G20 Sherpas Discuss Restoring Growth

Sherpas concluded their second extraordinary Sherpa meeting under the G20 Saudi Presidency on Friday.
Sherpas concluded their second extraordinary Sherpa meeting under the G20 Saudi Presidency on Friday.
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G20 Sherpas Discuss Restoring Growth

Sherpas concluded their second extraordinary Sherpa meeting under the G20 Saudi Presidency on Friday.
Sherpas concluded their second extraordinary Sherpa meeting under the G20 Saudi Presidency on Friday.

The Second G20 Extraordinary Sherpa Meeting was held virtually on Friday, under the Saudi G20 Presidency, with participation from all G20 members, invited countries, and international organizations

G20 Sherpas took stock of the progress achieved on the commitments by the G20 Leaders in the Extraordinary Leaders’ Summit that was held in March, with a focus on health, global economy, trade and international cooperation, the Saudi G20 Secretariat said in a statement.

Sherpas discussed opportunities to build long-term resilience, such as better prepared health and social protection systems, emergency response for least developing countries, and efforts to protect the environment for a stronger global recovery. Sherpas also discussed the progress in all the G20 work streams, and the way forward towards the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November.

The Saudi G20 Sherpa, Fahad Almubarak, highlighted the importance of continuing the G20 collective efforts to achieve the commitments made by the Leaders in response to the coronavirus pandemic in order to protect lives and restore growth.

In his opening remarks, Almubarak emphasized that “a united global leadership is greatly required to emerge from this pandemic stronger and in a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable manner.”

“During the meeting, G20 Sherpas expressed their satisfaction on the progress thus far and provided their inputs on the way forward towards future Sherpa Meetings and the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November,” said the Saudi G20 Secretariat statement.



Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fines on Unauthorized Hajj Pilgrims, Facilitators 

A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fines on Unauthorized Hajj Pilgrims, Facilitators 

A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A view of the Kaaba in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced Monday fines on individuals who violate regulations requiring a permit to perform the Hajj, as well as for those who facilitate such violations.

Starting from April 29 until the end of June 10, the following fines will apply:

First, a fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on individuals caught performing or attempting to perform the Hajj without a permit, and on holders of all types of visit visas who attempt to enter or stay in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period.

Second, a fine of up to SAR100,000 will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform the Hajj without a permit, or who has entered or stayed in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period. The fine will multiply for each individual involved.

The same fine will apply to anyone who transports or attempts to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, as well as to those who shelter or attempt to shelter visit visa holders in any accommodations, including hotels, apartments, private housing, shelters, or Hajj pilgrims' housing sites. This includes concealing their presence or providing assistance that enables their stay. The fine will multiply for each individual sheltered, concealed, or assisted.

Third, illegal infiltrators attempting to perform the Hajj, whether residents or overstayers, will be deported to their countries and banned from entering the Kingdom for ten years.

Fourth, the relevant court will be requested to confiscate land vehicles used to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, if owned by the transporter, facilitator, or any accomplices.