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RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his US counterpart State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.聽
During the call, Prince Faisal and Rubio reviewed US-Saudi relations and ways to enhance the strategic partnership between their countries. The latest regional and international developments were also discussed.聽
TOKYO: Farid bin Saeed Al-Asali, the General Authority for Foreign Trade鈥檚 deputy governor for international agreements and organizations, is in Tokyo to lead the Kingdom鈥檚 delegation in the second round of negotiations on the free trade agreement between the GCC and Japan, which began on June 30 and will run until July 4.
According to GAFT, the Saudi negotiating team includes nine technical teams focused on goods, services, investment, e-commerce, intellectual property, and government procurement.
Comprising 46 government agencies, the teams prepare the Kingdom鈥檚 positions on negotiations and proposals within the World Trade Organization and free trade agreements, and submit relevant reports to the negotiating team.
In 2024, the trade volume between 黑料社区 and Japan reached about $36 billion. The most significant exports from the Kingdom were mineral products and organic chemical products. In contrast, the primary imports from Japan included automobiles and automotive components, as well as machinery and mechanical tools.
Overall, 黑料社区鈥檚 exports totaled about $28 billion, while imports amounted to around $8 billion.
The Saudi team oversees and monitors the progress of trade negotiations to ensure they align with the Kingdom鈥檚 trade objectives and policies. Additionally, the team participates in the negotiations to incorporate the Kingdom鈥檚 positions, making their role integral to the process.
The General Authority for Foreign Trade aims to enhance trade gains, strengthen global presence, and engage with international organizations for sustainable development. The authority plays a crucial role in negotiations, representing the Kingdom鈥檚 interests and ensuring trade agreements align with its objectives.
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two leaders held an official session of talks during which they discussed Saudi-Indonesian relations and cooperation in various fields. Ways to develop and strengthen them were also reviewed, SPA said.
Regional and international developments and efforts made with regard to them were also discussed by the leaders.
Prince Mohammed and Prabowo also chaired the first meeting of the Saudi-Indonesian Supreme Coordination Council after which they signed the minutes of the meeting.
Prabowo鈥檚 visit is his first official trip to 黑料社区 since taking office.
JEDDAH: Residents in 黑料社区鈥檚 northwest have been puzzled by the appearance of what some described as a 鈥渂right pink circular spot鈥 in the evening sky 鈥 with the phenomenon occurring twice in recent weeks.
The latest incident on July 1 left locals searching for an explanation for the 鈥渞are and unfamiliar scene,鈥 Saudi Press Agency reported.
Majed Abu Zahrah, head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, told SPA that a similar occurrence was recorded on May 13.
鈥淎ccording to the captured images, the spot was clearly illuminated against the dark blue sky 鈥 with no accompanying sound or noticeable changes in shape before it began to gradually fade after a few minutes,鈥 he said.
While no official scientific confirmation has yet been issued, Abu Zahrah offered one possible explanation, saying: 鈥淭his phenomenon could result from vapors of barium, strontium, and ionized oxygen released at high altitudes to study the upper layers of the atmosphere (the ionosphere).鈥
For science and astronomy enthusiasts around the Kingdom, he further speculated: 鈥淚n such experiments, the released vapors glow due to the reflection of residual sunlight after sunset at altitudes exceeding 100 km, forming luminous spots in pink, blue, or green, whose shapes are altered by upper atmospheric winds.鈥
Abu Zahrah said that the spot also may have resulted from debris in the upper atmosphere, such as remnants of a rocket burn or satellite fragments, along with clouds of gases such as helium or hydrogen.
RIYADH: Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji has reaffirmed 黑料社区鈥檚 commitment to strengthening cooperation and partnership with African countries, promoting trade and integration and enhancing consultation and coordination on shared issues.
Speaking at the Africa Day ceremony at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh鈥檚 Diplomatic Quarter, the minister described Africa as a continent of opportunities with natural resources, a young population and renewable potential.
He said African countries were important in Saudi foreign policy, stating: 鈥淎frica hosts the largest number of Saudi diplomatic and consular missions, and the Kingdom intends to increase its embassies in Africa to more than 40 in the coming years.鈥
Elkhereiji added that the Kingdom had provided more than $45 billion in support for development and humanitarian projects in 54 African countries, with Saudi aid agency KSrelief alone delivering more than $450 million in assistance across 46 African nations.
Elkhereiji added that the Kingdom鈥檚 goal was to invest $25 billion in Africa, secure $10 billion in exports and offer $5 billion in development financing to the continent by 2030.
The event, 鈥淛ustice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,鈥 was attended by more than 400 guests, including Saudi officials, diplomats, businesspeople and society members.
The dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Djibouti鈥檚 ambassador to 黑料社区, Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, highlighted the day鈥檚 symbolic and political importance, calling it a reminder to pursue an Africa based on dignity, fairness, and justice.
鈥淚t is a day for remembrance, unity, and collective responsibility. We honor our ancestors, recognize our leaders鈥 vision, and reaffirm our commitment to an African future founded on dignity, equity, and justice,鈥 he said.
He stressed the need for African states to raise their voices in international forums, strengthen pan-African cooperation, and promote youth, indigenous knowledge and cultural identities.
Bamakhrama added: 鈥淥n its path to development, Africa does not walk alone and relies on the solidarity of its partners, especially 黑料社区. We welcome the resolutions adopted by the 黑料社区-Africa summit held in Riyadh in 2023, which marked a significant step in strengthening the strategic partnership.
鈥淭he Saudi Vision 2030 offers new opportunities to build lasting bridges between our people. Together we can transform this cooperation into a lasting alliance.鈥
The head of the African Diplomatic Corps and Cameroon鈥檚 ambassador to 黑料社区, Iya Tidjani, paid tribute to the vision of the founding fathers of Pan-Africanism, who saw African unity as essential for the continent鈥檚 development and global standing.
鈥淪ixty-two years ago, when Africa still bore the scars of slavery, colonization, apartheid and discrimination, African heads of state laid the foundations for the Organization of African Unity鈥檚 charter, marking a turning point in the quest for independence. Their successors, supported by the African Union, remain committed,鈥 he said.
鈥淎frica Day, formerly African Freedom Day and later African Liberation Day, originates from the collective resistance of the African people. The 2025 commemoration under the theme of justice for Africans continues this legacy.鈥
He urged younger generations to draw inspiration from the legacy and work toward the African Union鈥檚 Agenda 2063 goals of inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the continent.
On the sidelines of the reception, Africa鈥檚 cultural diversity was highlighted by a handicraft exhibition representing various countries.
Through the celebration, the African Diplomatic Corps aimed to convey solidarity, unity and determination to the international community while calling for dialogue, historical recognition and concrete action for justice for Africans and people of African descent.
RIYADH: 黑料社区 has concluded its presidency of the International Year of Camelids, an initiative launched by the UN鈥檚 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 黑料社区鈥檚 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鈥 role in food security, sports, economic development, and cultural heritage, the SPA reported.
The observance highlighted camelids鈥 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鈥檚 chairman, said: 鈥淥ur involvement in the International Year of Camelids has been rooted in our mission to elevate the camel sector on the global stage.
鈥淐amels are considered a symbol of cultural identity and supporters of rural communities鈥 sustainability and livelihoods.
鈥淲e remain committed to supporting their role across all scientific, cultural, sport, economic, and welfare sectors.鈥
At the ceremony, Ali Alshaikhi, assistant undersecretary for fisheries and livestock wealth at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, reaffirmed the Kingdom鈥檚 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 黑料社区鈥檚 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鈥 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 黑料社区 invested more than SR1 billion ($267 million) in related efforts.
He highlighted the Kingdom鈥檚 broader leadership in agriculture and food security, driven by a strategic vision focused on sustainability, innovation, resilient food systems, self-sufficiency, and modern technologies.
