ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced on Thursday that Islamabad and Saudi Arabia have signed three major investment deals for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
He told the media: “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have inked three agreements for grants. The first delegation from Saudi Arabia, comprising the chief of its investment and petroleum ministers, will be arriving in Pakistan on Sunday.”
Earlier, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, said that Islamabad and Riyadh have shared grief and joy together, and that the bonds of bilateral ties will be further strengthened through CPEC.
Al-Malki made his remarks as a chief guest at a ceremony organized by the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s 88th National Day on Monday.
He thanked the management of IIUI for arranging the ceremony and hoped the university would soon get positive news from Saudi Arabia.
“The leaderships of both the countries agreed on bilateral minister-level talks for cooperation and soon the KSA delegation will meet the relevant government officials,” he said.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan sign three deals on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan sign three deals on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
- The agreements will bring major investments to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects
- First delegation from KSA to arrive in Pakistan on Sunday
Saudi Arabia urges action on Gaza crisis at UNESCO meeting
- Envoy affirms Kingdom’s commitment to education and cultural exchange
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has urged UNESCO to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The appeal was made by Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to France and the Principality of Monaco and permanent representative of the Kingdom to UNESCO.
Al-Ruwaili led the Kingdom’s delegation at the 219th session of UNESCO’s executive board meeting in Paris, which ends on March 27, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Kingdom’s delegation took part in the opening session, with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and other national bodies participating.
In his speech, Al-Ruwaili highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts, in collaboration with its partners in the region and worldwide, to find a solution to the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip.
He said Israel should be stopped from carrying out military operations in Gaza, which were in violation of international law.
Meanwhile, Al-Ruwaili commended the ongoing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and UNESCO.
He highlighted the exhibition held at the UNESCO headquarters, titled “The Earthen Testaments,” on Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day. The exhibition showcased the heritage of Diriyah, including the At-Turaif district listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 2010.
Al-Ruwaili also highlighted the projects by Saudi Arabia and UNESCO, valued at $10 million, to preserve cultural heritage through the Fund-in-Trust Agreement. The projects aim to achieve synergies across six culture conventions of UNESCO.
He said the Kingdom took the initiative to position culture on the G20 agenda during its presidency in 2020, and thanked countries that continued to back this approach.
Al-Ruwaili said three Saudi Arabia cities have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, bringing the total to five.
In addition, the Kingdom joined the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goal 4 High-Level Steering Committee, as well as the subcommittee concerned with data and monitoring.
Al-Ruwaili thanked the nations that supported the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh, and said Saudi Arabia aims to have an event that enhances international cooperation on all fronts.
Saudi Crown Prince, UN secretary general discuss Gaza situation
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received a phone call from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the Saudi Press Agency said early Tuesday.
The pair discussed the latest developments in Gaza and efforts towards achieving peace and stability.
French minister tours cultural highlights during Saudi visit
RIYADH: Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s culture minister, received his French counterpart Rachida Dati, who is currently on a visit to the Kingdom.
Prince Badr commended the robust cultural relations between the Kingdom and France, emphasizing their recent development and the Saudi leadership’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral cultural connections.
The discussions centered on ways to bolster cooperation and international cultural exchange between the Kingdom and France across various cultural domains. Key areas of focus included museums, theater and performing arts, culinary arts, films, heritage preservation, libraries, visual arts, music, fashion, architecture, and design.
Dati explored several prominent cultural venues and events in Riyadh during her official visit.
She toured the “Diriyah Biennale for Contemporary Art” held in the Jax district of Diriyah. The biennale features a significant number of elite artists from both the Kingdom and around the globe.
The Jax district has undergone a complete redesign, transforming it into a vibrant creative hub featuring performance spaces, artist studios, art galleries, and supportive platforms.
Dati also visited the Irqah Cultural Center and was briefed on its various innovative cultural initiatives. The center exemplifies Saudi cultural creativity by repurposing historical buildings and turning them into unique spaces that embrace art, artists, and elements of Saudi culture.
The French minister also visited the offices of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and learned about some of the plans for the city and Expo 2030 which is being hosted in the Saudi capital.
Saudi leaders congratulate Russian president on re-election
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a phone call to Russian president Vladimir Putin, the Saudi Press Agency said early Tuesday.
The Crown Prince congratulated Putin on being re-elected for a new presidential term.
Putin thanked the crown prince for his noble feelings.
“The call stressed distinguished bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them in all fields,” the SPA reported.
Earlier, King Salman and the Crown Prince sent separate cables congratulating the Russian president.
Saudi foreign, culture ministers sign memorandum of understanding to boost cooperation
- MoU set to foster closer cooperation in advancing international cultural exchanges
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday to help boost collaboration between their ministries within the cultural sector and aid coordination across various fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The agreement, which was signed in Riyadh, is set to foster closer cooperation in advancing international cultural exchanges.
It is in line with the Kingdom’s National Strategy for Culture under Vision 2030.