RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief has signed a $5 million agreement with the UN Development Programme to rehabilitate damaged bakeries in the Syrian Arab Republic.

The agreement was formalized on the sidelines of the fourth European Humanitarian Forum held in Brussels on May 19 and 20, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

It was signed by KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and the UNDP’s Administrator Achim Steiner. 

Under the project, 33 damaged bakeries across various Syrian governorates will be rehabilitated, the SPA reported. 

This includes basic restoration, installation of new production lines, maintenance of existing ones, and the rehabilitation of two mobile bread production units.

The project aims to bolster food security in regions with large numbers of returnees, displaced persons, and host communities by restoring the operations of government-run bakeries.

Through rehabilitation and increased production capacity, it will help meet the essential needs of the population, according to the SPA.

Additionally, the project is expected to create 500 jobs in the bakery sector, supporting local economic recovery.

This initiative is a part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian efforts, led by KSrelief, to enhance food security and alleviate hardships faced by people worldwide, in cooperation with UN humanitarian agencies. 

KSrelief’s participation in the forum reflected its commitment to strengthening global humanitarian efforts in the medium and long term. 

The forum’s participants included humanitarian leaders from various countries and organizations. It featured discussion sessions and interactive workshops focused on humanitarian priorities and geopolitical challenges.

It also served as a platform to reinforce respect for international humanitarian law, ensure access to aid, and enable the protection of humanitarian workers.

TOKYO: In an interview with Arab News Japan, Saudi Arabia’s Prince Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki Al-Saud has lauded the strong ties between Japan and the Kingdom, and said he was deeply honored to have received a top honor from the Asia nation.

The former governor of the Saudi General Investment Authority received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun last month.

“Receiving the Imperial Award is indeed a great honor. Like many in the Kingdom, including officials and former officials, I hold the Japanese emperor, government and people in the highest regard,” Prince Abdullah said in the recent interview with Arab News Japan. 

Reflecting on his tenure at SAGIA, now the Ministry of Investment, Prince Abdullah highlighted the collective nature of the recognition. 

“The award reflects the work carried out during my tenure at SAGIA ... This recognition is not solely mine, it is a shared achievement with my colleagues.

“More importantly, it reflects the leadership’s ongoing commitment to strengthening relations with Japan,” he said. 

He emphasized the Kingdom’s investment in international cooperation, noting the evolution of SAGIA into a full ministry under the Council of Ministers. 

“The elevation of SAGIA to a full ministry ... highlights the strategic importance the Saudi leadership places on investment and international cooperation,” he added.

During his recent visit to the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Prince Abdullah shared his impressions of the Saudi Pavilion, which he described as a powerful representation of the Kingdom’s transformation and culture. 

“The Saudi Pavilion was excellent,” he said of the expo which opened on April 13 and ends Oct. 13. 

“I was particularly interested in the design elements of the Saudi Pavilion, how it captured the essence and transformation of our land, and how quickly and effectively the structure was developed.”

He praised the role of the Ministry of Culture and the young Saudis staffing the pavilion.

“The presence of talented young Saudi men and women at the pavilion was especially noteworthy.

“The structure itself, using stones especially brought from the Kingdom, was impressive, with features such as embedded loudspeakers, combining aesthetics and functionality,” he told Arab News Japan.

Prince Abdullah, who previously served as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US, also lauded the Japanese Pavilion, saying it was “outstanding. Their designers, architects, and scientists demonstrated exceptional innovation.”

 “I even recommended our ambassador Dr. Ghazi Binzagr, who began his academic career in physics, to revisit the pavilion, as the advanced technologies on display merit deeper understanding,” he said. 

Turning to the broader significance of Saudi Arabia-Japan relations, Prince Abdullah emphasized the need for robust media and cultural exchange, pointing to Arab News Japan’s role as a valuable bridge between the two nations. 

“First, I would like to commend the efforts behind Arab News Japan. It is an important initiative, both in its content and in the way it delivers information. 

“It serves a valuable audience and contributes meaningfully to deepening understanding between our two countries.” 

He added: “There is deep mutual respect between our peoples. There is great potential for cooperation, especially among small- and medium-sized enterprises on both sides,” he said. 

Praising Japan’s technological innovation and the Kingdom’s transformative development, he said: “What we can realize by our partnership is amazing.” 

Prince Abdullah added that Japan and Saudi Arabia will benefit from increased cooperation, as well as the global economy.