Oman ambassador’s touching farewell message to Saudi Arabia

Oman ambassador’s touching farewell message to Saudi Arabia
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Outgoing Oman ambassador Sayyid Faisal bin Turki receiving a souvenir from Dean of the diplomatic corps Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama at a Farwell organized by him (Dean of Diplomatic Corps)
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Updated 31 January 2025
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Oman ambassador’s touching farewell message to Saudi Arabia

Oman ambassador’s touching farewell message to Saudi Arabia
  • It was an extraordinary journey of 4 years, he says
  • Highlights include new road access inauguration, top level visits to boost bilateral ties, Gulf railway project 

RIYADH: In a heartfelt farewell message, the outgoing Oman ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sayyid Faisal bin Turki said: “My dearest Saudi Arabia, from the moment I landed in Riyadh to serve as the ambassador, you have felt like home.”

In an exclusive interview with Arab News before concluding his duty in Riyadh on Friday, Turki said: “It was an extraordinary journey of four years. I remember, back in early 2021 when I joined, it was the time of [the] COVID pandemic.

“It was my first appointment as an ambassador, and it turned out to be an amazing year because in the same year it was planned for the first state visit for His Majesty Sultan Haitham and in the same year, before the end of the year, we inaugurated the new road access between Saudi Arabia and Oman, and before concluding that year, we had the visit of the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as well, along with a big delegation.

“A number of agreements were signed at the personal as well as diplomatic level I spent a lot of time, along with my team, to strengthen the relationship and contribute to that.

“On an average, we had about anything between 80 to 115 delegations per year coming. There have been numerous agreements, MoUs signed between the two countries in various fields. And I think what we have been privileged to do is to contribute to this magnificent growth in the relationship between Oman and Saudi Arabia,” said the envoy.

He added: “There is much more that can be done. We have been putting a lot of emphasis on supporting the private sector in the past three years, we have seen at least about 20 to 25 Omani companies exploring opportunities and venturing into the Saudi market in various fields, whether it is IT, tourism, event management, oil and gas, you name it, which hasn’t been the case before.”

Saudi Arabia is the right place to be at the right time, he said, whether that was politically, diplomatically or for business.

Speaking about the Gulf Cooperation Council countries proceeding with the practical steps of the Gulf Railway Project, he said: “That is obviously at the level of the GCC, Oman is part of the GCC and we are more or less ready when the consensus happens in terms of building that network.

“For us, the railway network is very important primarily for the goods and trade between the Gulf countries and, beyond as well.”

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, speaking at the 26th meeting of the Committee of GCC Ministers of Transport and Communications in November last year, said the GCC had achieved practical steps for the Gulf railway project on the ground with advanced levels of implementation.

The outgoing ambassador said the latest of these achievements was the establishment of Hafeet Rail between the Sultanate of Oman and the UAE, which aims to design, develop and operate a railway network connecting Sohar to the UAE’s national railway network.

“We believe that Oman enjoys an excellent logistic positioning, but that needs to be strengthened through our bilateral relations as well,” said Turki.

“Saudi Arabia is a strategic market that needs to have a lot of emphasis. Saudi Arabia looks at Oman as well as a gateway, an access across to Asia, and we look forward to seeing the fruits of all these efforts.”

He added: “We have managed to get the [agreement of] key stakeholders from Oman to participate in annual cultural, economic events, such as the FII, the biggest investment forum that happens every October in Saudi Arabia and the Book Fair. We have as well a growing interest in LEAP, which is all about technology and getting more companies to participate.”


Salsola tetrandra shrub reappears in Northern Borders after decades-long absence

Salsola tetrandra shrub reappears in Northern Borders after decades-long absence
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Salsola tetrandra shrub reappears in Northern Borders after decades-long absence

Salsola tetrandra shrub reappears in Northern Borders after decades-long absence
  • Environment authorities have attributed the disappearance of the plant in the 1990s to overgrazing
  • The plant is considered a crucial food source for wildlife and livestock

ARAR: A vital pastoral shrub once widespread in the Hamad area of Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders region has reappeared after decades of absence, the Saudi Press Agency reports.

Environment authorities have attributed the near extinction of the plant in the 1990s due to overgrazing.

Lately, Salsola tetrandra shrubs had been reported in inaccessible, rocky areas, signaling the plant's potential for recovery.

The plant is considered a crucial food source for wildlife and livestock. It also plays a critical role in providing sustenance for animals, stabilizing soil, preventing erosion, contributing to the sustainability of natural pastures, and reflecting the Kingdom's rich environmental diversity.

Authorities are intensifying efforts to enhance pasture rehabilitation programs and combat overgrazing, aiming to restore the plant to its previous ecological status. 

National environmental protection efforts are expected to facilitate the broader return of Salsola tetrandra in the coming years, bolstering environmental sustainability and restoring balance to natural ecosystems in the Northern Borders.

The Kingdom has been in the forefront of the global campaign to restore ecological balance, with an ambitious plan to plant 10 billions trees and shrubs. 

Since its launch of the Saudi Green Initiative in 2021, the Kingdom has planted 100 million trees and shrubs and rehabilitated 118,000 hectares of degraded land.


Najran’s Al-Samraa brown wheat a popular choice for Ramadan preparations

Najran’s Al-Samraa brown wheat a popular choice for Ramadan preparations
Updated 28 February 2025
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Najran’s Al-Samraa brown wheat a popular choice for Ramadan preparations

Najran’s Al-Samraa brown wheat a popular choice for Ramadan preparations
  • Increase in demand attributed to the variety's high quality, nutritional value, and health benefits
  • Al-Samraa brown wheat is a staple ingredient in numerous popular dishes such as the Raqsh and Wafd 

NAJRAN: Wheat produced in Saudi Arabia’s southern region of Najran is experiencing a significant increase in demand as people across the region prepare for the holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has reported.

Among the most popular type is the Al-Samraa brown wheat, known locally as Al-Bur Al-Najrani, a staple ingredient in numerous popular dishes such as the Raqsh and Wafd. 

“The increased demand for Najrani wheat during Ramadan is attributed to its high quality, nutritional value, and health benefits,” SPA said, adding that the variety is rich in vitamins B and E, folic acid, zinc, and dietary fiber.

Al-Samraa is one of the 13 products in Saudi Arabia that had been chosen by the Slow Food’s Ark of Taste, a US-based organization that catalogs “delicious and distinctive foods facing extinction.” 

Al-Samraa is one of the 13 products in Saudi Arabia that had been chosen by the Slow Food's Ark of Taste. (SPA file photo)

“By identifying and championing these foods, we keep them in production and on our plates,” says the website of Slow Food, which has added more than 3,500 products from over 150 countries to its International Ark of Taste.

Earlier this month, the regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) said Najran farmers expect to harvest their wheat crops in March. Crop planting began in early October, just before the onset of the winter season in the Kingdom.

Farmers told SPA that their Samraa wheat crops were cultivated without the use of chemicals and that advancements in agricultural machinery have enhanced efficiency and product quality.

Last year, the Najran brown wheat was featured in the inaugural Najran Wheat Festival organized by the MEWA and Social Development Bank to showcase the region’s cultural heritage.

Najran's Al-Samraa wheat is unhybridized and naturally grown, a heritage passed down from generation to generation. (SPA file photo)

“This unhybridized, naturally grown wheat is a heritage we received from our ancestors,” farmer Mohammed Al-Mansour was quoted by SPA as saying. 

“We use minimal irrigation to protect it from pests, ensuring its high quality,” Al-Mansour added.

According to the Cooperative Agricultural Association West of Najran, traditional wheat cultivation involved meticulous steps, requiring thorough land preparation and irrigation. Farmers also relied on animals for land preparation and harvesting. Wheat farming has been made easier today with the introduction of modern planting methods and use of advanced machineries. 

Wheat farming has been made easier today with the introduction of modern planting methods and use of advanced machineries. (SPA)

Saudi interior minister, Syrian intelligence official discuss combating drug trafficking

Saudi interior minister, Syrian intelligence official discuss combating drug trafficking
Updated 28 February 2025
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Saudi interior minister, Syrian intelligence official discuss combating drug trafficking

Saudi interior minister, Syrian intelligence official discuss combating drug trafficking

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif received in Riyadh on Thursday the deputy chief of Syria’s General Intelligence Service Muwaffaq Doukhi, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The officials discussed cooperation in the field of combating drug trafficking.

Director of Syria’s Anti-Narcotics Department Khaled Eid, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department Marwan Al-Ali, and a number of senior officials attended the meeting.

Doukhi and Eid visited earlier the General Directorate of Public Security and the General Directorate of Anti-Narcotics in Riyadh. 

The Syrian officials were briefed on the work mechanism, security tasks, and the latest technologies used in the directorates.


How Saudi Arabia is using advanced automated systems to tackle traffic congestion

How Saudi Arabia is using advanced automated systems to tackle traffic congestion
Updated 27 February 2025
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How Saudi Arabia is using advanced automated systems to tackle traffic congestion

How Saudi Arabia is using advanced automated systems to tackle traffic congestion
  • SDAIA’s Sawaher is revolutionizing traffic management by harnessing data — from citywide trends down to individual streets
  • The upgrade has already cut road accident fatalities, reduced traffic, and improved the flow of vehicles during major events

RIYADH: Congestion is a major concern for residents of Saudi Arabia’s cities. Commuters in Riyadh alone lose an average of 52 hours in traffic annually, according to a 2024 estimate.

While projects like the Riyadh Metro, which opened the last of its lines in January, are doing their part to ease the flow of cars, the city’s population is still projected to grow from around 8 million today to 9.6 million in 2030, presenting further challenges.

The Saudi Data and AI Authority, in collaboration with government entities, has developed several systems that generate vast amounts of information on road traffic, ranging from a macro, citywide level to individual streets.

One of these is the Sawaher system, a national platform designed to analyze streams of images and videos using artificial intelligence and computer vision, providing real-time insights. One of its key use cases is in traffic management.

Another is the Smart C platform, which leverages data and artificial intelligence technologies to monitor, analyze, and predict operational indicators, supporting decision-making in smart city management. 

“Riyadh is becoming a very busy city, so we need to be innovative, we need to act fast,” Mohammed Al-Buqami, general manager of product development at SDAIA’s Estishraf, told Arab News. 

Mohammed Al-Buqami

The system developed by SDAIA analyzes data in detail, identifying accident hotspots and comparing seasonal fluctuations.

Areas with a high number of fatal accidents are assessed for whether or not signage or road infrastructure can be improved to cut down on collisions.

“Ramadan specifically will have different spots than any other month in the year,” Al-Buqami said, as working hours and commuting patterns shift during the holy month. 

When a recent event in Riyadh attracted a huge number of visitors, it caused a ripple effect of congestion. That is why SDAIA, in collaboration with government entities, decided to develop a new tool “to ensure that traffic at the gate does not cause congestion in the surrounding area or impact major roads,” Al-Buqami said.

Looking to the future and problems that may arise from a rising population, SDAIA is working to introduce new technologies, and recently carried out a bootcamp for budding AI experts who came up with the idea for a robot that detects cracks, potholes, and puddles on the city’s roads, as well as an automated accident response system.

While SDAIA is on the cutting edge of data analytics and automated traffic management, the Kingdom has been implementing advanced technology solutions for road safety for more than a decade. 

Saher, the automated penalty system, was developed in 2009 and launched the following year by the Ministry of Interior, using a network of cameras and radars.

The installation of Saher camera along major roads in Saudi Arabia have led to a reduction in speeding and reckless driving violations. (AN file photo)

When cameras detect a violation such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, texting while driving, or other such offenses, the system retrieves the vehicle owner’s details from the database and automatically issues a fine sent to the driver via SMS.

“The Saher system illustrates how AI and automation can revolutionize traffic enforcement and improve road safety,” Hasan Al-Ahmadi, associate professor at the Department of Civil Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, told Arab News.

Saher operates continuously, ensuring consistent enforcement of traffic laws without relying on human oversight.

DID YOU KNOW?

• By the end of 2023, Saudi Arabia had 15.1 million roadworthy vehicles — a 6.2 percent increase from 2022.

• In 2016, the country’s road traffic fatality rate was 28.8 per 100,000 people.

• Vision 2030 reforms have cut road deaths by 54 percent, dropping to 13.6 per 100,000 from 2016 to 2023.

It can identify and track road users moving through cities, automatically recognizing number plates and allowing law enforcement officers to pinpoint stolen or wanted vehicles.

Saher cameras are placed at regular intervals and their watchful eye can detect infractions as minor as changing lanes excessively or not leaving enough room between vehicles. 

Saher cameras are placed at regular intervals and their watchful eye can detect infractions as minor as changing lanes excessively or not leaving enough room between vehicles. (Supplied)

The system uses machine learning to study driver behaviors over time, identifying trends such as habitual speeding or repeated violations. Insights from this analysis are used for educational campaigns or stricter penalties for repeat offenders, said Al-Ahmadi, who has published a number of research papers on automation and road safety in Saudi Arabia.

The professor noted that a number of studies have shown decreases of up to 30 percent in speeding violations and red-light infractions since Saher was introduced. 

In Dammam, accident rates dropped by approximately 20 percent, while congestion was reduced by around 20 percent in Dammam and Jeddah. 

Congestion in Dammam's roads has been reduced by around 20 percent since the introduction of the Saher traffic monitoring system. (SPA file photo)

Meanwhile, studies also show that emergency response times improved by between 20-30 percent, Al-Ahmadi said.

In 2016, road accidents were the leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. A total of 21 people were killed in crashes every day — almost one every hour. 

These findings spurred the government into action. By 2023, fatal accidents had fallen by 54 percent.

Data and analytics were a key part of this success, with the number of road cameras increasing by 320 percent from 2016 to 2021, according to a World Health Organization report. Analyzing data from the country’s death registry also played a part.

Al-Ahmadi sees a future where even more advanced technology can play a part in making Saudi Arabia’s roads safer.

As Saudi Arabia moves towards a more sustainable society, automated systems could also monitor vehicle emissions and impose penalties in high-pollution zones, says Assistant Professor Hasan Al-Ahmadi of KFUPM's Department of Civil Engineering. (Supplied)

Drone technology could be used for real-time traffic monitoring in areas with limited camera coverage, he said. Integrating intersection management systems with self-driving vehicles could be another advanced solution.

Al-Ahmadi also suggested that monitoring technology could be upgraded to analyze drivers’ facial expressions, blink rates, and head movements to detect fatigue or distraction.

As Saudi Arabia moves towards a more sustainable society, automated systems could also monitor vehicle emissions and impose penalties in high-pollution zones, Al-Ahmadi added. 

While the Kingdom’s cities continue to grow at a rapid rate, the problem of congestion and road safety is not going anywhere. 

However, with a combination of automated technology and continuous monitoring, as well as the introduction of new infrastructure projects, officials have found early success in reducing fatalities and look poised to keep the issue at bay.

 


Saudi Border Guards thwart major drug smuggling operations in Asir

Saudi Border Guards thwart major drug smuggling operations in Asir
Updated 27 February 2025
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Saudi Border Guards thwart major drug smuggling operations in Asir

Saudi Border Guards thwart major drug smuggling operations in Asir

ABHA: Border Guard land patrols in Asir’s Al-Raboua sector thwarted the smuggling of 300 kg of qat. Initial legal procedures were completed, and the seized items were handed to the relevant authorities.

In a separate incident, land patrols operating in the Dhahran Al-Janoub sector apprehended a Saudi national attempting to smuggle 40 kg of hashish. The suspect was processed according to protocol and, along with the seized narcotics, handed to the relevant authorities.

Security officials continue to encourage public vigilance, urging citizens and residents to report any information related to drug trafficking or distribution. Reports can be made by dialing 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, 999 in all other regions, or directly to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995. Information can also be submitted electronically via email.