KSrelief expands humanitarian aid to crisis zones

KSrelief expands humanitarian aid to crisis zones
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In Turkiye, KSrelief recently concluded a week-long voluntary medical program for specialized surgeries in Tarsus. (SPA)
KSrelief expands humanitarian aid to crisis zones
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The 19th plane sent from Riyadh to Lebanon arrived at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Updated 05 November 2024
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KSrelief expands humanitarian aid to crisis zones

KSrelief expands humanitarian aid to crisis zones
  • The 19th plane sent from Riyadh to Lebanon arrived at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Tuesday

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief is intensifying efforts to deliver aid to Lebanon and recently supported those in need of medical assistance in Turkiye.

The 19th plane sent from Riyadh to Lebanon arrived at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Tuesday, carrying food, shelter and medical supplies, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The aid will be used to assist the growing number of people displaced by Israeli airstrikes. Countries such as the UAE, Turkiye, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Canada, Romania and France are also sending aid to Lebanon.

In Turkiye, KSrelief recently concluded a week-long voluntary medical program for specialized surgeries in Tarsus. A team of 32 volunteers performed 31 open-heart operations, five therapeutic catheterizations, and 18 diagnostic catheterizations.

The Saudi aid agency also completed a medical project in Reyhanli for victims of the earthquake in February last year. During this campaign, the medical team treated 537 patients in family medicine, 417 in dermatology, 380 in optometry, and 219 in endocrinology.

In February 2023, KSrelief launched a campaign through the Sahem platform to aid earthquake victims in Syria and Turkiye, raising more than SR524 million ($139.5 million) from more than 3.4 million donations.


Saudi Arabia showcases innovation in healthcare at Riyadh exhibition

Saudi Arabia showcases innovation in healthcare at Riyadh exhibition
Updated 18 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia showcases innovation in healthcare at Riyadh exhibition

Saudi Arabia showcases innovation in healthcare at Riyadh exhibition
  • Event, held from Dec. 10-12, brings together more than 400 exhibitors from 100 countries and over 150 speakers from the pharmaceutical industry
  • Aligns with the goals of the health sector transformation program, outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to foster a vibrant society with a healthy life

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Health is showcasing its latest projects in therapeutic and pharmaceutical healthcare at the CPHI Middle East exhibition in Riyadh.

The event, held from Dec. 10-12, brings together more than 400 exhibitors from 100 countries and over 150 speakers from the pharmaceutical industry.

It aligns with the goals of the health sector transformation program, outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to foster a vibrant society with a healthy life.

Among the key highlights are advancements in biotechnology, highlighting the ministry’s support for the national biotechnology strategy, which seeks to position Saudi Arabia as a regional and global biotechnology hub while enhancing self-sufficiency in the sector.

The pavilion also presents investment opportunities in biotechnology, aiming to enable sector growth and establish the Kingdom as a global leader, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Key initiatives include implementing strategic incentives to attract international companies, promoting sustainable marketing, enhancing financing capabilities, fostering joint investments and driving infrastructure investments.

Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel said: “Hosting the CPHI Middle East exhibition in the Kingdom underscores our dedication to enhancing Saudi Arabia’s role as a hub for pharmaceutical industry innovation in the region.

“This aligns with the Kingdom’s efforts to implement the National Biotechnology Strategy, which aims to contribute 3 percent to gross domestic product, totaling SR130 billion ($34.6 billion) annually by 2040.”

Al-Jalajel oversaw the signing of agreements worth SR10 billion and announced partnerships with major companies, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals for a project valued at around SR1 billion, and Tabuk Pharmaceuticals with an investment of SR100 million.

Vice Minister of Health for Planning and Development Abdulaziz Al-Ramaih praised the transformation of the healthcare sector and the expanding role of private industry in the pharmaceutical industry.

He highlighted the Kingdom’s goal to lead the biotechnology sector in the Middle East and North Africa by 2030 through the National Biotechnology Strategy, which aims to create numerous jobs by supporting research, innovation and integrated biomanufacturing, while boosting the sector’s growth and competitiveness.

Al-Ramaih noted the pivotal role of the pharmaceutical sector in enhancing public health, strengthening health security, fostering economic growth and bolstering the Kingdom’s global standing.


Emir of Kuwait receives Saudi Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed

Emir of Kuwait receives Saudi Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed
Updated 10 December 2024
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Emir of Kuwait receives Saudi Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed

Emir of Kuwait receives Saudi Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed

RIYADH: The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah received on Tuesday Prince Turki bin Mohammed, the Saudi minister of state and Cabinet member, and his accompanying delegation.

Prince Turki conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Kuwaiti leadership.

Sheikh Meshal, in turn, sent his greetings and appreciation to the king and crown prince, wishing them continued good health and well-being, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

During their meeting at Bayan Palace, the two discussed relations between their respective countries and ways to develop them.

The Saudi delegation included Prince Sultan bin Saad bin Khalid, the Saudi ambassador to Kuwait, and Mohammed Al-Jadaan, the minister of finance, alongside senior Saudi and Kuwaiti aides. 

Prince Turki also met on Tuesday with the Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.


Riyadh mayor receives English official

Riyadh mayor receives English official
Updated 10 December 2024
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Riyadh mayor receives English official

Riyadh mayor receives English official

RIYADH: Riyadh Mayor Faisal bin Ayyaf on Monday received the Mayor of North East England Kim McGuinness.

During their meeting the pair discussed ways to boost cooperation between Riyadh and the English region.

Ayyaf stressed the municipality’s keenness to establish international partnerships in various fields.

McGuinness praised the developments achieved by Riyadh and highlighted the importance of cooperation in areas of common interest.


Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties

Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties
Updated 10 December 2024
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Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties

Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties
  • Campaign coinciding with COP16 launched in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riyadh Municipality

Riyadh: The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Riyadh Municipality, launched a tree-planting campaign to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A series of programs are being organized by the embassy to commemorate the golden jubilee of diplomatic ties, an embassy spokesperson told Arab News.

The planting event was organized at Al-Darseena Park in the capital and coincided with the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, or COP16, which is being hosted in Riyadh from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme “Our Land Our Future.”

A number of officials participated in the event, planting trees, including embassy staff, Sri Lankan Ambassador Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, Himali De Costa of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Environment, and Dulanji Herath of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

Members of the Sri Lankan community in Riyadh, staff and students of the Sri Lanka International School in Riyadh as well as senior officials of the Riyadh Municipality also participated.

Ghada binth Abdullah Al-Omran, director of volunteer services at the Riyadh Municipality, extended thanks to the Sri Lankan Embassy for launching the initiative and the Sri Lankan community for their active participation.

Addressing the gathering, Ajwad noted that the event aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees.

It also adds value to the commemoration of ties between Saudi Arabi and Sri Lanka as it shows solidarity with COP16, being hosted in Riyadh, which aims to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought, Ajwad added.

The ambassador expressed his sincere appreciation to Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, mayor of the Riyadh Region, for allocating parks for this tree-planting initiative and the excellent arrangements made by the municipality to this end.

Senior Director Arif Al-Sulami and his team at the Riyadh Municipality helped organize the tree planting event in five prominent parks in the Riyadh Region.

As part of a series of events to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the embassy is also organizing the Ambassador’s Cup Cricket Tournament with matches being played by the Sri Lankan community in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.


Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause

Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause
Updated 10 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause

Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause
  • Minister urges unified Arab media strategy, and artificial intelligence integration to enhance content

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary has emphasized the importance of leveraging Arab efforts in the sector to support the Palestinian cause. 

Al-Dossary made the comments while chairing the 20th session of the Executive Office of the Arab Information Ministers Council in Abu Dhabi, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by heads of Arab delegations, institutions, and unions engaged in media-related activities. 

Al-Dossary stressed the need for all Arab media outlets to highlight the resolutions issued during the recent Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh. 

These resolutions reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause, unwavering support for the national rights of the besieged people, and the pursuit of a just and comprehensive solution based on international agreements. 

“We meet today to discuss 12 items as part of Arab efforts to enhance joint Arab media work, foremost among them the Palestinian cause,” the minister said. 

He also emphasized the importance of the unified Arab plan for media engagement with environmental issues.

Al-Dossary highlighted Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and the One Water Summit, stressing the importance of showcasing their outcomes in Arab media. 

He underscored the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence technologies in Arab media to enhance content and analyze audience behavior.

Furthermore, he called for the insights from the Global AI Summit held in Riyadh to be implemented to improve the performance of Arab media.

He noted that discussions were held on key issues, including the role of the media in combating terrorism.

In addition, there was a focus on the Arab League’s efforts to follow up on the Arab Media Action Plan abroad, and the Arab Media Map for Sustainable Development 2030.