JEDDAH: The G20’s Think 20 (T20) engagement group hosted an online event on Tuesday to discuss the threats and challenges posed by climate change, and consider possible solutions. In particular, they examined ways in which carbon emissions can be reduced or offset.
The Task Force 2: Climate Change and Environment webinar, organized in corporation with the Institute of Energy Economics in Japan, was the second virtual T20 event in the run-up to the main G20 meeting in Riyadh in November.
The sessions included discussions about the circular carbon economy; the blue carbon economy; ways to encourage cooperation on climate action; conservation and the restoration of biodiversity; and how climate concerns might affect post-pandemic economic recovery and vice versa.
The aim was to identify strategies and develop recommendations that can be presented during the main G20 Summit for actions that can be taken to curb climate change and achieve the goals of the 2016 Paris Agreement.
“Climate change is at the heart of global issues,” said Dr. Noura Mansouri, a research fellow at King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), and lead co-chair of TF2.
“It’s an urgent global challenge and requires urgent action — not just individual action but a coordinated approach — and the G20 is an important platform for that to happen. In fact, if the G20 does not use its platform for climate change, I don’t think any other platform will be as powerful and impactful for climate action.”
About 30 percent of global CO2 emissions come from carbon-intensive industries such as iron and steel, petrochemicals and transport. Experts believe the best way to effectively tackle the issue and achieve the Paris Agreement targets is by adopting a circular carbon economy.
“Embracing all energy technologies under the ‘four Rs’ of the circular carbon economy is important: to reduce, reuse, recycle and remove carbon,” Mansouri said during a panel discussion. “It is an essential means to (achieve) a low-carbon future through coordinated G20 efforts to support carbon-management and technology innovations.
“The Saudi G20 presidency is proposing the circular carbon economy as an integrated and inclusive approach to transition toward a more comprehensive, resilient, sustainable and climate-friendly energy system.”
Decarbonization is vital to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, and nature-based solutions can help, experts say.
“The circular carbon economy makes sense because it’s how nature manages carbon, through a close balance between emissions and removal of carbon dioxide,” said Prof. Carlos Duarte, who holds the Tarek Ahmed Juffali Research Chair in Red Sea Ecology at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
Discussions and debates about climate change and its effects on the environment have been going on for some time, but investment in nature-based solutions is increasingly in the spotlight, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Blue carbon is another way in which nature can help tackle emissions. It refers to carbon that is captured by marine and coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrass meadows. They are capable of storing more carbon than land-based ecosystems, such as forests, and are increasingly recognized for the vital role they can play in mitigating the effects of climate change.
“Rather than finding new technologies, not knowing their side effects, we have nature-based solutions — let nature recuperate,” said Ralph Chami, assistant director of the Institute for Capacity Development at the International Monetary Fund.
As evidence grows that many of the same human activities that are fueling climate change have also contributed to the spread of the coronavirus, including the growing popularity of air travel, one key option explored during the webinar was to place a transition to green energy at the heart of post-pandemic economic-recovery plans.
The discussion focused heavily on the role of the private sector in facilitating such a transition and the need for more accurate data on fossil fuels. The session was moderated by Dr. Aisha Al-Sarihi, a research associate at KAPSARC, and the panelists included Dr. Leila Dagher, an associate professor of economics at the American University of Beirut; Jonathan Stern, a distinguished research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies; and Mari Luomi, an independent expert on climate, energy policy, politics and environmental sustainability.
By giving more than 160 experts from around the world the chance to work together to produce 24 policy briefs, T20 Saudi Arabia presented a golden opportunity to highlight pressing global issues to the leadership of the G20.
“When it comes to our journey as the T20, and over the past year of bringing together global think tanks to think with us and provide the ideas bank for the G20 Saudi presidency, we can’t but appreciate the efforts that went into it,” said Mansouri.
“We must see the COVID-19 crisis as a lesson in how to address climate change quickly and cooperatively. Coordinated G20 efforts are vital in pursuing this goal. Post-pandemic economic-recovery stimulus packages should not derail climate actions, and must utilize a circular carbon economy framework to simultaneously address social and environmental concerns while stimulating economic prosperity for a more inclusive and sustainable future.”
Saudi Arabia holds the presidency of the G20 this year and the group’s annual summit is due to be held in Riyadh in November. The T20, a network of think tanks and researchers, is one of several independent G20 engagement groups, led by organizations from the host country. They focus on different sections and sectors of society and develop policy recommendations that are presented to G20 leaders for consideration.
Nature holds one of the keys to tackling climate change, say G20 thinkers
https://arab.news/c7me2
Nature holds one of the keys to tackling climate change, say G20 thinkers
- Think 20 engagement group highlights ways nature can help deal with carbon emissions while world transitions to green energy
- Decarbonization is vital to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, and nature-based solutions can help, experts say
KSrelief carries out cardiac surgery, catheterization in Yemen
- Medical workers performed 166 catheterization procedures and 25 open-heart operations
RIYADH: Volunteer medical staffers of Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief have been carrying out cardiac surgery and catheterization for children and adults at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital in Aden, Yemen.
The project began on May 4 and ends May 15, with 25 volunteers working with the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen.
The medical workers performed 166 catheterization procedures and 25 open-heart operations.
The assistance is a part of KSrelief’s worldwide relief and humanitarian projects.
Middle East poultry exhibition in Riyadh focuses on value engineering
- The conference seeks to enhance the use of modern technologies, through the showcasing of more than 800 supply chain products by the sector’s leading companies
RIYADH: Experts in the poultry industry gathered in the Saudi capital to share knowledge on ways to enhance business value in the sector.
The Middle East Poultry Exhibition, an annual event in its third year, is running until May 15 and expected to attract thousands of visitors.
Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, the minister of environment, water and agriculture, opened the conference being held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center on Monday.
The three-day event includes more than 100 experts in the poultry, fodder, and animal nutrition sectors, and about 300 companies from 40 countries around the world.
The exhibition is being held under the slogan “Maximizing value and reducing costs: Value engineering in the poultry industry.”
The conference seeks to enhance the use of modern technologies, through the showcasing of more than 800 supply chain products by the sector’s leading companies.
The meeting offers opportunities for the exchange of experiences and practices in the sector and other related industries, and the review of investment opportunities to contribute to GDP, and in an effort to achieve the goals of the National Food Security Strategy, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
“The total amount of support provided to the poultry sector through the agricultural subsidies program amounted to more than SR665 million”, according to the Al-Fadhli’s ministry, the expo said.
The Kingdom aims to achieve a poultry meat self-sufficiency rate of 80 percent by 2025, according to the SPA.
The sector is one of the fastest growing in the Kingdom, due to support through government facilities for poultry projects, and increased private sector investment.
Series of inspired redirections leads rising star in Saudi cinema to Cannes screening
- The filmmaker’s AlUla Creates project is set to be partially screened at Cannes Film Festival
JEDDAH: Filmmaker Hanaa Alfassi, from Jeddah, is a rising talent in the nascent world of Saudi cinema, rubbing shoulders with iconic directors like Haifa Al-Mansour.
Her latest project, “When the Shelves Hymn,” created under the working title “Bygones,” is a coming-of-age drama that is currently in post-production. A scene is set to be screened at a Film AlUla event at Cannes Film Festival this week and the film is part of the AlUla Creates initiative, with Al-Mansour present as one of the mentors on set.
“We were fortunate to have the director Haifaa Mansour provide valuable feedback during the development process.” Alfassi told Arab News. “She is a very kind and inspiring filmmaker, and we were glad as a team to have her visit the set.”
Collaborating closely with industry veterans like Moayad Abualkhair and Al-Mansour, Alfassi benefited from robust feedback loops that significantly enhanced the development process.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Hanaa Alfassi also served as a judge at the 10th Saudi Film Festival, which was held recently this month in Dhahran.
• Her cinematic perspective was profoundly influenced in 2012 during the premiere of ‘Wadjda’ at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City.
• A film she was involved in, ‘In Between,’ directed by Dalia Bakheet, was selected for the Annecy Film Festival in 2019.
• Her initial foray into the digital arts began with a 3D animation course in 1999 during her high school years in Egypt.
She also faced numerous challenges while filming “When the Shelves Hymn.”
“Despite unexpected delays, the team utilized these interruptions for in-depth discussions and rehearsals, adding depth to their work,” she said.
Filming in the old town of AlUla was a deliberate choice, intertwining the narrative with the historic location’s enchanting landscapes.
“The choice of an antique shop in the old town was not only organic to the story but also perfectly aligned with the location’s authenticity,” the filmmaker said.
We were fortunate to have the director Haifaa Al-Mansour provide valuable feedback during the development process.
Hanaa Alfassi, Saudi filmmaker
“Despite the numerous regulations governing shooting location, as it’s a perceived UNESCO heritage site, the production design team led by Amany Wahba and Theory PS ensured strict adherence to all requirements.”
The support from mentors throughout the production was crucial as it helped fine-tune the script, enrich the film’s direction, and ensure the final product was not only a reflection of Alfassi’s vision but also collaborative filmmaking.
“Their support went beyond just providing feedback; it was a source of encouragement and motivation throughout the process,” she told Arab News.
Alfassi also served as a judge at the 10th Saudi Film Festival, which was held recently this month in Dhahran, a task that provided her with a unique vantage point and offers opportunities to partake in meaningful discussions.
“Serving as a jury member is also a learning experience exposing me to a diverse range of films and viewpoints as well as true discussions about the nature of cinema as an art form,” she said.
Alfassi’s cinematic perspective was profoundly influenced in 2012 during the premiere of “Wadjda,” the first feature-length film made by a female Saudi director (Haifaa Al-Mansour) at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The film was the Kingdom’s official submission for the foreign language film category in the 86th Academy Awards, marking the first time the country submitted a film to the Academy for consideration.
At the premier, surrounded by a diverse audience, Alfassi was struck by the universal curiosity and connection films can foster. “It was a moment filled with excitement and curiosity as we witnessed people from diverse backgrounds and cultures come together to experience a film from a different place,” she said.
“This sense of curiosity has always been a part of me, but the experience reinforced its importance. It’s crucial for me today to maintain this curiosity, as it enables me to tell diverse narratives and explore new perspectives.”
Her entry into the world of filmmaking was not straightforward, but rather a series of inspired redirections. Her initial foray into the digital arts began with a 3D animation course in 1999 during her high school years in Egypt.
Although the emerging digital era fascinated her, Alfassi found the detailed process of animation to be too time-consuming. This led her to explore photography, which temporarily satisfied her storytelling impulses. However, her desire to tell dynamic, evolving stories only grew from there.
Alfassi enrolled in the filmmaking institute, setting her career trajectory firmly toward the cinema. “As I pursued my studies in mass communication at University of Ain Shams, my mother discovered a new institute founded by one of Egypt’s renowned filmmakers, Rafat Al-Meehi,” she said. “I enrolled, balancing two years of filmmaking education alongside my college curriculum.”
Over the years, Alfassi has contributed to various short films both as a director and producer. One of these, “Lollipop,” received a financial award from the ENJAAZ Dubai Film Market’s production support fund and gained support from The Heart Productions and the Industry Lab at the New York Film Academy.
“Lollipop” has been showcased at several prestigious festivals, including the Dubai International Film Festival and the Malmo Arab Film Festival. It was also featured in the “Hope” program by ANHAR, the Arab Network for Human Rights Films.
Another project she was involved in, “In Between,” directed by Dalia Bakheet, was officially selected for the renowned Annecy Film Festival in 2019.
From being inspired by a film by Al-Mansour to becoming a film director herself and having Al-Mansour on site, Alfassi’s hard work and perseverance has clearly paid off. Late last year at the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival, alongside her colleagues Jade and Mana Al-Majd, she clinched one of the two awards in the TV Series Lab category for their comedy TV pilot set in Saudi Arabia, an achievement she considers an honor.
Alfassi’s journey in filmmaking is a compelling narrative of passion, adaption, and perseverance.
Looking ahead, the Saudi filmmaker is enthusiastic about her participation in future festivals and is keen to leverage platforms like the Cannes Film Festival to broaden her network and introduce her work to a global audience.
Saudi HR ministry launches wage protection service for domestic workers
- Paying the salaries of domestic workers through specific formal channels has several benefits for the employer because it provides proof of wages paid for domestic labor
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has launched the Wage Protection Service for domestic labor salaries, starting July 1.
The move is part of ministry initiatives to develop the domestic labor sector and ensure the rights of employers and domestic workers.
The service aims to facilitate and ensure transparency of salary payments by using digital wallets and banks authorized on the Musaned platform. This service promotes safety and reliability in transferring salaries, thereby preserving the rights of contractual parties, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
HIGHLIGHT
The service is expected to include all domestic workers by Jan. 1, 2026.
The ministry said that the service applies to domestic workers under new contracts and will be applied to current contracts in stages, depending on the number of domestic workers for each employer.
The ministry also noted that the service will be applied to those who have more than four domestic workers starting Jan. 1, 2025, to those who have three or more domestic workers starting July 1, 2025, and to those who have two or more domestic workers starting Oct. 1, 2025.
It added that the service is expected to include all domestic workers by Jan. 1, 2026, mentioning that it has been optionally available on Musaned since April 1, 2022, and has received widespread positive interaction from customers and contractual parties.
Paying the salaries of domestic workers through specific formal channels has several benefits for the employer because it provides proof of wages paid for domestic labor, makes it easier for the employer to terminate the worker’s procedures at the end of the contractual relationship or when traveling, and protects the employer and the employee in the event of a disagreement.
Launch of Makkah Route Initiative at Karachi airport aims to facilitate Hajj pilgrims’ journey: official
- Al-Yahya said the introduction of a mobile counter-verification device is streamlining procedures for beneficiaries of the initiative
RIYADH: The launch of the Makkah Route Initiative at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport aims to facilitate pilgrims’ journeys, the Director-General of Passports Lieutenant General Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya has said.
Speaking during Sunday’s launch of the initiative at the airport, Al-Yahya said the introduction of a mobile counter-verification device, equipped with AI and innovative digital solutions, is streamlining procedures for beneficiaries of the initiative.
The initiative was launched in 2019 and 11 airports across seven countries are currently participating, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative aims to provide high-quality services to Hajj pilgrims from beneficiary countries.
As part of the initiative, biometric data is collected in the pilgrim’s home country and the necessary procedures are carried out there. An electronic Hajj visa is also issued in the pilgrim’s country.
The Kingdom’s General Directorate of Passports will ensure that health requirements are met before pilgrims enter the country, and baggage will be coded and sorted according to transportation and accommodation arrangements.
Pilgrims will be transported to their residences in Makkah and Madinah by bus and partner agencies will transport their luggage separately.
