Day: September 3, 2024

More than 160 publishing houses from within Saudi Arabia and abroad, 10 Saudi universities, 7 cultural centers, and over 15 charitable societies are participating in Almadinah Book Fair 2024. Organized by the Literature Association under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, the fair, themed “The Book is the Window to Life”, is taking place at the Islamic University of Madinah.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) camera lens captured the influx of visitors and enthusiasts to the book fair, which enriches the visitor experience with its diverse options. In addition to the various scientific seminars, lectures, cultural evenings, and workshops, the fair aims to spread culture, encourage reading, and strengthen a sense of belonging to culture and national identity.

The Literature Association in Madinah is a non-profit organization under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture. Launched in November 2021, its goals include spreading literature and creativity in society, encouraging and nurturing literary tal
ents, developing writers’ capabilities, organizing training programs for writers, and hosting literary events, forums, and competitions.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef has visited the Port of Singapore, the largest automated port in the world after completing all its phases.

Alkhorayef was accompanied by Assistant Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Planning and Development Dr. Abdullah Alahmari, Chief Executive Officer of the National Industrial Development Center (NIDC) Eng. Saleh Al-Sulami, and Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones Majed Al-Argoubi.

Alkhorayef discussed with port officials the transfer of expertise, leveraging the port’s model in handling the world’s largest container ships, adopting new technologies, and training advanced human resources working in Saudi ports.

He also visited Tuas Port, which opened in 2022 and is expected to be fully completed by 2040. The port will cover an area approximately equivalent to 3,300 football fields and will feature 66 automated docks stretching 26 kilometers to handle the largest
container ships. The port’s throughput is projected to reach 65 million twenty-foot equivalent units.

This visit is part of the minister’s official trip to the Republic of Singapore, included in an economic tour of East Asia covering China and Singapore.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef has held bilateral meetings with heads of Singaporean institutions to discuss enhancing cooperation, benefiting from their expertise in creating sustainable economic growth, developing small and medium-sized enterprises, and partnering on advanced manufacturing technology.

The meetings were attended by Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources Assistant Minister for Planning and Development Dr. Abdullah Ali Alahmari, National Industrial Development Center (NIDC) Chief Executive Eng. Saleh Al-Sulami, and Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones Chief Executive Majed Rafed Al-Argoubi.

During a meeting with Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) Chairman Png Cheong Boon, Alkhorayef discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation, build partnerships, and benefit from the EDB’s expertise. He met with Enterprise Singapore Executive Chairman Lee Chuan Teck to explore aspects of cooperation, leveraging the institution
‘s expertise in capacity building, innovation, and transformation. Alkhorayef also met with Meinhardt Group’s head of the fourth industrial revolution division to discuss modern technologies that could enhance efficiency and innovation in the sector.

In his meeting with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) chief executive, Alkhorayef explored ways to strengthen cooperation with the agency, which is considered one of the top innovative government organizations globally in the field of science and technology.

Alkhorayef’s meetings with heads of Singaporean agencies and institutions came as part of his official visit to the Republic of Singapore, part of an economic tour of East Asia, where he leads the ministry delegation with the aim of enhancing bilateral ties, attracting high-quality investments to the kingdom, and exploring mutual investment opportunities in the industrial sector.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated in the Intergovernmental Panel on Combating Corruption held today at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The Kingdom’s delegation was led by Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) Chairman Mazen bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous.

In his address, Al-Kahmous expressed gratitude to the organizers and highlighted the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption, driven by the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the continuous oversight of HRH Crown Prince. He emphasized that these efforts align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which includes numerous initiatives aimed at curbing illegal practices in government procurement.

Al-Kahmous underscored the establishment of the “Etimad Platform,” a unified electronic portal designed to enhance transparency in government procurement, improve the efficiency of public spending, and minimize corruption throughout the public tender process. He also highlighted
the successful collaboration between Nazaha and the Ministry of Finance in developing indicators within the platform to identify and mitigate corruption risks, particularly in preventing collusion and fraud among companies bidding for government contracts.

On the international front, Al-Kahmous noted Saudi Arabia’s support for the partnership between Nazaha and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in launching the “Global Initiative on the Measurement of Corruption.” The initiative, based on the Vienna Principles for Measuring Corruption, aims to evaluate global efforts to combat corruption, with a focus on promoting integrity in government procurement.

Al-Kahmous concluded his speech by expressing hope for continued collaboration to build a future characterized by integrity and social justice.

On the sidelines of the meeting, he met with Professor Slagjana Taseva, the dean of the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), to discuss progress on the Global Initiative and explore future devel
opment efforts in partnership with UNDP.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated in the Intergovernmental Panel on Combating Corruption held today at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The Kingdom’s delegation was led by Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) Chairman Mazen bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous.

In his address, Al-Kahmous expressed gratitude to the organizers and highlighted the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption, driven by the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the continuous oversight of HRH Crown Prince. He emphasized that these efforts align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which includes numerous initiatives aimed at curbing illegal practices in government procurement.

Al-Kahmous underscored the establishment of the “Etimad Platform,” a unified electronic portal designed to enhance transparency in government procurement, improve the efficiency of public spending, and minimize corruption throughout the public tender process. He also highlighted
the successful collaboration between Nazaha and the Ministry of Finance in developing indicators within the platform to identify and mitigate corruption risks, particularly in preventing collusion and fraud among companies bidding for government contracts.

On the international front, Al-Kahmous noted Saudi Arabia’s support for the partnership between Nazaha and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in launching the “Global Initiative on the Measurement of Corruption.” The initiative, based on the Vienna Principles for Measuring Corruption, aims to evaluate global efforts to combat corruption, with a focus on promoting integrity in government procurement.

Al-Kahmous concluded his speech by expressing hope for continued collaboration to build a future characterized by integrity and social justice.

On the sidelines of the meeting, he met with Professor Slagjana Taseva, the dean of the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), to discuss progress on the Global Initiative and explore future devel
opment efforts in partnership with UNDP.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah made today a phone call to Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Ahmed Attaf.

The two ministers discussed developments in the Palestinian territories, focusing on the efforts of Arab and Islamic countries to ensure the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. They also emphasized the importance of coordination to halt the Israeli occupation forces’ violations of international and humanitarian laws.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah made today a phone call to Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Ahmed Attaf.

The two ministers discussed developments in the Palestinian territories, focusing on the efforts of Arab and Islamic countries to ensure the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. They also emphasized the importance of coordination to halt the Israeli occupation forces’ violations of international and humanitarian laws.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah made today a phone call to Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Ahmed Attaf.

The two ministers discussed developments in the Palestinian territories, focusing on the efforts of Arab and Islamic countries to ensure the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. They also emphasized the importance of coordination to halt the Israeli occupation forces’ violations of international and humanitarian laws.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Islamic Sheikhdom in Kosovo to aid orphans in the country.

Assistant Supervisor General of Operations and Programs at KSrelief Ahmed Al Baiz and Head of the Islamic Community of Kosovo Sheikh Naim Ternava signed the agreement.

The project aims to alleviate the living expenses of orphans by providing monthly assistance, thereby helping with essential needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education.

Furthermore, as part of the agreement, recreational outings will be arranged for orphans. The project targets 29 municipalities in Kosovo, directly benefiting 500 children.

This initiative is part of the efforts made by Saudi Arabia, represented by KSrelief, to offer humanitarian and relief aid to orphans in needy countries.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

-Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha emphasized the need for member states to intensify their collective efforts to build capacities and empower youth to achieve the targets set out in the OIC-2025: Programme of Action, the OIC Youth Strategy, and the Sustainable Development Goals by strengthening youth partnerships.

In a speech delivered on the occasion of OIC Youth Day, celebrated annually on September 3, the OIC Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for the significant efforts and steps taken by member states, in close cooperation and coordination with relevant OIC institutions, to build capacities and empower youth, enhance their role in political decision-making, engage them meaningfully in economic and social development, protect them from misleading ideologies and violent extremism, and enable them to play a progressive role in developing their communities.

The OIC secretary-general urged the acquisition of contemporary knowledge and skills,
as well as the adoption of innovative sustainable technologies to shape a cleaner, greener, more prosperous, and climate-resilient future. He called upon all member states to invest more in digital transformation, given its pivotal role in empowering youth and achieving the OIC goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. He also urged relevant OIC institutions to support the efforts of member states in this regard.

Furthermore, he highlighted the ordeal and suffering endured by Palestinian youth as a result of the unjustifiable military aggression of the illegal Israeli occupation authorities.

Source: Saudi Press Agency