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Saudi Fund for Development, UK Join Forces to Advance Global Development

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) signed in Riyadh on Monday a joint cooperation arrangement (JCA) to advance development and address policy issues of mutual concern. (SPA)
The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) signed in Riyadh on Monday a joint cooperation arrangement (JCA) to advance development and address policy issues of mutual concern. (SPA)
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Saudi Fund for Development, UK Join Forces to Advance Global Development

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) signed in Riyadh on Monday a joint cooperation arrangement (JCA) to advance development and address policy issues of mutual concern. (SPA)
The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) signed in Riyadh on Monday a joint cooperation arrangement (JCA) to advance development and address policy issues of mutual concern. (SPA)

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) signed in Riyadh on Monday a joint cooperation arrangement (JCA) to advance development and address policy issues of mutual concern.

The two parties will also focus on effectively delivering the international development agenda of their respective organizations, while strengthening their capacities to better respond to overseas development needs.

The goals and objectives outlined in JCA include providing support for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people through improved donor coordination, enhanced transparency and aid accountability, and effective monitoring and evaluation.

Attending the signing ceremony, which took place on the sidelines of the second strategic dialogue on humanitarian assistance and international development at the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) headquarters, were KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, UK’s Deputy Foreign Secretary and Minister of State Rt Hon. Andrew Mitchell MP, and SFD CEO Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad.

Mitchell said: “It is vitally important that we get the Sustainable Development Goals back on track by 2030; our collective commitment has waned in recent years, the time is now to turn the tide on this. Our partnership, and shared resolve, with our friends in Saudi Arabia is a welcome step that we must keep momentum on.”

Al-Marshad said: “We are pleased to embark on this JCA with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. This partnership is a strong reflection of our mutual dedication to strengthen the global development system.”

“We are hopeful that this partnership will help improve the lives of millions of people around the world and enhance the quality of life for those who most need it,” he added.

Since 1975, SFD has financed over 800 development projects and programs, worth over $20 billion, in over 100 developing countries. The programs and projects covered sectors such as transportation and communications, social infrastructure, agriculture, energy, industry and mining.

The fund has played a key role in helping to improve living standards, advance socio-economic development, and provide employment opportunities for millions of beneficiaries around the world.

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Gulf

Crown Prince, US Senator Chris Murphy Discuss Ties and Developments

Saudi Crown Prince holding talks with US Senator Chris Murphy - SPA
Saudi Crown Prince holding talks with US Senator Chris Murphy - SPA
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Crown Prince, US Senator Chris Murphy Discuss Ties and Developments

Saudi Crown Prince holding talks with US Senator Chris Murphy - SPA
Saudi Crown Prince holding talks with US Senator Chris Murphy - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, met in Riyadh on Monday with member of the US Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations committees Chris Murphy and his accompanying delegation.

They discussed the friendly relations between the two countries, regional and international developments, and issues of mutual interest, according to SPA.

Attending the meeting were Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and Minister of State, Cabinet Member, and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.

Gulf

Coalition: 100 Warplanes Took Part in ‘Yemen Dawn’ Operation, Destroyed 324 Targets

Major General Turki Al-Maliki (The Coalition)
Major General Turki Al-Maliki (The Coalition)
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Coalition: 100 Warplanes Took Part in ‘Yemen Dawn’ Operation, Destroyed 324 Targets

Major General Turki Al-Maliki (The Coalition)
Major General Turki Al-Maliki (The Coalition)

The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen said on Monday that 100 fighter jets had taken part in the first hours of Yemen Dawn, an operation launched by the Yemeni government to retake state institutions and territory controlled by the Houthi militia. It said 324 “high-value” targets had been destroyed since the operation began.

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said in posts on X that the coalition was providing round-the-clock air support to Yemeni government forces on the ground. He added that its air force was securing the Bab al-Mandab Strait and that operations against moving targets were ongoing.

He added that 100 fighter jets took part in the operation and that the campaign had destroyed 324 high-value targets since it began.

The coalition’s military support came a day after Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi announced the start of military operations to retake territory and restore state authority nationwide. He said all efforts for de-escalation had been exhausted.

Al-Alimi announced the launch of the Yemen Dawn operation on Monday, saying it aimed to restore state institutions, retake the capital Sanaa and end the Houthi militia’s control.

He said the operation was being carried out with the support of Yemeni armed forces and military formations, as well as assistance from allies and partners.

 

Gulf

Makkah Pact Committee to Meet in Riyadh on Monday

The first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee met in Istanbul on Aug. 31. Photo: Saudi Defense Ministry
The first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee met in Istanbul on Aug. 31. Photo: Saudi Defense Ministry
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Makkah Pact Committee to Meet in Riyadh on Monday

The first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee met in Istanbul on Aug. 31. Photo: Saudi Defense Ministry
The first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee met in Istanbul on Aug. 31. Photo: Saudi Defense Ministry

A committee of the Makkah Defense Pact between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan will hold talks in Riyadh on Monday.

The meeting is expected to bring together the defense and foreign ministers as well as the army chiefs of staff of the three countries.

The official Turkish Anadolu Agency, citing sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry, reported that the Turkish side is scheduled to present its vision during the meeting regarding the institutionalization process of the alliance and future steps.

It will also offer an assessment of the threats facing peace and stability in the Middle East and emphasize the importance of the progress made in the alliance's work within a short period as an important factor toward achieving lasting stability in the region, in addition to expressing Ankara's stance supporting Riyadh in facing Houthi attacks.

Istanbul hosted the first meeting of the agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee on Aug. 31, bringing together the foreign and defense ministers and military chiefs of staff of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.

During the meeting, the three countries reaffirmed their determination to work together under the Makkah agreement to achieve sustainable peace and stability in their region and continue supporting efforts to promote de-escalation and restraint.

They encouraged peaceful solutions to crises in line with their commitment to fulfilling their regional responsibilities.

Political analyst specializing in international affairs, Ahmed Al-Ibrahim, says holding the second meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee in Riyadh less than two weeks after the first meeting in Istanbul clearly demonstrates the transition of coordination among the three countries into a phase of joint action.

Political analyst Faisal Al-Shammeri expects that, in light of new developments - specifically the announcement by Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi on the launch of military operations to liberate the remaining Yemeni territories - the meeting will form a real foundation for the upcoming phase.