King Salman appoints Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court

King Salman appoints Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court
Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad, the executive general supervisor at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, was appointed as an advisor to the Saudi Royal Court. (Credit: Al-Ekhbariya)
Short Url
Updated 10 July 2025
Follow

King Salman appoints Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court

King Salman appoints Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court
  • Al-Fayyad has been executive general supervisor at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre since 2017
  • He graduated in 1990 from King Saud University’s medical school and has amassed decades of clinical, academic and administrative experience

JEDDAH: In a royal order issued on Wednesday, King Salman appointed Majid Al-Fayyad as an advisor to the Saudi Royal Court.

Al-Fayyad is the executive general supervisor at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, which has facilities in Riyadh, Madinah and Jeddah. He graduated in 1990 from the medical school at King Saud University in Riyadh, and has amassed decades of clinical, academic and administrative experience.

In the US, he undertook specialized training in pediatrics at Tufts University, and in pediatric cardiology at Columbia University. He holds several certifications and degrees, including a master’s in medical administration awarded by the University of Southern California in 2015.

He was appointed in 2017 to his current position at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, where he has helped spearhead key reforms to the Saudi healthcare sector. He has also played important roles in national healthcare committees and initiatives, earning recognition for his contributions to research and administration.


KSrelief undertakes new food and medical initiatives in Africa

KSrelief undertakes new food and medical initiatives in Africa
Updated 28 September 2025
Follow

KSrelief undertakes new food and medical initiatives in Africa

KSrelief undertakes new food and medical initiatives in Africa

DUBAI: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has launched and concluded several major relief initiatives across Africa this week, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

In Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, KSrelief inaugurated a large-scale food security support project designed to help the country’s most vulnerable communities.

SPA reported that the program will distribute 38,900 food baskets, each weighing 40 kilograms and containing essential food items, reaching approximately 233,400 individuals across multiple regions.

The initiative forms part of Saudi Arabia’s pledge to support the Lake Chad region, a commitment made during the 2024 Jeddah Donors' Conference. 

Meanwhile, in Nouakchott, Mauritania, KSrelief successfully concluded a voluntary cardiac surgery and catheterization mission held from September 18 to 25.

According to SPA, an 18-member volunteer medical team performed 28 open-heart surgeries, 95 cardiac catheterization procedures, and three transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) operations.

In North Kordofan State, Sudan, KSrelief also distributed 1,400 food baskets in Sheikan locality, the effort is a continuation of Saudi Arabia’s long-standing humanitarian assistance in Sudan.


On World Tourism Day, Saudi Arabia highlights sector’s role in Vision 2030

On World Tourism Day, Saudi Arabia highlights sector’s role in Vision 2030
Updated 27 September 2025
Follow

On World Tourism Day, Saudi Arabia highlights sector’s role in Vision 2030

On World Tourism Day, Saudi Arabia highlights sector’s role in Vision 2030
  • Saudi Arabia invests heavily to boost travel culture and open up broad horizons for global visitors

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia joined countries worldwide in celebrating World Tourism Day, observed annually on Sept. 27.

The day aims to raise global awareness about the tourism sector’s significant economic, social, cultural, and political value, and its role in supporting sustainable development through various events and initiatives.

Tourism acts as a powerful soft power, capable of reshaping economies and societies by expanding job opportunities, developing infrastructure, and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

The Kingdom has prioritized this sector within the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, investing heavily to promote comprehensive development, enhance the culture of travel, and open up broad horizons for global visitors.

Recently, a UN tourism official said that rich natural and cultural assets mean Saudi Arabia had strong potential to become a leading destination for wellness tourism in the Middle East.

Tourism provides communities across the planet with their livelihoods. The worldwide tourism industry was worth $10.9 trillion in 2024, or 10 percent of the global economy, and is projected to contribute $11.7 trillion in 2025, supporting 357 million jobs in 2024 and an estimated 371 million in 2025.


Saudi Arabia to bring global AI translation debate to Seoul

The King Abdulaziz Public Library. (SPA0
The King Abdulaziz Public Library. (SPA0
Updated 27 September 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia to bring global AI translation debate to Seoul

The King Abdulaziz Public Library. (SPA0
  • The morning session, “Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Translation,” will be led by Yoon Eun Kyung, head of the university’s Arabic studies department

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Public Library will host an international symposium on artificial intelligence and translation in Seoul, bringing together experts from Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and South Korea.

The event on Sept. 30 is titled “Translation and Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges,” according to Saudi Press Agency.

It will be held at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies as part of the 11th King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation.

FASTFACTS

• Organized by King Abdulaziz Public Library, the ‘Translation and Artificial Intelligence’ event will be held on Sept. 30.

• It will be held at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul as part of the 11th King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation.

Organizers said discussions will cover key issues for the industry, including the most effective AI tools for translators, ethical and copyright concerns, practical applications, and frameworks for responsible adoption.   

The program will begin with remarks from Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muammar, general supervisor of the King Abdulaziz Public Library, and Park Jeong-woon, president of Hankuk University.

The morning session, “Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Translation,” will be led by Yoon Eun Kyung, head of the university’s Arabic studies department. 

Presentations include Yahya Al-Zahrani on emerging AI translation tools, and Woon Baek on optimizing human-machine translation workflows.

Buthaina Al-Thuwaini will tackle ethical questions in her talk, “Who owns the translated text? Ethical issues in the age of AI.”

The afternoon focuses on Arabic language challenges, with Mai Al-Rashed moderating discussions on Arabic-Korean translation complexities.

Kwak Sun Lee will present bilateral translation research, while former UN Arabic Translation chief Mohammed Didaoui will discuss strategies for responsible AI use.

The symposium will highlight the growing role of AI in reshaping translation, raising questions about professional standards, cultural nuance and intellectual property, while offering new tools for efficiency.

 


KSrelief, UNOPS to support children’s hospitals in Syria

KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah signed the agreement with UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva.
KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah signed the agreement with UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva.
Updated 27 September 2025
Follow

KSrelief, UNOPS to support children’s hospitals in Syria

KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah signed the agreement with UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva.
  • The project, which is set to benefit 844,778 individuals, aims to enhance the capacity of high-quality emergency and essential healthcare facilities for children in affected areas

NEW YORK: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and the UN Office for Project Services signed a joint executive program to support children’s hospitals in northern Syria with specialized medical equipment.

The signing took place on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York City.

KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah signed the agreement with UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva.

The project, which is set to benefit 844,778 individuals, aims to enhance the capacity of high-quality emergency and essential healthcare facilities for children in affected areas.

This will be achieved by supplying specialized medical equipment to the pediatric intensive care units of three hospitals in Hama and the pediatric cardiac surgery department in Aleppo.

 


Saudi authorities launch Super Yacht Arabia

The region offers a blend of cutting-edge technology and great natural beauty, such as giant coral reefs and private islands.
The region offers a blend of cutting-edge technology and great natural beauty, such as giant coral reefs and private islands.
Updated 27 September 2025
Follow

Saudi authorities launch Super Yacht Arabia

The region offers a blend of cutting-edge technology and great natural beauty, such as giant coral reefs and private islands.
  • Saudi Tourism Authority CEO Fahd Hamidaddin said the Saudi Red Sea was ready to welcome the global yachting community, supported by an investment of more than SR84 billion ($22.4 billion) and a coastline stretching 1,800 km

MONACO: The Saudi Tourism Authority announced the launch of its international Super Yacht Arabia campaign at the Monaco Yacht Show.

The campaign aims to position the Saudi Red Sea as a new global destination for maritime and luxury cruising, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The region offers a blend of cutting-edge technology and great natural beauty, such as giant coral reefs and private islands. The campaign also showcases modern ports, sea lanes and exclusive offers.

Saudi Tourism Authority CEO Fahd Hamidaddin said the Saudi Red Sea was ready to welcome the global yachting community, supported by an investment of more than SR84 billion ($22.4 billion) and a coastline stretching 1,800 km.

The Monaco show was the perfect platform to showcase the Red Sea’s potential as a new yachting destination, he said.

The waterway represents a strategic growth opportunity in line with Saudi Vision 2030, due to its geographic location, scalable infrastructure and strong government support.