Saudi Media Forum embodies ambitious vision for enhancement and development, experts say

Saudi Media Forum embodies ambitious vision for enhancement and development, experts say
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Updated 14 February 2024
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Saudi Media Forum embodies ambitious vision for enhancement and development, experts say

Saudi Media Forum embodies ambitious vision for enhancement and development, experts say
  • The forum embodies an ambitious vision to continue strengthening and developing the media sector in the Kingdom

RIYADH: Media experts have stressed the importance of the third Saudi Media Forum, which will be launched in Riyadh on Feb. 19.

The forum embodies an ambitious vision to continue strengthening and developing the media sector in the Kingdom.

The forum will include a range of topics related to the sector’s growth and future, covering areas such as visual, audio, print and digital mediums. It will also discuss the media’s role in society, politics and the economy on a global scale.

Dedicated to promoting growth in the Saudi media sector, the event explores the industry’s recent advances in a fast-paced global environment.

According to Jamal Al-Kashki, editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram Al-Arabi magazine, “the forum has become a platform that brings together senior media professionals from various countries of the world to discuss pivotal issues related to the media industry, keeping pace with updates and addressing the human impact in the fields of communication revolution, digitization, artificial intelligence and the use of rapid broadcasting via satellites in an era that constantly produces information.”

The former president of the Bahraini Journalists Association, Ahdiya Ahmed, said that the Saudi Media Forum continued to take the lead in discussing media issues.

She praised the significant evolution in Saudi media, competing with global stations and networks by offering distinguished content, and highlighted the efforts of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority and the Saudi Journalists Association in organizing the global event, reflecting an ambitious vision to enhance and develop the media sector in the  Kingdom.

Khaled Al-Adad, a writer for Al-Watan Newspaper, said that the Saudi Media Forum was a great opportunity for dialogue, discussion, expressing opinions and exchanging ideas about the present and future of Saudi media.

He said that this came at a time when Saudi media had taken unprecedented leaps, keeping pace with global media changes, excelling in its tools and mechanisms, and contributing to the widespread dissemination of its high-quality content.

Al-Adad said that the Ministry of Media had succeeded in creating a competitive environment in media work through the forum. This encouraged media institutions and professionals to deliver distinctive and high-quality work aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Future of Media Exhibition and the Saudi Media Forum Award, which recognizes the valuable contributions of individuals to local and regional media, is running concurrently with the Saudi Media Forum.


Saudi delegation meets UK’s National Audit Office to boost cooperation, expertise

Saudi delegation meets UK’s National Audit Office to boost cooperation, expertise
Updated 29 sec ago
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Saudi delegation meets UK’s National Audit Office to boost cooperation, expertise

Saudi delegation meets UK’s National Audit Office to boost cooperation, expertise
  • Talks focused on enhancing quality and efficiency through the value-for-money methodology

LONDON: A delegation from Saudi Arabia’s General Auditing Bureau met with officials from the UK’s National Audit Office in London to discuss strengthening cooperation and exchange expertise in the field of public sector auditing, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
During the meeting, both parties explored opportunities for collaboration on performance reviews, financial statement analysis, technical capabilities, and risk management frameworks, SPA added.
They also focused on enhancing quality and efficiency through the value-for-money methodology, from the planning stage to measuring impact.
This comes as Saudi Arabia shifts from cash-based to accrual-based accounting in its public sector.
The delegation also held discussions with Gareth Davies, the UK’s comptroller and auditor general.
He emphasized the importance of the meeting in fostering closer ties between the two bodies.
Davies highlighted the significance of exchanging knowledge and expertise in areas such as accounting, auditing, and professional oversight, and noted that these efforts would contribute to improving the performance and efficiency of both institutions.
 


No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state — Prince Turki

No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state — Prince Turki
Updated 14 September 2024
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No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state — Prince Turki

No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state — Prince Turki
  • Kingdom has led the way in trying to resolve conflict, ex-intelligence chief says
  • West has not done enough to pressure Israel; ‘simply harsh talk’ has ‘gotten us nowhere’

LONDON: There will be no normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel until an independent Palestinian state is established, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the former head of the Kingdom’s intelligence services, has warned. 

During a talk at London-based think tank Chatham House, the former Saudi ambassador to the US also discussed Washington’s role in the peace process as the Gaza war approaches its first anniversary, and how talks before the outbreak of hostilities had been broadly positive.

He said the US is keen on the resumption of talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia to strengthen regional security and to forge economic ties, but Riyadh’s position is that “if there’s a Palestinian state that Israel accepts to come (into) existence, then we can talk about normalization with Israel.”

The prince added: “Before Oct. 7 … talks not only progressed along those lines, but also the Kingdom invited a Palestinian delegation to come and talk directly to the Americans about what it is that might bring about a Palestinian state.

“I’m not privy to those talks so I don’t know what happened between the Palestinians and the Americans, but the Kingdom’s position has always been we won’t speak for the Palestinians. They have to do it for themselves. Unfortunately, of course, the Oct. 7 (Hamas attack against Israel) put an end to those talks.”

Prince Turki said the establishment of a Palestinian state is not only crucial for Israeli ties with Saudi Arabia but with the rest of the Muslim world as well.

“A Palestinian state is a primary condition for Saudi Arabia to have normalization with Israel, but … on the Israeli side, the whole government is saying no Palestinian state,” he added.

Prince Turki said for Saudi Arabia, an independent Palestine would encapsulate the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem.

He added that the Kingdom has led the way in trying to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict, citing the 1981 King Fahd Peace Plan and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative proposed by King Abdullah.

During the current Gaza war, “the Kingdom led the Muslim world, and not only summits with the Arabs but with the (rest of the) Muslim world, and also … the diplomatic missions that have been taking place to convince the world that there must be an end to the fighting, led by the Saudi foreign minister,” Prince Turki said.

“The Kingdom has been in the forefront of condemning the Israeli onslaught on the Palestinians, not just in Gaza but equally in the West Bank.”

He criticized the US and other Western nations for not applying more pressure on Israel to end the war, citing how the UK had only recently begun to suspend certain arms export licenses to Israel following the election of a new government in July.

“I’d like to see more done by the UK,” he said. “I think, for example, the UK … should recognize the state of Palestine. It’s long overdue.”

Prince Turki said the US could apply direct pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the actions of his government and military, and should address funding and lobbying by groups and individuals sympathetic to Israel.

“I think the US has enormous tools to affect Israel which it isn’t using, not just simply … denial of supply of weapons and material to the Israelis,” the prince added.

“A lot of financial help goes to Israel from the US. If some of the privileges that (the) Israeli lobby, for example, in America, enjoys — of tax-free contributions to Israel — can be withdrawn from those Israeli lobbyists, that will (put) great pressure on Israel.”

In the US, “you have to register as a lobbyist for a specific country, or be prosecuted, if you want to talk for that country, but a lot of organizations in America do that for Israel and still enjoy a tax-free status because they’re considered not representing Israel per se, but simply as philanthropic or humanitarian groupings,” he said.

“There are many tools that are available to the US, not simply harsh talk, which seems to have gotten us nowhere. But is America ready to do that? As I said, I’m not too optimistic about that.”


Saudi Arabia presents space advances at G20 meeting in Brazil

Saudi Arabia presents space advances at G20 meeting in Brazil
Updated 14 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia presents space advances at G20 meeting in Brazil

Saudi Arabia presents space advances at G20 meeting in Brazil
  • This year’s meeting, initiated during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency, focused on “Space Economy and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities.”

RIYADH: Saudi Space Agency Vice Chairman and CEO Mohammed Al-Tamimi led the Saudi delegation at the fifth G20 Space Economy Leaders Meeting in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, from Sept. 11 to 13.

This year’s meeting, initiated during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency, focused on “Space Economy and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities.”

Al-Tamimi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s advances in its space sector and the Kingdom’s commitment to using space technology for sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

He engaged in discussions on innovation, entrepreneurship and climate change, showcasing the Saudi Space Agency’s efforts to improve infrastructure, attract investment and apply space technology for sustainable development.

Saudi Arabia signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Brazilian Space Agency to enhance peaceful space exploration collaboration.

Al-Tamimi also held meetings with his Brazilian and Indian counterparts to discuss space economy cooperation and explored investment opportunities with leaders of Brazilian space companies.


No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state: Prince Turki

No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state: Prince Turki
Updated 15 min 22 sec ago
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No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state: Prince Turki

No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state: Prince Turki
  • Ex-intelligence chief: Kingdom has led the way in trying to resolve conflict
  • West has not done enough to pressure Israel; ‘simply harsh talk’ has ‘gotten us nowhere’

LONDON: There will be no normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel until an independent Palestinian state is established, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the former head of the Kingdom’s intelligence services, has warned. 

During a talk at London-based think tank Chatham House, the former Saudi ambassador to the US also discussed Washington’s role in the peace process as the Gaza war approaches its first anniversary, and how talks before the outbreak of hostilities had been broadly positive.

He said the US is keen on the resumption of talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia to strengthen regional security and to forge economic ties, but Riyadh’s position is that “if there’s a Palestinian state that Israel accepts to come (into) existence, then we can talk about normalization with Israel.”

The prince added: “Before Oct. 7 … talks not only progressed along those lines, but also the Kingdom invited a Palestinian delegation to come and talk directly to the Americans about what it is that might bring about a Palestinian state.

“I’m not privy to those talks so I don’t know what happened between the Palestinians and the Americans, but the Kingdom’s position has always been we won’t speak for the Palestinians. They have to do it for themselves. Unfortunately, of course, the Oct. 7 (Hamas attack against Israel) put an end to those talks.”

 

Prince Turki said the establishment of a Palestinian state is not only crucial for Israeli ties with Saudi Arabia but with the rest of the Muslim world as well.

“A Palestinian state is a primary condition for Saudi Arabia to have normalization with Israel, but … on the Israeli side, the whole government is saying no Palestinian state,” he added.

Prince Turki said for Saudi Arabia, an independent Palestine would encapsulate the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem.

He added that the Kingdom has led the way in trying to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict, citing the 1981 King Fahd Peace Plan and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative proposed by King Abdullah.

During the current Gaza war, “the Kingdom led the Muslim world, and not only summits with the Arabs but with the (rest of the) Muslim world, and also … the diplomatic missions that have been taking place to convince the world that there must be an end to the fighting, led by the Saudi foreign minister,” Prince Turki said.

 

“The Kingdom has been in the forefront of condemning the Israeli onslaught on the Palestinians, not just in Gaza but equally in the West Bank.”

He criticized the US and other Western nations for not applying more pressure on Israel to end the war, citing how the UK had only recently begun to suspend certain arms export licenses to Israel following the election of a new government in July.

“I’d like to see more done by the UK,” he said. “I think, for example, the UK … should recognize the state of Palestine. It’s long overdue.”

Prince Turki said the US could apply direct pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the actions of his government and military, and should address funding and lobbying by groups and individuals sympathetic to Israel.

“I think the US has enormous tools to affect Israel which it isn’t using, not just simply … denial of supply of weapons and material to the Israelis,” the prince added.

 

“A lot of financial help goes to Israel from the US. If some of the privileges that (the) Israeli lobby, for example, in America, enjoys — of tax-free contributions to Israel — can be withdrawn from those Israeli lobbyists, that will (put) great pressure on Israel.”

In the US, “you have to register as a lobbyist for a specific country, or be prosecuted, if you want to talk for that country, but a lot of organizations in America do that for Israel and still enjoy a tax-free status because they’re considered not representing Israel per se, but simply as philanthropic or humanitarian groupings,” he said.

“There are many tools that are available to the US, not simply harsh talk, which seems to have gotten us nowhere. But is America ready to do that? As I said, I’m not too optimistic about that.”


Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of chemistry’

Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of chemistry’
Updated 14 September 2024
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Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of chemistry’

Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of chemistry’

Riyadh: Jabir ibn Hayyan, a renowned Muslim scientist, is known as the “father of chemistry” for his pioneering contributions.

Born in 721, he discovered key chemical compounds still used today.

The 2024 STEAM Festival at King Salman Science Oasis in Riyadh is highlighting the early scientist’s life and legacy, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Running until Sept. 30 under the theme “Fun Chemistry,” the festival offers educational, informative, and entertaining experiences.

Ibn Hayyan’s innovations, such as distillation, greatly advanced chemistry in both the Islamic world and the West. His works, translated into Latin, spread knowledge widely.

Notable discoveries include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, gold water, and silver nitrate. He also explored practical uses, such as steel production, waterproofing, and creating artificial pearls.

Scholar Ibn Khaldun praised him as “the imam of chemistry writers,” and chemistry was sometimes called “the science of Jabir.”

The festival aims to instill pride in Saudi Arabia’s scientific heritage and align with future goals.

It features 100 workshops, panel discussions, live shows, and interactive exhibits across STEAM fields, exploring past, present, and future science and technology.

The event showcases local innovations, sustainable practices, and modern technologies, reflecting the Kingdom’s dedication to scientific progress.

With over 25 pavilions, the festival covers the history of chemistry, petrochemical innovations, environmental challenges, and sustainable solutions tied to Vision 2030.