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Riyadh Hosts Global Medical Biotechnology Summit

Dignitaries at the summit. (SPA)
Dignitaries at the summit. (SPA)
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Riyadh Hosts Global Medical Biotechnology Summit

Dignitaries at the summit. (SPA)
Dignitaries at the summit. (SPA)

The Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit (RGMBS) 2021 was inaugurated on Tuesday under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

Minister of the National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the event on his behalf.

The summit is organized by the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) at the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs and is being attended by officials and health sector experts from around the world.

Prince Abdullah unveiled the Biomedical Biotechnology Oasis in KAIMRC, saying it is one of the initiatives of the medical biotechnology system in Saudi Arabia. It will contribute in providing economic development opportunities based on medical knowledge, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The Oasis will work within a national system and part of strategic partnerships with many local partners, such as the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), in addition to many global partners.

Executive Director of Health Affairs at the Ministry of National Guard, Dr. Bandar bin Abdulmohsen Al-Kenawi hailed the development and changes the Kingdom is witnessing in the field of health care.

He noted the innovative and creative discoveries it has witnessed, such as molecular treatments, gene therapy, genetic repair, AI applications and big data analysis, as well as the next generation of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Minister of Health, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah said the RGMBS is being held at a time when it has become necessary to discuss the areas of developing medical biotechnology because of its direct and close relationship with human health.

The global market value of biotechnology will reach nearly $700 billion by 2025, and global sales in biotechnology drugs are expected to reach nearly $315 billion this year, he revealed.

The Kingdom's leadership has sought to adopt a national strategy for biomedical technology, one of the most prominent branches of its Vision 2030, to support and motivate it for the future and health of man, he remarked.

Minister of Investment, Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih said RGMBS was being held at an important time when Saudi Arabia is seeking to develop itself as a preferred destination for investment in the development and manufacture of vital technologies, as well as its push to become a global center for health care and life sciences.

Chairman of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf confirmed that SDAIA's participation in this summit supports the continuous efforts to develop the capabilities of the health sector.

He highlighted the Authority's previous announcement of the launch of the Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for the health sector in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Health Affairs at the Ministry of National Guard.

He further said that the Center of Excellence aims to find solutions based on modern technologies, artificial intelligence and data technologies in the health field to help increase the accuracy of diagnosing chronic diseases.

Prince Abdullah oversaw the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and partnership on the sidelines of the summit.

The first MoU was signed between KAIMRC and SDAIA, while the second was signed between KAIMRC and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the Pfizer pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation. The third MoU was signed between KAIMRC and the Ministry of Investment and AstraZeneca pharmaceutical and biotechnology company.

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Saudi Crown Prince Calls for Utmost Efficiency, Excellence in Serving Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet session in Jeddah on Tuesday (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet session in Jeddah on Tuesday (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Calls for Utmost Efficiency, Excellence in Serving Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet session in Jeddah on Tuesday (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet session in Jeddah on Tuesday (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, directed on Tuesday all relevant authorities to operate with utmost efficiency and excellence in implementing security, preventive, and organizational plans to serve the Hajj pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, the holy sites, and at the Kingdom's entry points.

Chairing a Cabinet session held in Jeddah, the Crown Prince specially highlighted the arrangements made to facilitate pilgrim arrivals under the Makkah Route Initiative.
On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, he welcomed pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom from around the world to perform Hajj rituals.

The Cabinet discussed recent regional and international developments, along with the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to deescalate tensions.

It noted that Saudi Arabia continues to work closely with friendly nations to address crises, reduce tensions, and promote respect for international law in pursuit of a more stable and prosperous world.

The Cabinet also reiterated the Kingdom’s continued efforts to mobilize international support to end violence, protect civilians, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to affected areas in Palestine.

It reaffirmed commitment to advancing the two-state solution as the only path to achieving lasting peace and security.

The Cabinet strongly condemned the Israeli attacks on Syria's sovereignty and security, warning that the continuation of such violations and extremist policies exacerbates the risk of regional violence and instability.

Also, it called for an immediate end to the war in Sudan and urged efforts to spare the country further suffering and destruction. The Cabinet emphasized that resolving the crisis requires a Sudanese-led political solution that respects the country’s sovereignty and unity and is supported by its national institutions.

At the economic level, the Cabinet confirmed that the record performance of non-oil exports in 2024 and their continued growth reflect the Kingdom's accelerated efforts to diversify income and capitalize on global opportunities to achieve new gains in line with Vision 2030 goals.
It praised the ongoing significant improvements in digital services across vital sectors, which contributed to the Kingdom ranking first among Middle East and North African countries for the third consecutive year in the 2024 Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index, issued by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

The Cabinet then endorsed a declaration of intent between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty for cooperation in critical minerals.
It also approved an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Djibouti on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments, and another MoU between the Saudi Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority and Enterprise Estonia in the development of the small and medium enterprises sector and entrepreneurship.
The Cabinet approved a MoU between the Saudi Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and the Bulgarian National Revenue Agency for cooperation in tax administration.
It also approved the guiding model of a MoU for cooperation in the field of roads between the Saudi Roads General Authority and its counterpart agencies in other countries and another guiding model of a MoU for cooperation in combating human trafficking crimes between the Saudi Human Rights Commission and its counterpart agencies in other countries.