Saudi Arabia determined to honor all its commitments to human rights, envoy tells UN

Abdul Aziz Alwasil. (UNWATCH)
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Updated 21 October 2022
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Saudi Arabia determined to honor all its commitments to human rights, envoy tells UN

  • The Kingdom ranked third in 2021 on the list of top humanitarian aid donor countries, according to the UN
  • As human rights reforms continue at home, Saudi has not forgotten suffering of Rohingya and the people of Ukraine, Palestine, Yemen and Syria, ambassador said

NEW YORK CITY: Saudi Arabia is determined to fulfill all of its obligations under international human rights treaties and is committed to cooperation with all bodies established under those treaties, a UN committee heard on Thursday.

The pledge was delivered during a meeting of the UN General Assembly Third Committee by Abdul Aziz Alwasil, the Kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN. One of six main committees at the GA, it deals with human rights, humanitarian affairs and social matters. It meets in October each year and aims to have its work completed by the end of November.

Saudi Arabia is party to five core UN Human Rights treaties on: economic, social, and cultural rights; combating racial and gender-based discrimination; prohibiting torture and forced disappearances; and protecting the rights of children, migrant workers, and persons with disabilities.

Alwasil told the committee his country has embarked on a major program of human rights reforms since the launch of its Saudi Vision 2030 development strategy. These include “strengthening the legal and institutional frameworks and procedures that safeguard human rights, and the development of remedies, especially at the level of the judiciary, which is the main guarantor of the protection and promotion of human rights,” he said.

“My government also supports human rights associations and institutions, as well as individuals, by engaging them in projects of the relevant systems, programs and policies.

“Such reforms, and the brief period during which they were achieved, indicate the Kingdom’s determination to move forward with implementing all that would promote and protect human rights. My country’s reform plans have also gone beyond the limits of basic human rights to include programs that enhance the quality of life and ensure prosperity and well-being for all residents of the Kingdom.”

The Saudi envoy reiterated the Kingdom’s emphasis on cooperation with international mechanisms relating to the protection and promotion of human rights. He said that programs designed to raise national capacities are ongoing, in line with a memorandum of understanding between the Kingdom, represented by its Human Rights Commission, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

While Saudi Arabia continues to push ahead with human rights reforms domestically, Alwasil said that this does not mean it is not “extending a helping hand to provide humanitarian support to all those affected in areas of disaster and conflict around the world.”

According to the UN, Saudi Arabia ranked third in 2021 among leading donor countries. Just last week, the Kingdom announced a $400 million package of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including food and medicine.

In addition, Saudi aid to Palestine over the past two years has reached a value of $500 million, said Alwasil. He reiterated that the Palestinian cause remains the Kingdom’s “first cause” and “will remain so until the brotherly Palestinian people obtain all their legitimate rights, foremost of which is the establishment of their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

Meanwhile, standing in solidarity with the people of Yemen as they confront the aggression of the Iran-backed Houthi militia is not an option for the Kingdom, said Alwasil, but “a duty.”

He repeated the Kingdom’s support for all international efforts to reach a political solution in the country based on Security Council Resolution 2216 and other regional initiatives, and again condemned Houthi violations of the rights of Yemeni civilians “from which neither adults nor children are spared.”

Alwasil vowed that his country will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Yemen. Saudi authorities say the value of aid provided to the country so far exceeds $19 billion.

The ambassador also addressed the plight of the Rohingya. He said his country attaches great importance to the suffering this Muslim minority is enduring, and is following the situation of it and other minorities in Myanmar “with great concern.”

He commended the efforts the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to provide support for the Rohingya, including through its work with the Third Committee.

Regarding the war in Syria, Alwasil called for an “urgent political solution to get Syria out of its crisis, remove terrorist organizations and external influences, and allow the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland so they can start rebuilding it.”


NCWD launches project to evaluate marine species in Arabian Gulf

Updated 58 min ago
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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

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

Updated 14 May 2024
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Prince Sultan University hosts panel on space exploration

  • Kingdom has already achieved a high-calibre position in space industry, says NASA’s Bill Nelson

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

Updated 14 May 2024
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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

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

An exercise aimed at raising readiness to confront environmental emergencies or oil spill incidents is underway on Tabuk coast.
Updated 14 May 2024
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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

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

Abdulrahman Al-Rassi leads Saudi delegation in Arab ministerial meeting in Bahrain to Support Somalia. (Supplied)
Updated 14 May 2024
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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

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.