Saudi Arabia, France civil aviation authorities discuss boosting air connectivity

Saudi Arabia, France civil aviation authorities discuss boosting air connectivity
Bader Al-Sagri, representative of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation, and Emmanuel Vivet, representative of the French Civil Aviation Authority, signed the document in Paris, Dec. 5 (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 06 December 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia, France civil aviation authorities discuss boosting air connectivity

Saudi Arabia, France civil aviation authorities discuss boosting air connectivity
  • Riyadh and Paris aim to increase the number of flights connecting them

RIYADH: Saudi Arabian and French civil aviation authorities signed a record of discussions to boost air transport connectivity between the two countries on Thursday. 

Bader Al-Sagri, the director of the international cooperation department at the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation, and Emmanuel Vivet, the deputy director of air services at the French Civil Aviation Authority, signed the document in Paris. 

The document aims to strengthen the partnership between Riyadh and Paris in civil aviation, increase the number of flights, and grow air transport between the two countries. 

The cooperation will further enhance Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics center for civil aviation and air transport services, the Saudi Press Agency reported.  

The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aims to position the country as a hub for aviation connectivity to 250 international destinations, serving an expected 330 million passengers annually by 2030. 

This week, during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Saudi Arabia, Riyadh and Paris have inked numerous pacts across diverse sectors. 

On Wednesday, the Kingdom’s national carrier, Saudia signed a strategic partnership with Air France-KLM to collaborate in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services.


Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties

Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties
Updated 11 sec ago
Follow

Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties

Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties
  • Campaign coinciding with COP16 launched in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riyadh Municipality

Riyadh: The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Riyadh Municipality, launched a tree-planting campaign to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A series of programs are being organized by the embassy to commemorate the golden jubilee of diplomatic ties, an embassy spokesperson told Arab News.

The planting event was organized at Al-Darseena Park in the capital and coincided with the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, or COP16, which is being hosted in Riyadh from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme “Our Land Our Future.”

A number of officials participated in the event, planting trees, including embassy staff, Sri Lankan Ambassador Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, Himali De Costa of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Environment, and Dulanji Herath of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

Members of the Sri Lankan community in Riyadh, staff and students of the Sri Lanka International School in Riyadh as well as senior officials of the Riyadh Municipality also participated.

Ghada binth Abdullah Al-Omran, director of volunteer services at the Riyadh Municipality, extended thanks to the Sri Lankan Embassy for launching the initiative and the Sri Lankan community for their active participation.

Addressing the gathering, Ajwad noted that the event aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees.

It also adds value to the commemoration of ties between Saudi Arabi and Sri Lanka as it shows solidarity with COP16, being hosted in Riyadh, which aims to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought, Ajwad added.

The ambassador expressed his sincere appreciation to Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, mayor of the Riyadh Region, for allocating parks for this tree-planting initiative and the excellent arrangements made by the municipality to this end.

Senior Director Arif Al-Sulami and his team at the Riyadh Municipality helped organize the tree planting event in five prominent parks in the Riyadh Region.

As part of a series of events to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the embassy is also organizing the Ambassador’s Cup Cricket Tournament with matches being played by the Sri Lankan community in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.


Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause

Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause
Updated 48 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause

Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause
  • Minister urges unified Arab media strategy, and artificial intelligence integration to enhance content

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary has emphasized the importance of leveraging Arab efforts in the sector to support the Palestinian cause. 

Al-Dossary made the comments while chairing the 20th session of the Executive Office of the Arab Information Ministers Council in Abu Dhabi, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by heads of Arab delegations, institutions, and unions engaged in media-related activities. 

Al-Dossary stressed the need for all Arab media outlets to highlight the resolutions issued during the recent Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh. 

These resolutions reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause, unwavering support for the national rights of the besieged people, and the pursuit of a just and comprehensive solution based on international agreements. 

“We meet today to discuss 12 items as part of Arab efforts to enhance joint Arab media work, foremost among them the Palestinian cause,” the minister said. 

He also emphasized the importance of the unified Arab plan for media engagement with environmental issues.

Al-Dossary highlighted Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and the One Water Summit, stressing the importance of showcasing their outcomes in Arab media. 

He underscored the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence technologies in Arab media to enhance content and analyze audience behavior.

Furthermore, he called for the insights from the Global AI Summit held in Riyadh to be implemented to improve the performance of Arab media.

He noted that discussions were held on key issues, including the role of the media in combating terrorism.

In addition, there was a focus on the Arab League’s efforts to follow up on the Arab Media Action Plan abroad, and the Arab Media Map for Sustainable Development 2030.


Kingdom launches first cruise ship in Jeddah

Kingdom launches first cruise ship in Jeddah
Updated 59 min 48 sec ago
Follow

Kingdom launches first cruise ship in Jeddah

Kingdom launches first cruise ship in Jeddah
  • Ship features 19 decks and 1,678 cabins and suites, can accommodate up to 3,362 passengers

Riyadh: Cruise Saudi, dedicated to advancing the Kingdom’s cruise industry, has introduced its first ship, AROYA, at Jeddah Islamic Port.

The ship’s launch marks a significant step toward bolstering maritime tourism across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The vessel, which features 19 decks and 1,678 cabins and suites, can accommodate up to 3,362 passengers.

It offers a diverse culinary experience with 12 restaurants and 17 cafes, serving dishes from five continents while highlighting Saudi flavors.

AROYA is equipped with various entertainment facilities, including a shopping area, a 1,018-seat theater, a children’s zone, and prayer areas, according to the SPA.

It also features designated women’s hours in health and entertainment venues, along with extensive sports amenities such as a walking track, and football and basketball courts.


Saudi Arabia says Israel’s Golan buffer zone seizure confirms continued Israeli violation of international law

Israeli soldiers patrol near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria.
Israeli soldiers patrol near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria.
Updated 10 December 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia says Israel’s Golan buffer zone seizure confirms continued Israeli violation of international law

Israeli soldiers patrol near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria.
  • Foreign Ministry statement said the move showed Israel’s determination to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring its security, stability, and territorial integrity

RIYADH: Israel’s decision to seize Syrian-held areas in a UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights and its attacks on Syrian territory confirm continued Israeli violation of international law, Saudi Arabia said on Monday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday he had ordered the army to “seize” the demilitarised zone in the Syrian-controlled part of the Golan Heights after militants swept Syrian president Bashar Assad from power.

A statement issued by the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said the move showed Israel’s determination to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring its security, stability, and territorial integrity. 

“Saudi Arabia stresses the need for the international community to condemn these Israeli violations, affirm respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and confirm that the Golan Heights are occupied Syrian Arab land,” the statement said. 


King Salman receives written message from Equatorial Guinea president

The message from President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to King Salman is received by the Kingdom’s foreign minister. (SPA)
The message from President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to King Salman is received by the Kingdom’s foreign minister. (SPA)
Updated 09 December 2024
Follow

King Salman receives written message from Equatorial Guinea president

The message from President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to King Salman is received by the Kingdom’s foreign minister. (SPA)
  • Message was received by the Kingdom’s foreign minister during a meeting with the minister for foreign affairs and cooperation of Equatorial Guinea

RIYADH: King Salman received a written message from the president of Equatorial Guinea, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. 

The message from Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo concerned relations between his country and the Kingdom. 

It was received by the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during a meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Equatorial Guinea Simeon Oyono Esono Angue in Riyadh. 

The two ministers reviewed relations between their countries and ways to enhance them in various fields.