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  • British Ambassador hails growing Saudi-UK ties since launch of Vision 2030

    “In the modern era, since Vision 2030, our relationship has gone from a quite traditional defense, security, contracting relationship, to take-off,” he was quoted as saying. Further, the ambassador cited the growth of people-to-people relations between the two countries, pointing to British rowers and cricket players such as Kevin Pietersen who have visited the Kingdom, besides the many Saudis traveling to London for holidays.

  • Saudi Pavilion at UNESCO Showcases Camel Culture to the World

    Over two days, UNESCO visitors from around the globe learned about the close relationship between camels and Saudi culture. Camels have been integral to the community's customs, traditions, and literature, including poetry, prose, and proverbs. They witnessed how the camel evolved from a means of transport and a source of goods to a cultural icon and heritage symbol, while retaining its role as a source of food and medicine, as well as a tool for sustainability. Furthermore, the camel was chosen for the Saudi pavilion due to its unique cultural value, prompting the Ministry of Culture to declare 2024 the "Year of the Camel." This highlights the Arabian Peninsula's long-standing appreciation for camels, which have aided in travel and nomadic life and are woven into the region's heritage through stories, poems, and narratives. The camel has become a cultural symbol, a testament to authenticity, and a prominent element of Saudi identity.

  • Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani army chief in Riyadh

    Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir in Riyadh on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported. During the reception, Saudi-Pakistani relations and opportunities to develop them were reviewed. A number of issues of common interest were also discussed.

  • 19th Saudi Relief Plane Departs for Lebanon

    A 19th relief plane of the Saudi air bridge, operated by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), left King Khalid International Airport for Lebanon today, carrying food, shelter, and medical supplies.

  • Saudi Arabia approves cooperation agreement with US for the use of outer space for peaceful purposes

    The Cabinet session, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday, approved a framework agreement for cooperation in the fields of air navigation and the exploration and use of airspace and outer space for peaceful purposes between Saudi Arabia and the United States of America. The Council also approved, in principle, the national general framework and guiding principles for foreign direct investment.

  • Saudis Plan $100 Billion AI Powerhouse to Rival UAE Tech Hub

    The state-backed entity will invest in data centers, startups and other infrastructure to develop artificial intelligence, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing plans that aren’t yet public. The initiative, called “Project Transcendence,” will also focus on recruiting new talent to the kingdom, developing the local ecosystem and encouraging tech companies to put resources in the country, they said. An AI hub being built by Saudi Arabia’s PIF and Alphabet Inc.’s Google may serve as the starting point for a broader initiative, the people said. The companies are planning to invest between $5 billion and $10 billion in the partnership, which will include work on creating Arabic language AI models, one person said. Alphabet shares gained 4% on Wednesday to $176.51.

  • Shortfalls in migrant workers’ insurance scheme highlight need for major reforms on eve of ILO labour complaint

    On 7 October Saudi Arabia announced the launch of an insurance scheme to protect migrant workers’ wages- the latest in a series of labour rights reforms over the past few years as part of the country’s Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy. However, the scheme and other reforms still fail to offer sufficient protection to foreign workers from exploitation and abuse. The complaint lodged against Saudi Arabia by global trade union Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) relates to severe human rights abuses and wage theft involving 21,000 workers. BWI lodged its complaint to the ILO in June 2024. It will be heard on 7 November at the ILO Governing Body meeting, and if accepted, could create a committee to look into the complaints and produce a report recommending further action.

  • Arab leaders congratulate Trump but wonder if he can end Middle East wars as promised

    Arab leaders quickly congratulated Donald Trump on his U.S. presidential election victory. Some are hopeful he could bring an end to conflicts raging in the Middle East while others are looking for a stronger stance against Iran. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, United Arab Emirates leaders, and Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, all congratulated Donald Trump on his win, saying strengthening strategic partnerships is important.

  • Green Light for Energy: Egypt-Saudi Arabia Interconnection Project Moves Forward

    In recent years, Egypt has faced substantial electricity supply challenges, exacerbated by heat waves and gas shortages, which have led to persistent rolling blackouts across the country since July 2022. The strain on the electrical system has grown due to increased demand, particularly from widespread use of air conditioning in Egyptian cities. In spite of this challenge, Egypt is steadfast in its ambitious goal of generating 42 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035. Cairo has not yet met this target. The state has invested heavily in hydropower along Egypt’s coast, and in by the end of 2022 hydropower accounted for 2,832 MW of Egypt’s 6,322 MW of renewable energy capacity, or around 45 percent. However, renewables still only account for a small portion of the overall electricity mix. Although Egypt’s potential for renewable energy is increasing—and it has developed extensive solar and wind programs in addition to hydropower—it has not yet attained the 42 percent goal, and does not appear likely to in the near future.

  • Commentary: Why Trump’s Middle East policy will go to the highest bidder

    Trump is widely seen in the Gulf as a man without a clear vision for the region. His regional policy will be determined by the two most powerful foreign policy lobbies in Washington: the pro-Israel lobby on one side and the Gulf lobbies on the other. The crucial question will be to what extent the Gulf lobby networks will be able to pull together to achieve a common position on key regional issues such as Palestine as well as Iran and its ‘Axis of Resistance’.