MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday welcomed Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif at the presidential palace.
Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque described the meeting as “very warm and cordial,” with the president and minister reiterating both countries’ commitment to fighting terrorism.
The prince was on a three-day official visit to Manila. He and Duterte discussed strengthening bilateral ties and issues of mutual importance, particularly law enforcement, peace, security, and promoting the welfare of Filipino migrant workers.
Duterte thanked him for the visit, and the prince conveyed King Salman’s personal and warm wishes as he reaffirmed the importance of the Philippines to Saudi Arabia.
The minister also conveyed the king’s “deep respect” for Duterte’s “strong and decisive action that led to the liberation of Marawi (city) from extremists and terrorists.”
Duterte stressed the need to expand trade and investment cooperation, and to promote the rights, safety and wellbeing of Filipinos.
He hosted a luncheon for Prince Abdul Aziz in President’s Hall. The minister held separate talks with some of Duterte’s Cabinet members.
On Sunday, the prince received Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Datu Abul Khayr Alonto at the Shangri-La at the Fort.
They discussed enhancing ties between the two countries, and the Saudi commitment to peace and development in Mindanao.
Alonto thanked the prince for his continuing support, especially to the island’s Muslim population.
The prince also met with Eduardo Ano, interior and local government officer in charge, with whom he discussed cooperation between the two countries’ interior ministries.
The prince also met with Labor Minister Silvestre Bello III and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon.
In April 2017, Duterte paid a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia as part of his three-nation tour of the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia, Philippines reaffirm commitment to combat extremism, terrorism
Saudi Arabia, Philippines reaffirm commitment to combat extremism, terrorism
Saudi Arabia led green building performance regionally in 2025: Report
- Saudi Arabia achieved the highest regional score of 76.31 points and certified more than 1.03 million sq. meters of sustainable building space
- Results reflect measurable efficiency gains across 6,662 projects completed since 2010, marking a new regional benchmark for measurable sustainability progress
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia led the region in sustainable building performance and environmental impact in 2025, according to the Saaf index developed by the Saudi Green Building Forum.
Saudi Arabia achieved the highest regional score of 76.31 points and certified more than 1.03 million sq. meters of sustainable building space, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
These results reflect measurable efficiency gains across 6,662 projects completed since 2010, marking a new regional benchmark for measurable sustainability progress and institutional excellence.
The achievement underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in advancing sustainable construction across the Middle East and supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives for cleaner growth, resource efficiency and climate resilience through data‑driven environmental performance.
Faisal Al‑Fadl, secretary‑general of SGBF, said that 2025 represented a major turning point toward a measurable, institutional sustainability strategy that united policy, technology and practice.
He added that the approach extended beyond renewable energy, clean water and eco‑friendly materials to embed sustainability in economic planning and public development programs, made possible through integrated efforts with regional governments and public institutions.
The Saaf index provides a specialized regional framework for measuring efficiency and resilience through the Sufficiency and Resilience Composite Index, or SCI, enabling precise performance assessments.
Findings show that the sector has evolved into a cohesive strategy integrating project delivery, professional capacity building, market innovation and climate action.
According to the SGBF review, Saudi Arabia’s achievements reflect its ability to combine quality implementation, institutional maturity and scale.
Environmentally, green building projects achieved an estimated 62,800 tonnes of carbon‑equivalent annual reduction and earned 29 professional recognitions, reinforcing growing international acknowledgment of Saudi leadership in sustainability.
The data also underscore SGBF’s role as a professional partner in advancing methodologies, applications and impact measurement within non‑governmental frameworks that link policy and practical execution.
More than 7,300 professionals across 22 Arab countries engaged with the Saaf platform in 2025, alongside numerous business‑driven initiatives expanding the region’s sustainable‑development footprint.
Al‑Fadl said that the period from 2025 to 2026 would act as a bridge toward Vision 2030, strengthening a model in which sustainable buildings were managed by impact, measured through indicators and implemented via lasting partnerships.
SGBF serves as the Kingdom’s leading platform for advancing sustainable construction and green design. It unites experts, innovators and practitioners dedicated to building environmentally responsible and high‑performance structures.
Through continuous education, certification and collaboration, SGBF drives the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s building sector — minimizing environmental impact, promoting resource efficiency and improving overall quality of life for communities nationwide.
