MOSCOW: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) has implemented 257 projects since its establishment in 2015, via 119 local and international partnerships, at a cost of more than $895 million, its general supervisor said on Saturday.
There have been 166 projects allocated to Yemen, implemented in all governorates in cooperation with local partners and specialized UN organizations, said Abdullah Al-Rabeeah.
The projects in Yemen include the medical sector, environmental sanitation, and programs for women and children, he added. All Yemeni ports are open to humanitarian, relief and commercial assistance, he said.
Al-Rabeeah made his remarks during a press conference at the headquarters of the Russian News Agency in Moscow, in the presence of the Saudi and Yemeni ambassadors to Russia, as well as reporters.
Through KSRelief, the Kingdom has provided all types of relief and humanitarian assistance for the needy in 39 countries on four continents, the KSRelief chief said.
He affirmed that the KSRelief humanitarian and relief efforts reached all Yemeni provinces including those controlled by the Houthi militia. However, obstacles set in place by the Houthis in the face of relief works will not discourage KSRelief from sending humanitarian assistance to all Yemeni provinces, he said.
He called on global humanitarian groups and the international community not to overlook areas besieged by the Houthi militias inside Yemen which are harboring millions of innocent people, including women, children and the elderly, who are trapped inside Taiz and other towns.
Referring to cholera in Yemen, he said this disease has been endemic in Yemen for many years due to the poor health infrastructure and standards. However, thanks to enormous efforts undertaken by the concerned parties supported by KSRelief, the rate of recovery has been increased to more than 99.7 percent.
As a center, KSRelief coordinates with local and global partners to ensure the entry and distribution of aid to the needy in all parts of Yemen, he said.
In another issue, the KSRelief chief strongly condemned the launching of missiles toward Riyadh and other densely populated areas in the Kingdom by the Houthi militia. He considered it a flagrant violation of international law.
Referring to the Syrian crisis, he said the Kingdom was one of the first countries in supporting the Syrian people where it hosts 262,000 Syrian refugees as guests. It also allowed them to enter the labor market and provided free education for 114,000 Syrian students in its schools. The Kingdom also provided projects worth $800 million aimed to alleviate suffering of the Syrian refugees living in neighboring countries.
KSRelief has implemented 257 projects, 166 for Yemen
KSRelief has implemented 257 projects, 166 for Yemen
Saudi Arabia designates 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence
- SDAIA unveils official logo after it was approved by the Cabinet
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has designated 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, underscoring the Kingdom’s growing leadership in global AI adoption, and reaffirming AI as a top priority by supporting the nation’s AI ambitions in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
With the Kingdom emerging as a global hub for data and AI, driven by the support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the move was underscored by the Saudi Cabinet’s approval on Tuesday.
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, meanwhile, launched the official logo for the Year of Artificial Intelligence, Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday.
The logo integrates symbolism in its elements: a palm tree signifies the national emblem and the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, while the letters “AI” highlight the technological and innovative aspects central to promoting digital inclusion as part of Vision 2030.
The palm tree’s green color symbolizes the Saudi flag and the Kingdom’s national identity, while the accompanying blue color represents digital technology and progression toward advanced technological development.
The logo is accompanied by the official hashtag for the Year of Artificial Intelligence: #SaudiAIYear.
Muhammad Khurram Khan, a professor of cybersecurity at King Saud University, told Arab News: “Saudi Arabia’s decision to designate 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence represents a strategic milestone in the Kingdom’s digital transformation under Vision 2030.
“Over the past several years, SDAIA has successfully moved the national AI agenda from planning to large-scale implementation. The progress is visible in the Kingdom’s rapid rise in global AI rankings, its significant investment in emerging technologies, and the development of advanced infrastructure such as national data platforms and large-scale data centers,” he said.
The Kingdom ranked 14th in the 2025 Global AI Index and holds a leading position in the Arab world for AI model development.
Investment in the sector has grown significantly, with government spending on emerging technologies rising by more than 56 percent in 2024 and AI companies securing $9.1 billion in funding.
“The newly unveiled logo effectively reflects this vision. The logo thoughtfully blends Saudi Arabia’s heritage with its technological ambitions, reflecting the Kingdom’s forward-looking vision for a technology-driven future,” said the professor.
“What distinguishes Saudi Arabia’s approach is its holistic strategy. Rather than focusing solely on technology deployment, the Kingdom has invested heavily in talent development, regulatory frameworks, and ecosystem building. Training thousands of specialists and engaging more than a million participants through national AI initiatives demonstrates a long-term commitment to building a sustainable knowledge economy. Equally important is the Kingdom’s emphasis on responsible AI governance, reflected in its participation in international AI partnerships focused on ethics,” he added.
Welcoming the Cabinet’s decision to designate 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, SDAIA president, said on Tuesday the decision reflects the crown prince’s vision to strengthen the Kingdom’s global standing in advanced technologies.
He described it as an important step toward creating national momentum around innovation and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping a smarter and more sustainable future.
Since its establishment in 2019, SDAIA has led the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, which focuses on six pillars: ambition, competencies, policies, investment, innovation, and ecosystem.
These efforts have moved the Kingdom from strategic planning to implementation, including regulating AI sectors and developing advanced digital infrastructure.
Infrastructure has expanded with the launch of the Shaheen III supercomputer and the Hexagon data center, the world’s largest government data facility with a capacity of 480 megawatts.
The Kingdom has also established a National Data Lake integrating more than 430 government systems.
Human capital development remains a priority. More than 11,000 specialists have been trained, and the SAMAI program has reached over one million participants.
Internationally, Saudi Arabia has strengthened its presence in the AI sector. It became the first Arab nation to join the Global Partnership on AI and hosts the UNESCO-sponsored International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics in Riyadh.
These initiatives reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence to support economic diversification and serve humanity globally.
