JEDDAH: Kitack Lim, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), left Saudi Arabia on Monday after a three-day visit.
During his visit, Lim toured the Mohammed bin Naif Academy for Maritime Science and Security Studies, the Prince Mohammed bin Naif Maritime Base in Jeddah and the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Center for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba. The commander of the center explained the missions of search and rescue, as well as the humanitarian work of the center nationally, regionally and internationally, and its efforts to combat maritime piracy and armed robbery.
Furthermore, Lim had a tour of the beach set up by the Border Guards for persons with special needs, with high-quality facilities that are appropriate for them.
Lim and the visiting delegation expressed their admiration of the location. It is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia.
He also hailed the “efforts of the Saudi Border Guards in their quest to establish swimming pools on all shores of the Kingdom to suit the needs of those with special needs.”
Border Guards Director General Maj. Gen. Awad bin Eid Al-Balawi launched the site on Friday as the beginning of a Border Guards initiative for people with special needs.
“The Saudi leadership has made it a top priority to care for disabled people and people with special needs. It made the protection of their rights a constitutional basis according to the provisions of Islam,” Al-Balawi told the visiting delegation.
He also pointed out that Vision 2030 was supportive of empowering people with special needs to obtain appropriate opportunities for education and work.
“The National Transformation Program (NTP) 2020 is also working on turning people with special needs from recipients of assistance to producers,” he added.
Al-Balawi recently directed the rapid establishment of a fully equipped location for swimming purposes for those with special needs to provide suitable services to beach visitors and provide support to their families.
Lim’s visit was to enhance cooperation between the Saudi Border Guards and the IMO, taking advantage of the expertise and professional cadres of the IMO in maritime and the academic domain, and to establish long-term cooperation between the two sides.
IMO secretary-general hails Saudi Border Guard initiative for persons of special needs
IMO secretary-general hails Saudi Border Guard initiative for persons of special needs
Saudi authorities foil attempt to smuggle 27.6 kg of cocaine
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority has thwarted an attempt to smuggle into the Kingdom 27.6 kg of cocaine found hidden inside the air conditioner of a shipment of potatoes.
Authorities at Jeddah Islamic Port arrested two individuals who were set to receive the shipment.
In a statement ZATCA said it is “committed to stiffening customs control of the Kingdom’s imports and exports, stressing that it will stay vigilant to thwart smuggling attempts and ensure the protection of the society.”
Members of the public are encouraged to report any drug-related crimes by calling 1910, via e-mail [email protected], or through the international number 00966114208417.
Saudi ministries sign deal to achieve goals in fields of culture, human resources
- Move aligns with aims of Saudi Vision 2030
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, and the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi signed a cooperation agreement on Monday aimed at achieving their respective goals.
The agreement will also work to develop human capital in the culture and arts sectors.
It is hoped the partnership will lead to the development of local cultural identity; the growth in local economic interaction; an increase in job opportunities and social development; and the creation of a legislative and regulatory environment that encourages investment and innovation in the cultural sector.
It is expected this will lead to increased economic activity and new job opportunities, targets which form part of Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministries will study ways to encourage and motivate the participation of the private sector in developing the culture and arts sectors as part of the agreement.
Inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week to highlight Saudi talent to a global audience, official says
- ‘Initiative is a vibrant testament to our dedication to cultivating local talent,’ says Fashion Commission’s CEO
RIYADH: The head of the Saudi Fashion Commission said on Monday that the inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week later this month will highlight the talent in the Kingdom to a global audience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Burak Cakmak, the CEO of the commission, said: “With Red Sea Fashion Week we set out to forge a distinctive and dynamic platform that not only highlights the vast creativity and skill within Saudi Arabia but also elevates our nation as a key player on the global fashion stage.
“This initiative is a vibrant testament to our dedication to cultivating local talent and integrating them into the international arena, resonating deeply with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of enriching our cultural fabric and broadening our economic horizons.”
The first edition of Red Sea Fashion Week, the latest initiative from the Saudi Fashion Commission to promote the Kingdom’s fashion industry, begins on May 16 at the new St. Regis Red Sea Resort. It runs until May 18.
A fashion show will be held on the first day, followed by two days of side events and further shows featuring a collection of luxury fashion, jewelry, ready-to-wear items, and resort wear collections from Saudi and international designers.
Saudi Arabia hosted its first fashion week in 2023 in Riyadh, and hosted a pop-up event in Milan last year on the sidelines of the city’s fashion week.
Saudi crown prince offers condolences to UAE president after death of uncle
- Sheikh Mohamed thanked the crown prince and expressed his condolences over the death of Saudi poet Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his condolences to the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on Monday after the recent passing of his uncle Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al-Nahyan.
During a phone call, the crown prince prayed that God forgive the deceased who was the representative of the Abu Dhabi Ruler in Al-Ain Region.
Sheikh Mohamed thanked the crown prince and expressed his condolences over the death of Saudi poet and national literary icon Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen.
Saudi justice minister opens International Conference on Judicial Training
- Experts from around world will attend 2-day event in Riyadh
RIYADH: The Saudi justice minister on Monday opened the International Conference on Judicial Training in Riyadh.
Walid Al-Samaani made the opening speech at the two-day event, which has attracted more than 600 experts and 45 speakers from around the world.
He highlighted the strides made by the Kingdom in the judiciary sector since the launch of its Vision 2030 initiative.
He also outlined the ministry’s commitment to improving the efficiency of the judiciary and “pivotal role of training, qualification and legal knowledge management in achieving justice.”
The Judicial Training Center was dedicated to improving the skills of the Kingdom’s judicial and legal personnel through collaborations with its partners and had been instrumental in qualifying judges and training lawyers, judicial assistants and notaries, the minister said.
Al-Samaani also commented on the transformation of the justice system, driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which has focused on fortifying legal principles, embedding values of transparency and ensuring legal certainty.
A key area for development was the digital transformation and integration of artificial intelligence, which the ministry was advancing to enhance judicial quality, he said.
