The 19th Regular Session of OIC-IPHRC to draw up closing statement

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Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-Khayal, right, Vice president of the Saudi Human Rights Commission, and Dr. Haci Ali Acikgul OIC-IPHRC Chairperson after signing the memorandum. (Supplied)
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Updated 25 May 2022
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The 19th Regular Session of OIC-IPHRC to draw up closing statement

JEDDAH: The 19th Regular Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission has been meeting at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah from May 22 until 26.

On Tuesday it held a thematic debate entitled “The Role of National Human Rights Institutions in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the OIC Countries.”

During the session panelists, OIC representatives and observer members of non-OIC countries have been discussing the human rights situation in the world and in the OIC countries, Islamophobia, the right to the development of women rights and more.

Marghoob Saleem Butt, IPHRC’s executive director, told Arab News that every year, they choose a prominent subject to discuss: “These sessions are an exchange of interaction on a certain subject between countries.”

Over the years, the commission has been vocal in condemning hate-motivated acts against Muslims worldwide in such places as Palestine, Kashmir, Nagorno Karabagh, India, Sri Lanka, France, Western Thrace, New Zealand and the Central African Republic.

Dr. Haci Ali Acikgul, the OIC-IPHRC’s chairperson, said: “The Commission recognizes NHRIs are a vital part of the national human rights protection mechanisms. By raising awareness, providing advice, monitoring and holding authorities to account, NHRIs play a central role in mitigating modern-day human rights challenges of discrimination and inequality as well as novel issues such as the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on human rights of affected individuals.”

The commission considers that practical cooperation with civil society groups, especially NHRIs, can help to increase its visibility and operational outreach for the performance of its mandated tasks.

This week OIC-IPHRC signed two memoranda of understanding aimed at technical cooperation between the NHRIs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Uzbekistan to undertake joint activities of mutual interest and strengthen institutional capacities.

The first MoU was signed by Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-Khayal, vice president of the Saudi Human Rights Commission, and the second one was signed by Mirzatilla Tillabayev, first deputy director of the National Human Rights Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Al-Khayal told Arab News that every state and organization has its own definition regarding human rights, which can focus on women, children, people with disability, criminal justice, and so on. “We believe that such MoU contribute to the growth of national capabilities by exchanging knowledge between the two countries and develop the sector nationally and internationally,” Al-Khayal said.

In front of more than 30 OIC representatives and observers, presentations on the theme of the session were delivered by the five panelists. They were Dr. Eng. Mohammed Saif Al-Kuwari from Qatar, vice-chairman of the National Human Rights Committee and member of the Governance Committee of the Asia Pacific Forum; Vladlen Stefanov, head of the National Institutions, Regional Mechanisms and Civil Society section of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Mazhar Hussain, director of the Economic and Social Research Department at the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries in Ankara; Ahmad Taufan Damanik, chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights of Indonesia; and Mohammed Sabri, adviser to the Cabinet of the President of the National Human Rights Council in Morocco.

This was followed by an open discussion between the commissioners, representatives of OIC Member and Observer States, and their NHRIs.

Dr. Aboubacarr Jah, The Gambia’s deputy permanent representative at the OIC Saudi Arabia, said: “Human rights are crucial and imperative. However, it’s time to look at human wrongs and correct them.” He said the Republic of The Gambia was calling for justice for the Rohingyas of Myanmar.

“Once human rights are mentioned it is difficult to bury the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” he said.

“Monstrous human wrongs have been perpetrated against Palestinians for 74 years today. Not 74 days, weeks, or months but 74 Years! How long is this inhuman, atrocious, and abhorrent act of inhumane aggression by the Israeli government going to go on?” he asked.

Jah stressed the importance of Muslim Ummah bonds: “United we are strong and shall win,” he said.

The commission regularly invites NHRIs of all OIC Member States to participate in its activities and encourages them to collaborate with their respective governments to hold joint activities.

Acikgul said, “I hope that today’s discussion will inspire the Member States to further intensify their commitment to strengthen the capacities and capabilities of their respective NHRIs with the overall aim of nurturing human rights-respecting and preserving societies.”

A joint IPHRC and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights workshop titled “The Role of NHRIs in International Human Rights Mechanisms” was held on Wednesday.

The commission will issue an outcome document on the topic of the thematic debate based on the week’s discussions on the final day of the session.


Saudi FM seeks global support for final document of ‘Two-State Solution’ conference

Updated 31 July 2025
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Saudi FM seeks global support for final document of ‘Two-State Solution’ conference

  • Document includes an agreement to work jointly toward ending the war in Gaza and reaching a just, peaceful, and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, has called on all United Nations member states to support the joint declaration issued at the UN on Tuesday calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. 

The document includes an agreement to work jointly toward ending the war in Gaza and reaching a just, peaceful, and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the effective implementation of the two-state solution, and to build a better future for Palestinians, Israelis, and all peoples of the region.

The declaration’s plan says conference co-chairs France and Saudi Arabia, the European Union and Arab League, and 15 countries that led the working groups agreed “to take collective action to end the war in Gaza.”

Prince Faisal urged the rest of the 193 UN member nations “to support this document” before the start of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in mid-September.

“These outcomes reflect comprehensive proposals across political, humanitarian, security, economic, legal, and strategic narrative tracks, and they form an integrated and actionable framework for implementing the two-state solution and achieving peace and security for all,” the foreign minister said, according to the Saudi Press Agency. 

He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of all attacks by any party targeting civilians, including indiscriminate attacks, all assaults on civilian infrastructure, provocative actions, incitement, and acts of destruction.

The declaration condemns “the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians” in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. It marks a first condemnation by Arab nations of Hamas, whose attacks killed about 1,200, mainly Israeli civilians, and whose militants took about 250 people hostage. Some 50 are still being held.

It also condemns Israel’s attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza and its “siege and starvation, which have produced a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis.” 

Israel’s offensive against Hamas has killed over 60,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants.

It's plan envisions the Palestinian Authority governing and controlling all Palestinian territory, with a transitional administrative committee immediately established under its umbrella after a ceasefire in Gaza.

“In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority,” the declaration says.

It also supports deployment of “a temporary international stabilization mission” operating under UN auspices to protect Palestinian civilians, support the transfer of security to the Palestinian Authority and provide security guarantees for Palestine and Israel — “including monitoring of the ceasefire and of a future peace agreement.”

The declaration urges countries to recognize the state of Palestine, calling this “an essential and indispensable component of the achievement of the two-state solution.” Without naming Israel but clearly referring to it, the document says “illegal unilateral actions are posing an existential threat to the realization of the independent state of Palestine.”

(With agencies)


Saudi CAIOs now control 67% of AI budgets, outpacing global average

Updated 31 July 2025
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Saudi CAIOs now control 67% of AI budgets, outpacing global average

  • One of the clearest signs of Saudi Arabia’s AI momentum is the strong executive backing CAIOs receive
  • Saudi CAIOs also tend to come from data-rich backgrounds, suggesting a strong national emphasis on technical capability and analytics

ALKHOBAR: Saudi Arabia’s artificial intelligence leadership is gaining international attention, with Chief AI Officers in the Kingdom now overseeing 67 percent of their organizations’ AI budgets, a figure that outpaces the global average of 61 percent, according to a new joint study by IBM and the Dubai Future Foundation.

The report, based on surveys from more than 600 CAIOs across 22 countries, reveals how Saudi Arabia is aligning with global best practices while carving out its own AI roadmap tied to Vision 2030.

One of the clearest signs of Saudi Arabia’s AI momentum is the strong executive backing CAIOs receive. A remarkable 83 percent of respondents in the Kingdom said they have broad C-suite support, while 67 percent enjoy direct support from their CEOs. The study highlights that such backing is a key driver of success for AI initiatives, and in Saudi Arabia, it appears to be translating into action.

The data also shows that 22 percent of organizations in the Kingdom have formally adopted the CAIO role, close to the global average of 26 percent. But what sets Saudi Arabia apart is its AI governance structure. Half of the surveyed companies in the Kingdom use a centralized or hub-and-spoke AI operating model, an approach shown to deliver up to 36 percent higher return on AI investments.

Saudi CAIOs also tend to come from data-rich backgrounds, with 75 percent saying their careers have been focused on data, compared to 73 percent globally. This suggests a strong national emphasis on technical capability and analytics.

However, the report also flagged a gap in internal talent development. Only 38 percent of CAIOs in Saudi Arabia were promoted from within their organizations, significantly below the global average of 57 percent. Addressing this could help foster long-term leadership pipelines in the Kingdom’s rapidly growing AI sector.
 


Saudi team contest Malaysia Olympiad

Updated 30 July 2025
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Saudi team contest Malaysia Olympiad

RIYADH: A team of Saudi Arabia students are participating in the second International Nuclear Science Olympiad in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from July 30 to Aug. 6.

The Kingdom will be represented in the INSO 2025 by four high school students who were selected after completing intensive training, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The skills program was organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, Ministry of Education, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, and King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy.

In the previous edition, the Kingdom won one silver and three bronze medals.

The Olympiad aims to promote the peaceful and safe use of nuclear technologies, and inspire young people to specialize and innovate in this vital field.


Red Sea International launches volunteer initiatives on World Mangrove Day

Updated 30 July 2025
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Red Sea International launches volunteer initiatives on World Mangrove Day

RIYADH: Red Sea International launched a community volunteer initiative to celebrate World Mangrove Day, the SPA reported on Wednesday.
It is part of a broader commitment to protect coastal ecosystems and empower residents of the Red Sea areas.
The event took place at the Mangrove Park near the bridge to Shura Island within the Red Sea destination, with more than 100 volunteers, including residents and hospitality sector workers, taking part.
Employees of The St. Regis Red Sea Resort, Nujuma, Six Senses Southern Dunes, Desert Rock and Shebara joined forces with Green Umluj for mangrove transplantation into the healthy coastal environment of the park. 
Attendees included representatives from the National Center For Vegetation Cover, identified as a strategic RSG partner in pursuing mutual mangrove recovery and improvement goals.
Raed Al-Basseet, group chief environment and sustainability officer at Red Sea Global, said that the initiative embodies the regenerative tourism approach, which goes beyond environmental protection to empower local communities.
Mangrove trees produce among the most effective ecosystems for carbon absorption, he added.

Coinciding with the event was the official launch of The Red Sea International Volunteer Program.
It aims to empower residents of the Red Sea areas, foster a culture of environmental responsibility and provide opportunities for specialized volunteering.
The program seeks to activate community participation in renewable projects, build capacity and strengthen partnerships with the nonprofit sector.
This supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Red Sea International’s strategy based on its “From People to Planet” slogan. 
RSG executed the volunteer drive through its Jewar App, a platform created for meaningful dialogue with local communities at the Red Sea destination.
As part of the effort, more than 30 local residents took up an offer to volunteer.
To enhance environmental education and foster involvement, participants were also invited to engage in a Mangrove Trivia activity. 


Saudi reserve launches Mideast’s first female sea ranger corps

Updated 30 July 2025
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Saudi reserve launches Mideast’s first female sea ranger corps

  • Women rangers take on key role in protecting Red Sea biodiversity

JEDDAH: In a big step for marine conservation and gender inclusion, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has launched the Middle East’s first female sea ranger corps. 

The announcement coincided with World Ranger Day and marks a pivotal shift in efforts to address gender imbalance in environmental protection roles.

The new marine rangers form part of the reserve’s 246-strong ranger team, with women making up 34 percent of the unit’s strength. They patrol the reserve’s 170 km Red Sea coastline alongside male rangers and Saudi Border Guard units.

“Seven incredible women make up our first group of female marine rangers, and we’re proud of each of them,” Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the reserve, told Arab News.

Among the pioneering group is Ruqayyah Awadh Al-Balawi, who has served at the reserve for three years. She was part of the first ranger intake and is now a qualified sea ranger.

“I have discovered a whole new world underwater. I’m proud to be part of the first group of women to learn how to swim at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve,” she told Arab News. “I dream of the day when a woman serves as the skipper of the reserve’s marine patrol boat.”

Another trailblazer, Ghaida, from the coastal town of Al-Wajh within the reserve, has worked as a ranger for two years and was among the first to enroll in the reserve’s swimming training program.

At first, Ghaida said, she struggled to find confidence in the water. But with dedication and support, she overcame her fears.

“It felt peaceful and beautiful, like discovering a new world,” she told Arab News of her first swim in the sea. “That moment gave me confidence and made me feel stronger.”

Today, Ghaida credits swimming with helping her feel more focused and less stressed, both professionally and personally.

The role of female sea rangers includes patrolling the coastline, monitoring marine life, enforcing environmental regulations, and contributing to marine research and ecosystem restoration efforts.

All rangers undergo rigorous training, which includes first aid, self-defense, conservation techniques, patrolling, and ecological monitoring. 

To qualify as marine rangers, women complete an intensive swimming program designed to equip them with the physical and technical skills needed to operate in open water. Their fitness is assessed monthly to ensure readiness for the job’s physical demands. The next step for the new recruits is skipper training.

The move comes amid growing global awareness of gender imbalance in the conservation sector, especially in marine roles.

“This is a significant step forward in addressing conservation’s historical regional and global gender imbalance. Only 11 percent of rangers globally are female and just 1 percent of those working in the blue economy are female,” Zaloumis said.

“By hiring and training women as marine rangers, we’re showing through tangible results that women belong in this field and bring real value. 

“Since launching our female ranger corps, we’re seeing more women enter conservation across the Kingdom, with female graduates at NCW and female rangers at AlUla. Regional organizations are now asking how to implement similar programs.”

Zaloumis said that when the reserve recruited its first ranger corps in 2021, women were encouraged to apply. Today, female rangers comprise 34 percent of the workforce, just 1 percent below Vision 2030’s target for women in the labor market, and far exceeding the global average of 11 percent.

“Women bring essential skills to conservation,” he added. “As Saudi Arabia progresses toward the global goal of protecting 30 percent of the Earth’s land and sea by 2030, we are committed to building the skilled, inclusive ranger teams needed to power conservation in the Kingdom.”

Zaloumis underscored the contribution of female rangers in protecting the reserve’s rich marine biodiversity.

“They’re on the frontlines, keeping watch, collecting data, and making sure our marine environment is respected. Their presence also sends a strong message: that everyone, men and women have a role in protecting our natural heritage.”

The reserve’s ranger corps play a key role in achieving the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and the reserve’s mission to “Rewild Arabia.” 

Rangers are responsible for safeguarding the natural and cultural assets of the 24,500 sq km protected area, both on land and sea. 

Their tasks include ecological monitoring, species reintroduction, wildlife management, and ensuring environmental compliance in development projects.

Since 2022, the reserve’s rangers have conducted nearly 35,000 patrols. Female rangers work side by side with their male counterparts across the reserve’s terrestrial area. 

However, until now, none had served at sea, due to limited access to swimming instruction and marine sector opportunities.

That changed in July 2024 with the launch of a comprehensive swimming and marine training program, led by Senior Regional Manager Dominique du Toit, an experienced terrestrial and marine conservationist from South Africa.

One year later, the first seven female rangers have completed training and joined patrols of the reserve’s 3,856 sq. km marine zone.

“The training program highlights the rangers’ dedication and discipline to learn new skills,” said du Toit. “This has been, and remains, an incredible accomplishment and these rangers can be proud of the challenge they have overcome.”

The reserve’s marine area, covering 1.8 percent of Saudi Arabia’s territorial waters, is home to 64 percent of the Kingdom’s coral species, 22 percent of its fish species, and populations of endangered marine life, including hawksbill and green turtles, spinner dolphins, dugongs and whale sharks.

To ensure their protection, the reserve’s sea rangers operate from two custom-designed patrol boats, helping to conserve one of the Kingdom’s most ecologically significant marine areas.