Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network

Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network
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Alejandro Luzón Cánovas of Spain (left) handing over the chair of the GlobE Network Steering Committee to Nasser Abaalkhail, deputy for international collaboration of Saudi Arabia's Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network
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The GlobE Network's Steering Committee has 16 member elected every three years. (SPA)
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Updated 14 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network

Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network
  • Spain passes on leadership at UN headquarters in Vienna
  • Saudi Arabia elected network chair for 3-year term in 2024

VIENNA: Saudi Arabia, through its Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, or Nazaha, has assumed the presidency of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities.

Spain handed over the leadership of the GlobE Network during a ceremony at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Nasser Nasser Abaalkhail, Nazaha’s deputy for international collaboration, was installed as chairman of the committee, with Boni de Moraes Soares, Brazil’s national solicitor for international affairs, as vice chair.

Saudi Arabia was unanimously elected to chair the GlobE Network’s steering committee for the 2025 to 2027 term during a high-level meeting last year in Beijing, China.

Its election to lead the international network underscores member states’ recognition of the Kingdom’s commitment to fighting corruption, the SPA reported.

Established in 2021, the GlobE Network includes more than 229 law-enforcement agencies from over 124 countries, as well as numerous international organizations.

Abaalkhail said that Saudi Arabia aims to enhance collaboration among member states to combat corruption in alignment with the UN Convention Against Corruption.

As chair of the network, Saudi Arabia “seeks to create new strategies for asset recovery and initiate a secure communication platform to facilitate quicker and more efficient information exchange among member states,” Abaalkhail said in a statement carried by the SPA.

“This will enhance international cooperation and empower governments to tackle emerging challenges in combating corruption, refine asset recovery processes, and more effectively trace illicit funds across borders,” he said.

Since its creation, the network has had a positive impact on the efforts of members to combat cross-border corruption.

During a recent meeting of the network, representatives from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Chile, China, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, and Indonesia shared insights on various cross-border investigations.

This included joint efforts to uncover embezzlement of EU grant funds, the use of the network’s Secure Communication Platform to advance investigations, as well as operations targeting large-scale fraud involving value-added tax.

The participants also highlighted examples of swift action in asset recovery, successful extraditions, and effective collaboration between agencies to track and freeze offshore assets obtained through corruption, according to the network’s website.

Nazaha has taken considerable strides in combatting corruption in the Kingdom since its creation in 2016.

During December 2024, the authority arrested 145 citizens and residents — among them government employees — accused of various crimes including bribery and abuse of authority.


Saudi AI chief reviews crowd management tech in Makkah

Saudi AI chief reviews crowd management tech in Makkah
Updated 22 sec ago
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Saudi AI chief reviews crowd management tech in Makkah

Saudi AI chief reviews crowd management tech in Makkah
  • Abdullah Al-Ghamdi explores advanced technologies for Grand Mosque operations and highway security

RIYADH: Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority President Abdullah Al-Ghamdi has visited the Grand Mosque Operations Center in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He met the director of Public Security and chairman of the Hajj Security Committee, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, along with several security officials and Saudi programmers from the authority working at the center.

Al-Ghamdi reviewed the operations of the Baseer platform, developed by the authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, represented by Public Security.

The platform uses computer vision and AI to monitor and analyze the movement of visitors to the Grand Mosque, ensuring smooth crowd management and assisting in locating missing persons.

He also reviewed the Sawaher platform, designed to enhance the safety of the Grand Mosque, contributing to a secure and smart environment that facilitates worshippers and Umrah performers in performing their rituals seamlessly.

Al-Ghamdi also visited the Highway Security Center in Al-Shumaisi, where he was briefed on the Banan device, which enhances identity verification using biometric features.

He observed the center’s operations, the command room and the advanced technology used in the Saudi Lucid vehicle, which is equipped with AI tools.


KSrelief delivers aid to Syria, Yemen, Lebanon

KSrelief delivers aid to Syria, Yemen, Lebanon
Updated 15 min 18 sec ago
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KSrelief delivers aid to Syria, Yemen, Lebanon

KSrelief delivers aid to Syria, Yemen, Lebanon
  • Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food packages to some of the world’s most vulnerable people

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food packages to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

In Syria, 170 packages were distributed to families in need in the Rif Dimashq governorate as part of the Etaam Ramadan food project.

In Yemen, KSrelief distributed 1,300 baskets to vulnerable groups in the Al-Wadi district of the Marib governorate, benefiting 9,100 individuals. In the Aden governorate, 1,188 parcels were given to people with disabilities.

The Etaam project in Yemen targets displaced individuals, those in greatest need, and people with disabilities in Aden, Hadramout, Marib, Al-Mahra, Shabwah, and Hajjah, benefiting 160,812 individuals.

Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million).

Additionally, KSrelief distributed 564 food baskets to people in need in Deir Ammar, northern Lebanon, benefiting 2,820 individuals.

In Syria, KSrelief provided food baskets and hygiene kits to 803 families in Harem, benefiting 4,818 individuals.


White House thanks crown prince for facilitating Russia, Ukraine talks

White House thanks crown prince for facilitating Russia, Ukraine talks
Updated 26 March 2025
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White House thanks crown prince for facilitating Russia, Ukraine talks

White House thanks crown prince for facilitating Russia, Ukraine talks

RIYADH: The White House has thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for facilitating talks with Russia and Ukraine about safe navigation in the Black Sea.
A statement said: “The United States expresses gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his leadership and hospitality in once again facilitating these important discussions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
The US reached separate agreements with Russia and Ukraine in Riyadh to keep the waterway — a vital route for agricultural goods — secure.
The two parties visited the Kingdom to discuss, along with US and Saudi officials, first steps on settling crucial issues in the hopes of reaching a wider resolution to the conflict.
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has annexed parts of the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the talks, calling them early steps toward a peaceful settlement.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: “We will need clear guarantees. And given the sad experience of agreements with just Kyiv, the guarantees can only be the result of an order from Washington to Zelensky and his team to do one thing and not the other.”


Saudi Arabia condemns Israel attack in Syria that killed civilians

Saudi Arabia condemns Israel attack in Syria that killed civilians
Updated 26 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israel attack in Syria that killed civilians

Saudi Arabia condemns Israel attack in Syria that killed civilians

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday an Israeli attack on Syria that killed civilians.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom reiterates its categorical rejection of the continued attempts of the Israeli occupation authorities to undermine the security and stability of Syria and the region through their blatant and repeated violations of relevant international laws.
Syrian authorities said the attack on the village of Kuwayya killed at least 6 civilians.
The Syrian foreign ministry in a statement condemned “the continued Israeli aggression on Syrian territory, which saw a dangerous escalation in the village of Kuwayya” in the southern Daraa province.
Israel has continued its bombing campaign in Syria even after the ouster of Bashar Assad, whose rule came to an end last year after a swift rebel advance led to him fleeing to Russia.


Ramadan through the lens of art

Saudi photographer Sultan Al-Qahtani captures crescent moons, street scenes and family gatherings as central elements. (Supplied
Saudi photographer Sultan Al-Qahtani captures crescent moons, street scenes and family gatherings as central elements. (Supplied
Updated 25 March 2025
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Ramadan through the lens of art

Saudi photographer Sultan Al-Qahtani captures crescent moons, street scenes and family gatherings as central elements. (Supplied
  • Holy month inspires creative process
  • Themes of faith and introspection reflected in artwork

RIYADH: The holy month of Ramadan offers profound creative inspiration with its themes of faith, renewal and introspection, three Saudi artists have told Arab News.

Norah Al-Ruwaili, Manar Al-Otaibi and Sultan Al-Qahtani discussed how Ramadan shapes their artistic expression.

For Al-Ruwaili, the holy month allows her to engage with her work more deeply. “Ramadan naturally slows everything down, creating space for reflection and intentionality,” she said.

 An artwork featuring floral patterns and Arabic calligraphy. (Supplied/@noras.scribbles)

“That shift influences my art. I become more mindful of the themes I explore and the emotions I want to convey.”

Al-Otaibi echoed this sentiment, describing how Ramadan transforms her approach to creativity.

“Ramadan deeply influences my artistic process by bringing a sense of stillness, introspection and spirituality,” she said.

Usually warmth is presented in the sunny days. In Ramadan, nights lights are vibrant and reflect warmth.

Sultan Al-Qahtani

For Al-Qahtani, a photographer, Ramadan shifts his focus to nighttime settings and the beauty of lights in the holy month. “Usually warmth is presented in the sunny days. In Ramadan, nights lights are vibrant and reflect warmth,” he said.

Al-Ruwaili finds herself “drawn to themes of stillness, spirituality and inner transformation.

“Patterns, calligraphy and elements inspired by prayer mats or architecture often appear in my work, like in my Mihrab paintings.

A vibrant mihrab-inspired artwork adorned with red floral elements. (Supplied/@noras.scribbles)

“I also love incorporating symbolism, whether through floral elements that represent spiritual blossoming or color choices that evoke serenity and depth,” she said.

Al-Otaibi uses “vibrant colors and intricate patterns” to express the emotions of the holy month.

For Al-Qahtani, Ramadan photography records the community spirit; he captures crescent moons, street scenes and family gatherings as central elements.

Al-Ruwaili said that spirituality and creativity are inseparable during Ramadan: “Creativity and spirituality aren’t separate for me, they intertwine. My artistic process becomes quieter and more intentional during Ramadan, almost like a form of meditation.”

But balancing creative work with fasting and responsibilities is a challenge, Al-Otaibi said. “It can be challenging, especially with work and other responsibilities. However, I often feel refreshed and inspired after iftar, which helps me reconnect with my creative flow,” she added.

Al-Qahtani experiences creative moments spontaneously, often between prayers and meals: “Creative moments are not planned but sometimes it can be harnessed late at night between prayers and meals.”

Representing the true spirit of Ramadan in visual art is not always easy. For Al-Ruwaili, moving beyond traditional imagery like lanterns and crescents to capture the feeling of Ramadan is her biggest challenge.

“Ramadan is deeply personal and spiritual, so visually representing its essence without being overly literal can be challenging,” she said.

“I try to move beyond traditional symbols like lanterns or crescents and focus more on the feeling of Ramadan: The sense of peace, renewal and contemplation.”

Al-Otaibi also struggles to visually depict the intangible elements of the holy month. “One challenge is translating the atmosphere of Ramadan into visual art, through key elements like the moon, fanous lights and family gatherings.

For Al-Qahtani, the challenge lies in capturing aesthetic nighttime lighting without overexposing the image: “Since most of the pictures I take are in the night, (I need) proper lighting — aesthetically pleasing lights, not just lots of lights.”

Al-Ruwaili’s Mihrab digital paintings hold a deep personal meaning: “My Mihrab digital paintings are probably the clearest example. They were inspired by the patterns found in prayer mats, which hold so much significance in daily spiritual practice.

“To me, they represent a sacred space; a personal retreat where stillness and connection meet,” she said.

Al-Otaibi created a painting of a family gathering during suhoor, which “represents togetherness, tradition and the quiet beauty of Ramadan nights.”

Al-Qahtani’s photography showcases Ramadan’s lights and the communal spirit.

Through painting, photography and digital art, the three artists capture the essence of the holy month, reflecting a period that is both personal and universally meaningful.