Italy Prepares Coordination Plan to Assume 2021 G20 Presidency

Italy Prepares Coordination Plan to Assume 2021 G20 Presidency
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Italy Prepares Coordination Plan to Assume 2021 G20 Presidency

Italy Prepares Coordination Plan to Assume 2021 G20 Presidency

A spokesperson for the Italian government said on Sunday that his country has developed a plan for close coordination with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in preparation for its assumption of the rotating presidency of the G20 starting the beginning of 2021.

The spokesperson said that this new presidency would focus on strengthening the international response to the Covid-19 pandemic and address the resulting economic repercussions.

Political sources reported that coordination was ongoing between Rome and Riyadh to prepare a plan to be submitted to the G20 and the European Union aimed at strengthening the World Health Organization (WHO) and its role in facing global health emergencies in the future.

In his speech before the opening session of the summit, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte praised the efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia in seeking financial support to help developing and poor countries face the health crisis and its repercussions.

Emphasizing the need for further support, Conte said that innovative financing tools, mechanisms and an active engagement by the private sector were required to restore global economic growth.

He added that this crisis demonstrated the need for targeted investments to strengthen the international health system, improve the capacities to face environmental and social shocks, and put in place the necessary mechanisms to prevent future outbreaks from turning into economic crises.



Drug Trafficking Networks Busted in Riyadh, Hail

The Saudi Interior Ministry stressed the vigilance of security forces in confronting criminal schemes (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Interior Ministry stressed the vigilance of security forces in confronting criminal schemes (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Drug Trafficking Networks Busted in Riyadh, Hail

The Saudi Interior Ministry stressed the vigilance of security forces in confronting criminal schemes (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Interior Ministry stressed the vigilance of security forces in confronting criminal schemes (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi security forces have dismantled criminal networks operating in the Riyadh and Hail regions that were trafficking in amphetamine, methamphetamine (known locally as shabu), and medically regulated pills, the Interior Ministry said on Sunday.

The networks were uncovered based on intelligence gathered by relevant authorities within the ministry, a ministry spokesperson said in a statement. A total of 37 individuals were arrested, including 28 Saudi nationals—among them one employee from the Interior Ministry, two from the National Guard, two from the Ministry of Defense, and one from the Ministry of Health.

Also detained were two Ethiopian nationals accused of violating border security laws, five Syrian expatriates, and two Yemenis—one a resident and the other a visitor.

Authorities said all legal procedures had been completed, and the suspects were referred to the Public Prosecution for further investigation.

The Interior Ministry said the announcement underscored the vigilance of Saudi security forces in confronting criminal plots aimed at targeting the kingdom and its youth with narcotics.

It added that authorities would continue to thwart such schemes and take firm action against anyone involved, regardless of their status, to safeguard the security of Saudi Arabia, its citizens, and residents.