KSrelief signs deal with WHO to support healthcare in earthquake-hit Syria /node/2573081/saudi-arabia
KSrelief signs deal with WHO to support healthcare in earthquake-hit Syria
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. (SPA)
KSrelief signs deal with WHO to support healthcare in earthquake-hit Syria
Updated 28 September 2024
Arab News
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.
Rare manuscripts on show at international book fair
Updated 28 September 2024
Arab News
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.”
KSrelief signs deal to support WHO’s humanitarian efforts in Ukraine
Updated 28 September 2024
Arab News
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.
Saudi FM urges Security Council to act to contain Mideast crisis
Prince Faisal spotlighted the growing rift between a divided Security Council and the international consensus
Updated 28 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Friday urged the United Nations Security Council to get its act together and find a way to stop the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from widening further.
Speaking at a Security Council meeting in New York, Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat lamented that despite the successive resolutions passed by the General Assembly, there is no end in sight to the
“catastrophic humanitarian situation” the people of Gaza are facing.
Prince Faisal made the plea as fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah continued to escalate, with Israel expanding its air strikes to the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, while Hezbollah targeting key Israeli facilities with missiles.
He faulted members of the council for being quick to use the veto rather than find consensus to resolve the Gaza crisis. He noted that since last October there were six draft resolutions where the veto was used out of ten.
Even then, he said, the resolutions that were adopted failed to achieve a ceasefire, failed to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation, and failed to pave the way for a creditable political path towards peace.
Last March, Russia and China vetoed a US-proposed resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an Israel-Hamas hostage deal. Other resolutions saw the US objecting and Britain abstaining.
In the 15-member Security Council, the permanent members — Britain China, France, Russia and the US — are entitled to a special voting power known as the ‘”right to veto.” A veto could defeat a resolution even if it is supported by a majority of the council members.
“What does the UNSC need to end the suffering, to implement international law?,” Prince Faisal said. “It is clear there is a widening gap between international consensus and divides within the Security Council, which undermine its performance.”
Prince Faisal cited the General Assembly for passing successive resolutions that reflected what countries where calling for: the urgent need for a ceasefire, providing humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip without interruption, and the right of Palestinians to self determination,
“We value the resolution of the General Assembly that recognized the eligibility of Palestine for full membership at the UN, by virtue of which Palestine received additional privileges, as well as the latest resolutions that called on Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territory, he said.
How NEOM Green Hydrogen Company is championing Saudi Arabia’s clean energy transition
NEOM is leading Saudi Arabia’s mission to become a top manufacturer and exporter of clean energy
The project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, diversifying the Kingdom’s economy while cutting carbon emissions
Updated 28 September 2024
Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: As global efforts to combat climate change intensify, Saudi Arabia is making bold strides in green hydrogen production, positioning itself as a world leader in the manufacture and export of sustainable energy.
At the heart of this transformation is the NEOM Green Hydrogen Company, a key component of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s blueprint for diversifying its economy away from oil and achieving sustainability.
Green hydrogen, produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, has emerged as a critical solution in the fight against climate change.
Unlike gray or blue hydrogen, which are produced from natural gas and emit carbon dioxide or require carbon capture technologies, green hydrogen offers a zero-emissions alternative that can be used across various sectors, from transportation to manufacturing and energy storage.
As part of Saudi Arabia’s long-term energy strategy, NGHC is harnessing the country’s abundant wind and sunshine to produce green hydrogen on a massive scale.
The initiative will not only help Saudi Arabia reduce its domestic carbon footprint but also position the Kingdom as a major global supplier of green hydrogen, helping other countries reduce their emissions.
To ensure that its green hydrogen plant is carbon-free, NGHC produces hydrogen only from solar and wind, said CEO Wesam Al-Ghamdi. (Shutterstock photo)
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Wesam Al-Ghamdi, CEO of NGHC, described how NEOM’s focus on green hydrogen aligned with the broader objectives of Vision 2030.
“We are proud to say that our vision is driven by Vision 2030,” he said. “Our product, our green ammonia, will be saving the world 5 million tons of carbon emissions.”
NGHC is set to be a cornerstone in Saudi Arabia’s green energy ambitions, producing up to 650 tonnes of green hydrogen daily using renewable energy from the vast solar and wind farms situated in NEOM — a futuristic city being built in northwest Saudi Arabia.
Wesam Al-Ghamdi, CEO of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company. (Supplied)
Indeed, NEOM’s geographic position, with optimal sunlight and wind conditions, makes it an ideal hub for green hydrogen production.
At the core of NEOM’s green hydrogen initiative is cutting-edge technology. According to Al-Ghamdi, the company is focused on optimizing the scale of its operations.
“We are building the technology on a very optimized scale. Large scale compacts to lots of small hydrogen plants,” he said.
Late last year, NEOM started receiving wind turbines to power its green hydrogen plant in Oxagon, a floating industrial city under development on the coast of the Red Sea. (NEOM photo)
Additionally, NEOM’s Oxagon — the new high-tech industrial park — will host the Hydrogen Innovative Development Center to ensure the Kingdom stays ahead of evolving green energy technologies.
Al-Ghamdi stressed the entire development was designed with environmental considerations in mind. “Since we started the development and the design phase, we have been building the plant to be environmentally friendly,” he said.
While some critics argue that large-scale hydrogen production could inadvertently create environmental challenges, NGHC’s leadership emphasizes the sustainable nature of the operation
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The company aims to produce hydrogen entirely through renewable energy sources, ensuring minimal environmental disruption.
“We are building the plant to be carbon-free. We are only producing hydrogen from solar and wind,” said Al-Ghamdi.
He further highlighted that environmental policies and procedures would remain central to the project as it evolved.
NEOM Green Hydrogen Company leaders on field visit. (Supplied)
“For the future, the keyword is reinforcement,” he said. “We build our policy, procedures and framework around starting the operations and continuing the operations to be environmentally friendly.”
NGHC’s ambitions extend far beyond the borders of Saudi Arabia. The project aims to position the Kingdom as a global leader in hydrogen production, while also creating thousands of new jobs and stimulating local economies.
These efforts reflect a broader global shift toward sustainable energy, offering a glimpse into the future of the hydrogen economy.
DID YOUKNOW?
• Green hydrogen releases zero carbon dioxide and its only byproduct is water, making it the cleanest hydrogen fuel.
• By 2030, half of Saudi Arabia’s power will come from renewable sources, including green hydrogen.
• Saudi Arabia plans to invest more than $200 billion in renewable energy by 2030, boosting green hydrogen initiatives.
International collaboration is seen as a key factor in the project’s success. By working closely with leading global technology providers and energy firms like ACWA Power, NGHC is ensuring it remains at the forefront of green hydrogen production.
Such partnerships are crucial for knowledge-sharing and innovation in the hydrogen sector.
“ACWA Power and their experience, deep knowledge, and renewable power continues to be a source for us,” said Al-Ghamdi.
NEOM Green Hydrogen Company recently partnered with the Energy & Water Academy to train Saudi Arabia’s future green energy workforce. (NEOM photo)
For Saudi Arabia, green hydrogen is more than just a tool for reducing emissions — it is a critical element of its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
“Saudi Arabia especially, the major countries of the G20, the decarbonizing and net-zero targets, are telling us that there is nowhere to go but to decarbonize,” said Al-Ghamdi.
“No one doubts that hydrogen is the fuel of the future.”
