Day: April 27, 2024

Rabat – In its 26th issue, the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency’s magazine highlighted the major humanitarian operation ordered by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, for the benefit of the Palestinian populations in Gaza and Al-Quds, coinciding with the month of Ramadan.

The magazine highlights the actions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, at the level of the Al-Quds Committee and in constant support of the just Palestinian cause, on the political, diplomatic and humanitarian levels.

It reviews the main activities and social initiatives implemented by the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency, within the scope of its activities, as well as a feature devoted to certain aspects of the holy month in the Holy City of Al-Quds, which lacked its usual joy this year.

In its editorial, Managing Director of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency, Mohamed Salem Cherkaoui, noted that this humanitarian operation was ordered by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, ‘with sub
stantial resources and a colossal effort, reflecting the bonds of brotherhood that have, for a thousand years, animated the people of Morocco towards their Palestinian brothers’.

He pointed out that Moroccans are, in times of trouble and misfortune, ‘the first to come to the aid of their Palestinian brothers. And in this endeavor, closed doors are opening before them, thanks to God’s blessing and the privileged status enjoyed by His Majesty the King, may God glorify Him, after the Palestinians lost hope in the arrival of aid’.

In this respect, the editorial noted that Moroccans ‘experienced an exceptional and unprecedented moment with the launch of this major humanitarian operation, delivered by land to the Palestinian populations of Gaza and the Holy City of Al-Quds » (…).

‘The Kingdom of Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, attaches the utmost importance to the Palestinian question, placing it at the top of the country’s list of major causes, and backs up its words with deeds, through t
he commendable efforts of Moroccan diplomacy, as well as the Agency’s concrete action on the ground’, stressed Cherkaoui.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Manama, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Deputy Prime Minister, has been conferred the Development Pioneers Medal, awarded by the Arab Parliament to distinguished non-parliamentarians, as the first Arab official to receive this honour, in recognition of his contributions and valuable initiatives in the field of development at the national and Arab levels.

The Deputy Premier was honoured during a ceremony held by the Arab Parliament today at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo, Egypt, in the presence of the Speaker of the Arab Parliament, presidents and members of Arab legislative councils and parliaments, members of the Arab Parliament, and participants in the Sixth Conference of the Arab Parliament.

Addressing the ceremony, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla expressed his honour to dedicate the prestigious award to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalif, the leader of the kingdom’s comprehensive development process, for the trust that His Majesty had bestowed on him by paving the way for him to
serve Bahrain in various fields of national action.

‘Fortunately, this occasion coincides with Bahrain’s celebration of the silver jubilee of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne. The kingdom has made unprecedented development strides in various fields during HM the King’s prosperous era, thanks to the sound royal vision, which places the Bahraini citizens at the forefront of the development process, making them its main goal. All plans, programmes and projects implemented by the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, are aimed at achieving the interests of the Bahraini citizens.’

The Deputy Premier stressed that the development process witnessed by Bahrain under His Majesty’s leadership has been strengthened by the belief in the political rights of individuals, the principle of consultation and popular participation in decision-making, contributing to the creation of an advanced parliamentary experience capable of adapting to various
circumstances and changes and withstanding challenges, in addition to and a democratic system based on the separation of powers and their cooperation, while maintaining the rule of the constitution and the law.

Shaikh Khalid bin affirmed that Bahrain’s democratic experience has yielded a competent elite of members of society – men and women – who are able to engage in political work and enrich it with their prolific experiences, enabling them to lead the legislative work, and making their contributions go beyond local borders, as they are recognised and appreciated at the regional and international levels by allowing them to assume various responsibilities and high positions.

The Deputy Premier emphasised Bahrain’s support for parliamentary work in general, including the Arab Parliament, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). He indicated that Bahrain’s hosting of the IPU’s General Assembly last year under HM’s patronage, confirms its commitment to strengthening international parliamentary work, promoting
democracy, respecting human rights and encouraging constructive interaction among the components of the international community.

The Deputy Premier said that Bahrain has made real and tangible steps towards attaining many achievements in various fields of development, thanks to its ability to align sustainability goals and objectives with national plans and strategies, based on its Economic Vision 2030, which is based on three basic principles: sustainability, fairness and competitiveness.

‘As Bahrain’s national will continues to achieve more successes in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, we look forward with optimism and hope to a better future for the country and its citizens, with the launch of Bahrain Economic Vision 2050 before the end of this year, as a new roadmap that reflects national ambitions and aspirations to keep pace with the various development paths and developments,’ Shaikh Khalid added.

The Deputy Prime Minister underlined the importance of development and the right of huma
n beings to enjoy a safe and stable life in which human sanctity and dignity are respected, and social justice is guaranteed for everyone, adding that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has worsened and deteriorated as a result of the Israeli war machine that has taken innocent lives.

This is an exceptional circumstance and a clear violation of the rules of international humanitarian law and resolutions of international legitimacy, which requires solidarity and the dedication of collective international action after the end of the asymmetrical war to develop a programme for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the rehabilitation of its infrastructure, health, educational and housing facilities, Shaikh Khalid added.

The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed Bahrain’s firm position in support of the Palestinian cause, reiterating the kingdom’s call for achieving a just and lasting peace in the region, based on the two-state solution and the acceptance of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations
, so that the brotherly Palestinian people can achieve their legitimate rights. He also emphasised the kingdom’s call for the international community to shoulder its humanitarian, moral and legal responsibilities to protect unarmed civilians and stop hostilities against the vulnerable Palestinian people.

The Deputy Premier highlighted the importance of the 33rd Arab Summit, set to be hosted by Bahrain on May 16, which will discuss, among other pressing issues, the need to urgently reach a clear policy to stop the escalation in the Middle East region and ensure the establishment of comprehensive and just peace, security and regional stability as a strategic principle to move forward with the process of sustainable development.

Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Arab Parliament for its initiative and kind gesture, and to all participants for the sincere sentiments they expressed on this occasion, which is a motivation to continue efforts and contribute effectively to enhanc
ing the development of Arab societies and the sustainability of their resources.

Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla called on the Arab Parliament to adopt visions and proposals that support integration among Arab countries, with the aim of maximising the use of Arab human capital, providing favourable employment opportunities, promoting intra-Arab trade and investment exchange, as well as optimising the exploitation of wealth to achieve wider prosperity for the region and its peoples, in addition to focusing on development as an engine and driving force for change and improvement in the Arab homeland from the ocean to the Gulf.

Adel bin Abdulrahman Al Asoomi, the Speaker of the Arab Parliament, in a speech, expressed great pride in this well-deserved honour for the Deputy Prime Minister, and in being the first Arab official to receive the Development Pioneers Medal for distinguished Arab non-parliamentary figures, in recognition of his contributions and valuable initiatives in the field of development at the nationa
l and Arab levels.

Al Assoomi said: ‘As the Arab Parliament honours Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla with the Pioneers of Development Medal, it sends a message of gratitude and appreciation to him for the role he has played and continues to play in the field of sustainable development.’

He stressed that Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla has been able to participate and contribute wholeheartedly and effectively, alongside the loyal citizens of Bahrain, in the process of construction and modernisation since the era of His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the late Amir of the country.

He added that Shaikh Khalid, as the first Minister of Housing in 1975, was able to advance the social housing file to meet the vision of the leadership and achieve popular aspirations in the establishment and construction of cities and housing complexes.

Al Assoumi pointed out that Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla is a unique school in executive leadership and experienced management in government work, thanks to the skills he has acquired
throughout his professional career, noting that his rich experiences have entitled him to be appointed as Deputy Prime Minister, to continue his national performance under the comprehensive development process witnessed by Bahrain under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the follow-up of HRH Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Al-Assoomi said.

The Speaker of the Arab Parliament praised the responsibilities undertaken by the Deputy Prime Minister, including his successful management of strategic development and infrastructure projects.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Rabat – Morocco and Djibouti signed, on Friday in Rabat, two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the fields of health and social protection.

The MoUs were signed at a ceremony chaired by Minister of Health and Social Protection, Khalid Ait Taleb, in the company of Djibouti’s Minister of Labor in charge of Formalizing Social Protection, Omar Abdi Saïd, and in the presence of Director General of Rabat University Hospital Center (CHU) in, and Director of Djibouti’s National Social Security Fund.

The first agreement is meant to strengthen cooperation between Morocco and Djibouti in the field of social protection, while the second establishes a framework for cooperation and partnership between the Rabat University Hospital and Djibouti’s National Social Security Fund, aimed at building the capacity of healthcare professionals in both countries.

In a statement to the press following the signing ceremony, Ait Taleb said that ‘this historic initiative is part
of the sharing of Moroccan expertise in the fields of health and social protection with all brotherly African countries’, noting that the future of the African continent depends on Africans working together.

The Minister also reiterated the firm commitment of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection to strengthening relations with the sister country of Djibouti in the field of health and social protection, stressing that it is impossible to talk of reforming the health system without a comprehensive reform of the social protection system.

In a similar statement, Abdi Saïd welcomed the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in the fields of health and social protection, hailing the Kingdom’s efforts as part of this initiative under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Tokyo, Japan’s space agency announced Friday a plan to launch a major upgrade to its satellite imaging system, as a new flagship rocket is put to the test for a third time.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency that an H3 rocket will be launched from the Tanegashima Space Center, on a southwestern Japanese island, early afternoon on June 30, with a launch window that runs through the end of July.

The rocket will be carrying an Advanced Land Observation Satellite, ALOS-4, tasked primarily with Earth observation and data collection for disaster response and mapmaking, as well as with monitoring military activity, such as missile launches, with an infrared sensor developed by the Japanese Defense Ministry.

The ALOS-4 is a successor to the current ALOS-2 and can observe a much wider area.

The launch will be the H3’s third, coming after a failed debut in March 2023 and a successful launch on Feb. 17. During the first attempt, the rocket’s second stage engine did not ignite and the rocket had to be destroyed a
long with its main payload, a satellite that was supposed to be the ALOS-3.

Source: Bahrain News Agency