Saudi Arabia welcomes Palestinian leadership reforms

This handout picture released by the Palestinian Authority's Press Office (PPO) shows President Mahmud Abbas (C) leading prayers next to Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Secretary General Hussein al-Sheikh (3rd-L) during a meeting of the organisation's Executive Committee in Ramallah on April 26, 2025. (AFP/Handout/PPO)
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Updated 26 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes Palestinian leadership reforms

  • Kingdom extended congratulations to Al-Sheikh and wished him success in his new responsibilities

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Saturday welcomed recent reform measures announced by the Palestinian leadership, describing them as important steps toward strengthening Palestinian political action.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kingdom expressed its support for the creation of new positions within the Palestine Liberation Organization and the State of Palestine, including the appointment of Hussein Al-Sheikh as Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee of the PLO and Vice-President of the State of Palestine.

Saudi Arabia extended its congratulations to Al-Sheikh and wished him success in his new responsibilities.

The Kingdom affirmed that these reforms would enhance the Palestinian political process and contribute to broader efforts to secure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.


Board of Grievances unveils judicial intelligence hackathon to foster innovation

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Board of Grievances unveils judicial intelligence hackathon to foster innovation

  • Registration opens on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, and continues through Jan. 20, 2026

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Board of Grievances has opened registration for the Judicial Intelligence Hackathon, the institution’s first competition seeking sustainable solutions that harness cutting-edge technology to improve the efficiency of judicial procedures, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Registration opens on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, and continues through Jan. 20, 2026, as part of efforts to cultivate talent and promote innovation in digital transformation and artificial intelligence in the judicial sector.

The board is calling on industry experts, experienced professionals, and university students to form teams of three to five members. Each team must be led by a Saudi citizen or academic staff member at least 18 years old.

Participants register via a dedicated portal on the board’s digital platform and must submit a preliminary proposal demonstrating practical and legal viability, incorporating advanced technology with appropriate quality standards, and showing innovation relevant to the board's operations with transformative impact and long-term sustainability.

Competition unfolds in two distinct tracks. The first addresses AI applications and creative solutions for administrative justice, tackling challenges such as minimizing procedural errors and offenses during virtual court proceedings and streamlining lawsuit filing classifications.

The second track emphasizes digital innovation enhancing user journeys, focusing on simplifying document submission processes when initiating lawsuits and developing accessibility solutions enabling seniors and people with disabilities to navigate board services more effectively.

Finalists are scheduled to be announced on Jan. 23, 2026, followed by virtual project discussion and presentation sessions on Jan. 28. 

According to the SPA, this methodology for sourcing innovative concepts underscores the dedication of the board’s leadership to advance performance across judicial chambers and administrative divisions while pursuing strategic goals of refining administrative court litigation processes, expediting case resolutions, and establishing competitive leadership in the judicial arena.