Day: June 2, 2023

Posted on

Qatar Reaffirms Commitment to Promoting South-South Cooperation in Support of Social, Economic Recovery

The State of Qatar reaffirmed Thursday its commitment to continuing efforts to enhance the South-South cooperation, especially within the framework of the real opportunities it generates to support the endeavors of the countries of the South to achieve social and economic recovery, and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This came in the State of Qatar’s speech delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alia bint Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, during the general discussion of the 21st session of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation, which was held at the UN headquarters in New York.

Her Excellency praised the appreciated efforts of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and the UN Development Program (UNDP) in supporting initiatives and activities aimed at strengthening cooperation among the countries of the South, stressing that the South-South cooperation has always been an important and vital issue for the State of Qatar. In this regard, Her Excellency highlighted that the State of Qatar chaired the high-level committee concerned with South-South cooperation in 2007, affirming the State’s keenness to be a platform to enhance the horizons of this cooperation and address common challenges, and translate that in many tangible steps.

Her Excellency drew attention to the State of Qatar’s hosting of the second South Summit in 2005, which resulted in the Doha Action Plan, noting that the State of Qatar looks forward to the third South Summit to be hosted by Uganda, as an impetus to stimulate actions that are in the interest of the countries of the South.

Her Excellency expressed the State of Qatar’s pride in hosting the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries, which was a pivotal event to support the efforts of many countries of the South and help the least developed countries to build more prosperous and resilient societies and economies.

Moreover, the State of Qatar co-organized the Ministerial Meeting on South-South Cooperation on the sidelines of the conference, which constituted an important station for renewing partnerships for workable solutions to support the implementation of the Doha Program of Action for the LDCs, Her Excellency added.

Her Excellency reaffirmed the State of Qatar’s keenness to continue providing aid, in line with its belief that the various challenges facing the countries of the South make cooperation and solidarity among them extremely important.

In 2021, the State of Qatar contributed more than USD 551 million to development projects and humanitarian aid, and it did not hesitate to support international efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, Her Excellency said, highlighting that the State of Qatar provided QR 27,573,385,901 in aid to the countries of the south during the period from 2014-2021, which included governmental and non-governmental assistance for development and humanitarian issues. This assistance supported efforts to implement several sustainable development goals, including eradicating poverty, building sustainable cities and communities, creating decent work, promoting economic growth, education, health, and more.

Within the framework of the innovative initiatives supported by the State of Qatar, Her Excellency highlighted the notes included in the report of the UNDP director on the renewal of the partnership between the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and the UNDP for the period 2022-2025, and the State of Qatar’s commitment to provide an additional USD 10 million to support innovative work being carried out by 91 UNDP Accelerator Labs in more than 100 countries in the Global South, bringing the total support for the Lab network to USD30 million.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Posted on

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Congratulates President of Italy on His country’s Republic Day

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, sent a cable of congratulations to President Sergio Mattarella of the Republic of Italy on the occasion of his country’s Republic Day.

The King expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes of good health and happiness to His Excellency and further progress and prosperity to the friendly government and people of the Republic of Italy.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Posted on

HRH Minister of Energy Discusses Strengthening Bilateral Energy Relations with Director of China’s National Energy Administration

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Energy, met with H.E. Zhang Jianhua, Director of National Energy Administration of the People’s Republic of China, and his accompanying delegation.

The two parties discussed ways to strengthen Saudi-Chinese relations in various energy fields, in order to achieve the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 and China’s Belt and Road Initiative, in pursuit of both countries’ efforts to diversify their economies.

The meeting discussed areas of cooperation between the two sides and stressed the importance of ensuring the security of energy supply. The two sides also discussed potential cooperation in crude-to-chemicals projects(C2C), innovative uses of hydrocarbons, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy; nuclear fuel; the national projects for uranium exploration and mining; projects for electricity, renewable energy, clean hydrogen; and energy efficiency.

The meeting further noted the Saudi-Chinese ambitions to promote cooperation in energy supply chains, thereby contributing to enhancing flexibility and effectiveness.

The meeting noted the two countries’ efforts and cooperation in combating climate challenges through adopting the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE), which is an integrated and inclusive framework to address climate challenges and manage emissions, using all available clean technologies, especially removal technologies, while taking into consideration the national circumstances of different countries.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Posted on

GASGI Participates in FIG Annual Conference in Florida

The General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GASGI) participated in the annual conference of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), which was held from May 29 to June 1 in Orlando, Florida, USA.

The authority submitted a working paper at the conference titled, “The establishment of monitoring stations network, their performance and future,” presented by Eng. Othman bin Abdulmuhsen Alkhorayef. The paper explains the authority’s contributions to improving the Kingdom’s geospatial infrastructure through establishing a network of monitoring stations in cooperation with its partners.

GASGI is a participating member of FIG.

Established in 1878, FIG is a United Nations and World Bank recognized international non-governmental organization which covers a number of professions of the surveyor community. The federation works on improving the surveying profession, and it provides a platform for stakeholders to discuss work mechanisms and professional standards.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Posted on

SDRPY Hosts Yemeni Scholarship Students at King Saud University

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) hosted Yemeni scholarship students at King Saud University in Riyadh to support their study and scientific research.

This hosting ceremony, held in the university’s headquarters, also displayed the development efforts offered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Republic of Yemen and as an extension of the Kingdom’s support for the education sector across Yemen through SDRPY.

The Kingdom is keen to improve the lives of the brotherly Yemeni people with the leadership of the Yemeni government, said the General Supervisor of SDRPY, Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber.

He also affirmed that the Kingdom is keen to provide education and learning opportunities that would contribute to creating a bright and prosperous future in Yemen.

This comes under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, the SDRPY general supervisor praised the efforts made by King Saud University for international students, especially Yemenis.

The university provides useful programs that hone students’ skills and enhance their intellectual knowledge and skill capabilities, to improve their future.

Saleh Alshamrani, the advisor to the university’s vice president for educational and academic affairs for international students’ affairs, hailed SDRPY’s initiative to host the Yemeni scholarship students at the university.

He also praised the efforts, projects, and development initiatives presented by SDRPY in various sectors, including education, across the Yemeni governorates.

Of SDRPY’s 229 development projects, 52 have been education initiatives. Such projects have enhanced teaching and learning opportunities and created a stimulating and inclusive environment.

SDRPY’s projects and initiatives in the education sector have included providing and distributing more than 500,000 textbooks, constructing and equipping 31 new model schools, securing buses to transport school and university students, and providing around 13,000 pieces of furniture to model schools.

SDRPY has contributed to supporting and raising the efficiency of higher education at the University of Aden through several projects, including a project for the Faculty of Pharmacy to equip 18 scientific laboratories.

This is in addition to a project to support the Faculty of Law by equipping its criminal laboratory with the latest devices and technologies and an initiative to provide safe transportation for male and female students.

Other SDRPY projects in the education sector also include a project to rehabilitate and equip universities and develop the University of Sheba Region in Marib Governorate. This project has increased the university’s capacity and provided access to university education.

SDRPY’s projects also included establishing the King Salman Medical and Educational City project in Al-Mahra, consisting of an integrated university hospital. The city’s establishment aims to provide an excellent educational environment, raise the efficiency of educational institutions, and increase the chances of higher education enrollment.

SDRPY’s development projects and initiatives have been implemented in the various Yemeni governorates to serve the Yemenis in eight important sectors: education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture and fisheries, capacity building of government institutions, and development programs

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Posted on

With Strict Follow up by the Governor of the Northern Border Region, the First Group of Pilgrims Coming From Iraq Enter the Kingdom Via Jadidat Arar Border Inlet

The first group of pilgrims from the Republic of Iraq crossed the northern border region via the Jadidat Arar border inlet today, receiving easy and smooth entry assisted by the competent authorities.

The Regional Hajj Committee, operating under the direct supervision of Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Northern Borders Region, undertakes to finalize all procedures and provide around-the-clock services, including medical and preventive measures to pilgrims to make their spiritual journey a complete success.

Interviewed by SPA correspondents, several pilgrims arriving from Iraq expressed thanks and gratitude to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the complete care they give to the guests of Allah Almighty as well as the state-of-the-art Hajj-related services offered by the relevant authorities, lauding the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to them upon arrival at the Jadidat Arar border inlet.

Source: Saudi Press Agency