DAMMAM: Participation of 49 countries in the Anatolian Eagle war games launched recently in the Konya air base in Turkey has increased the map of military exercises inside and outside Saudi Arabia.
The Anatolian Eagle exercise includes air support and defensive and offensive process with the participation of Turkish and Pakistani forces, in addition to the NATO alliance members.
The aim is to develop potential and benefit from expertise and experiences of the interacting countries.
In March this year, a 20-country joint military exercises, titled North Thunder, was carried in Saudi Arabia, with the aim to unify armed tactics for the region’s stability.
Former commander, Maj. Gen. Dr. Shami bin Mohammad Al-Thahiri, said the holding of military exercises is very important and the participation of the North Thunder was the biggest military exercise in the region, and produced many positive results.
He said forces are in need of military exercises in order to implement a number of plans and theories which lie at the heart of the military forces of participating countries. He said participating with other military forces is a positive thing because of the differences between methods and performances of armies.
Al-Thahiri said the Anatolian Eagle exercise provides an opportunity for 31 countries to exchange expertise, adding that some armies are among the best in the world including the French, American, British and German armies.
Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz approved the participation of the Saudi forces in the exercise. Planes of the Royal Saudi Air Force arrived at the Konia air base that were received by the Saudi military attaché in Turkey Col. Brig. Gen. Mohammad bin Hamad Al-Sheheel and the commander of the air force groups in the upcoming exercise provided by pilot, Misfer bin Mohammad Al-Ahmadi.
The commander of the military forces, that participated in the exercise, said air forces work within pre-planned training programs and plans to develop the skills of Saudi technical and administrative air staff, reported Okaz.
Military exercises enhance region’s preparedness
Military exercises enhance region’s preparedness
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.
