JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has successfully shifted global priorities towards combating the coronavirus pandemic ahead of the upcoming G20 leaders’ summit, Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi has said.
Al-Qasabi said that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the summit is a unique opportunity to reflect on the Kingdom’s position on the international stage. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, the minister said that Saudi Arabia focused, through its presidency, on working with G20 countries to support the global economy and restore growth, recovery and mitigate the repercussions of the pandemic.
“The main objective of Saudi Arabia’s presidency is ‘Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All’ by enabling people to live decent lives, work and prosper, protect the planet, as well as harness innovations to shape new horizons for sharing the benefits of innovation and technological progress,” he said.
The minister added that the Kingdom led many initiatives that contributed to addressing the pandemic and reducing its impacts. The schemes also accelerated the recovery process by allocating more than $21 billion to health systems and the search for a vaccine, Al-Qasabi said.
Joint cooperation and coordination will continue to support economic recovery around the world, the minister said. “The countries of the G20 will do everything necessary to reduce the economic and social harm of the pandemic, restore global growth, maintain market stability and enhance the ability to cope with changes according to the directives issued by the leaders of the G20 countries.”
Saudi Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said the ministry activated its initiatives as part of the National Transformation Program, including the Health Performance Program, Mawid (Appointment) app, Sehhaty app, 937 Health Center, Wasfati (Prescription) system and others. The initiatives have contributed to improving health services, meeting the needs of citizens and achieving their desires in line with the health goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, Al-Rabiah said.
The Kingdom also took effective and early steps in containing the pandemic through cooperation with the international and regional community, he said.
Ministers praise virus efforts ahead of G20
https://arab.news/6j9m7
Ministers praise virus efforts ahead of G20
- Cooperation will continue to support economic recovery globally
Children’s Theater Festival opens in Qassim region
- To develop future ‘cultural architects,’ says CEO Khaled Al-Baz
- ‘Nurture creativity, aesthetic awareness and sense of belonging’
BURAIDAH: The Qassim Children’s Theater Festival opened on Tuesday bringing together professionals from across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.
The event is being held under the patronage of Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, governor of Qassim, at the Science Center in Unaizah governorate.
It has been Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Association and executed by the Unaizah Theater Association, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Running until Jan. 31, it features shows, panel discussions, as well as training workshops to develop children’s theater and strengthen professional skills in the field.
Khaled Al-Baz, CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Association, told the SPA the festival forms part of a broader strategy to position children’s theater as a distinct cultural sector.
“Children today constitute genuine audiences — tomorrow’s cultural architects,” Al-Baz said.
Ahmed Al-Humaimidi, president of the Unaizah Theater Association, said it was an investment in young people, noting that it extends beyond performances to include cultural and educational programming.
He said the initiative aims to nurture creativity, aesthetic awareness and a sense of belonging, while also identifying emerging talent and encouraging knowledge exchange among theater practitioners.
“Our association recognizes children’s theater as foundational to cultivating aware, creative character,” he said.
The festival serves as both an artistic showcase and a platform for professional dialogue, reflecting the Kingdom’s expanding cultural landscape and growing focus on children’s theater as an educational and cultural tool, the SPA noted.
This occurs alongside support for signature initiatives and performing arts promotion as quality-of-life enhancement.
