Saudi efforts strengthen global bird conservation/node/2618624/saudi-arabia
Saudi efforts strengthen global bird conservation
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The reserve drew attention to the threats these birds face and emphasized their vital role in maintaining ecological balance. (SPA)
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The reserve drew attention to the threats these birds face and emphasized their vital role in maintaining ecological balance. (SPA)
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The reserve drew attention to the threats these birds face and emphasized their vital role in maintaining ecological balance. (SPA)
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The reserve drew attention to the threats these birds face and emphasized their vital role in maintaining ecological balance. (SPA)
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Updated 14 sec ago
Arab News
Saudi efforts strengthen global bird conservation
Updated 14 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve is one of the Kingdom’s most significant natural reserves, known for its remarkable diversity of birds during seasonal migrations, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.
In observance of World Migratory Bird Day, the reserve’s Development Authority used its social media platforms to highlight the importance of migratory birds, their habitats, and conservation efforts.
It also drew attention to the threats these birds face and emphasized their vital role in maintaining ecological balance, the SPA added.
The reserve lies along several key migratory routes across the Arabian Peninsula and includes diverse environments, including mountains, valleys, mudflats and water bodies, which provide ideal habitats for resting, feeding and temporary breeding for hundreds of bird species.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting migratory birds and enhancing environmental monitoring, in line with national and international biodiversity conservation strategies.
These efforts strengthen the Kingdom’s global leadership in safeguarding birds and their habitats, according to the SPA report.
World Migratory Bird Day, celebrated annually on Oct. 11, coincides with peak migration periods worldwide and serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect migratory birds and their natural environments.
RIYADH: King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues its global initiatives with the delivery of needed aid including food, shelter and medicine.
In Yemen’s Marib governorate, the agency distributed emergency aid including 200 tents and 400 shelter kits to 400 families affected by rains and floods.
In Khartoum state of Sudan, KSrelief distributed 650 food boxes under the third phase of the 2025 Food Security Support Project in the conflict-stricken country.
In Suwayda and Daraa governorate of Syria, 670 food boxes were distributed to displaced people as part of an ongoing relief and humanitarian initiative of the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the aid agency gave out 4,700 shelter kits in various areas in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan provinces of Pakistan to help the most vulnerable families in flood-affected areas. The distribution was part of the fourth phase of the project to distribute 15,500 shelter kits in Pakistan for 2025.
Over in Gaza, KSrelief is continuing its vital mission by distributing food baskets and baby formula to families in the central and southern Gaza Strip. It has delivered over 7,600 tonnes of food, medical and shelter supplies via 67 aircraft and eight ships to date.
In addition, 20 ambulances have been delivered to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, along with essential logistical equipment, generators and water tankers.
KSrelief has signed agreements with international organizations worth over $90 million to implement key relief projects in the Gaza Strip, and has also collaborated with Jordan to implement crucial airdrop operations.
In Lebanon, the Souboul Al-Salam Social Association’s ambulance service in Miniyeh carried out 52 ambulance missions during the week to Oct. 2, 2025, funded by KSrelief.
The missions included transporting patients to and from hospitals in Miniyeh, benefiting both Syrian refugees and members of the host community.
calls for restraint in Pakistan–Afghanistan border tensions, condemns attack on civilians in Sudan
Updated 12 October 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: voiced concern over rising tensions along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and also strongly condemned a separate attack on displaced civilians in El-Fasher, Sudan over the weekend.
According to statements published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Kingdom is “following with concern the tensions and clashes taking place along the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
called on all parties to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and adopt dialogue and wisdom to ease tensions and preserve the security and stability of the region.
In a separate statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned and denounced “the heinous attack that targeted a shelter for displaced persons in El-Fasher”, reiterating ’s rejection of violence against civilians and calling for an immediate cessation of the war in Sudan.
The Kingdom stressed the importance of preserving Sudan’s unity and institutions, preventing further suffering among its people, and protecting civilians in accordance with the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, signed on May 11, 2023.
Nobel laureate Omar Yaghi thanks Crown Prince for backing science
Updated 12 October 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi/Palestinian scientist Professor Omar Yaghi, winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, expressed deep gratitude to the Kingdom’s leadership for its unwavering support of scientific research and innovation.
In remarks published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Yaghi thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his continuous encouragement of his scientific journey – support that Yaghi said played a “pivotal role” in achieving this historic milestone.
Yaghi also acknowledged the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for its long-term backing through the KACST–UC Berkeley Center of Excellence, describing it as instrumental to his success.
“Receiving this award is a great honor for me and for all Saudi and Arab scientists around the world,” Yaghi said, according to SPA.
“I hope this achievement will inspire the next generation of Saudi and Arab youth to pursue excellence in research and innovation.”
Professor Yaghi, a pioneer in reticular chemistry – a groundbreaking field that designs crystalline frameworks with applications in energy, the environment, water desalination, and carbon capture – became the first Saudi national to win a Nobel Prize.
launches Mostaqbali program to train 50,000 Saudis in AI, digital skills
The program builds on the ministry’s efforts to support the shift toward smart technologies, enabling citizens to pursue eLearning and enhance their technological capabilities
Updated 11 October 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has launched an educational initiative to empower 50,000 Saudis for the most in-demand jobs of the future through training, upskilling, and reskilling.
In collaboration with Oracle and the National eLearning Center, the Mostaqbali (My Future) program will be delivered via the national eLearning platform FutureX, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative aims to develop national competencies and equip Saudi men and women with artificial intelligence and other in-demand digital skills for the future labor market.
The program builds on the ministry’s efforts to support the shift toward smart technologies, enabling citizens to pursue eLearning and enhance their technological capabilities.
It also promotes the localization of digital talent and ensures equal opportunities for all segments of society across educational and professional levels, the SPA added.
Open to all age groups, the initiative offers 23 training tracks totaling 300 hours. Participants who meet the requirements will receive accredited professional certificates.
The program covers a wide range of specialties, including AI, cloud computing, database management, Oracle applications, and other key digital skills.
It focuses on empowering recent graduates, employees, and women through specialized training that enhances digital expertise and fosters AI innovation — aligning with Vision 2030’s goal of building a knowledge- and innovation-based digital economy.
The ministry invited interested individuals to register through the FutureX platform at forms.nelc.gov.sa/en/mostaqbali.
Riyadh book fair highlights cultural content, heritage
Workshop on cultural media explores journalism, ideas, platforms, audiences
King Fahd Library demonstrates advanced manuscript-restoration techniques
Updated 11 October 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: As part of the Riyadh International Book Fair, supervised by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, Mirza Al-Khuwaildi presented a workshop titled “Cultural Journalism and Critical Reporting,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The workshop “explored the concept of cultural writing and the foundations of a structured journalistic approach capable of producing high-quality written, visual, or audio content that conveys information, ideas, entertainment, or targeted marketing to specific audiences,” according to the SPA.
The library’s pavilion at the fair showcased the latest methods for restoring and treating valuable books and manuscripts, displaying restoration tools and materials. (SPA)
Al-Khuwaildi said that cultural media plays an important role in “connection, context, and cultural communication,” adding that successful cultural media “relies on three pillars — the idea, the platform, and the audience.” He reviewed the pros and cons of various content types, from educational and cultural to artistic, analytical, tourism, and entertainment.
The book fair — which organizers claim is the Kingdom’s largest annual cultural celebration — concluded on Saturday after 10 days of events, seminars, and artistic performances.
HIGHLIGHT
Some artisans demonstrated the traditional Sadu craft, weaving decorative patterns inspired by the desert landscape. Wicker crafts were also on display, with palm leaves woven into household items, reflecting the richness of the Saudi environment.
The King Fahd National Library’s pavilion at the fair showcased the latest methods for restoring and treating valuable books and manuscripts, displaying restoration tools and materials including ink fixative, magnesium for de-acidification, glycerin for paper moisturizing, caustic soda, and a paper scale. It also featured natural Japanese paper imported specifically for manuscript repair. Restoration technicians provided explanations of the step-by-step processes used to return damaged manuscripts to their original condition.
The library follows “a precise multi-stage process for handling documents and manuscripts from both government agencies and individuals. This includes sterilization, treatment, restoration, microfilming, digital imaging, and binding,” the SPA reported.
Meanwhile, the crafts pavilion provided a rich display of traditional arts and handmade products featuring the work of several Saudi craftswomen, highlighting local artistry and cultural identity.
Some artisans demonstrated the traditional Sadu craft, weaving decorative patterns inspired by the desert landscape. Wicker crafts were also on display, with palm leaves woven into household items, “reflecting the richness of the Saudi environment,” according to the SPA.
“This participation strongly supports the Ministry of Culture’s initiative designating 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts, which aims to empower artisans, document the nation’s craftsmanship heritage, and encourage new generations to sustain these skills,” the SPA concluded.
