ANCONA: Saudi Arabia took part in a meeting of health ministers in Ancona, Italy, focusing on global health priorities this week at the invitation of the Group of Seven (G7) countries.

Topics included antimicrobial resistance, the intersection of health and climate, and prolonging human life, all aimed at strengthening international efforts to tackle these challenges, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Rakan bin Khalid bin Duhaish, Assistant Undersecretary for International Cooperation, who was representing the Saudi delegation, emphasized the urgent need to address antimicrobial resistance, calling for increased international collaboration.

He also announced that the Kingdom would host the fourth high-level ministerial conference on antimicrobial resistance in Jeddah on Nov. 15 and 16.

Duhaish further highlighted the impact of climate change on public health, stressing the Kingdom's commitment to working with global partners to enhance the resilience of health systems.

Saudi Arabia’s participation at the G7 underscores its pivotal role in shaping global health strategies and reflects international trust in its initiatives to promote public health and health security worldwide.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli launched new programs in Dammam on Saturday, focusing on localizing knowledge, aircraft, and advanced technologies for the Regional Cloud Seeding Program.

The event highlighted the program’s achievements since its first phase in 2022 and introduced new aircraft and technologies for rain enhancement, soon to be operational.

These advancements aim to strengthen technical and human capacities, in line with the Saudi and Middle East Green initiatives for sustainability.

Al-Fadhli, chairman of the National Center of Meteorology, emphasized that the program aims to develop local expertise, ensure sustainability, expand coverage, and enhance cloud seeding efficiency.

The program also focuses on reducing aircraft operating costs and increasing the effectiveness of cloud seeding operations.

Ayman Ghulam, CEO of the National Center of Meteorology and general supervisor of the program, stressed that the program is crucial for water security and natural resource sustainability by utilizing global technologies to improve climate conditions and rainfall.

Ghulam noted significant milestones, including the first rain-seeking flight in April 2022, and ongoing research to optimize weather elements in Saudi Arabia, complementing the Saudi and Middle East Green initiatives.

Ayman Al-Bar, executive director of the program, reviewed its objectives, progress, and research, highlighting the impact on water content and vegetation cover.

The program has completed six phases, with 444 flights and over 1,400 flight hours, deploying 8,753 rain-seeding flares to generate 5 billion cubic millimeters of rainfall.

Launched as an outcome of the Middle East Green Initiative Summit, the program aims to increase rainfall, expand vegetation cover, and address climate challenges, desertification, and drought. Initial operations began in Riyadh, Hail and Qassim.