Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, Saudi Arabia’s envoy to the UN in New York

Ambassador Abdallah Al-Mouallimi
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Updated 01 June 2020
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Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, Saudi Arabia’s envoy to the UN in New York

 

Abdallah Al-Mouallimi is Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UN in New York.

Al-Mouallimi received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Oregon State University and earned a master’s degree in management from Stanford University. 

Along with his responsibilities with the UN, Al-Mouallimi is president of Dar Al-Mouallimi Consulting. He is also an adviser at the Olayan Group and has been chairman at HBG Holdings Limited since November 2006.

On Tuesday, the Kingdom will host a virtual donor conference together with the UN in order to raise about $2.4 billion to pay for the world’s biggest aid operation in Yemen.

Al-Mouallimi reaffirmed the Kingdom’s humanitarian role at all levels, and its status as one of the world’s largest donors and supporters of Yemen and its people in recent decades.

Al-Mouallimi said that he hoped the event will help to bring progress and prosperity to Yemen.

The Saudi envoy has a distinguished record, having held senior government and executive positions over the past 30 years.

He was a managing director of the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Saudi Arabia, a board member of the Saudi National Commercial Bank, vice chairman of Olayan Financing Co. from 1991 to 1998, and a board member of Saudi Telecom Co.

He has also served at the highest levels of Saudi government, most notably when he was appointed to the Majlis Al-Shoura, or the National Consultative Council, from 1997 to 2001.

Al-Mouallimi was appointed by royal decree to the position of mayor of Jeddah where he served with distinction until 2005.

He has been chairman of Rasmala PLC (formerly European Islamic Investment Bank PLC) since December 2011.

Al-Mouallimi’s Twitter handle is @amouallimi.


Najran farmers find sugarcane cultivation viable, promising lucrative economic returns

Updated 07 December 2025
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Najran farmers find sugarcane cultivation viable, promising lucrative economic returns

  • Najran's mountainous parts are blessed with temperate climate and abundant water resources, suitable for sugarcane production

NAJRAN: Farmers in Saudi Arabia's southwestern region of Najran have found that sugarcane production is a viable enterprise, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has reported.

One farmer, Ibrahim Shakwan, confirmed to SPA the success of his 7.3-hectare sugarcane farm and noted "growing regional interest due to its high productivity and lucrative economic returns."

Najran was chosen as a trial area for sugarcane production owing to the temperate climate, diverse soils, and abundant water resources in its mountainous parts. The experiment is in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which calls for enhancing food security and self-sufficiency.

Others regions in the Kingdom's southwest, such as Jazan, Asir and Baha, have similar features as Najran. 

Sugarcane is easily propagated via cuttings that yield a high number of plantable pieces. (SPA)

Sugarcane is easily propagated via cuttings that yield a high number of plantable pieces. Planting occurs primarily in the summer, although seedlings can be planted year-round. 

Effective cultivation methods include selecting disease-resistant varieties, proper soil preparation, and balanced irrigation and fertilization, according to the report.

The crop is harvested approximately eight months after planting, with fertilization ending three months before and irrigation ceasing 20 days prior to harvest to boost sugar concentration and improve juice quality, which is rich in natural sugars, vitamins, and minerals.

Several countries in the Middle East have long been growing sugarcane, with Egypt and Iran as key producers. 

Botanists believe sugarcane was first cultivated 10,000 years ago in what is now New Guinea in the southwest Pacific Ocean, where the environment is humid, according to an article titled Sugar Please, published in the Aramcoworld magazine in 2012.