Saudi women’s inclusion in Shoura Council highlighted at UN Commission

Al-Ahmadi heads the Shoura Council delegation participating in CSW69, including Princess Al-Jawahara bint Fahd bin Khalid Al-Saud and Amal bint Abdulaziz Al-Hazani. (Supplied)
Al-Ahmadi heads the Shoura Council delegation participating in CSW69, including Princess Al-Jawahara bint Fahd bin Khalid Al-Saud and Amal bint Abdulaziz Al-Hazani. (Supplied)
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Updated 11 March 2025
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Saudi women’s inclusion in Shoura Council highlighted at UN Commission

Saudi women’s inclusion in Shoura Council highlighted at UN Commission
  • Al-Ahmadi affirmed that women’s membership in the Shoura Council was a significant step in the journey toward empowering Saudi women

RIYADH: During the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women held at UN headquarters in New York, Hanan bint Abdulrahman Al-Ahmadi, assistant speaker of the Shoura Council, praised the reforms carried out by Saudi Arabia and the role these have played in empowering Saudi women.

Al-Ahmadi said that Saudi Arabia’s chairmanship of the commission, held from March 10-21, reflects the Kingdom’s remarkable achievements in a short period of time and its success in empowering women.

She underscored the impact of Saudi Vision 2030 in supporting women through legislative reforms that put their rights at the forefront and increased their contributions to society.




Hanan bint Abdulrahman Al-Ahmadi, Assistant Speaker of the Shoura Council

Al-Ahmadi affirmed that women’s membership in the Shoura Council was a significant step in the journey toward empowering Saudi women.

In her praise of the historic decision granting women full membership rights in the council, Al-Ahmadi noted that this move has led to women participating in decision-making on economic, educational, environmental, and healthcare matters, among others.

She stated that legislation serves as the unwavering foundation upon which women’s empowerment efforts are built to achieve desirable and sustainable results and emphasized the active role the Shoura Council plays in supporting this progress, as evidenced by the enactment of various laws over the past decade on women’s rights.

Al-Ahmadi also highlighted that the Shoura Council exercises parliamentary oversight over government agencies by reviewing their annual reports and issuing decisions accordingly.

She noted that women have been at the center of many of those decisions, some of which have called for increasing employment opportunities for women in numerous sectors, protecting their rights, and ensuring their inclusion in leadership roles across all fields.

Al-Ahmadi heads the Shoura Council delegation participating in the CSW69, which also includes council members Princess Al-Jawahara bint Fahd bin Khalid Al-Saud and Amal bint Abdulaziz Al-Hazani.

The commission will discuss a range of pressing topics such as poverty, violence against women, work opportunities, youth engagement, and climate change.

 


Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli military escalation targeting civilians in Gaza

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli military escalation targeting civilians in Gaza
Updated 15 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli military escalation targeting civilians in Gaza

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli military escalation targeting civilians in Gaza
  • Kingdom renewed its ‘categorical rejection of the continuation of the Israeli crimes of genocide’ in Gaza
  • It called for an immediate ceasefire, emphasized support for Palestinians and urged international accountability

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel’s targeting of a major Palestinian hospital and the escalation of military actions against civilians in the Gaza Strip on Thursday.

The Gaza European Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, the only remaining facility providing medical follow-up for cancer patients in the enclave, announced it was out of service on Thursday after Israeli attacks damaged its facilities. Several Palestinians died and were injured due to the Israeli attacks, while roads leading to the hospital were destroyed.

The ministry said the Kingdom renews its “categorical rejection of the continuation of the Israeli crimes of genocide” against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

“(The) Kingdom holds the Israeli occupation forces fully responsible for their continued violation of all international and humanitarian norms and laws,” the statement added.

Saudi Arabia called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasized support for Palestinians and urged global accountability to end violations of international law by Israel, according to the Saudi Press Agency.


Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament

Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament
Updated 15 May 2025
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Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament

Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament

RIYADH: The speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council, Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh, received his counterpart from the Arab Parliament, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Yamahi, during the 19th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.

During the meeting in Jakarta, the two reviewed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy carried out through active participation in regional and international conferences and forums.

They also discussed strengthening the mechanisms of joint Arab parliamentary action to serve Arab issues, as well as other topics of common interest.


King Salman Arabic academy celebrates graduates

King Salman Arabic academy celebrates graduates
Updated 15 May 2025
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King Salman Arabic academy celebrates graduates

King Salman Arabic academy celebrates graduates

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language held a ceremony in Riyadh recently to celebrate the graduation of the second group of non-native speakers from the Abjad Center.

A total of 168 male and female students were honored after fulfilling all the program’s requirements, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, secretary-general of the academy, said the Abjad Center offers a learning experience designed to equip non-native speakers with strong and effective communication skills.

Al-Washmi added that the program reflects the refinement of the academy’s educational model, reinforcing its role as a leading scientific authority on the Arabic language.

The initiative amplifies the academy’s educational and cultural impact in line with the objectives of the nation’s Human Capability Development Program, he said.


Royal Commission for AlUla, Smithsonian collaboration

Royal Commission for AlUla, Smithsonian collaboration
Updated 15 May 2025
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Royal Commission for AlUla, Smithsonian collaboration

Royal Commission for AlUla, Smithsonian collaboration
  • The agreement supports the commission’s vision to transform AlUla into a world-class heritage destination and economic hub

MADINAH: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, and the Royal Commission for AlUla have formalized a collaboration agreement to enhance cultural exchange and establish a framework to broaden global understanding of northern Arabia’s ancient civilizations and cultural legacy.

The agreement supports the commission’s vision to transform AlUla into a world-class heritage destination and economic hub. Rooted in mutual dedication to cultural preservation and celebration, the collaboration will unlock new research opportunities and deepen insights into ancient Kingdom artistry, with special focus on the Dadanite civilization.

Experts will conduct joint initiatives in art conservation, historic research, archaeological exploration, and scientific analysis. The institutions will collaborate on exhibitions and artifact exchanges, bringing cultural treasures to international audiences.

Professional development programs covering exhibition curation, research methodologies, narrative development, and museum operations will enhance expertise among staff at AlUla’s museums and the Smithsonian.


Saudi Arabia attends IAACA anti-corruption meeting

Saudi Arabia attends IAACA anti-corruption meeting
Updated 15 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia attends IAACA anti-corruption meeting

Saudi Arabia attends IAACA anti-corruption meeting

RIYADH: The Kingdom, represented by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, also known as Nazaha, took part in the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, held on Thursday via video conferencing.

Nazaha President Mazin bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous expressed his thanks to the association’s president and Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong, Danny Woo, for organizing the meeting and for the association’s efforts to promote international cooperation in combating corruption.

He added that the Kingdom, represented by Nazaha, has paid significant attention to strengthening international partnerships in the fields of combating corruption and protecting integrity, and these efforts have resulted in a number of tangible achievements.

Al-Kahmous said that the Kingdom believes in the pivotal role played by the association in solidifying the principles of transparency and facilitating the exchange of expertise, knowledge and experiences.