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HELSINKI: Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim met with a number of companies that operate in Saudi Arabia from the Confederation of Finnish Industries to outline the latest developments of Saudi Vision 2030.
The meeting was part of the minister’s official visit to Finland.
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Finland Nesreen Al-Shebel also attended the meeting.
NEW YORK CITY: The head of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center met with the acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN on Saturday.
Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah and Joyce Msuya discussed humanitarian issues during their meeting on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Msuya praised the efforts of the Kingdom, particularly through the center, for aiding those in need globally.
RIYADH: Visitors to the King Fahd National Library pavilion at the 2024 Riyadh International Book Fair have been captivated by a collection of six rare historical manuscripts.
Among the treasures on display is an Arabic Qur’an manuscript dating back to 1009 AH featuring Persian interpretations in the margins, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Other highlights include a Hebrew scroll and a manuscript of Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziya’s “Al-Kafiyah Ash-Shafiyah” from 1274 AH.
Since its establishment in 1983, the library has been dedicated to acquiring, organizing, preserving and disseminating intellectual works. Today it is a national institution housing over 6,000 rare original manuscripts.
The library’s book fair pavilion features several sections that highlight its various roles and contributions.
The manuscripts and rare books section features a collection of cultural and intellectual treasures, while the registration section demonstrates the library’s commitment to documenting and preserving Saudi intellectual and cultural heritage. An interactive screen section provides visitors with informative videos about the library’s services and activities.
Meanwhile, the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts pavilion offers experiences that combine exploration, entertainment and education by presenting the traditional art of Al-Sadu. The art form is a national heritage and a craft passed down through generations.
The pavilion gives visitors the chance to discover Al-Sadu tools and techniques and features a visual display of the weaving stages, as well as a coloring activity that features Al-Sadu patterns. It aims to enhance the Saudi national identity for both local and international visitors, highlighting the craft’s cultural value.
The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, which organizes the book fair, has introduced advanced technological services to elevate this year’s visitor experience. Artificial intelligence plays a pivotal role with robots equipped to communicate in multiple languages stationed throughout the fair.
They assist visitors in navigating the event, helping them locate publishing houses and specific books, and offer audio summaries that highlight key themes and content.
Participating pavilions have fully embraced digital technology, with many publishers integrating interactive digital devices, AI-operated robots and informative screens into their exhibitions. Some booths even feature printing devices that allow visitors to obtain stories and publications on demand.
The fair, under the theme “Riyadh Reads,” runs until Oct. 5 at King Saud University. More than 2,000 publishing houses from over 30 countries are participating, spread across over 800 pavilions.
The fair also features Saudi, Arab and international cultural organizations and institutions, making it a key platform for publishers, intellectual and cultural exchange, and a meeting point for writers, thinkers, and culture and book enthusiasts from both within and outside the Kingdom.
This year’s guest of honor is Qatar, offering visitors a rich cultural experience that emphasizes the country’s literary and intellectual achievements, cultural heritage, history and diverse arts.
TOKYO: The Saudi embassy in Tokyo celebrated Saudi Arabia’s 94th National Day with a reception at a local hotel attended by over 400 guests, including Japanese government officials, business leaders, diplomats, Saudi students and members of the Arab and Muslim communities.
The event started with the Saudi national anthem performed by Nahomi Koyasu, followed by the Japanese anthem.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Dr. Ghazi Binzagr welcomed everyone and said: “It was a day to be proud of our beautiful kingdom, its past, present and future, and the vision of its leader who guided us to establish the firm foundations of our nation based on values of our Arab and Islamic identity, a Kingdom of peace and prosperity.
“Today, we have become a beacon in the worlds of science, industry, economy and trade, a destination for the dedicated, committed and honest, and a place where people from all over the world gather to work with great pride in our diverse institutions.”
Binzagr shared his vision for the future, adding: “Yesterday, we were an oil-producing nation. Tomorrow, we aim to be a leader in energy and a powerhouse for alternative energy. We aim to become the global logistical hub that connects the East with the West, localizing industry and technology. Our commitment is to lead the world towards a responsible digital transformation and ensure a high quality of life for every citizen.”
He also highlighted the strength of the Kingdom's relationship with Japan: “Our relationship is of utmost importance, especially as we approach the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic ties next year. It is a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, common interests and shared values. Today, we see cooperation between our nations in all political, social, cultural, and economic fields. Japan is one of our most important partners in achieving the vision of the Saudi leadership 2030.”
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency, KSrelief, has signed a $ 2million cooperation agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the organization’s humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, state news agency SPA reported.
The agreement was signed by KSrelief Supervisor-General Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
It is part of KSrelief’s efforts to enhance joint coordination with UN organizations and its humanitarian agencies towards serving the vulnerable and war-hit communities, according to a statement.
As part of its medical projects, KSrelief also launched a medical project to fit prosthetic limbs for Ukrainian refugees in the city of Rzeszow, Poland, from September 23 to 29.
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency, KSrelief, signed a $4.7 million cooperation agreement on Friday with the World Health Organization (WHO) to support emergency and specialized health services in earthquake-hit areas in northwestern Syria.
The agreement aims to provide treatment to more than 1.2 million people, including the displaced and the host community in these areas.
The agreement targets enhancing primary, secondary, and specialized healthcare. It will also work on reducing the spread of epidemics, and provide a safe health environment for the most vulnerable.
Dialysis services will also be supported in 20 centers.
The agreement was signed by KSrelief Supervisor-General Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
