Saudi-led project clears 484,949 mines, explosive devices in Yemen 

Saudi-led project clears 484,949 mines, explosive devices in Yemen 
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. (Supplied/Project Masam)
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Updated 16 March 2025
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Saudi-led project clears 484,949 mines, explosive devices in Yemen 

Saudi-led project clears 484,949 mines, explosive devices in Yemen 

RIYADH: A Saudi-led humanitarian initiative in Yemen has seen a milestone 484,949 land mines and unexploded ordnance cleared since the start of the project in 2018, according to a recent report.

These include 323,793 items of unexploded ordnance, 146,207 anti-tank mines, 8,200 improvised explosive devices, and 6,749 anti-personnel mines, according to Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the project’s managing director.

Project Masam, overseen by the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief, continues to remove deadly devices laid in the war-torn country by the Houthis.

Last week, the project’s special teams destroyed 515 items of unexploded ordnance, 25 anti-tank mines, five anti-personnel mines, and three improvised explosive devices.

Explosives planted indiscriminately by the Houthis across Yemen pose a threat to civilians, including children, women, and the elderly.

Project Masam is one of several initiatives undertaken by Saudi Arabia on the orders of King Salman to help the Yemeni people, clearing routes for humanitarian aid to reach the country’s citizens.

Demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale, and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.

Masam teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads, and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.


Global Infrastructure Forum examines ways to improve quality of life

Global Infrastructure Forum examines ways to improve quality of life
Updated 11 sec ago
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Global Infrastructure Forum examines ways to improve quality of life

Global Infrastructure Forum examines ways to improve quality of life
  • Three-day event is billed as an opportunity to exchange knowledge on smart cities
  • Fahad Al-Badah: We start with water, then electricity, then telecommunications, and finally, the street is fully asphalted

RIYADH: A major infrastructure forum convened in Riyadh this week to examine ways in which to improve quality of life and minimize disruption during development works.

The CEO of the Infrastructure Projects Center in the Riyadh Region, Fahad Al-Badah, spoke to Arab News about how the center plans infrastructure work to reduce disruption to residents.

“The comprehensive planning methodology that the center is currently working on has taken into account specific regulations for the placement of services. The services are arranged from bottom to top.

“Water services, for example, are the deepest compared to the rest of the services, and they always take priority, followed by electricity and then telecommunications.

“This methodology is primarily aimed at preventing disruptions when implementing additional services. We start with water, then electricity, then telecommunications, and finally, the street is fully asphalted.”

The CEO emphasized the importance of securing stable and high-quality infrastructure to ensure the longevity of construction projects.

“Projects cannot succeed without a strong, sustainable and robust infrastructure that can withstand the coming years.”

More than 25 nations are participating at the expo, including companies from China and Russia, as well as another 300 exhibitors such as the Saudi Fund for Development, Eastern Province Municipality and the Saudi Technology and Security Comprehensive Control Company (Tahakom).

The three-day event is billed as an opportunity to exchange knowledge on smart cities through conversations on water management, artificial intelligence, transportation, energy and green alternatives.

Mujahid Al-Abden, general manager of digital strategy at Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center, described how the center is working to tackle the negative impact of infrastructure development: “The causes of traffic, the pollution, safety measures around the construction zones.”

“RIPC try to go through the full cycle, identify the key points and try to address each one of them,” he said.

A number of MoUs were signed at the event, including one between RIPC and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Agency and another with King Salman International Airport.

Sponsored by Riyadh region Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, the Global Infrastructure Forum and Expo took place from Sept. 15 to Sept. 17 in Riyadh.


Saudi organizations urged to share achievements in mental health, workplace culture

Saudi organizations urged to share achievements in mental health, workplace culture
Updated 20 min 50 sec ago
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Saudi organizations urged to share achievements in mental health, workplace culture

Saudi organizations urged to share achievements in mental health, workplace culture
  • Dr. Justin Thomas: The existence of an award ceremony honoring those who promote psychological wellbeing and mental health signals the importance we place on such initiatives
  • With more than 40 categories, the platform covers a range of sectors, from finance, healthcare and technology, to education, retail, hospitality, and government

RIYADH: Saudi organizations are being urged to display their achievements in culture, mental health and wellbeing at an upcoming awards ceremony to honor those making a difference in the workplace.

The mentl awards 2025 will take place on Nov. 21 at the Address Montgomerie in Dubai.

Submissions are open to organizations from the GCC, and the deadline for entries is Sept. 30.

Last year, Saudi Arabia was recognized when the Sync Digital Wellbeing Program at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture won the national award for the Kingdom.

Reflecting on that achievement, Dr. Justin Thomas, chartered psychologist and senior researcher in the program, said: “The existence of an award ceremony honoring those who promote psychological wellbeing and mental health signals the importance we now place on such initiatives across the region.

“There was a time not too long ago when mental health was, at best, not even mentioned.”

According to Gallup’s Global State of the Workplace 2025, Saudi Arabia has an employee engagement rate (which measures the emotional connection and commitment employees have to their work and organization) of just 26 percent.

The cost of disengagement could reach an estimated $85 billion annually — the equivalent of $48.6 million every hour lost to reduced productivity and wellbeing challenges.

Scott Armstrong, founder of mentl, said: “Saudi Arabia is on a transformational journey, not only in business but in how organizations care for their people.

“We know there are powerful, untold stories of leadership, innovation, and inclusion. The mentl awards are the stage where those stories can be celebrated and shared with the wider region.”

Now in their third year, the mentl awards bring together organizations from across the GCC.

With more than 40 categories, the platform covers a range of sectors, from finance, healthcare and technology, to education, retail, hospitality, and government.

Individual honors such as Empathy in Leadership and Mental Health Champion ensure leaders and advocates are recognized.

All entries are reviewed by an independent panel of leaders, including: Sir Ian Cheshire, chair of the King Charles III Charitable Fund; Dr Nahida Nayaz Ahmed, chief medical officer at Sakina; Jen Fisher, former chief wellbeing officer at Deloitte; Jessica Smith OAM, Paralympian, author and inclusion campaigner; Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, senior vice president, Dubai Science Park; Mae S. Al Mozaini, founder and CEO, The Arab Institute for Women’s Empowerment; Founder, The Center for Leadership; Founder, Saudi Women on Boards.

Each entry includes 12-month membership of the mentl community, providing access to exclusive events, resources, and continued conversation around wellbeing.

Saudi organizations are encouraged to enter at mentlawards.com.


Pakistan’s Prime Minister arrives in Saudi Arabia on state visit

Pakistan’s Prime Minister arrives in Saudi Arabia on state visit
Updated 17 September 2025
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Pakistan’s Prime Minister arrives in Saudi Arabia on state visit

Pakistan’s Prime Minister arrives in Saudi Arabia on state visit

RIYADH: Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday for a state visit, accompanied by a high-level delegation, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Sharif was received at King Khalid International Airport by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region. 

The Minister of Investment Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, was also present, as well as Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Ahmed Farooq, Acting Director of Riyadh Region Police Major General Mansour bin Nasser Al-Otaibi, and Undersecretary of Royal Protocol Fahd Al-Sahil.


Saudi Arabia, Qatar and China condemn Israeli ground assault in Gaza

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and China condemn Israeli ground assault in Gaza
Updated 22 min 56 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia, Qatar and China condemn Israeli ground assault in Gaza

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and China condemn Israeli ground assault in Gaza
  • Saudi Arabia criticized the international community for failing to stop the escalation
  • Qatar reiterated its support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state
  • China condemned harm to civilians and violation of international law

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, China and Qatar condemned on Wednesday Israel’s expanded military operations in Gaza, warning the assault violates international law and threatens regional stability.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, denounced what it called the “continued perpetration of crimes” by Israeli occupation forces and criticized the international community for failing to take effective measures to stop the escalation.

The Kingdom reaffirmed its rejection of actions that undermine international humanitarian law and called for urgent international efforts to end the violence and ensure the protection of civilians in Gaza.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the Israeli ground operation “in the strongest terms,” calling it an extension of the war against the Palestinian people and a “blatant violation of international law.”

It warned that Israel’s actions undermine prospects for peace through policies of “settlement, aggression and racism,” and urged decisive international action to ensure compliance with international resolutions.

Qatar reiterated its support for the Palestinian cause and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China also “firmly opposes Israel’s escalation of military operations in Gaza and condemns all acts that harm civilians and violate international law,” in reference to the bombardment of Gaza City.


Saudi Arabia: A key player in the fight against financial crime, says French senator

Saudi Arabia: A key player in the fight against financial crime, says French senator
Updated 17 September 2025
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Saudi Arabia: A key player in the fight against financial crime, says French senator

Saudi Arabia: A key player in the fight against financial crime, says French senator
  • According to Nathalie Goulet, the Kingdom possesses the economic and technical means to position itself as a major actor in the global AML/CFT framework
  • Saudi Arabia ushers in a new era of transparency, says Goulet

DUBAI: Just weeks ahead of the international conference “Sanctions, AML and CFT for Banking and Finance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” to be held in Riyadh on Oct. 21–22, 2025, French Senator Nathalie Goulet, in an interview with Arab News en français, praised Saudi Arabia’s ambition and commitment to combating money laundering and financial crime.

“Saudi Arabia was an early leader in the ‘No Money for Terror’ initiative. The country is capable, and above all, it has a strong leader and a clear vision,” the senator stated.

A firm political will

For Nathalie Goulet, the Kingdom’s transformation is undeniable.

“From the moment Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman came to power, he addressed corruption issues head-on. He instilled a new political direction and determination,” she said.

This transformation is aligned with the Kingdom’s rapid opening, notably under Vision 2030, and is part of a broader effort to enhance the business climate and attract foreign investment within a stable legal and financial framework.

“Things are moving quickly — but ultimately, it’s a matter of political will. And in Saudi Arabia, that will is very clear,” she added.

Riyadh: The next regional hub for compliance

The event in October will gather regulators, bankers, legal experts, and compliance professionals from around the world. For Goulet, it represents a pivotal moment: “What I’m hoping for are concrete exchanges of best practices. Because sometimes it’s not the laws that change things — it’s the daily interactions between professionals.”

The French senator will speak about financial transparency and international cooperation.

Tangible progress and stronger regional cooperation

Following her recent participation in the “Fighting Financial Crime” summit in Abu Dhabi on Sept. 10–11, Goulet commended the efforts of the UAE, which was recently removed from the Financial Action Task Force gray list.

“There’s genuine commitment at the highest level. And that determination is contagious. We’re also seeing strong Saudi involvement — for example, through Nazaha, the anti-corruption authority.”

For Goulet, a regional dynamic is clearly underway: more extraditions, greater respect for judicial cooperation frameworks, and the rising capabilities of local authorities.

Fragmented responses for a global issue

Despite this progress, the senator remains concerned: Between 2 and 5 percent of global gross domestic product is estimated to be generated from money laundering, yet only 1 to 2 percent of those funds are ever recovered.

“That’s billions forgone that could finance schools, hospitals, and infrastructure — an enormous shortfall for citizens.”

In addition to the extensive use of unregulated crypto-assets and migrant trafficking, Goulet warns about increasingly inventive techniques used by criminal networks: gold smuggled under the guise of coffee and tampered banana shipments.

Challenges in the Middle East

The Middle East is not exempt from these shifts. Goulet highlights several worrying trends: gold trafficking, unrestrained use of crypto-assets, and massive counterfeiting.

“Counterfeiting isn’t just fake handbags. It includes fake medicine, defective spare parts, and illicit tobacco. The global cost is estimated at $650 billion per year.” (EU Intellectual Property Office, 2022)

She stresses the need to improve traceability — even across informal networks such as money transfer systems and certain digital platforms.

Cooperation and upskilling at the heart of the response

To tackle these threats, Goulet calls for stronger multilateral action: targeted training, information sharing, international benchmarking, and the adoption of new technologies.

“We need to upskill judges, customs officers, and regulators. But we also need to strengthen cross-border cooperation and exchange best practices.”

She also highlights the critical role of artificial intelligence in detecting suspicious transactions and calls for the creation of research fellowships on crypto-assets and their mechanisms.

Saudi Arabia: Toward a structuring role in the international system

As Saudi Arabia increasingly positions itself as a regional financial hub, questions are emerging about its future role within global bodies like FATF.

“The Kingdom has the means, the ambition, and the will. It already applies the rules, cooperates effectively, and leads by example.”

The recent appointment of an Emirati official as head of Interpol, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, she adds, also reflects the region’s growing influence in global security governance.

A global fight for citizens

According to Goulet, this fight transcends national borders and financial institutions — and must remain a top priority, amid economic turbulence.

“Precisely because the economic climate is difficult, we cannot allow public money to slip through the cracks. Crime diverts public resources. This is a fight for citizens — for schools, for hospitals,” the senator said.

Riyadh will mark a new chapter. For Goulet, every conference, every professional exchange, and every regulatory or technological breakthrough contributes to building a healthier, fairer economy.

Next stop: Riyadh — Oct. 21-22, 2025

Conference: Sanctions, AML and CFT for Banking and Finance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the participation of French Senator Nathalie Goulet

Registration link: https://nielsonsmith.com/events/sanctions-compliance-aml-ctf-for-banking-finance-conference-26-27-november-riyadh-ksa/

This article also appears on Arab News en français