VIENNA: A top UN official has thanked the Kingdom for supporting a global anti-corruption drive.
The executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ghada Waly, met Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Austria and permanent representative to the UN and international organizations
in Vienna, Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.
During their meeting she thanked Saudi Arabia for its generous contribution and confidence in the UNODC, following a $10 million funding agreement to support a global operational network of anti-corruption law enforcement authorities.
The agreement was signed between the Kingdom, represented by the Saudi National Anti-Corruption Commission, and the UNODC.
Waly said the initiative was a perfect reflection of the leading role that the Kingdom was taking in the fight against corruption.
She talked about the development and progress taking place in Saudi Arabia in several fields, especially the empowerment of women in the criminal justice and security sectors.
She suggested several ways to expand cooperation between the Kingdom and the UNODC, such as a chance for the Kingdom to support developing countries under the UNODC umbrella, by sharing its expertise and experience given the pool of talent it had that could be beneficial in implementing relevant programs.
The prince stressed the country’s commitment to supporting the efforts of the UNODC and everything related to boosting its programs in the Kingdom.
He said the funding agreement was signed in line with the Riyadh initiative, which was welcomed by G20 leaders.
It also reflected Saudi efforts to establish international cooperation in the anti-corruption field and activate the role of the UNODC through technical assistance to member states to promote national capacities, which also reflected the Kingdom’s role in expanding partnerships and adopting international initiatives, he added.
The ambassador noted the Kingdom’s interest in promoting these partnerships and promoting local talent.
He said the Kingdom was keen on referring these initiatives and programs to local authorities to be studied and explored, in line with the country’s aspirations and Vision 2030 reform plan, to become an effective player on the global stage.
UN Office on Drugs and Crime hails Saudi role
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UN Office on Drugs and Crime hails Saudi role
Saudi Armed Forces participate in military exercise in Turkiye
- The field exercise phase of EFES 2024, which begins on Friday and continues until May 30, follows a command center phase that began on April 25 and ended on Wednesday
RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces are taking part in a multinational military exercise in the Turkish city of Izmir, the Kingdom’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
Upon arrival in Turkiye ahead of the field-exercise phase of EFES 2024, the Saudi units were greeted by the military attache at the Saudi embassy in Ankara, Commodore Adel Al-Kalthami, the director of the exercise from the Kingdom, Brig. Gen. Nasser Al-Suhaimi, and officers from branches of the Armed Forces.
The exercise involves two main phases, the first of which was a command-center exercise at the Multinational War Center in Istanbul and the Joint Command Training Center in Izmir, which began on April 25 and concluded on Wednesday. The second phase, involving live-firing field exercises at Izmir’s Doganbey Firing and Exercise Area, begins on Friday and continues until May 30.
The head of the Saudi Armed Forces Education and Training Authority, Maj. Gen. Adel Al-Balawi, said participation of the nation’s forces in the exercise reflects the care and support of the Saudi leadership for the development of their capabilities and the enhancement their organizational, training and armaments skills.
The exercise provides an opportunity for forces from participating nations to exchange skills, train together in the planning and coordination of joint operations in various environments, raise their combat efficiency, and enhance military cooperation, he added.
During the exercise the Saudi units and their counterparts from other countries will carry out many field maneuvers on land and sea, including sea-landing operations, search and rescue missions, and responses to threats posed by drones, using light arms loaded with live ammunition and other weaponry, Al-Balawi said.
Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to Brazilian president over flood victims
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent a message of condolences and sympathy to Brazilain President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, following the floods that swept the state of Rio Grande do Sul that killed and injured several people and left a number missing, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
“We learned of the news of the floods that swept through the state of Rio Grande do Sul, south of the Federal Republic of Brazil, and the resulting deaths, injuries, and missing persons,” the king said.
He added: “We share Your Excellency’s pain of this tragedy, and we send to you, to the families of the deceased, and to your friendly people, our warmest condolences and sincere sympathy, wishing that the missing will return safely and the injured a speedy recovery.”
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a similar cable to the Brazilian president.
Heavy rains and flooding in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul since last week also have left 128 people missing, authorities said. More than 230,000 have been displaced, and much of the region has been isolated by the floodwaters.
(With AP)
Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Russia-Ukraine conflict during call
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday received a phone call from Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the call, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and discussed several issues of common interest.
They also discussed developments in the Ukrainian-Russian crisis and efforts to resolve the conflict.
Ithra Film Production announces new projects at film festival
- The IFP seeks to highlight Saudi stories and discover new voices
DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz World Cultural Center, or Ithra, announced 15 new film projects this week at the 10th Saudi Film Festival, which concludes on May 9.
The Saudi film funding program selected four features and 11 short films from 170 submissions over the past year.
The entries were submitted by emerging Saudi filmmakers vying to take their concepts from the drawing board to silver screens across the globe.
Since its inception six years ago, the IFP has played a vital role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing film industry, by nurturing home-grown talent and fostering cinematic content through commissioning and co-funding opportunities.
The IFP seeks to highlight Saudi stories and discover new voices and creative storytellers with the ultimate goal of having their films showcased on national and international platforms.
After reviewing an unprecedented number of high-quality submissions, the jury ultimately settled on the 15 films that together comprise an array of unique untold stories presented by talented storytellers who tapped into Saudi Arabia’s rich culture for ideas.
IFP also introduced a range of initiatives aimed at providing platforms for film producers, advancing standards of excellence in filmmaking and empowering new talent in the region.
Additionally, they host numerous workshops and seminars in the field of representation and production, writing and directing, among others.
Since its first film in 2018, IFP has funded 20 titles and produced four which have been showcased at 95 film festivals across the globe, winning 34 awards.
This includes “Hajjan” which most recently won three awards at the Gulf Film Festival including best feature, best actor and best cinematography.
Saudi deputy minister, Swiss envoy review bilateral relations
RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Dr. Saud Al-Sati received the Swiss envoy to the Kingdom, Yasmine Chatila, on Wednesday in Riyadh.
During the meeting, the two reviewed Saudi-Swiss bilateral relations, in addition to discussing regional and international developments of common concern.
Meanwhile, Hassan Al-Attas, assistant general supervisor of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, met with Charles Harper, development director and deputy ambassador of the UK to Yemen, at the SDRPY headquarters in Riyadh.
They reviewed development efforts through the Saudi program in various Yemeni governorates, and ways to enhance cooperation and partnerships to serve development goals in Yemen.
