RIYADH: The Ninth Ministerial Conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Food Security and Agricultural Development emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation within the OIC framework in the food and agricultural sector.
The goal is to build more resilient food systems and achieve sustainable development objectives through knowledge exchange and the implementation of best practices. This will enhance food security and productivity.
Held in Doha, Qatar, from Oct. 1-2 under the theme “Towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 in the OIC Member States,” the conference recognized the need to establish the necessary financial infrastructure and legal frameworks to improve financial inclusion for farmers.
The conference also highlighted the importance of supporting farmers by providing access to financial products and services, including Islamic finance models that can enhance economic resilience and increase production and income.
The final statement of the conference emphasized the significance of cooperation and coordination with relevant OIC institutions in conducting a study and developing a business model and cooperation framework for contract farming. Additionally, the conference aimed to assess the needs and capabilities of member states in this area. The study and business model will be presented for consideration and decision in the next session of the conference.
The participants of the conference expressed their appreciation to Qatar for hosting the event and acknowledged its role in supporting efforts to enhance food security in OIC member states.
Meanwhile, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha addressed the 6th session of the General Assembly of the Islamic Organization for Food Security in Doha on Tuesday.
Taha, through a statement delivered on his behalf by the assistant secretary-general for economic affairs, Ahmed Kawesa Sengendo, called for discussions on how the IOFS, as an OIC specialized organ, can support small farmers in OIC countries. The aim is to increase local food production, meet local and regional food demands, develop markets and reduce food wastage.
Taha highlighted that small farmers, constituting 76 percent of total farmers in OIC countries, often employ traditional labor-intensive methods, resulting in low productivity.
He stressed the need for concrete action and effective programs and projects at national, regional and international levels to address the challenges posed by food insecurity in OIC countries.
Taha emphasized the importance of the IOFS’s role in implementing OIC projects and programs related to agriculture, rural development and food security. He called for a tangible focus on agricultural projects to promote agricultural growth.
The OIC chief also underscored the significance of fostering cooperation and synergy between member states, particularly in capacity-building, cooperative research programs and efficient resource management, to enhance agricultural productivity. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of encouraging technological innovation and implementing policies that promote capacity development and support investment.
OIC conference stresses building ‘resilient’ food systems
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OIC conference stresses building ‘resilient’ food systems
- The conference recognized the need to establish the necessary financial infrastructure and legal frameworks to improve financial inclusion for farmers
- The final statement emphasized the significance of cooperation and coordination with relevant OIC institutions
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.
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.
“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 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.
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.
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
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 participates in Arab ministerial meeting to support 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.
Experts to discuss latest trends in museum innovation in Saudi Arabia
- Museums are crucial for preserving cultural heritage and fostering national identity
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Museums Commission will host the International Conference for Education and Innovation in Museums from June 1-3 in Riyadh.
The conference will feature discussions on the latest trends in museum education and innovation, with sessions led by local and international experts, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Attendees can explore modern and innovative technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, and participate in workshops, seminars and research discussions.
Museums are crucial for preserving cultural heritage and fostering national identity. In recent years there has been significant developments in museology, with a focus on diversity, inclusion and community development, the SPA said.
This conference aims to showcase the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, facilitate knowledge exchange, support global museum studies and foster partnerships in the field.
