Saudi deputy minister receives UN official in Riyadh /node/2574641/saudi-arabia
Saudi deputy minister receives UN official in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi (R) and UN Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom Mohamed El-Zarkani. (MOFA)
Saudi deputy minister receives UN official in Riyadh
The pair discussed aspects of cooperation between the UN and the Kingdom
Updated 09 October 2024
Arab News
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received UN Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom Mohamed El-Zarkani in Riyadh on Wednesday.
During the meeting, they discussed aspects of cooperation between the UN and the Kingdom, and prominent developments of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.
Seperately on Wednesday, Al-Rassi met with Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom Madiyar Menilbekov, during which they reviewed joint cooperation in various fields.
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 13,118 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 8,150 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,344 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,624 for labor-related issues.
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 ($267,000), 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.
How wildflowers bring color and ecological balance to Saudi Arabia’s deserts
Conservation efforts and nature reserves are helping the Kingdom’s native desert flora make a strong comeback
Desert wildflowers like Zahrah and Zamlouq symbolize resilience, blooming in some of the world’s harshest environments
Updated 24 May 2025
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s landscapes are brightened each year by a dazzling array of wildflowers that bring bursts of color and life to its deserts and valleys.
Among the most iconic are Bassia eriophora, Senecio glaucus (locally known as Zamlouq), and Tribulus omanense (commonly called Zahrah). These species are celebrated not only for their natural beauty but also for their ecological, historical, and cultural significance.
In the Northern Borders Province, the desert is seasonally transformed into a living canvas by the arrival of Zamlouq, one of the region’s most striking wildflowers. Once near extinction, this annual herbaceous plant is now enjoying a revival.
Also known as Nowair or Yellow Arabian, Zamlouq germinates rapidly after rainfall and can grow up to 20 centimeters tall. It is easily recognized by its elongated, strap-like leaves and bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that enrich the desert with vibrant color.
Zamlouq emits a distinctive, aromatic fragrance that attracts bees and butterflies, playing a vital role in pollination and supporting ecological balance.
Zamlouq, also known as Nowair or Yellow Arabian, not only provides valuable forage for livestock and wildlife but also helps stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. (SPA)
It typically blooms from late winter into spring, carpeting the desert floor with natural ground cover that boosts soil fertility and provides valuable forage for livestock and wildlife. It also helps stabilize the soil and prevent erosion — especially in open desert areas.
“This annual herb thrives in sandy plains and open rangelands, blooming in spring,” Ghalia Aljeddani, associate professor of plant ecology at the University of Jeddah’s Department of Environmental Sciences, told Arab News.
“It serves as valuable forage for livestock and contributes to soil stabilization and ecological beautification.”
Another native species creating a breathtaking spectacle during the blooming season is the Ramth shrub (Haloxylon salicornicum), particularly in the valleys of the Northern Borders, such as Wadi Arar and its tributaries. Recent thunderstorms and rainfall have triggered renewed floral activity in these regions.
Ramth is a perennial, evergreen shrub known for both its ecological and pastoral value. Conservation efforts, including the establishment of nature reserves, have helped restore this once-declining species and expand Saudi Arabia’s green cover.
Ramth (Haloxylon salicornicum), a perennial desert shrub, thrives across the Arabian Peninsula under harsh desert conditions. (SPA photo)
Highly valued by herders as a key “Hamad” (palatable pasture shrub), Ramth typically grows to around 1 meter tall and can spread across several square meters. Its scale-like, tubular leaves retain moisture, allowing it to thrive in extreme desert conditions.
When protected from grazing, Ramth demonstrates a remarkable capacity to regenerate. In mid-summer, its foliage produces tiny granules of pure white sugar — a unique feature in its ecological profile.
Ramth is “commonly used as camel forage and firewood,” said Aljeddani.
“It is also a natural source of salt for camels and has uses in cleaning products and some medicinal applications. Its ability to thrive in saline and arid environments makes it a promising solution for combating desertification.”
DID YOU KNOW?
• More than 800 types of wildflowers have been recorded across the Arabian Peninsula.
• After rainfall, the deserts, rocky mountains and gravel plains burst into life with greenery.
• Despite their relatively small sizes, wildflowers in Saudi Arabia are remarkably resilient.
• Bedouin have long used wild plants to treat infections and for health-boosting properties.
Among the diverse Tribulus species found across the Arabian Peninsula, Tribulus omanense — locally known as Zahrah — stands out with its large, vivid yellow flowers and soft, feathery foliage.
This trailing plant thrives in loose sands and high desert dunes and can grow up to 80 centimeters tall, adding a dramatic splash of color to otherwise barren terrain. Belonging to the Zygophyllaceae family, Zahrah is distinguished by its star-shaped flowers with five delicate petals and its spiny seed capsules.
Tribulus omanense — locally known as Zahrah — is a creeping annual plant from the (Zygophyllaceae) family, distinguished by clover-like compound leaves and bright yellow flowers. (SPA photo)
Tribulus omanense stands out with its large, vivid yellow flowers and soft, feathery foliage. (SPA photo)
Its deep green, pinnate leaves and sprawling stems enhance its ornamental appeal, while its winter bloom transforms the desert into a radiant sea of yellow. Zahrah serves as an important food source for desert ungulates like gazelles and oryx, as well as for domesticated animals.
Native to the Arabian Peninsula, Zahrah is exceptionally adapted to harsh conditions, tolerating extreme heat, drought, and sandy soils. Its water-saving mechanisms make it indispensable to desert ecosystems.
Beyond its ecological value, Tribulus omanense is revered as a symbol of endurance and vitality — mirroring the resilience of the desert and the spirit of the people who call it home.
The Arnebia decumbens plant, a seasonal wildflower that flourishes in the Kingdom's Northern Borders region during spring, serves as a vital food source for wildlife and livestock and contributes to ecological balance and soil stabilization in sandy areas. (SPA)
Yet environmental pressures such as climate change, overgrazing, and urban expansion threaten the resurgence of these plants. Authorities are working to raise public awareness about the importance of conserving native vegetation to preserve biodiversity and protect the Kingdom’s natural heritage.
These measures will help maintain ecological balance without excessive strain on water resources, enhance natural resistance to drought and desertification, and support the development of resilient and sustainable ecosystems.
“These wildflowers are not merely natural adornments of the land,” said Aljeddani. “They play vital environmental, cultural, and economic roles and significantly contribute to national initiatives aimed at achieving sustainability.”
The event previously placed the spotlight on Filipino, Bangladeshi, and Indian cultures
Updated 23 May 2025
SPA
JEDDAH: Passport to the World, which is taking place in Jeddah until May 24, is offering visitors an immersive look at Sudan’s cultural heritage through live folk performances, traditional dances, and interactive workshops that highlight customs, celebrations, and community rituals.
The event also features a food corner serving authentic Sudanese dishes, desserts, and traditional drinks that reflect the country’s hospitality.
Guests are also given an opportunity to wear traditional Sudanese clothing and explore the meanings behind its regional colors and patterns.
Organized by the General Entertainment Authority, the event supports efforts to showcase the cultural diversity of expatriate communities in the Kingdom while promoting values of coexistence through interactive cultural programming.
The event previously placed the spotlight on Filipino, Bangladeshi, and Indian cultures.
The Sudanese showcase is its conclusion and has attracted strong public interest. A previous edition in Alkhobar was also well received.
Saudi minister of municipalities and housing concludes official visit to Kuwait
Guidelines adopted at meeting of GCC’s ministers
Updated 23 May 2025
SPA
KUWAIT CITY: Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail has concluded his official visit to Kuwait, during which he headed the Kingdom’s delegation at the 23rd meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s housing ministers, which included participation from the relevant ministers of member states and was attended by the secretary-general of the GCC.
Several technical guidelines were adopted at the meeting, most notably the Value Engineering Guide for GCC Housing Projects, which was prepared by Riyadh as a step to enhance spending efficiency while improving the quality of outcomes in Gulf housing schemes.
Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee holds talks on Gaza with French foreign minister in Paris
Delegation includes Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Jordanian and Egyptian counterparts Ayman Safadi and Badr Abdelatty
Discussions focus on coordinated international efforts to end war in Gaza, ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid and halt ongoing Israeli violations
Updated 23 May 2025
Arab News
PARIS: Senior members of the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee held talks with French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris on Friday about the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip and efforts to advance peace in the region.
The delegation that visited the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs was led by the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and included his Jordanian and Egyptian counterparts Ayman Safadi and Badr Abdelatty.
Their discussions with Barrot focused on coordinated international efforts to end the war in Gaza, ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, and halt ongoing violations by Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people and the occupied territories, breaches that have been described as contraventions of international law and humanitarian norms, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They also talked about ways in which joint diplomatic action might be intensified to promote a just and lasting peace, with an emphasis on the implementation of a two-state solution in line with international resolutions.
Other topics included the preparations for a high-level international conference on the two-state solution, which is scheduled to take place at the UN headquarters in New York in June and will be jointly chaired by Saudi Arabia and France.
