Saudi Endowment Authority tops government employee engagement rankings

Saudi Endowment Authority tops government employee engagement rankings
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The authority’s impressive 89.20 percent engagement rate was top of all government institutions, councils, and public bodies in the Kingdom. (X:@AWQAF_KSA)
Saudi Endowment Authority tops government employee engagement rankings
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The authority’s impressive 89.20 percent engagement rate was top of all government institutions, councils, and public bodies in the Kingdom. (X:@AWQAF_KSA)
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Updated 17 July 2024
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Saudi Endowment Authority tops government employee engagement rankings

Saudi Endowment Authority tops government employee engagement rankings
  • Ceremony highlights positive competition

RIYADH: The Saudi General Authority for Awqaf has claimed top spot in the 2023 Government Sector Employee Engagement Awards.

The authority’s impressive 89.20 percent engagement rate was top of all government institutions, councils, and public bodies in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

In a ceremony which highlighted positive competition and human resource development in the endowment sector, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi presented the award to Imad bin Saleh Al-Kharashi, governor of the General Authority for Awqaf.

The award aims to foster positive competition among government entities, while emphasizing the importance of organizational goals to employees, encouraging innovative solutions, developing staff skills, and improving productivity.

These factors contribute to enhancing and developing the work environment.

The award’s evaluation considered several key indicators: practical purpose with a positive sector impact; leadership alignment with the authority’s strategy and goals; innovation encouragement; effective team collaboration; continuous professional development contributing to the endowment sector’s growth; high performance directed toward impactful programs; and a stable work environment focused on quality and excellence.

The authority’s climb from second place in 2022 to first in 2023 reflected a notable increase in employee engagement, which rose from 86 percent to 89.20 percent.

This improvement was driven by various initiatives, including strengthening institutional culture; enhancing the work environment through events that promoted employee integration; fostering a culture of cooperation and transparency; recognition programs; stimulating creative ideas; and empowerment.

This recognition not only highlights the authority’s internal success but also reinforces its strategic direction in talent acquisition.

The General Authority for Awqaf is dedicated to enhancing, governing, and preserving the endowment sector.

It aims to develop and raise awareness through innovative endowment products and services, positioning the sector as a leader in sustainable development both locally and globally.

The authority focuses on implementing best practices and establishing regulations to advance and empower endowment work.


UAE, Syria foreign ministers arrive in Riyadh

UAE, Syria foreign ministers arrive in Riyadh
Updated 11 January 2025
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UAE, Syria foreign ministers arrive in Riyadh

UAE, Syria foreign ministers arrive in Riyadh
  • Welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy FM Waleed Al-Khuraiji

RIYADH: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE deputy prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Riyadh on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He was welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji.

Sheikh Abdullah is in the Kingdom to attend an expanded ministerial meeting on Syria to be hosted by Saudi Arabia on Sunday, SPA added.

New Syrian foreign minister Asaad Al-Shaibani also arrived in Riyadh on Saturday evening to participate in the ministerial meeting.

He was also welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Al-Khuraiji.


Saudi Arabia condemns attack on Chad’s presidential palace

Saudi Arabia condemns attack on Chad’s presidential palace
Updated 11 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns attack on Chad’s presidential palace

Saudi Arabia condemns attack on Chad’s presidential palace
  • The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, involved gunmen attempting to storm the palace

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Saturday strongly condemned the recent attack on the presidential palace in N’Djamena, Chad, which left 19 people dead, including a soldier guarding the complex, and injured others.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for Chad’s security and stability, while rejecting any actions that threaten the country’s peace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In its statement, the Ministry extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the fallen soldier and to the government and people of Chad. The Kingdom also wished a swift recovery for those injured in the assault.

The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, involved gunmen reportedly linked to Boko Haram attempting to storm the presidential palace, prompting a fierce battle.

The Chadian government confirmed that 18 attackers from a 24-member commando unit were killed in the fighting, alongside one security personnel. Tanks were deployed to secure the area.


GCC secretary general receives New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia

GCC secretary general receives New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Updated 11 January 2025
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GCC secretary general receives New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia

GCC secretary general receives New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
  • Al-Budaiwi congratulated Kingston on his appointment as New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wishing him success in his duties

RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi recently received New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Charles Kingston at the General Secretariat’s headquarters in Riyadh.

Al-Budaiwi congratulated Kingston on his appointment as New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wishing him success in his duties, the General Secretariat wrote in a report.

During the meeting, they also discussed a number of topics of mutual interest, notably the progress of negotiations for the free trade agreement between the GCC countries and updates on the joint action plan between the two sides. They also exchanged views on several regional and international issues.​

 

 


Saudi authority issues health warning on food import

Saudi authority issues health warning on food import
Updated 11 January 2025
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Saudi authority issues health warning on food import

Saudi authority issues health warning on food import

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority issued a warning about Country Butcher Boy beef pepperoni, manufactured in the UAE.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the 250-gram packages with an expiration date of March 1, 2025, are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium posing serious health risks, confirmed by lab tests.

The authority advised the public to avoid consuming the product and dispose of any units they may have.

Steps have been taken to remove the contaminated product from the market, and regulatory action is being pursued against the importing company, the SPA reported.

Violations of food laws can result in severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison, fines of up to SR10 million ($2.6 million), or both.

The authority reiterated its commitment to food safety and will continue taking action against violators. Consumers can report food safety concerns to the authority’s call center at 19999.


Thai Embassy joins Riyadh greening initiative

Thai Embassy joins Riyadh greening initiative
Updated 11 January 2025
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Thai Embassy joins Riyadh greening initiative

Thai Embassy joins Riyadh greening initiative

RIYADH: The Royal Thai Embassy recently took part in a volunteer initiative at Aba Samri National Park in the Murat governorate of Riyadh region, in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.

Part of the National Greening Season, the activity aims to enhance vegetation, curb land degradation, and plant native and adaptive species, supporting the Saudi Green Initiative, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The embassy’s involvement promotes vegetation restoration and aligns with the center’s call for broader environmental engagement from all sectors. The scheme improves air quality, reduces dust storms and restores ecosystems, the SPA added.

The National Greening Season, a core element of the broader program, fosters public-private partnerships, volunteerism, and awareness about afforestation and combating desertification.

The center leads efforts to protect and restore vegetation sites across Saudi Arabia, addressing challenges such as wildfires, illegal logging and unregulated grazing to safeguard natural ecosystems.