NEW YORK: The UN is well aware of Saudi Arabia’s generosity in extending humanitarian assistance to Iraqi and Syrian refugees, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, told Arab News in an exclusive interview.
Asked how he assesses the Saudi role with regard to refugees, he said every country has a role to play both in financial support and in terms of taking in refugees. “But we’re very much aware and appreciative of the financial support that the humanitarian operation has received from Saudi Arabia in the past.”
Asked if the UN accepts the fact that Saudi Arabia is hosting 2.5 million refugees, Dujarric replied: “There are refugees that are registered, which UNHCR keeps track of. We’re seeing a lot of refugees whether in Lebanon or in Jordan, who are not only in camps but are being hosted by communities.”
He added that it is clear that every country in the region that has the means to assist and to help refugees — both in terms of finances and taking them in — needs to act, fulfilling its global responsibilities.
How do you assess the success of the refugee summit? Some observers say there is no modality for implementation. What do you think?
Well I think on our part, this summit was a very important step. It was the first time that countries came together to discuss the mass movement of refugees and migrants to work toward an agreement concerning shared responsibility. We have never seen so many people on the move from either conflict or looking for a better life more than what we have today. This issue is one that needs to be resolved jointly with the countries where the people come from, where they transit, and where they’re going to. And so the Secretary-General, I think, was very pleased by the turnout, and we have adopted a New York declaration, which we think is a very important first step.
What about the lack of modality? What if this declaration is not implemented — case in point, the Syrian refugees?
Well, the Syrian refugees — in fact if you look at where people are fleeing war, what basically has to happen is we have to solve these conflicts. But things can be dealt with at different levels at the same time. On one hand, we need to ensure that we have the resources to take care of refugees, that refugees’ rights are respected, while at the same time working a political track to solve the actual problem which is forcing people to flee. It’s clear that people would rather stay home; I think we can’t underestimate their courage and the will that it takes to actually leave your home and put yourself and your family on a boat and risk life and limb for a better life. Right now we see the majority, the vast majority, about 80 percent of refugees living in either middle-income or low-income countries. You have countries like Kenya, like Lebanon, like Jordan, like Turkey, who are bearing a huge part of that responsibility. And that responsibility needs to be shared, both in terms of numbers of refugees being resettled, and in terms of financial resources to help the refugees.
Are the Syrian refugees what triggered this New York declaration or has this been in the works even before?
I think the idea of having a summit meeting on mass movement of people was triggered by the images that we’ve seen over the last year in the Mediterranean, whether it’s in Greece, whether it’s in Italy, and the lives lost at sea. Now we have to remember that these refugees that are trying to make it to Europe are often Syrians, but they also come from Libya, they come from Afghanistan, they come from Iraq, Pakistan. They’re also economic migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the Middle East — so it’s a whole mix of people.
Does the UN accept the fact that Saudi Arabia is hosting 2.5 million refugees? Some experts are saying these people are not counted because they are not staying in camps. Is this true?
Well, I think you know there are refugees that are registered, which UNHCR keeps track of. We’re seeing a lot of refugees whether it’s in Lebanon or in Jordan that are not only in camps but are being hosted by communities. Uh, I’m not specifically aware of the Saudi case, but it’s clear that every country in the region that has the means to assist and to help refugees — both in terms of finances and in terms of taking them in — need to act on their global responsibilities.
Do you think that the world community realizes that Saudi Arabia is the third largest donor country in the world for refugees and humanitarian assistance?
I think the Secretary-General is very much aware of the generosity of Saudi-Arabia and other Gulf countries toward the humanitarian assistance that we have seen for Iraqi or Syrian refugees, and also general assistance, humanitarian assistance, for, in the region.
How do you assess the role that Saudi Arabia plays with regard to refugees and humanitarian assistance?
I think we’re very much aware of Saudi Arabia’s generosity in that regard. But as I said, I think every country has a role to play both in financial support and in terms of taking in refugees. But we’re very much aware and appreciative of the financial support that the humanitarian operation has received from Saudi Arabia in the past.
There was a major Security Council meeting on the level of foreign ministers on Wednesday concerning Syria, and there were trading accusations between Russia and the United States, but then nothing happened in the end, other than they wish that the cease-fire agreement would hold up?
You know the Secretary-General was very clear in his condemnation of the inaction of the Security Council on this issue, and the lack of unity on the council. This has been year after year; the Secretary-General has gone to the council and underscored the tragedy of the Syrian situation. He is continuing through his special envoy to try to push for political settlement, but it’s important that all those countries who are either directly involved or who have the influence, use that influence in a positive way. We are trying and keep trying to bring humanitarian aid, we’re pushing the political track, but as you know the Secretary-General is not one who can impose a solution. There is no military solution, but all that we can do and we’re trying to is on one hand make sure the humanitarian support is there, and on the other hand keeping the diplomatic track alive.
The UN envoy to Syria said he wants all political parties to be involved in the negotiations. Now based on the latest American-Russian agreement, is the working premise now is that Assad has to be part of the transition?
Well there is, you know, the transition part is being discussed, who will be president, who will lead the country, but that, is for the Syrian people to decide.
Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states were adamant in the beginning that, you know, Assad is not even part of the transition.
I think, you know, to think that the future of a country is beholden to just one man is not helping this conflict. I think what all the parties involved, who were around the table, need to focus on one thing and one thing only: that is the Syrian people. Not just the fate of one person.
Did the United Nations figure out who actually hit the humanitarian convoy that was heading to Aleppo?
No — we don’t have the means to investigate these things. The Secretary-General has said today that he is looking at options to call for an international investigation. What is clear is that this apparent deliberate attack could be tantamount to a war crime.
Do you think the situation in Syria can be salvaged, or it’s too late?
I think we have no choice. There is no Plan B. but I think we will keep trying and we will keep trying very hard to salvage the situation.
OK, what about Yemen? Where do you see the peace process in Yemen?
Well there is, there are new proposals being discussed, through the special envoy who’s going around to the parties. Again, in Yemen, we’re seeing conflict that has lasted too long, that’s created too much suffering for the Yemeni people. But again, all the parties need to get around the table and realize that there is not going to be a military solution. And we’re working hard on that line.
Do you think that there’s a possibility that the war in Yemen will drag on, like the war in Syria?
We can only hope that it doesn’t. And we will continue to work on the diplomatic front so that it doesn’t continue, but I think again in Yemen, as in Syria, there are many countries in the region and beyond who have influence, they need to use that influence positively on the parties and ensure that they’ll get around the table. The Secretary-General met today with the Iranian president, with the Russians, earlier with the Saudis, and his message is the same to all.
There has been a lot of speculation that there is some kind of a political plan is in the oven, is that true?
Well, I mean there is a proposal that is being discussed, obviously. We’ve had these negotiations going for quite some time; we’ll see what these things yield.
None of it is known yet?
No, proposals that are being discussed. Aziz, I think we’re going to have to cut this here.
UN lauds KSA humanitarian efforts toward Syrian and Iraqi refugees
UN lauds KSA humanitarian efforts toward Syrian and Iraqi refugees
Saudi Arabia participates in GCC finance, municipal affairs meetings in Qatar
- Ministers review topics related to enhancing economic cooperation
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan headed the Kingdom’s delegation at the 121st meeting of the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council on Thursday, in Qatar’s capital Doha.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Qatari Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, with the participation of other Gulf finance ministers and the GCC’s Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministers reviewed a number of topics related to enhancing financial and economic cooperation between the GCC countries.
The committee also reviewed recommendations submitted to it by the Undersecretaries of Ministries of Finance Committee, and the latest developments from the Secretariat General.
The ministers discussed the findings of the GCC Customs Union Authority in activating its work and granting it the necessary powers to carry out its tasks, in accordance with best practices that support completing the authority’s requirements.
Al-Budaiwi said the committee played “a major and important role in elevating cooperation and joint integration among the GCC countries in the field of financial and economic cooperation.”
He added: “The GCC countries have expanded in the economic, industrial, innovation and artificial intelligence aspects, which represents a qualitative shift that carries many promising investment opportunities, given their great potential represented in their ambitious people, young population and natural resources such as oil and gas, and their orientation toward a sustainable and diversified economy that supports the private sector and empowers the youth.”
He added that this promise came from the implementation of the directives of the Gulf leaders “to strengthen the foundations of the GCC economic structure on solid foundations and principles.”
Al-Budaiwi said that the World Bank had predicted the GCC countries’ economy would grow by 3.6 percent in 2024 and 3.7 percent in 2025, outperforming major global markets, while the International Monetary Fund expected that the total general government surplus would reach 3 percent of gross domestic product during this year.
He added: “Despite the weak global economic growth, high interest rates, and geopolitical risks in our region and the entire world, the World Bank confirmed that the non-oil sectors will lead economic growth in the GCC countries.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail headed the Kingdom’s delegation at the 27th meeting of the Committee of Ministers concerned with municipal affairs among the GCC countries in Doha.
Al-Hogail expressed his country’s pleasure at hosting the 12th annual Gulf Municipal Work Conference in Riyadh from Oct. 6 to 8. He urged companies and institutions in the private sector in the GCC countries to actively participate to enhance cooperation.
Member states and the General Secretariat were also encouraged to actively participate and highlight the achievements of joint Gulf municipal work at international forums, and to sign memorandums of understanding with various specialized international organizations to better serve the municipal sector.
Misk Art Institute unveils inaugural solo shows for visual art pioneers
- The event features two exhibitions that pay homage to the artistic legacies of renowned Saudi masters, Taha Al-Sabban and Youssef Jaha
The Misk Art Institute, part of the Mohammed bin Salman foundation, Misk, has launched its solo exhibition series spotlighting pioneers of Saudi visual arts, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative aims to celebrate the professional trajectories of artists and introduce their works through specialized exhibitions.
The series began this week at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall in Riyadh and will run until Sept. 19, 2024.
According to SPA, the series sheds light on the distinguished careers of a cohort of Saudi art pioneers whose indelible impact has shaped the nation’s artistic landscape over decades. Each meticulously curated exhibition offers an opportunity to be immersed in the artistic journeys of these visionaries, unveiling intricate details of their innovative practices, evocative visual languages and sculptural expressions.
The inaugural event features two exhibitions that pay homage to the artistic legacies of renowned Saudi masters, Taha Al-Sabban and Youssef Jaha. These exhibitions honor their groundbreaking roles, creative endeavors that explored multifaceted social and cultural themes, and their unparalleled contributions spanning 50 years. A total of more than 70 artworks, encapsulating the artists’ visionary concepts, will be on display.
Al-Sabban’s showcase, titled “The Oasis of Imagination,” takes viewers on a transcendent journey through his poetic depictions of women as a central motif within his oeuvre.
Concurrently, Jaha’s “Seeking Rain” exhibition reflects the rich architectural fabric of his environment, eloquently highlighting the intrinsic relationship between humans, place and the natural realm.
Through these exhibitions, the Misk Art Institute reaffirms its mission to document and preserve Saudi Arabia’s artistic heritage, ensuring the enduring legacy of these masterworks for present and future generations, according to SPA. This undertaking contributes to the exploration of art, fostering inspiration from its creative ethos.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar sign tax rules agreement
- The aim of the accord is to avoid the possibility of double taxation and prevent tax evasion
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s minister of finance, Mohammed Al-Jadaan, and his Qatari counterpart, Ali Al-Kuwari, signed an agreement on Thursday designed to avoid the possibility of double taxation and prevent tax evasion.
During the signing ceremony in Doha, Al-Jadaan said the agreement is part of efforts to strengthen legislative coordination between the two countries, to encourage bilateral trade and attract investment to the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Kuwari highlighted the important nature of the agreement and the effective role it will play in these efforts, adding that it will help to ensure international standards of transparency are in place, through the exchange of financial information as the nations work together on taxation and economic relations.
Indonesian pilgrim receives open-heart surgery
- The Madinah Health Cluster said that the man, aged in his 60s, arrived to the ER with sharp chest pain
- Medical staff performed open-heart surgery and placed new arteries taken from the patient’s chest and leg
MADINAH: Medical staff at Madinah’s Cardiac Diseases and Surgery Center of Madinah performed open-heart surgery on an Indonesian Hajj pilgrim.
The Madinah Health Cluster said that the man, aged in his 60s, arrived to the center’s ER with sharp chest pain. Medical examinations showed he had suffered a cardiac stroke. Staff used a diagnostic catheter to discover severe blockages in three coronary arteries.
Medical staff performed open-heart surgery and placed new arteries taken from the patient’s chest and leg.
He was transferred to the intensive care unit, then to the inpatient department for rehabilitation. After being discharged, the pilgrim left the center in good health to complete the Hajj rituals.
How a Saudi artist combines AI with conventional artistic techniques to create nostalgia-infused images
- Hadeel Mohammed uses generative AI to create images that depict daily life in Saudi Arabia during the 1990s
- Rather than replace human creativity, Saudi artist believes AI will augment and improve the creative process
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence technologies have already found new and exciting applications in the workplace, health, education and business. Now, creative industries are finding novel ways to employ these mold-breaking tools.
Hadeel Mohammed, a Saudi AI artist, has used the technology to create nostalgia-infused images that depict various aspects of daily life in Saudi Arabia during the 1990s.
About a year ago, Mohammed took an interest in how technology and creativity can combine to make something entirely new, and began experimenting with AI to create bold visuals plucked from her imagination.
After earning a certificate in AI art, she was able to blend various digital editing methods with more conventional artistic techniques.
“Every artwork I create is quite personal and reflects my vision and personal growth to visualize ways to express myself,” she told Arab News.
Mohammed begins with a nostalgic memory or an old song. She then uses AI algorithms to generate artworks that reflect the ideas and emotions that these evoke.
“This is only the beginning of what you see in my work,” she said. “I then spend time refining, editing, changing details and improving compositions using different art software to reach the final photo, while also adding my personal touch to it.
“The end photo is a piece that tells a story and connects with viewers on a deeper level.”
Mohammed says she draws her inspiration from “how life was as a child living in the ‘90s.
“This is my vision of the past, and I try to use my imagination to produce unique art, particularly in the fashion, interiors, retro patterns, styles, colors used, music and way of life during that time. This might not reflect everyone’s lifestyle. I produce what evokes certain emotions.
“I remember my mother would often bring me to gatherings and I was fascinated by the lovely clothing worn by women at that time. To this day, I still enjoy looking at old photos to relive the beauty of that time and through my graphics, I hope to celebrate Saudi nostalgic fashion and lifestyle from the 1990s.”
Mohammed says that artworks that reflect the Saudi or Arab ‘90s can be difficult to produce “because AI’s knowledge of ‘female’ features is so limited,” resulting in her having to edit the photos to depict accurate features.
When curating an image, Mohammed focuses on the “mood and vibe” she is looking to convey.
“I love classic styles and use them a lot in my photos. They are timeless and full of elegance and nostalgia. For the color palette, I use earthy tones to bring a sense of coziness and warmth like shades of brown and beige. I remember them being called ‘royalty colors’ back in the ‘90s, while in the ‘80s, pastel colors and metallic accents were more used.”
She draws particular inspiration from the style of Saudi American businesswoman and editor Princess Deena Al-Juhani Abdulaziz for her fashion and her image as a modern and elegant Saudi woman.
Despite its game-changing applications, AI can be unpredictable. Mohammed says there are occasionally issues with photo resolution challenges in post-processing.
“Most of the time, I have to use editing software to change the composition and enhance the photos, as AI’s results sometimes are unpredictable and inaccurate,” she said.
“Photos generated by AI might be good for the screen, but they are not suitable for printing large-sized photos.
“AI is still limited by the data it is trained on. It only reproduces the same existing styles and techniques unless guided and edited by a human artist. This is where creativity comes in.”
Instead of being restricted by the curbs that come with AI, Mohammed sees these limitations as an opportunity to learn new methods for generating and refining art.
“It is a fun journey that I enjoy and embrace with all its constraints. However, in order to produce beautiful work that represents my vision, I also combine AI technologies with standard art design.
“For art to be meaningful, it should reflect an emotional feeling and this cannot be done by a machine alone. Only a human can add real purpose and cultural insight to any type of art. Machines just make random pictures without understanding.”
Mohammed says AI still requires “the right people to choose the best art and know good art when they see it, as machines make many random photos. Not all of it is appealing.
“In summary, AI alone cannot substitute human vision, guidance, experience, and emotions to make art with true meaning and impact.”
As with all AI tools, advances are occurring rapidly.
“As technology develops, Al will create a greater variety of creative mediums and aesthetics and other fields like music and animation will be incorporated into technology,” said Mohammed.
“Also, algorithms will become more advanced and accessible and will not require much effort to meet our standards or ideas.”
And as AI tools become more widely used, their acceptance in the creative industries among artists is likely to grow.
“I think in the next few years, artists will be more accepting of AI-generated art, and it will also change the way that artists create their own work. I see that AI will probably become a common tool for artists, content creators and graphic designers.”
Rather than replace human creativity, Mohammed believes AI will augment and improve artworks.
“AI-generated art can become a major force in the art world and artists will experiment with new techniques to reach broader audiences. As people become more comfortable with AI’s capabilities, its influence in the art world will grow, leading to a rich and diverse landscape of artistic expression.
“I see a future where AI and human creativity work hand in hand.”
Evidence of this growing acceptance of AI-generated art can be found on Mohammed’s TikTok and Instagram accounts, where she has received positive feedback from her followers.
“I mostly receive a lot of positive feedback, both in comments and private messages,” she said.
“People regularly express their appreciation and thank me for bringing back old memories and feelings. They say that they enjoy and love my content. It makes me happy that, through visualizing memories through art, I can provide positivity and happiness to others.”
