Officials highlight importance of research ecosystems to develop Saudi health policy

Saudi Arabia is focused on developing a strong research ecosystem as a foundation for addressing national challenges, according to Dr. Nouf Al-Numair. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)
Saudi Arabia is focused on developing a strong research ecosystem as a foundation for addressing national challenges, according to Dr. Nouf Al-Numair. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)
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Updated 04 February 2025
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Officials highlight importance of research ecosystems to develop Saudi health policy

Officials highlight importance of research ecosystems to develop Saudi health policy
  • Collaboration between scientists, clinicians and government key, panel told
  • ‘We need a robust governance structure to align research with national strategies’

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is building a robust health research ecosystem to inform policy development and promote sustainable growth, three Saudi health officials said on Tuesday.

The comments were made during a panel discussion at the Global Healthspan Summit 2025 in Riyadh, which has Arab News as a media partner.

Speaking during the panel discussion titled “GCC Exchange,” Dr. Nouf Al-Numair, secretary general of the Saudi Ministerial Committee for Health in All Policies (HiAP), highlighted how the Kingdom is embedding health considerations into all sectors to tackle age-related diseases and foster collaboration across the Gulf Cooperation Council.




"GCC Exchange" discussed ways Gulf countries are fostering collaboration to fight age-related diseases and develop sustainable healthspan research. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)

“In Saudi Arabia, we are governing HiAP at a higher level — it’s embedded within the central government,” said Dr. Al-Numair.

She added that through a ministerial committee exercising this topic, HiAP is supported by 11 ministries working together to activate health in all policies across the Kingdom.

Dr. Al-Numair highlighted Saudi Arabia’s focus on developing a strong research ecosystem as a foundation for addressing national challenges.

“This ecosystem is crucial because it informs policy development and research allows us to set priorities, understand challenges and proactively solve them through policies — not just isolated initiatives or programs,” she said.




"GCC Exchange" discussed ways Gulf countries are fostering collaboration to fight age-related diseases and develop sustainable healthspan research. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)

Dr. Al-Numair outlined five key pillars essential for building a strong research ecosystem: Strong governance and alignment, building capabilities, clear funding mechanisms, data and digital infrastructure, and collaborative platforms.

“We need a robust governance structure to align research with national strategies,” she said, highlighting the importance of central coordination to ensure that research addresses priority areas.

Dr. Al-Numair said that investing in the workforce and preparing for futuristic jobs within the research environment is key to creating a sustainable ecosystem.

“A defined funding mechanism ensures that researchers, scientists and innovators are adequately supported to contribute to the ecosystem,” she added.

Digitalizing data and creating a comprehensive digital infrastructure is critical for enabling research and collaboration, she said.

Dr. Majed Al-Jeraisy, executive director of research and education at the Saudi NIH, further highlighted the challenges of building research infrastructure from scratch and highlighted the need to first change cultural mindsets.

“This is the most important element to start with,” said Dr. Al-Jeraisy. “We need to shift the mindset and culture around research before focusing on other key elements such as setting clear milestones and measurable goals within the strategy.”

Dr. Al-Jeraisy also highlighted the importance of recruiting high-caliber scientists to support the collaborative nature of research into extending the healthy human lifespan.

He said that this research requires a collaborative approach between scientists and clinicians.

“This integration doesn’t exist yet, so we need to foster more collaboration and even recruit experienced scientists from abroad to embed this culture within the system.”

Leveraging artificial intelligence and big data is another critical priority, Dr. Al-Jeraisy added.

“Without a robust database for our community, we cannot develop a strategy, road map, or even efficient planning and funding,” he said.

Dr. Al-Jeraisy added that having sustainable funding is crucial.

“Setting up infrastructure requires securing resources to support long-term healthspan and longevity research.”

He added that the field demands sustained momentum and stakeholder engagement over time.

Adding to the discussion, Dr. Walid Al-Keridy, director, home health care administration at the Ministry of Health, highlighted how the ministry is taking a holistic approach to address healthy longevity and lifespan in alignment with Vision 2030.

“In the Ministry of Health, our North Star and vision are to ensure that every individual in our society is not only living longer, but also healthier, supported by a resilient healthcare system,” Dr. Al-Keridy said.

He outlined the ministry’s guiding principles, which prioritize prevention, health and digital transformation, private-sector partnerships and program sustainability.

Dr. Al-Keridy highlighted the importance of designing programs that meet people where they are, linking them to Vision 2030 priorities and ensuring sustainability.

“We address this at multiple levels within the ministry through resilient programs that ensure value in the healthcare system. These principles are embedded in our initiatives, such as the value-based program and even in our contractual agreements with new therapies,” he said.

The “GCC Exchange” panel explored how Gulf countries are fostering collaboration to tackle age-related diseases and promote sustainable growth in healthspan research.

Dr. Al-Numair concluded by highlighting Saudi Arabia’s leadership in health policy and research innovation within the region.

“By focusing on governance, capabilities, funding, infrastructure and collaboration, we can build a health ecosystem that not only addresses current challenges, but also prepares us for the future,” she said.

 

 


Saudi Arabia developing unified ESG guidelines to raise reporting standards, official says

Saudi Arabia developing unified ESG guidelines to raise reporting standards, official says
Updated 38 min 31 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia developing unified ESG guidelines to raise reporting standards, official says

Saudi Arabia developing unified ESG guidelines to raise reporting standards, official says
  • Robust ecosystem will help prepare for sustainable future
  • Saudi companies need to improve accuracy of reports, says Sindi

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is developing unified national environmental, social, and governance guidelines that aim to bring reporting up to international standards, an official said.

“By developing a robust ESG ecosystem, we can address current challenges while preparing for a more sustainable future,” Yara Sindi, general manager of monitoring, reporting, and policies for sustainability, and director of corporate sustainability at the Ministry of Economy and Planning said during a conference in Riyadh.

“With 30 percent of our top companies already reporting on sustainability and growing awareness globally, we have an incredible opportunity to capitalize on this momentum,” Sindi said.

Despite this progress, Sindi noted that the quality of these reports remains a challenge. Many are not aligned with international standards, resulting in weak ratings and limited investor engagement, she said.

While there are multiple existing national guidelines that have been developed by different jurisdictions, Sindi pointed out that there is still no unified approach.

She emphasized the need for Saudi companies to improve the accuracy and transparency of their sustainability reports.

“It’s essential to equip our corporates with the tools and frameworks they need to produce high-quality reports,” she said.

Sindi added that this will allow them to better translate their efforts into measurable outcomes that investors can trust.

To tackle these challenges, Saudi Arabia is developing its own national sustainability reporting standards.

“These guidelines, informed by international best practices, aim to provide a unified approach that simplifies reporting for companies while ensuring alignment with global expectations,” she added.

Sindi made the comments during a panel discussion titled “The Evolving Landscape of ESG: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities” at the fifth World Environmental Social and Governance Summit in Riyadh this week.

She said that investors’ awareness of national ESG initiatives is not where it should be, due to the disconnect between companies and investors regarding sustainability efforts.

“We are working to bridge this gap by fostering conversations and knowledge-sharing between corporates and investors.”

Abdulaziz Al-Ghamdi, director of sustainability at Ardara, also participated in the discussion, emphasizing a critical aspect of proper ESG implementation.

“A lot is going on — the landscape on the policy and the implementation of the strategy — and there’s lots of effort and work to be thanked for.”

Al-Ghamdi added that where most companies fail to address proper ESG implementation strategy, and the way that it can aid decision-making, is in identifying, primarily, many different materiality topics and the sustainability mandate.

“That being said, ESG is a metric for those who have not been involved in it — to calculate, to measure, to track, and to assess the performance of a company towards this broader stakeholder engagement,” he explained.

Al-Ghamdi said that there is a lot of work that has been completed to do that, but there are significant challenges in implementing these kinds of ESG strategies.

Neil Atkinson, senior vice president and head of ESG and sustainability at Riyadh Bank, added further insights into how ESG opens new opportunities for Saudi Arabia’s rapidly transforming sectors such as construction, energy, and real estate.

“I’d say, with the mass transformation we have here in Saudi Arabia for all sectors, how ESG in collaboration with this transformation can provide new opportunities for us here in the Kingdom,” Atkinson said.

He identified four key trends shaping the ESG landscape from a banking perspective.

“The first one is the increasing growth of green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked instruments,” Atkinson said.

He noted that in the US, self-identified assets under management in ESG reached $6.5 trillion in 2024, reflecting a significant year-on-year rise.

Atkinson pointed to the scaling of clean energy technologies, particularly solar, hydrogen, and wind, as a second major trend.

The third trend Atkinson highlighted was the increasing demand from investors for measurable ESG metrics.

“There are innumerable macro studies that demonstrate the strong positive correlation between sustainability performance and financial performance,” he said.

This drives investor interest in companies’ ESG integration into corporate planning and strategy. Atkinson linked this trend to regulatory developments.

He added: “Sustainability performance equals financial performance, which equals financial stability. And that’s a trend we see continuing.”

Atkinson said that there are 3,000 Saudi companies impacted by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requirements.

“This will influence how businesses set up their exports and how we in the financial sector help companies transition to meet these requirements.”


Islamic coalition partners with UN to strengthen global efforts against terrorism

Islamic coalition partners with UN to strengthen global efforts against terrorism
Updated 11 February 2025
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Islamic coalition partners with UN to strengthen global efforts against terrorism

Islamic coalition partners with UN to strengthen global efforts against terrorism

RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism signed a memorandum of understanding in New York to bolster international efforts against terrorism and promote global security and stability.

The MoU aims to unify efforts in addressing terrorist threats in line with the regulations of both parties, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The coalition was represented by secretary-general, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Moghedi, and the UN office by under-secretary-general Vladimir Voronkov.

The MoU will support joint counter-terrorism projects focusing on capacity-building, training, awareness initiatives, and tackling emerging challenges.

It also outlines strategic cooperation in areas such as specialized law enforcement training and tailored technical assistance to member states.

Al-Moghedi emphasized that the MoU highlights the coalition’s commitment to combating terrorism and enhancing international cooperation for global security.

He added that working with the UN will facilitate the exchange of expertise and strengthen member states’ abilities to address security challenges effectively.


Saudi fund grants $20m loan for Suriname power grid 

Saudi fund grants $20m loan for Suriname power grid 
Updated 11 February 2025
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Saudi fund grants $20m loan for Suriname power grid 

Saudi fund grants $20m loan for Suriname power grid 

RIYADH: The Saudi Fund for Development has signed its first concessional loan agreement with Suriname, allocating $20 million to expand the country’s electricity transmission and distribution networks.

The agreement was signed by Sultan Al-Marshad, the fund’s CEO, and Kermechend Stanley Raghoebarsing, Suriname’s minister of finance and planning, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The project aims to expand the electricity network in the capital Paramaribo, and the city of Nickerie, improving energy accessibility and grid efficiency. 

It will also extend electricity to farms and factories across multiple regions, with transmission lines covering approximately 50 km, the SPA reported.

This agreement marks the first collaboration between the Saudi fund and Suriname, reflecting the former’s 50-year commitment to supporting developing nations’ economic, social, and developmental challenges.

The project aligns with the fund’s ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure and economic prosperity worldwide, the SPA added.


Saudi Arabia becoming international creator hub, says philanthropist Dylan Page

Saudi Arabia becoming international creator hub, says philanthropist Dylan Page
Updated 17 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia becoming international creator hub, says philanthropist Dylan Page

Saudi Arabia becoming international creator hub, says philanthropist Dylan Page

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia is becoming an international hub especially for creators and influencers, social media news anchor and philanthropist Dylan Page said on Tuesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Page told Arab News that he was looking forward to seeing Saudi Arabia’s next steps in the online space.

“I think their (Saudi Arabia) push to become much more international and bring lots of people in — I mean, signing Ronaldo alone was one of those things that got the entire world’s attention — I think it’s a huge opportunity to make it that international hub, especially for creators and influencers and stuff like that,” he said.

With more than 15 million followers across social media platforms, Page’s content focuses on news, humanitarian projects and pop culture.

Page, also known as TikTok’s “News Daddy,” started off as a janitor, but decided to follow his passion and pursue content creation full time.

Accumulating billions of views, Page grew his account in just 4 years and his life took a turn as he became one of the most followed news accounts on social media.

Ahead of his visit to Saudi Arabia, Page said he was looking forward to taking a tour of the Kingdom and hoped to visit the construction zone of The Line.

“This is what the world needs. We need to be able to look forward and have some inspiration again. Like Elon Musk always says, you know, we can’t just be focusing on the problems. You also need something to look forward to,” he added.

“Saudi Arabia, a lot of countries in the Middle East, are really pushing that. They’re the ones that are really bringing the inspiration. Like, what can we do in the future?”

Page is involved in substantial humanitarian work and advocacy. He collaborates with Share The Meal, a UN World Food Programme project that aims to end world hunger.

Share The Meal is raising funds for projects in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and elsewhere.

“At the start, it was one of those (projects) where we didn’t know much about it. So, we looked into it and we thought it was just going to be, like, working together one time to start off with. And then we kept on reaching out,” he said.

Page said he had been working with the scheme for two years. He plans to launch in-person projects to help raise more funds and be more involved.

The philanthropist will also be working on a new Ramadan campaign in collaboration with Share The Meal, his third such partnership with the UN project.


685 technology talents granted Saudi residency

685 technology talents granted Saudi residency
Updated 11 February 2025
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685 technology talents granted Saudi residency

685 technology talents granted Saudi residency

RIYADH: On Tuesday, the third day of the LEAP Tech Conference, the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced that 685 technology researchers had been granted distinctive residency in Saudi Arabia.

Specialists in 5G technology topped the list with 16 percent, followed by cloud computing specialists with 15 percent. These fields are the cornerstone of digital infrastructure, positioning the Kingdom as a leading country in adopting modern technologies, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The distinctive residency was also granted to experts in artificial intelligence and machine learning, who constituted 12 percent.

These fields are a priority in the Kingdom due to their role in contributing to the development of many sectors such as healthcare, education and digital industries, according to SPA.

Also, experts in Big Data sets comprised 13 percent of those who received the distinguished residency.

The program also attracted professionals in smart technologies, financial technology, and advanced computing, fields essential in supporting the growth of the Kingdom’s digital economy.

Among the experts granted residency are researchers from the US, the UK, Australia, Germany, Brazil, India, Pakistan and Egypt.

The Kingdom’s residence visas allow skilled professionals in health and scientific competencies to apply for residency for up to five years depending on their monthly income.

Visa holders can reside in the Kingdom with their families, conduct business and own real estate properties, and cooperate with government agencies, among other advantages.