DiplomaticQuarter: Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh expands services
Updated 11 June 2020
Arab News
RIYADH: The Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh is extending its assistance to Pakistani nationals by offering passport-related services outside the Diplomatic Quarter.
Pakistani Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Raja Ali Ejaz said: “A large number of Pakistanis continue to visit the embassy for consular services and purchase of tickets for special repatriation flights, which are being operated for various cities in Pakistan to repatriate Pakistani nationals.”
The envoy said that due to coronavirus restrictions, police in the Diplomatic Quarter are allowing no more than 50 Pakistani nationals to enter at one time.
He added that the surge in visits follows the sale of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) tickets from the embassy and resumption of consular services five days a week after almost three months of lockdown.
The envoy said that repatriation had been stepped up to two PIA special flights, each carrying 140 passengers, which departed from Riyadh for Multan on June 9.
So far the mission has coordinated the repatriation of 2,494 passengers through 14 special flights.
The Pakistani government has started a series of special flights to repatriate Pakistanis stranded in countries, including Saudi Arabia.
In the Kingdom, the special flights are being coordinated by the embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah.
The number of special flights from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan has been increased to hasten the repatriation process, the embassy said.
In line with the directive of Prime Minister Imran Khan for early repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, the Foreign Ministry will continue its repatriation efforts until complete, it added.
NCWD launches project to evaluate marine species in Arabian Gulf
Goal behind project is to build baseline for developing integrated management plan for marine environments
NCWD CEO said project aims to provide basic assessment of the condition of coral reefs
Updated 15 May 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife Development launched on Tuesday a project that aims to assess the state of marine habitats in the Arabian Gulf’s Saudi waters, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The NCWD said the goal behind the project was to build a baseline for developing an integrated management plan for marine environments, preserving biodiversity and reducing threats.
It will also enhance the sustainability of marine environments in Saudi waters in light of their economic, social and cultural value and their provision of many valuable ecosystem services.
Mohammed Ali Qurban, NCWD’s CEO, said the project aimed to provide a basic assessment of the condition of coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and associated animals and marine species.
The project will identify natural risks associated with human activities that threaten these coastal ecosystems, and concurrently, find solutions to reduce those threats.
It will also design an effective plan to preserve and rehabilitate these coastal habitats, based on the data provided by the project.
Qurban said Saudi waters in the Gulf cover an area exceeding 27,000 square kilometers and contain very important marine habitats, which support a wide range of marine species.
NCWD’s CEO pointed out that marine systems are exposed to many pressures and require continuous monitoring and the application of an effective plan to preserve and manage them in a sustainable manner.
The data provided by the project constitute an essential factor for conservation and rehabilitation measures and enabling NCWD and other relevant parties to build a management plan to sustain these valuable habitats.
Prince Sultan University hosts panel on space exploration
Kingdom has already achieved a high-calibre position in space industry, says NASA’s Bill Nelson
Updated 14 May 2024
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
RIYADH: Delegations from NASA and the Saudi Space Agency visited Prince Sultan University on Tuesday to engage with students on the future of human missions in space.
A panel session titled “Beyond Earth: Journeys to the Stars,” brought together NASA administrator Bill Nelson and Saudi astronauts Rayannah Barnawi, Ali Al-Ghamdi and Mariam Fardous, to discuss their own experiences in space.
Chairman of the Saudi Space Agency Abdullah Al-Swaha recently held talks with NASA’s Bill Nelson. (Supplied)
They also debated the future of human missions in space and encouraged the university’s students to be part of the Kingdom’s aspirations in the space field.
Mohammed Al-Tamimi, CEO of Saudi Space Agency, and Ambassador of the US to the Kingdom Michael Ratney, were also present at the reception.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The panel discussion hosted at Prince Sultan University debated the future of human missions in space.
• During his visit to the Kingdom, Bill Nelson also met Munir Eldesouki, president of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.
In an interview with Arab News, Nelson highlighted the importance of space missions. “When we go into space, we have to invent and create new things and that helps us advance our standard of living here on the earth,” he said.
The panel session titled ‘Beyond Earth: Journeys to the Stars’ brought together NASA administrator Bill Nelson and Saudi astronauts Rayannah Barnawi, Ali Al-Ghamdi and Mariam Fardous, to discuss their own experiences in space. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
“One of the good examples that I gave in the speech today is the camera in your cell phone, that was developed by NASA. It’s a camera on a chip … there are so many technological outgrowths and spinoffs from our developing space technology.”
Nelson said that there would be further developments in the near future in pharmaceutical research and zero gravity on the International Space Station.
When we go into space, we have to invent and create new things and that helps us advance our standard of living here on the earth.
Bill Nelson, NASA administrator
“There are going to be some major breakthroughs, and already have been on developing drugs, for the cure of diseases. So, there’s a lot of excitement in the future,” he said.
Saudi Arabia has already achieved a high-calibre position in the space industry, he said.
Ahmed Yamani, president of Prince Sultan University, said that it had established a new college of space and aviation with the cooperation with the Saudi Space Agency and Al-Tamimi.
“We went through the process of the initiating this college, which is really based on what we already have … we have a program, aviation management, that was established with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.”
Yamani said that the university was already building the foundation of the space and aviation program with “external consultants that are working with us on both department and both programs. So, we want to definitely touch on the latest and the update updated programs in these areas.”
During his visit to the Kingdom, Nelson also met Munir Eldesouki, president of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in the space sector.
Chairman of the Saudi Space Agency Abdullah Al-Swaha held talks with Nelson in the presence of Al-Tamimi, and they discussed strategic partnership in the field of space to serve humanity.
The Saudi Space Agency is responsible for developing and growing its space sector with a focus on supporting economic growth, stimulating innovation and scientific research.
Saudi Arabia takes part in Netherlands Geospatial World Forum as strategic partner
The authority is collaborating with the World Bank to conduct studies on the economic impact of geospatial information in Saudi Arabia
Updated 14 May 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information is serving as a strategic partner in the Geospatial World Forum, a global event with more than 300 speakers specializing in geospatial information.
Themed “Geospatial Transition: Powering the World Economy,” the four-day forum is taking place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, until May 16.
GEOSA represents the Kingdom at home and abroad in the geospatial sector.
Themed ‘Geospatial Transition: powering the world economy,’ the four-day forum is taking place in rotterdam, the Netherlands, until May 16. (SPA)
The Rotterdam forum provides a platform to exchange knowledge and unveil smart solutions provided by geospatial information, and includes more than 55 pavilions showcasing the latest technology in the sector.
During the opening session, Mohammed Al-Sayel, president of the authority, said in a speech that geospatial information is playing an important role in decision-making within the rapidly growing Saudi economy.
FASTFACT
Geospatial World Forum held in Rotterdam provides a platform to exchange knowledge and unveil smart solutions provided by geospatial information.
The authority is collaborating with the World Bank to conduct studies on the economic impact of geospatial information in the Kingdom, he added, highlighting work with international organizations concerned with geospatial information management specifications, standards and governance.
Themed ‘Geospatial Transition: powering the world economy,’ the four-day forum is taking place in rotterdam, the Netherlands, until May 16. (SPA)
Al-Sayel said that the Kingdom, represented by GEOSA, has contributed to the development of geospatial information management globally by hosting the UN Global Geospatial Ecosystem Center of Excellence in Riyadh. The center allows experts to exchange expertise and knowledge within the geospatial information management sphere.
The Kingdom has built and maintained national geospatial infrastructure according to the best international practices, he added, in addition to working on developing national capabilities in the sector.
During a session titled “Geospatial Transition Driving Economic Value in Various Sectors,” GEOSA spokesperson Fatma Al-Shammari said that the Kingdom is undergoing a “significant transition” in various developmental fields, with major projects benefiting from advanced geospatial technologies to achieve national targets.
On the sidelines of the forum, the Kingdom, represented by GEOSA, took part in an accompanying exhibition with its main pavilion as a strategic partner, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s national geospatial infrastructure to visitors and introducing the most prominent development projects in the country.
The exhibition covered hydrographic surveying, national geodetic infrastructure and map production.
Exercise to deal with environmental emergencies starts in Tabuk region
Exercise is being supervised by the National Center for Environmental Compliance and is taking place in cooperation with 39 governmental and private agencies
Updated 14 May 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: An exercise aimed at raising readiness to confront environmental emergencies or oil spill incidents kicked off on the Tabuk coast on Tuesday.
The two-day exercise, called “Response 14,” is part of the Kingdom’s plan to combat pollution of the marine environment with oil and other harmful substances, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The exercise is being supervised by the National Center for Environmental Compliance and is taking place in cooperation with 39 governmental and private agencies.
The center’s official spokesman, Saad Al-Matrafi, revealed that the readiness of each participating agency increased every time such an exercise was held.
He added that there was a noticeable development in the technology being used by the various participating agencies as well as the skills of their employees, as a result of such exercises.
He explained that the exercise is being carried out in several stages in which satellites and advanced simulation programs are used.
Participants will learn how to deal with simulated scenarios of pollution spreading in the middle of territorial waters and its impact extending to coasts and marine habitats.
They will also learn how to contain this pollution and reduce its negative effects on the marine environment and the region’s economy.
Al-Matrafi said the national plan to combat oil spills and harmful substances has succeeded in testing its ability to contain a spill of 75,000 barrels, with a high response rate not exceeding 50 minutes, through the largest fleet of naval units designated for this purpose, in addition to specialist aircraft.
Saudi deputy minister takes part in Arab ministerial meeting on Somalia
During the meeting, the group discussed the importance of strengthening Arab coordination on issues of common interest, and the importance of respecting the sovereignty of states
Updated 14 May 2024
Arab News
MANAMA: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi on Tuesday participated in the ministerial working group’s meeting in Manama, Bahrain, about supporting Somalia in confronting attacks on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During the meeting, the group discussed the importance of strengthening Arab coordination on issues of common interest, and the importance of respecting the sovereignty of states in accordance with international laws and norms, the foreign ministry said in a report.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League Abdulaziz Al-Matar and the director general of the deputy minister’s office, Mohammed Al-Shehri, among other officials.
