Saudi envoy chairs landmark global conference, says barriers denying women equal rights must fall

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Updated 11 March 2025
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Saudi envoy chairs landmark global conference, says barriers denying women equal rights must fall

Saudi envoy chairs landmark global conference, says barriers denying women equal rights must fall
  • Call from Abdulaziz Alwasil, Kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN, comes in New York at opening of 69th Commission on the Status of Women
  • Jana Suleiman Al-Rifi, a Saudi woman who became the youngest member of the NEOM megacity project team at age 16, tells event of her trailblazing journey in science and engineering

NEW YORK CITY: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, on Monday urged nations to use a pivotal conference in New York on the status of women not only as a chance to reflect on achievements to date, but to translate decades of commitments to gender equality into concrete, measurable action.

He warned that global challenges such as climate change, conflict and economic instability pose risks that could reverse the significant strides made in gender equality, and said true progress demands “unwavering political will,” inclusive leadership and continuous investment.

His comments came during the opening session in New York of the 69th Commission on the Status of Women, which underscored the urgent need to advance efforts to achieve gender parity worldwide.

The commission, established in 1946, is a key global platform for gender equality and the empowerment of women. It meets annually to review and appraise progress toward these aims and make recommendations for further action.

This year’s session marks the 30th anniversary of the historic 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a groundbreaking framework adopted by 181 countries during the 4th World Conference on Women. The declaration set ambitious goals for the advancement of women’s rights, including equal access to education, healthcare and economic participation, and the eradication of violence against women and girls.

Alwasil, who serves as chairperson of the commission’s 69th session, said it is important to reflect on the achievements that have been made since the Beijing Declaration, while also confronting the challenges that remain.

“The promise of Beijing remains as urgent as ever,” he added, acknowledging that although progress has been made — including more women in leadership positions, improved access to education, and the introduction of legal frameworks to advance gender equality — much still needs to be done.

He warned that global crises such as climate change, conflict and economic instability threaten to undo hard-won gains in gender equality, and that real progress requires political will, inclusive governance and sustained investments.

“We must create the conditions for women and girls to lead, shape policies and drive solutions," Alwasil said.

He highlighted the important need to convert commitments into concrete actions, and underscored the importance of a gender-equal approach in all policies and initiatives.

“Let us use this historic moment not only to reflect on our achievements and challenges, but also reignite our collective determination to turn commitments into concrete action,” he added.

“This means ensuring that gender equality is centered across all policies, which must be fully funded and implemented. It means dismantling the structural barriers that continue to exclude women and girls from leadership opportunity and equal rights.

“It means holding ourselves accountable, not only for the progress we celebrate, but for the gaps that persist.”

The Saudi envoy gave a portion of his speaking time to three remarkable women who shared their journeys. They included Jana Suleiman Al-Rifi, a young woman from Saudi Arabia, who captivated the audience with the story of her personal journey as a trailblazer in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

At just 16 years old, she became the youngest member of the NEOM project team, a futuristic project to develop and build a sustainable, smart megacity in Saudi Arabia. As an advocate for the empowerment of women, she told how the support of her family, the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification, and international opportunities had enabled her to pursue a career in renewable energy and electrical engineering.

“I stand today as proof that determination, resilience and a supportive environment can empower young women to achieve incredible dreams,” Al-Rifi said.

She credited Vision 2030 in particular for providing young women like her with opportunities to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields such as science and technology. Through educational programs and leadership initiatives, it has played a key role in changing the narrative about the roles of women in Saudi society, she added.

Al-Rifi also highlighted the importance of continuing support for women and girls in all areas of life, noting: “Every step you take builds a bridge for the next generations.”

The commission will convene for two weeks, during which delegates and advocates from around the world will discuss a range of critical topics, including poverty, work opportunities, climate change, violence against women, and youth engagement.


Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs attends Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir heads Saudi delegation at inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir heads Saudi delegation at inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV.
Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs attends Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir heads Saudi delegation at inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV.
  • The pope began his inauguration mass on Sunday, marking the official start of his papacy
  • He arrived in St Peter’s Square in the white Popemobile, waving to the crowds

RIYADH: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Affairs Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir headed Saudi Arabia’s delegation participating in the inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The pope began his inauguration mass on Sunday, marking the official start of his papacy. He arrived in St Peter’s Square in the white Popemobile, waving to the crowds.

The Kingdom’s ambassador to Italy Prince Faisal bin Sattam bin Abdulaziz also attended the mass.


Plan smarter to ‘unlock future prosperity,’ Saudi housing minister says

Plan smarter to ‘unlock future prosperity,’ Saudi housing minister says
Updated 18 May 2025
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Plan smarter to ‘unlock future prosperity,’ Saudi housing minister says

Plan smarter to ‘unlock future prosperity,’ Saudi housing minister says
  • Project management leaders gather in Riyadh to discuss best practices in alignment with Vision 2030
  • More than 133,000 entities in the Kingdom working on range of construction projects

RIYADH: Project management is “one of the most important drivers of national trust,” Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail told a conference in Riyadh on Sunday.

Saudi Vision 2030 was created to paint a prosperous future that will reinvent the economic, social, and developmental reality of the Kingdom, Al-Hogail added.

Project management plays a pivotal role at the governmental level by improving the execution and quality control of numerous projects, in full alignment with national goals and targets, he said.

The fourth Global Project Management Forum, with Arab News as a media partner, began its first day of discussions with more than 120 speakers.

The event brings together experts for workshops and dialogue on the best practices in the industry, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s rapid development under Vision 2030.

“Today, we are witnessing accelerating changes and rising challenges … at the heart of (the solutions) is project management to reshape our spaces, meet the needs of the people, and enhance overall sustainability,” said Al-Hogail.

“At the housing and municipality sector, we design projects to meet the dreams of households.”

According to the minister, more than 133,000 entities in the Kingdom are working on a wide range of construction projects.

“This kind of momentum cannot be achieved without project management, which starts with the people and their focus on the conscious planning, flexibility in execution, and ability to adapt to new changes.”

Project management has become smarter, he said, with a strong ability to predict and plan sustainably, and with the potential to help build a strong nation with a diversified economy.

The two-day forum will feature 50 strategic and technical sessions, and include more than 40 exhibitors. A total of 60 agreements will be signed to develop partnerships between entities.


Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys

Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys
Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys

Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys

Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received Ambassador of Russia to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov in Riyadh on Sunday.

In a separate meeting, Al-Rassi received Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom Anatolii Petrenko, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.

During the meetings, all sides discussed bilateral relations as well as prominent developments in regional and international arenas.


Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change

Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change
Updated 18 May 2025
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Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change

Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change
  • Cultural objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in focus at three-day event

RIYADH: In recognition of International Museum Day, the National Museum of Riyadh hosted, a cultural event under the theme: “The future of museums in rapidly changing societies.”

The event, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Museums Commission, ran from May 15 to 17 and highlighted the role of museums in social change, innovation and youth engagement.

The program included workshops, debates, performances and interactive activities, all aligned with the cultural goals of Vision 2030.

A special session took place with Princess Haifa bint Mansour bin Bandar, president of the Saudi National Committee of the International Council of Museums.

During this open discussion, Princess Haifa emphasized the importance of considering the specific situation of museums depending on their location and level of development. While some institutions demonstrate real dynamism, others are struggling to keep up.

“The efforts to modernize and renovate certain museums are clear. However, other museums face challenges in trying to catch up,” she said.

She stressed the need to revise the legislative framework and encourage private investment to support growth in the sector:

“Our museum system is currently being reviewed, and legislation is needed that encourages investment. Supporting the creation of museums in smaller buildings helps to facilitate funding.”

Regarding the frequent criticisms of so-called “traditional” museums, she offered a more nuanced view.

“There are traditional museums that are changing and remain popular, which proves they still serve the public. Sometimes, traditional museums fail to attract the public, even more so than innovative museums.”

She also referred to the significant transformations underway in the Kingdom, supported by a government body dedicated to the museum sector.

“We are in the midst of a radical transformation with a body entirely dedicated to museums, that supports positive change and offers opportunities for progress.”

As the longstanding head of the Saudi ICOM committee, Princess Haifa reminded the audience that Saudi Arabia is actively involved in international dialogue and decision-making:

“This year, we participated in the revision of a code of ethics established in previous years to recognize what constitutes a museum. We are currently translating certain museological references into Arabic.”

Human resources were another key focus of her speech. She identified several obstacles, especially language barriers and the lack of specialized training.

“The first challenge is the language factor. Frankly, we must acknowledge these issues, particularly the importance of the English language,

“We absolutely need specialized schools, partnerships with universities, training opportunities in our field, and specializations such as museum management and exhibition security.”

Despite the challenges, she expressed optimism, welcoming ongoing partnerships with Saudi universities — particularly in the Eastern Province — and the creation of new professional qualifications.

“This is a diploma that is about to become a master’s degree. Museums are not merely storage spaces; they were designed to be places of restoration and rehabilitation. Today, they have become vital centers offering programs for all segments of society.”

In the context of cultural and social transformation, the ongoing reflection on the role of museums in Saudi society reflects a clear ambition: to transform museums into vibrant, inclusive and forward-looking institutions.

Reporting to the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Museums Commission is a public body whose mission is to develop, modernize, and supervise museums throughout the Kingdom, whether public or private.

It supports the creation of new museums, promotes heritage, encourages innovation — particularly in the digital space — and fosters cultural education.


Weqaa runs experiments to improve Hajj health measures

National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases perform experiments at holy sites near Makkah
National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases perform experiments at holy sites near Makkah
Updated 18 May 2025
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Weqaa runs experiments to improve Hajj health measures

National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases perform experiments at holy sites near Makkah
  • The first experiment focused on the detection of desert locusts in Muzdalifah
  • The second experiment focused on studying the possibility of an outbreak of an animal epidemic during the sacrifice of livestock in Hajj

RIYADH: The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases, Weqaa, performed two experiments at holy sites near Makkah before the start of Hajj season this year.

The first experiment focused on the detection of desert locusts in Muzdalifah, where a group of experts conducted surveillance, control and evaluation of locust populations.

The second experiment focused on studying the possibility of an outbreak of an animal epidemic during the sacrifice of livestock in Hajj.

This involved a team from Weqaa, in collaboration with other agencies, activating an emergency response plan and carrying out investigations and containment measures.

Ghalib Al-Saedi, director of Weqaa in the Makkah region, said that the experiments were carried out to enhance field readiness, improve response efficiency and assess interagency coordination, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Hajj draws millions of pilgrims to Makkah every year, increasing health risks and requiring high-quality public health services to prevent disease outbreaks, manage emergencies and ensure the safety of pilgrims.

The experiments were conducted in partnership with organizations in the Makkah region, including the Makkah branch of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, and the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites.