Saudi Arabia concludes camelids year presidency

Saudi Arabia concludes camelids year presidency
1 / 4
Saudi Arabia has concluded its presidency of the International Year of Camelids, an initiative launched by the UN’s FAO to highlight the cultural, social and economic importance of the camel. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 02 July 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia concludes camelids year presidency

Saudi Arabia concludes camelids year presidency
  • Kingdom invests more than $267m to raise awareness of camelids’ role in food security, heritage, sustainability
  • Fahd bin Falah bin Hathleen: Camels are considered a symbol of cultural identity and supporters of rural communities’ sustainability and livelihoods

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has concluded its presidency of the International Year of Camelids, an initiative launched by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization to highlight the cultural, social and economic importance of the camel and related species.

The Kingdom used the occasion to raise global awareness and promote research and development related to camelids, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The initiative began under Saudi Arabia’s leadership in June last year, in partnership with a coalition of Latin American and Caribbean countries led by Bolivia.

The Food and Agriculture Organization hosted a closing ceremony at its headquarters in Rome, attended by Prince Fahd bin Jalawi, president of World Camelids Sports, with officials, diplomats, and international representatives. 

The event recognized camelids’ role in food security, sports, economic development, and cultural heritage, the SPA reported. 

The observance highlighted camelids’ environmental, economic, and social value, and aimed to support pastoralist communities globally.

The International Camel Organization also participated in the ceremony. The organization played an active role throughout the year in promoting awareness and support for the camel sector.

Fahd bin Falah bin Hathleen, the organization’s chairman, said: “Our involvement in the International Year of Camelids has been rooted in our mission to elevate the camel sector on the global stage. 

“Camels are considered a symbol of cultural identity and supporters of rural communities’ sustainability and livelihoods. 

“We remain committed to supporting their role across all scientific, cultural, sport, economic, and welfare sectors.” 

At the ceremony, Ali Alshaikhi, assistant undersecretary for fisheries and livestock wealth at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to recognizing the value of camels.

He said they are a key food source, economic asset, and cultural symbol deserving of greater global attention and investment.

He outlined Saudi Arabia’s efforts during its presidency, including holding more than 50 local and international events, providing 15 research grants, and organizing 18 strategic meetings. 

The Kingdom also organized 20 international exhibitions, starting at the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome and the UN in Geneva, to raise awareness of camels’ vital role in various communities, he added. 

Alshaikhi said the initiative strengthened global appreciation for camels and supported their role in food security and economic growth. He added that Saudi Arabia invested more than SR1 billion ($267 million) in related efforts. 

He highlighted the Kingdom’s broader leadership in agriculture and food security, driven by a strategic vision focused on sustainability, innovation, resilient food systems, self-sufficiency, and modern technologies.


Jazan’s governor holds talks with Maltese ambassador

Jazan’s governor holds talks with Maltese ambassador
Updated 07 August 2025
Follow

Jazan’s governor holds talks with Maltese ambassador

Jazan’s governor holds talks with Maltese ambassador

JAZAN: Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz, the governor of Jazan Province, met at his office on Thursday with Malta’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Clive Aguilina Spagnol.

Their discussions included matters of mutual benefit, and ways in which cooperation between their countries might be enhanced across various sectors in service of shared interests.

The ambassador praised the remarkable development and growth that has taken place in a number of sectors in the Jazan region.


Prophet’s Mosque’s imam meets Malaysian minister

Prophet’s Mosque’s imam meets Malaysian minister
Updated 07 August 2025
Follow

Prophet’s Mosque’s imam meets Malaysian minister

Prophet’s Mosque’s imam meets Malaysian minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Sheikh Dr. Salah Al-Budair, the imam of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, met Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

This visit was part of the Imams of the Two Holy Mosques program, which is organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.

Hamidi praised the Kingdom’s efforts in serving Islam and Muslims, and expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its support in facilitating the performance of Hajj and Umrah rituals for Muslims.

Al-Budair stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening ties with Muslim communities worldwide, promoting moderation and balance, and reinforcing the positive image of Islam.


Jeddah Municipality focuses on business regulation

Jeddah Municipality focuses on business regulation
Updated 07 August 2025
Follow

Jeddah Municipality focuses on business regulation

Jeddah Municipality focuses on business regulation

JEDDAH: Jeddah Municipality has intensified oversight efforts to monitor the implementation of updated municipal requirements for non-food outlets, aiming to enhance compliance and regulate the business environment within the governorate.

The municipality asserts that the updated requirements regulate development processes while positively impacting the city’s urban environment.

Facility owners have a 180-day grace period to rectify any violations, effective from the date the requirements are published on the Saudi Ministry of Municipalities and Housing’s website.

These efforts support the ministry’s objectives to develop and enhance business environments, assist investors, address visual distortions, and foster new business models for entrepreneurs.


King Abdulaziz international Qur’an competition to begin on Saturday

45th King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the Qur’an will start Saturday
45th King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the Qur’an will start Saturday
Updated 07 August 2025
Follow

King Abdulaziz international Qur’an competition to begin on Saturday

45th King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the Qur’an will start Saturday
  • Contestants from 128 countries around the world will participate in the competition that will be held at Grand Mosque in Makkah

RIYADH: The 45th King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the Qur’an will start on Saturday, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The competition is organized and supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, and will be held at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

Contestants from 128 countries around the world will participate, the largest number of participating countries since the competition was established more than 45 years ago. 

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh, extended his gratitude and appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continuous support for the Holy Qur’an.

“The Ministry is honored to organize this prestigious competition, which is considered one of the most prominent international Qur’an competitions. It enjoys a high status, highlighting the Kingdom’s leadership in caring for the Holy Quran,” Sheikh Abdullatif said.

“It brings together an elite group of memorizers of the book of God from various countries around the world in the holiest place on earth annually, in an honorable manner that reflects the Kingdom’s mission to serve Islam and spread the values of moderation and balance,” he added. 


Saudi organization unveils strategy to boost economic empowerment of families

Saudi organization unveils strategy to boost economic empowerment of families
Updated 07 August 2025
Follow

Saudi organization unveils strategy to boost economic empowerment of families

Saudi organization unveils strategy to boost economic empowerment of families
  • Economic Family Association says its plan is based on community values and a nonprofit ethos, hopes it will be a model for others to follow
  • The strategy aims to improve economic capacity and sustainability of households, and help increase the nonprofit sector’s contribution to GDP

RIYADH: Nasser Al-Gharbi, chairperson of Saudi Arabia’s Economic Family Association, told Arab News the organization hopes its newly launched strategy for 2025-2030 will be a model for others to follow and benefit all aspects of the nonprofit sector.

The strategy, unveiled during an event in Riyadh on Wednesday night, aims to improve the economic capacity and sustainability of households, and help increase the share of the contribution by the Kingdom’s nonprofit sector to non-oil gross domestic product to 5 percent.

The association’s executive director, Mushabab Al-Qahtani, said it is focusing in particular on improvements to the regulatory environment, and the enhancement of effective partnerships that enable families to contribute to the national economy.

The new strategy is built on professional and economic empowerment; digital transformation and marketing; enhanced competitiveness; building sustainable partnerships; improvements to the legislative and regulatory environments; and a strengthening of the nonprofit brand and the association’s institutional identity, he added.

Chairperson Al-Gharbi thanked the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector, and donors for their support.

The Economic Family Association was established in 2019.