Gates Foundation ‘appreciates’ Saudi Arabia’s leadership amid global aid funding cuts

Special Gates Foundation ‘appreciates’ Saudi Arabia’s leadership amid global aid funding cuts
A Palestinian child is vaccinated against polio in Gaza last year. Saudi Arabia has committed $500 million toward Polio eradication in partnership with the Gates Foundation. (Reuters/File)
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Updated 09 May 2025
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Gates Foundation ‘appreciates’ Saudi Arabia’s leadership amid global aid funding cuts

Gates Foundation ‘appreciates’ Saudi Arabia’s leadership amid global aid funding cuts
  • Mark Suzman tells Arab News that regional office in Riyadh will help achieve health, development goals
  • Bill Gates announces he will distribute $200 billion by 2045 in effort to give away almost all his wealth

LONDON: Saudi Arabia is playing a “growing global leadership role” as the US and European countries drastically cut foreign aid and development funding, the Gates Foundation CEO told Arab News on Thursday.

Speaking as his organization announced a new strategy to give away $200 billion over the next 20 years, Mark Suzman said a planned regional office in Riyadh would help the foundation achieve its long-term goals.

He said the foundation, which is chaired by the Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, would continue pursuing the eradication of polio, a campaign that Saudi Arabia has pledged hundreds of million of dollars toward.

The Gates Foundation “deeply appreciated” the leadership shown by the Kingdom “as some of the traditional donors are pulling back,” Suzman said.

The foundation’s new timeline was decided long before the Trump administration radically cut foreign aid spending in January, followed by the UK, France and other European countries.

In light of those cuts, the foundation is “very strongly making the case, whether it’s in Washington, D.C., or London, or Paris, or Berlin, that with the resources that are still focused on development, it is imperative that they get applied to the highest impact opportunities,” Suzman said.

Those opportunities include the Gavi Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria — two programs that are estimated to have saved at least 80 million lives in the last 25 years.




Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman said he hopes that polio will be eradicated within three to five years. (AP/File)

Suzman said both programs needed replenishing in the coming months and that he hoped even with the fiscal challenges those governments are facing they would still provide funding.

“At the same time, though, we are really appreciative of the way in which not just Saudi Arabia but other countries in the Gulf have been leaning in and showing a much bigger global leadership role,” he added.

Another key area the foundation will continue to focus on is polio vaccination campaigns. Last year Saudi Arabia pledged $500 million to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which is heavily supported by Gates.

Suzman said he hopes that within three to five years, polio, which is now only endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, will become the second disease after smallpox to be eradicated.

“For us, it’s full steam ahead, and we actually hope that will then free up resources, not just from us, but from growing development partners like the Kingdom or like others in the Gulf, such as the UAE and Qatar.”

He said those resources could then be reallocated to other areas of global health and development, including agricultural and financial inclusion.




Bill Gates said he didn't want people to say he "died rich," as he announced a new timeline to give away his wealth over the next 20 years. (AP/File)

During the announcement of the polio campaign funding in April last year, the foundation also said it would open a new Middle East office in Riyadh at the Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City.

Suzman said the decision to open a Saudi office was due to the polio partnership but also other areas of cooperation with the Kingdom.

The office, which is expected to open early next year, would be part of a growing global network that builds partnerships intended to focus on “long-term health and development goals,” he said.

The foundation also partners with Saudi Arabia on the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, which aims to reduce poverty in Islamic countries.

In November, Gates and the Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation, known as Misk, announced the Challenge for Change program to support nonprofits and social enterprises in the Kingdom.

A Gates Foundation announcement on Thursday said Bill Gates would dramatically speed up the disbursement of almost all of his fortune.

The organization aims to distribute $200 billion by 2045 in what it described as the largest philanthropic commitment in modern history. The foundation would then come to an end.

“People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them,” Gates said as he marked the foundation’s 25th anniversary.

He also warned that decades of progress in reducing death rates from disease and poverty would be reversed due to the cuts in aid funding by governments in the US and Europe.

“It’s going to be millions more deaths because of the resources,” Gates told Reuters.


Sports Ministry organizes hiking event in Baha

Sports Ministry organizes hiking event in Baha
Updated 12 July 2025
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Sports Ministry organizes hiking event in Baha

Sports Ministry organizes hiking event in Baha
  • Bandar Al-Ghamdi, director of the ministry’s branch in Baha, said the program included 120 people

RIYADH: The Baha branch of the Ministry of Sports, together with the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation, organized a hiking program as part of the “Color Your Summer with Sports” campaign.

The event was held in cooperation with the region’s municipality and health cluster as part of the Baha Summer Season, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Bandar Al-Ghamdi, director of the ministry’s branch in Baha, said the program included 120 people. The event took place in natural locations that reflect the region’s landscape, he added.

Baha’s mountains, valleys and dams offer suitable areas for various sports, including mountain and water activities, he said. These features support the region’s role in sports tourism in the Kingdom.

Al-Ghamdi added that the program is part of a plan to develop the sports sector in Baha and build partnerships with sports federations.

The initiative aims to support the local economy and attract sports and tourism visitors, from the Kingdom and beyond, Al-Ghamdi said.


Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition

Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition
Updated 12 July 2025
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Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition

Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition
  • Event highlights smart projects, training initiatives, and global partnerships in the sector

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, represented by the Transport General Authority, held an international exhibition in London to showcase its key initiatives and achievements in supporting the maritime transport industry.

The event was attended by senior officials and saw broad participation from International Maritime Organization member states, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Saudi Ambassador to the UK Prince Khalid bin Bandar and Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser, along with government officials, embassy representatives, and maritime attaches.

The event highlighted the Kingdom’s role as an active partner in the international maritime system and a key contributor to developing global maritime regulations and practices, the SPA added.

It also reflected Saudi Arabia’s continued influence within the International Maritime Organization and its efforts to promote sustainability and improve the efficiency of maritime supply chains.

The exhibition showcased the academies and specialized centers established by the Kingdom, as well as initiatives to localize talent and train seafarers, officers, and marine engineers.

It also featured smart projects that support automation in the sector, enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, according to the SPA.

Prince Khalid said that the exhibition reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international cooperation, highlighting the Kingdom’s hospitality and pursuit of sustainable, collaborative maritime partnerships.

Al-Jasser said that the Kingdom is steadily moving toward leadership in maritime transport, driven by Vision 2030 and investments in talent and technology to strengthen its position as a global logistics hub.

In recent years, the Saudi maritime sector has grown rapidly, with the number of Saudi-flagged vessels reaching 409, totaling more than 100,000 gross tons and more than 16.5 million deadweight tons.

The number of registered Saudi seafarers has risen to 3,000, supported by specialized programs and regulatory initiatives that empower national maritime capabilities, the SPA reported.

These efforts build on Saudi Arabia’s active role in the International Maritime Organization, advancing the maritime transport industry through a vision that goes beyond fleet development or regulatory modernization.

It includes creating an advanced global maritime system based on operational excellence, human capital investment, and cutting-edge technology for a promising, sustainable future.


Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors
Updated 12 July 2025
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Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

RIYADH: A heritage festival in Hail has attracted more than 27,000 visitors from the city, across the Kingdom, and from Gulf and international destinations.

Running from 6 p.m. till 1 a.m. each evening, the 30-day Beit Hail Festival offers a rich blend of cultural, artistic, and heritage experiences, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Visitors can enjoy a diverse array of live performances and interactive heritage displays, recreating scenes from the past and presented by skilled male and female artisans.

Exhibits give younger generations a glimpse of how their ancestors transformed natural materials into functional items, showcasing the ingenuity and authenticity of Saudi heritage.

More than 40 activities allow visitors to explore traditional crafts such as wickerwork, sadu weaving, crochet, hand-woven textiles, and distinctive Najdi and Hail door making.

Other highlights include traditional clothing, Thamudic embroidery, wood and leather beading, fiber arts, resin art, and soap making, the SPA added.

Visitors can also savor a variety of traditional folk foods. At the heart of the festival, an artistic theater hosts performances, including the Hail Samri and Saudi Ardah.

The festival also provides a platform for local craftspeople to showcase their work directly to the public.


Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week
Updated 12 July 2025
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Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week

Riyadh: Saudi authorities arrested 21,058 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 12,558 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 5,500 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,000 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 2072 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 52 percent were Ethiopian, 47 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 28 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 37 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($267,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.


Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer

Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer
Updated 12 July 2025
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Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer

Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer
  • Shopping festival, water sports, live music light up coastal city for 90 days of fun

JEDDAH: As part of this year’s Jeddah Season, summer events under the theme “Jeddah is Different” launched on Friday night at Jeddah Art Promenade, coinciding with the opening of several new zones for the summer vacation.

The program offers entertainment, culture and tourism across several main destinations, including the city’s iconic landmarks and key facilities.

The opening night featured drone shows, roaming performances and interactive characters, creating an engaging experience for families and visitors.

Throughout the summer, the season includes cultural experiences, entertainment shows, water activities, live music, shopping and other attractions, providing residents and visitors with diverse activities over 90 days.

It supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals by diversifying entertainment options and enhancing quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors.

Among the main attractions is the Jeddah Shopping Festival, combining traditional and modern markets, along with promotions and discounts at malls, hotels, airlines, car rentals and restaurants. The festival will run until Aug. 31.

This year’s season also features the West Coast zone in Obhur, offering entertainment on Jeddah’s coast, women-only beaches, and both day- and night-time activities.

Visitors can enjoy water sports and games at public and private beaches, relax at retreats like Kashta Beach and attend musical performances by the sea.

The Perfume Exhibition showcases a wide range of local and international perfumes, specialized workshops and exclusive launches, with experts and celebrities taking part.

The enclosed, air-conditioned Forest Wonders area offers interactive experiences, including live animal encounters, theatrical and roaming performances, and jungle-themed restaurants until Aug. 30.

Art enthusiasts can attend concerts and art events featuring Arab and Gulf stars, adding a creative dimension to the season.

Events remain open past midnight to avoid the summer heat. More events are expected to be announced later this year, spanning the cultural, artistic and tourism fields.