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RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell on Wednesday.
During the call, the two officials discussed regional developments and prospects for joint coordination on them.
RIYADH: In a world where women’s economic participation is crucial for sustainable development, the W20 initiative is amplifying women’s voices within the G20 framework.
A beacon of advocacy and action, the Saudi delegation for Women 20, or W20, is led by Miznah Al-Omair, CEO of Al-Nahda Society, which was founded in 1963 to empower women in Saudi Arabia.
In an interview with Arab News, Al-Omair emphasized the importance of including women’s issues in G20 dialogues: “The role of women must be considered in decision-making processes, as these decisions impact women’s economic realities.” This perspective underscores the need for a platform that prioritizes women’s voices in global economic policy discussions.
Through its strategic initiatives, W20 seeks to foster gender equality and empower women economically, ensuring their concerns are heard and integrated into high-level discussions, she said.
We must ensure that every woman can voice her needs and aspirations in the economic landscape, fostering an environment where they can thrive.
Miznah Al-Omair, Head of W20 Saudi delegation
W20 operates independently while maintaining connections with government entities. Its main objective is to ensure women’s issues are integrated into G20 discussions, official declarations and commitments, shaping the agenda of this influential forum.
By advocating for policies addressing the particular challenges women face, the W20 initiative is creating a more equitable economic landscape.
Host countries play a key role in shaping the W20 agenda by identifying areas that reflect their specific contexts. For instance, Brazil’s focus this year highlights the intersection of race and ethnicity with women’s economic challenges.
Al-Omair explained: “By examining the unique challenges women face based on their race and ethnicity, we can develop targeted solutions that address systemic barriers.”
This approach allows for a nuanced understanding of women’s diverse experiences and facilitates the creation of tailored solutions to address their needs.
W20 collaborates with various stakeholders to compile evidence-based recommendations for women’s economic empowerment. These recommendations are presented to G20 leaders for adoption, promoting best practices that can be tailored to different national contexts.
“If a successful program exists in one country, we encourage others to adopt similar frameworks that can benefit women economically,” Al-Omair said. This collaborative spirit is crucial for building a unified approach to women’s empowerment across nations.
Since Saudi Arabia hosted the W20 summit in 2020, significant progress has been made in advancing women’s roles in the economy. The focus has shifted from simply including women in discussions to actively promoting their participation and leadership in various sectors.
“We have made tremendous advancements, and our efforts are reflected in the increasing visibility and effective roles of women in various sectors,” she said. This progress is notable, yet it highlights the ongoing challenges women face in achieving full economic participation.
Despite these advancements, obstacles remain. Women’s participation often depends on individual aspirations and the supportive infrastructures present in different sectors.
“While reforms to laws and regulations promote gender equality, equal opportunities in the private sector have yet to be achieved,” Al-Omair said.
This variability underscores the need for continued advocacy and the development of frameworks that foster an inclusive environment for women.
One standout initiative from Al-Nahda Society is its financial literacy program, launched in 2017. This program equips women with essential skills in budgeting, planning and investment, promoting financial independence.
“This program has proven impactful, helping women gain financial independence and equipping them to launch and sustain their businesses,” the organization’s CEO said.
By focusing on financial literacy, the W20 agenda will empower women to take control of their economic futures.
“We must ensure that every woman can voice her needs and aspirations in the economic landscape, fostering an environment where they can thrive,” Al-Omair said.
This commitment to inclusivity is key to creating a future where women’s economic participation becomes the norm, not the exception.
W20’s collaborative efforts highlight the importance of context-sensitive approaches to women’s empowerment. Effective solutions must resonate with each country’s social and national frameworks.
RIYADH: A Saudi officer and a non-commissioned officer were killed and another officer injured following an attack within a military camp in Sayoun in Yemen, the spokesperson for the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen announced on Saturday.
Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki said that the attack occurred on Friday evening during a sports training session at the camp.
The camp plays a critical role in supporting coalition forces, training personnel, combating terrorism and smuggling, and aiding humanitarian and development initiatives in Yemen, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The perpetrator, identified as being affiliated with the Yemeni Ministry of Defense, acted independently and does not reflect the values of the Yemeni ministry, SPA added.
Al-Maliki underscored that most members of the Ministry appreciate the coalition’s significant efforts in supporting Yemeni legitimacy and alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people.
The bodies of the fallen servicemen and the injured officer were transported to the Kingdom following their evacuation from Yemen.
Al-Maliki confirmed that the joint forces, in collaboration with the Yemeni Ministry of Defense, will conduct a comprehensive investigation to uncover the motives, apprehend the attacker, and bring him to justice.
Al-Maliki extendeded sincere condolences and sympathy on behalf of the coalition’s leadership to the families and loved ones of those killed, and wished the injured soldier a speedy recovery.
BRASILIA: Deputy Speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Salami met with President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana at the 10th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) recently in Brazil.
The two officials discussed cooperation, and stressed the need to strengthen parliamentary relations in order to achieve common goals, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The meeting was attended by Shoura Council members Dr. Iman bint Abdulaziz Al-Jibreen and Yazid bin Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri.
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 20,778 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
According to an official report, a total of 11,523 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 5,711 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,544 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,569 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 73 percent were Ethiopian, 24 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 63 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 15 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief is continuing to provide essential food baskets to families in northern Gaza, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The relief effort is being conducted in cooperation with the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage as part of a campaign initiated under the directives of the Saudi leadership.
The humanitarian situation in northern Gaza remains dire, exacerbated by ongoing hostilities and border closures. Saudi aid is crucial to supporting families as they confront daily hardships and critical shortages.
Meanwhile, the 21st aid plane sent from Riyadh to Lebanon arrived at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Saturday, carrying food, shelter and medical supplies.
The aid, handled by KSrelief, will be used to assist the growing number of people displaced by Israeli airstrikes. The UAE, Turkiye, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Canada, Romania and France are also sending aid to Lebanon.
Since its inception in 2015, KSrelief has implemented more than 3,100 projects worth more than $7.1 billion in 104 countries, in cooperation with local, regional and international partners.
