations.

“The Riyadh Public Transport Project, which spans metro and bus networks, is the culmination of concerted efforts made by King Salman and the outcome of his visionary leadership while serving as the Chairman of the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh, the predecessor of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City,” Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said. 

The Public Transport Project in Riyadh City was launched based on various studies prepared by the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh.

The studies considered the current and future needs of the public transport sector in the capital and identified the best solutions and options for establishing a sustainable public transport system that is compatible with the city and its characteristics.

The metro will begin to be available for public use from Dec. 1 and will operate daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. 

The lines will open over the next two months in stages — with the blue, yellow and purple lines opening on Dec. 1, the red and green lines opening on Dec. 15, and the orange line opening on Jan. 5, 2025. 

Following the announcement, Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb posted on X: “Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may Allah protect him, the #RiyadhMetro project was inaugurated — reflecting the leadership’s commitment during this prosperous era to enhancing Riyadh’s infrastructure and raising the quality of life in the city.

“This aligns with the goals of #SaudiVision2030, further establishing the city’s position as a tourist destination that attracts visitors from around the world.”

Abeer Al-Shehri, a Riyadh-based lawyer, told Arab News that the new metro would cut the time she spent in traffic and the number of postponed appointments.

“As a lawyer, my profession involves fieldwork at courts, the Public Prosecution and police stations. Sometimes I have to attend sessions at the office while also having two important appointments to attend,” she said.

“With the traffic, there’s not enough time for both, so I’m forced to postpone one. Additionally, client meetings at the company’s office often take place around noon, and it’s well known that at that time, it’s impossible to reach the location within an hour without being late.

“This forces me to leave at least an hour earlier. The metro will significantly improve the time wasted in traffic, and as a lawyer, it will allow me to commute back and forth to the office in record time.”

Riyadh resident Faisal Suliman Al-Anzy told Arab News that he was “happy and excited” about Wednesday’s announcement.

He plans to use the metro “for visiting friends, (especially at) the weekend when there are traffic jams everywhere.”


Saudi official elected vice chair of organization that sets standards for global food trade

Saudi official elected vice chair of organization that sets standards for global food trade
Updated 28 November 2024
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Saudi official elected vice chair of organization that sets standards for global food trade

Saudi official elected vice chair of organization that sets standards for global food trade
  • Saudi Food and Drug Authority says selection of Khalid Al-Zahrani by Codex Alimentarius Commission is a ‘milestone’ and ‘testament to our commitment to global food safety
  • Al-Zahrani has represented the Kingdom on several international committees, including at the World Trade Organization

RIYADH: Saudi official Khalid Al-Zahrani was chosen on Wednesday to be vice chair of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which sets the standards for the international food trade that are designed to ensure products are safe and protect consumer health.

Representatives of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority who were present for the vote at the commission’s 47th annual session in Geneva, Switzerland, congratulated Al-Zahrani on his election.

“This is a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia and a testament to our commitment to global food safety and standards,” said Hisham Aljadhey, the authority’s CEO.

“By assuming the role of vice chair of Codex, (Saudi Arabia) aims to further strengthen international collaboration, promote sustainable food practices and ensure the well-being of consumers worldwide.”

Al-Zahrani has served as the Codex chairperson for the Near East region since 2020 and was reelected to the position in 2023.

He also represented Saudi Arabia on several international committees, including the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade, the Gulf Cooperation Council Standardization Organization, and the International Organization for Standardization’s Food Products Committee.

He works closely with the Kingdom’s Food and Drug Authority, which aims to prioritize sustainability and enhance efficiency, inclusiveness and transparency within food systems. The authority was recognized in January by the World Health Organization as one of the first five countries in the world to eliminate the use of industrially produced trans fats in food, alongside Denmark, Lithuania, Poland and Thailand.

“Al-Zahrani’s election highlights the exceptional quality of Saudi staff at the SFDA and the authority's efforts in food-safety legislation and oversight,” the authority said.

The Codex Alimentarius (Latin for “Food Code”) is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations related to food production, labeling and safety, published by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the WHO.


Saudi development fund chief meets Congo’s finance minister

Saudi development fund chief meets Congo’s finance minister
Updated 27 November 2024
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Saudi development fund chief meets Congo’s finance minister

Saudi development fund chief meets Congo’s finance minister

CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development Sultan Al-Marshad met Congo’s Minister of Finance Doudou Fumba Likunde, the Saudi Fund said on X on Wednesday.

During the meeting, they reviewed development cooperation between the two sides that began 40 years ago, as well as discussing ways to enhance economic cooperation to develop vital sectors in Congo.

Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Congo Abdulaziz Al-Badi was present during the meeting.