Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Launch Health Passport

King Fahd Causeway between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
King Fahd Causeway between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
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Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Launch Health Passport

King Fahd Causeway between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
King Fahd Causeway between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a ‘health passport’, which ensures that citizens and residents traveling between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia meet criteria set by both Kingdoms to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The MoU was signed by head of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi and Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, the chief executive of the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) at a ceremony at SDAIA’s premises in Riyadh, in the presence of Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to Saudi Arabia Shaikh Hmood bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, and other officials from both countries.

The cooperation aims to align the COVID-19 precautionary and monitoring measures of both Kingdoms to streamline traffic via the King Fahd Causeway.

It capitalizes on the technical compatibility of the BeAware Bahrain and Saudi’s Tawakkalna apps.

Linking the systems will provide a comprehensive and accurate database of travelers, which will ease procedures and save the public time and effort.

It will enable King Fahd Causeway employees to immediately inspect travelers’ personal and health data, as well as enhance security and privacy.



GCC, Council of Europe Discuss Enhancing Strategic Partnership

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
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GCC, Council of Europe Discuss Enhancing Strategic Partnership

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met on Wednesday with Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Albudaiwi and Berset explored ways to enhance the Gulf-European strategic partnership to advance mutual interests.

They also discussed the Joint Action Program 2022-2027 between the GCC and the EU, which outlines effective mechanisms and proposals for collaboration across various sectors, including political, security, and economic areas.

AlBudaiwi also met Wednesday with South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-Kyu in Davos.

They discussed several topics, most notably the developments related to the free-trade agreement between the GCC countries and South Korea, and ways to enhance Gulf-South Korean partnerships in various vital sectors that contribute to creating new opportunities for constructive cooperation.

The meeting also addressed enhancing strategic dialogue with South Korea through the fields of cooperation outlined in the joint action plan between the GCC and South Korea.