RIYADH: King Salman’s speech at the Shoura Council on Wednesday that defined the contours of Saudi Arabia’s domestic and foreign policies was widely welcomed.
In the televised speech focused on economic issues, the king described corruption as a threat to economic development and vowed to confront corruption with “justice and decisiveness.”
He called for a political solution for crises in the region, topped by the restoration of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, including the right to establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Commenting on the speech, Dr. Hanan Al-Ahmadi, a Shoura Council member, said the speech reflected the Kingdom’s strong stance on Jerusalem and “how it will remain Palestine’s capital.”
King Salman in his speech categorically said: “I would like to reiterate the condemnation of the Kingdom and its deep regret at the US decision on Jerusalem, which represents blatant bias against the historic rights of the Palestinian people in Jerusalem, which have been guaranteed by international resolutions and have been recognized and supported by the international community.”
He said he had directed ministers and officials to expand the number of programs affecting the main needs of citizens. “Notably, the most important one is the housing program,” he said.
Dr. Ferdous Al-Saleh, another council member, remarked: “The king focused on the benefits and interests of Saudi citizens through housing and he also made it very clear that the government supports the private sector.”
Dr. Fawziah Aba Alkhail remarked on how the king addressed the issue with all transparency, which has been known throughout his reign.
“He touched on the issues that we really care about, one of which is obviously women’s empowerment. I think that the understanding of the effectiveness of women within society was very clear in his speech,” said another Shoura Council member Dr. Hoda Al-Helaissi.
Al-Helaissi said: “The king is, and always will be a father figure and that is why, whenever he comes to the Shoura (Council), and whenever we see him at social events, it strikes a chord with everybody. Whenever we see him it is like seeing your father; you’re seeing the hope he has for his people. That feeling of pride and nationalism is epitomized within him.”
Saudi Shoura Council members welcome King Salman’s focus on new direction
Saudi Shoura Council members welcome King Salman’s focus on new direction
8 NGOs join Saudi Arabia’s national vegetation drive
- The center continues to promote collaboration across sectors to expand environmental awareness and advance sustainability goals through knowledge exchange
RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has signed memoranda of understanding with several nonprofit environmental associations to strengthen partnerships with the nonprofit sector in advancing national goals for environmental sustainability.
The MoUs were signed with eight associations: Al-Nakaa Association, Lavender Society, Darb Hiking Trails and Walking Trips Association, Hail Agriculture Development Association, Yanbu Environmental Association, Rifaq Environment Association (Hail), Aghsan Environmental Association, and Pristine Future Environment Association.
The center said cooperation with the nonprofit sector enhances volunteer and community initiatives and maximizes environmental and social impact across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The agreements are part of a broader cooperation framework covering afforestation and land rehabilitation projects, nature-based tourism support, expertise exchange, capacity building through training, and community environmental awareness.
The center continues to promote collaboration across sectors to expand environmental awareness and advance sustainability goals through knowledge exchange, coordinated community efforts, joint outreach programs, and initiatives supporting national environmental objectives.
