Saudi Arabia’s transformation akin to Japan’s rise: Ambassador Iwai

The ambassador paid a visit the governor of Al Jawf region. (Supplied)
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Updated 29 September 2023
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Saudi Arabia’s transformation akin to Japan’s rise: Ambassador Iwai

  • Similarities in developments in industry, culture, job creation, and the passion of the people

Saudi Arabia’s remarkable economic and social transformation now underway is much like the rise of Japan several decades ago, according to Tokyo’s envoy Fumio Iwai.

Japan’s ambassador made the comments in a lecture on Sept. 28 titled “Experience of Japan through Meiji Restoration” at Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center in Sakaka, Jouf province.

Iwai said there were considerable similarities between the two nations including the developments in industry, culture, job creation, and the passion of the people.

He also exchanged opinions with members of the audience during a question-and-answer session.

Prior to the lecture, Iwai met with Prince Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, the governor of Jouf.

He had earlier met with Jouf University’s president Dr. Mohammed bin Mufrij Al-Huwaiti, and visited the local chamber of commerce, as well as the Nawwaf Al-Rashed Heritage Museum.

In a post on X, Iwai said the visit was a “fun experience, but at the same time very difficult, especially in the question-and-answer session.”

“I once again realized the limitations of my listening and understanding skills in Arabic,” he added.

 


KSrelief, UN highlight key goals in 2026 humanitarian plan 

Updated 09 February 2026
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KSrelief, UN highlight key goals in 2026 humanitarian plan 

  • Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah meets UN Yemen coordinator for aid reviews
  • German lawmakers praise KSrelief for humanitarian projects globally

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief held a briefing session at its headquarters in Riyadh on the UN’s 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview, which is a diagnosis of the support needed by communities in crisis across the world. 

The session was organized in cooperation with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. 

The session included senior officials from KSrelief and the UN, as well as representatives from Saudi government agencies and nonprofit organizations. 

The participants discussed mechanisms for preparing the 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview and highlighted key differences from previous years.

The participants also addressed the need for funding in crisis-hit areas including Yemen, Sudan, Gaza, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Afghanistan.

These measures aim to strengthen focus on critical priorities, enhance the efficiency of humanitarian responses, support localization efforts, and promote work based on humanitarian principles.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor-general of KSrelief, met with UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Julien Harneis in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they discussed relief and humanitarian affairs, as well as updates on projects in Yemen. Harneis praised the efforts provided by the Kingdom through KSrelief to support communities in Yemen. 

Separately, Al-Rabeeah also held a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed Belal, managing director of the UN Common Fund for Commodities, to discuss relief issues. 

Belal commended Saudi Arabia for assisting those affected around the world, highlighted the center’s strong international reputation. 

Meanwhile, a delegation from Germany’s parliament, headed by Alexander Radwan, a member of the nation’s foreign affairs committee, visited KSrelief’s headquarters in Riyadh.

During the visit, the German lawmakers met with several KSrelief officials to discuss relief efforts.

The German officials praised KSrelief for planning and implementing relief projects worldwide, and highlighted the agency’s reputation globally in the field.