DUBAI: Saudi authorities have arrested several people in separate operations as part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to combat drug smuggling and dealing.

In Najran, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested two citizens for selling amphetamine and referred them to the Public Prosecution.

In another operation, Border Guard land patrols in the Al-Rabou’ah sector of the Asir region arrested three Ethiopian nationals for violating border security laws and attempting to smuggle 45 kg of qat.

The authorities have urged the public to report information related to drug smuggling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions. Reports can also be made in confidence to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or by emailing 995@gdnc.gov.sa.

PARIS: Saudi Arabia has highlighted its work in cultural preservation at the 221st session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization at the organization’s headquarters in Paris, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The session, which opened Monday and runs until April 17, is being attended by representatives from member states and key international stakeholders.

The UNESCO Executive Board, of which Saudi Arabia is a member, is one of the organization’s three main governing bodies, alongside the General Conference and the Secretariat.

Comprising 58 member states elected for four-year terms, the board evaluates the organization’s work, oversees programs, and reviews budgetary matters.

Saudi Arabia’s delegation is led by Abdulelah bin Ali Al-Tokhais, the Kingdom’s permanent representative to UNESCO.

Also in attendance are members of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and representatives from various national institutions.

Delivering the Kingdom’s address during the opening session, Al-Tokhais underscored Saudi Arabia’s historic and ongoing partnership with UNESCO, highlighting that the Kingdom was among the first nations to sign the UN Charter in 1945.

He emphasized the robust cooperation between Saudi Arabia and UNESCO, particularly through the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, a partnership that recently culminated in the Kingdom hosting the Sixth International Conference on Learning Cities, held under the patronage of King Salman.

Al-Tokhais also noted the Kingdom’s role in cultural preservation, citing the Saudi Fund to Support, Protect and Promote Culture and Heritage at UNESCO.

As part of collaborative efforts, he announced that two digital initiatives — the Virtual Museum of Stolen Objects and the Digital Heritage Platform — will be launched in partnership with UNESCO in the first half of 2025.

He also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for UNESCO’s mission, and said that the Kingdom remained committed to advancing the organization’s strategic priorities and contributing to global development goals.