Saudi minister attends inauguration of Dominican Republic president
Updated 17 August 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed El-Khereiji attended the inauguration ceremony of President Luis Rodolfo Abinader, who was re-elected as leader of the Dominican Republic in May.
Representing King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, El-Khereiji took part in the ceremony on Friday in the capital Santo Domingo and conveyed the Saudi leaders’ best wishes to the president and the Dominican people.
A number of regional dignitaries, including the leaders of Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay, were also in attendance.
Abinader, a former businessman, secured a second four-year term in May, gaining 58% of the vote on a pro-business platform and a campaign against corruption. In an address to guests at the National Theater, the 57-year-old promised a path of economic growth and a set of social reforms for the North American country.
El-Khereiji also attended a reception where he met the president and other Dominican officials.
Saudi Arabia and the Dominican Republic established diplomatic ties back in 2012 and last year the island state supported the Kingdom’s winning bid to host Expo 2030 in the capital Riyadh.
Minister Mansour Al-Mushaiti urged GCC countries to ratify the Middle East Green Initiative charter and set national targets for tree planting and land rehabilitation
Al-Mushaiti said that GCC meetings had advanced environmental efforts and sustainable development in the region
Updated 58 min 24 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has emphasized the need for regional and international cooperation to tackle environmental challenges, particularly in rehabilitating degraded lands and boosting resilience to drought.
Deputy Minister of Environment Mansour Al-Mushaiti highlighted these points at the 26th GCC meeting on environmental affairs in Qatar, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Mushaiti urged GCC countries to ratify the Middle East Green Initiative charter and set national targets for tree planting and land rehabilitation.
He also called for increased support from GCC national development funds for vegetation projects.
Al-Mushaiti said that GCC meetings had advanced environmental efforts and sustainable development in the region.
He stressed the importance of addressing environmental protection, climate change, and balancing development with resource preservation.
Al-Mushaiti expressed the hope that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 in December would significantly impact global efforts to combat land degradation and drought.
He called for active participation from all GCC countries, international and regional organizations, the private sector, and civil society.
Riyadh forum to discuss best practices in corporate social responsibility
Experts from around world to share strategies for sustainable business models, community empowerment
Updated 11 September 2024
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: Riyadh will host the Global CSR Forum on Oct. 28-29, promoting social responsibility and sustainability worldwide.
The forum aims to share global experiences, encourage discussions, and identify solutions to enhance innovation and competitiveness in the social responsibility sector.
The two-day event will feature more than 100 speakers and experts from across the world. It seeks to deepen understanding of corporate social responsibility and empower sectors to excel locally and internationally.
Mubarak Al-Bogami, director general of the social responsibility department at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, said: “The forum is poised to deliver a powerful impact both locally and globally.”
He said: “On the home front, it promises to enhance corporate social responsibility efforts, while on the global stage, it will serve as a vibrant hub for showcasing and sharing best practices in CSR.”
Al-Boqami added: “The core message is clear: The Global CSR Forum is a catalyst for change. It is a space where companies from around the world can connect, share insights, and collaborate to advance social responsibility on a global scale. This collaborative approach not only benefits the environment and communities but also empowers businesses to thrive and achieve their goals.”
Mubarak Al-Bogami, director general of the social responsibility department at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
The forum’s diverse program will highlight key CSR themes, including the public sector’s role in supporting CSR initiatives, responsible business models, capacity building, and using technology to enhance social and environmental impact. It will also cover principles, standards, best practices for CSR compliance, and share experiences from various sectors.
Al-Boqami said that the forum would contribute to the knowledge economy in social responsibility by sharing the latest advancements and improving best practices.
“It aims to embed a culture of social responsibility across global sectors, share successful experiences, build strategic partnerships, and support individuals in developing specific social responsibility skills.”
He added that the forum would facilitate the exchange of global best practices for Saudi companies.
“Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in global indicators, securing leading positions in many areas. The 2024 Competitiveness Report from the IMD World Competitiveness Center highlights this progress, particularly in social responsibility, where the Kingdom now ranks 16th globally,” Al-Boqami said.
Saudi Arabia has launched several initiatives to promote social responsibility, including designating March 23 as Social Responsibility Day, which has gained international recognition for its impact on global efforts.
Al-Boqami said that the forum presented a valuable opportunity to align these efforts by fostering communication and sharing successes and best practices.
He added that with participation from experts across all sectors, the forum would support precise knowledge transfer and the refinement of experiences.
Study finds fish farming wastewater boosts date fruit weight, nutrients
Updated 11 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Environment has introduced an innovative irrigation technique using fish farming wastewater, significantly increasing date palm productivity across the Kingdom.
Recent research reveals that this method boosts soil nutrient levels and enhances various qualities of dates, improving their economic value, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.
Conducted by a specialized team, the study, titled “The Impact of Using Fish Farm Wastewater on Palm Production” highlights this approach as a breakthrough in sustainable agriculture.
Nutrients in fish food residues, especially ammonia, enhance soil health and crop yield, SPA stated.
According to the study, date palms irrigated with fish farming water saw a 26 percent increase in fruit weight, 17 percent in length, and 13 percent in diameter.
Key nutrients in the dates also surged: sugar content increased by 25 percent, zinc by 367 percent, manganese by 112 percent, copper by 9 percent, calcium by 15 percent, phosphorus by 42 percent, and iron by 162 percent.
This research supports a national initiative to expand applied agricultural research, integral to the Kingdom’s transformation strategy.
The study estimates that the Kingdom’s 362 fish farms produce 386 million cubic meters of wastewater annually. Utilizing this for irrigation could significantly improve local date production and quality, aligning with Vision 2030’s sustainability goals.
The study also emphasizes economic benefits, including enhanced soil nitrogen and organic matter, reduced dependence on synthetic fertilizers, water conservation, increased farmer income, and promotion of a circular economy.
KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister
Updated 11 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Anneliese Dodds, the British minister for development, has praised Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts in various countries of the world through its relief agency KSrelief.
The minister made this comment during a video conference Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, the head of KSrelief, where they also discussed matters of common interest related to humanitarian and relief affairs.
Meanwhile, Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, KSrelief assistant supervisor for operations and programs, met with Gavi Vaccine Alliance chief executive Sania Nishtar in Riyadh to discuss humanitarian and relief measures and ways to provide essential vaccines to countries assessed in need.
Elsewhere, the aid agency has also awarded an initial approval certificate to the Ain Ophthalmology Association in Jazan, allowing it to conduct operations outside the Kingdom.
In Jordan, KSrelief clinics provided services to 2,551 Syrian refugees in Zaatari Camp.
