Space debris threatens human rights, Saudi envoy warns UN

Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN and Geneva. (Supplied)
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Updated 20 September 2024
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Space debris threatens human rights, Saudi envoy warns UN

  • Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, emphasized the need for outer space sustainability

RIYADH: In an address to the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Saudi representative sounded the alarm on the escalating threat of space debris to human rights and sustainable development, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Speaking on behalf of 123 countries, Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, emphasized the need for outer space sustainability to safeguard the transformative benefits of space technology for humanity.

The use of space has “revolutionized global communications, weather forecasting, and disaster management,” he said, underlining the pivotal role these advances play in protecting fundamental human rights.

However, the ambassador cautioned that the growing problem of space debris poses a significant risk to the infrastructure supporting these operations.

This threat, he said, could severely impede the global community’s ability to protect and promote essential human rights.

Bin Khothaila drew direct links between the management of space debris and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

He emphasized that effective space debris mitigation is crucial for maintaining access to technologies that underpin weather monitoring, disaster response and urban planning.

The Saudi envoy’s concerns are echoed by key UN bodies.

The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs and the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space have each underscored the importance of space debris management for the safety of space operations, international security, environmental protection and satellite services that contribute to human rights and development.


Saudi foreign minister discusses ties with American counterpart ahead of Trump’s visit

Updated 4 sec ago
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Saudi foreign minister discusses ties with American counterpart ahead of Trump’s visit

  • Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Marco Rubio held a phone call on Wednesday
  • Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji spoke with his American counterpart Christopher Landau

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan reviewed ties and strategic partnership with the US during a phone call with Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, on Wednesday.

The officials discussed the latest regional and international developments, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In a separate phone call, Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji discussed issues of common interest with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

Saudi Arabia is set to receive President Donald Trump on his trip to the Middle East next week.


Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Houthi ceasefire deal

Updated 07 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Houthi ceasefire deal

  • The Kingdom reiterated its support for all efforts toward a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia welcomed the statement from the Sultanate of Oman announcing a ceasefire agreement in Yemen aimed at safeguarding international navigation and trade.

The Kingdom reiterated its support for all efforts toward a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis that ensures security and stability for Yemen and the wider region.

The US and the Houthis agreed a ceasefire, mediators announced, saying the deal would ensure "freedom of navigation" in the Red Sea where the Houthis have attacked shipping for months.
The agreement comes after President Donald Trump announced that the US would end attacks against the Houthis after they agreed to stop harassing ships, though he made no direct mention of recent attacks on ally Israel.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi on Tuesday said that "following recent discussions and contacts... with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides".


Grand Mosque Library launches new Hajj initiatives

The library houses a vast collection of religious texts, rare manuscripts, and resources in multiple languages across various fi
Updated 07 May 2025
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Grand Mosque Library launches new Hajj initiatives

MAKKAH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched initiatives to enhance the pilgrim experience during Hajj at the Grand Mosque Library, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. 

The library, one of the most significant in the Islamic world, houses a vast collection of religious texts, rare manuscripts, and resources in multiple languages across various fields of knowledge. 

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, highlighted that the library was a cultural and educational platform for spreading religious knowledge, promoting Islamic culture, and fostering moderate thought globally. 

It remains a valuable resource for both students of knowledge and visitors to the two holy mosques, Al-Sudais said.

“The presidency is committed to advancing the library’s scientific and intellectual mission during Hajj and sharing it worldwide,” he added. 

The presidency has begun expanding the library’s role in scientific, intellectual and cultural areas during Hajj, with specialized programs and initiatives designed to serve visitors and researchers.


New land restoration guide to unify afforestation efforts

Updated 07 May 2025
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New land restoration guide to unify afforestation efforts

  • National Center for Vegetation Cover publishes official Land Restoration Guide for Non-Agricultural Areas
  • It supports goal of planting 10 billion trees, the equivalent of rehabilitating 40m hectares of degraded land

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has taken another step toward its ambitious afforestation goals with the publication of the official Land Restoration Guide for Non-Agricultural Areas.

The guide is a comprehensive manual that will serve as a unified reference to direct environmental restoration projects across the Kingdom.

It aims to ensure sustainable land management practices and support the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative, one of which is to plant 10 billion trees — the equivalent of rehabilitating 40 million hectares of degraded land.

The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification announced its publication on Wednesday with an event titled “The Road to Restoring 40 Million Hectares.”

Organized under the national afforestation program, the event brought together a range of experts to align on best practices and scientific approaches to land rehabilitation.

Sameer Maleakah, director of the center’s afforestation department, highlighted the Kingdom’s ambitious environmental restoration goals.

“So far, we’ve restored over 313,000 hectares across various regions of the Kingdom,” Maleakah told Arab News. “But it’s not just about planting. Restoration begins with protecting the degraded areas — those affected by overgrazing, illegal logging, or desertification caused by human activities.

“We return these areas to their natural state, and once restored, they foster biodiversity, richer vegetation and denser tree cover. These sites then serve as natural parks or forests — whether mountainous or valley-based,” he added.

Maleakah also highlighted the importance of inclusive action. “It’s crucial to involve local communities, civil society organizations and take full advantage of existing legislation, rainfall and cloud-seeding technologies to ensure success.”

The center’s CEO, Dr. Khalid Al-Abdulkader, echoed the importance of the program in his opening remarks, saying that land restoration is not only vital for environmental sustainability, but also plays a major role in food security, combating climate change and supporting rural livelihoods.

With more than 141 million trees planted to date and restoration efforts underway using rainfall and treated water, the center continues to position the afforestation program as a long-term investment in Saudi Arabia’s ecological and developmental future.


Saudi Museums Commission, German Heritage Foundation launch program to deepen collaboration

Saudi Arabia's culture. (File/AFP)
Updated 07 May 2025
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Saudi Museums Commission, German Heritage Foundation launch program to deepen collaboration

RIYADH: The Saudi Museums Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, and the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation of Germany have taken a step forward in their cultural partnership by activating an executive program focused on long-term collaboration in the museum sector.

Central to this initiative is the development of a loan index, outlining a selection of artworks and artefacts from the foundation’s various Berlin-based museums to be shared with the Museums Commission over a five-year period.

This loan program forms part of the broader executive program signed by both parties.

The agreement outlines key areas of cooperation, including joint exhibitions in art and archaeology, long-term loans, strategic cultural projects, and capacity-building through training and residencies.

Two dedicated training programs have been agreed upon as part of this collaboration, said the Ministry of Culture in a press release.

One of the flagship initiatives, Museums in Motion, will bring together up to 80 cultural and museum professionals from both countries over five years through four interdisciplinary training sessions. 

Participants will engage in joint learning activities in both countries, fostering sustained dialogue, professional exchange, deeper cross-cultural understanding, and long-term institutional partnerships.

In a parallel initiative with the Hamburger Bahnhof — Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart (National Gallery of Contemporary Art) in Berlin, a professional program will support talent development in the museum field. 

Over the next five years, experts from Hamburger Bahnhof will contribute to training and mentorship, fostering the exchange of knowledge and best practices in museum management and curation.

This executive program reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening international cultural dialogue and advancing professional exchange in the global museum community.