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Saudi Arabia Confirms Commitment to Global Compact for Migration

AlHarbi focused in his speech on the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which is considered the foundation and the motivation for all the economic and social reforms
AlHarbi focused in his speech on the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which is considered the foundation and the motivation for all the economic and social reforms
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Saudi Arabia Confirms Commitment to Global Compact for Migration

AlHarbi focused in his speech on the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which is considered the foundation and the motivation for all the economic and social reforms
AlHarbi focused in his speech on the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which is considered the foundation and the motivation for all the economic and social reforms

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development represented the Kingdom in the United Nations Forum on International Migration Review, which was held in New York this week for the first time since the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration in December 2018.

The ministerial delegation was chaired by the Deputy Minister for Control and Development of Work Environment, Sattam bin Amer AlHarbi, who addressed on the first day of the forum's events, the Kingdom's 2030 vision and its goals which aligns with the objectives of the Global Compact for Migration.

AlHarbi also participated in an event held on Thursday, on the sidelines of the forum entitled "Labor Mobility and Human Rights: Improving Labor Migration Governance for Migrant Workers in the Middle East", invited by the Philippines.

This event aims to highlight the strong partnership between the labor-sending countries like the Philippines and the countries of destination like Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and to review the flexibility of pathways for regular migration, facilitating fair and ethical recruitment and safeguard conditions that ensure decent work, and strengthening international cooperation and global partnerships for safe, orderly, and regular migration.

The event witnessed a high-ranking diplomatic representation from the three countries, including the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, his Bahraini counterpart, and the Secretary-General of the Philippines Ministry for Foreign affairs, along with the labor representatives of these countries.

AlHarbi focused in his speech on the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which is considered the foundation and the motivation for all the economic and social reforms.

He also made a briefing on many of the kingdom's important initiatives that contributed in developing and increasing the attractiveness of its labor market such as; the contractual relationship improvement initiative, professional screening program, as well as activating of many new types of visas to meet the market needs and provide more flexible choices to attract skilled workers.

In his speech, he mentioned the kingdom's initiatives that guarantee the rights of the expats, which include The Wage Protection System to protect workers’ rights to their wages by monitoring the compliance of employers, The Labor Contracts Electronic Authentication Program to enable workers to approve the terms of their contract on a designated platform, "Weddy" program to settle labor disputes, the Labor Education Initiative, and others.

AlHarbi confirmed that the kingdom developed three policies to further protect workers’ rights, which are the National Policy for Occupational Health and Safety, the National Policy to Ban Child Labor, and the national policy to Abolish Forced Labor.

He also emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation and global partnerships for safe, orderly, and regular migration, by harmonizing the national policies through multilateral and bilateral engagements.

The kingdom has concluded bilateral agreements with 17 labor-sending countries, all fully aligned with UN, ILO and IOM standards to ensure a human rights-based relationship between employees and employers, he added.

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Gulf

KSrelief, WHO Sign Joint Program to Treat Children with Acute Malnutrition in Yemen

The program is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts, represented by KSrelief, to strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership with WHO. SPA
The program is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts, represented by KSrelief, to strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership with WHO. SPA
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KSrelief, WHO Sign Joint Program to Treat Children with Acute Malnutrition in Yemen

The program is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts, represented by KSrelief, to strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership with WHO. SPA
The program is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts, represented by KSrelief, to strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership with WHO. SPA

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has signed a joint executive program with the World Health Organization (WHO) to purchase and distribute therapeutic response packages for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition across 35 nutritional care centers in Yemen.

On the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the program was signed on Monday by Adviser at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The program is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts, represented by KSrelief, to strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership with WHO to provide medicines, essential equipment, and specialized treatment for children suffering from acute malnutrition in countries in need.

Dr. Al Rabeeah and Ghebreyesus also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation and coordinate efforts in health and humanitarian relief, and reviewed progress on joint projects supporting the most vulnerable populations worldwide.

Tedros praised Saudi Arabia's humanitarian and medical work through KSrelief, highlighting the center's pivotal role in supporting healthcare systems and its swift response to health crises and emergencies in countries in need.

Gulf

Faisal bin Farhan Discusses Gaza, Regional Developments in New York Meetings

The Saudi Foreign Minister participates in the coordination meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of Eight Arab-Islamic States (SPA)
The Saudi Foreign Minister participates in the coordination meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of Eight Arab-Islamic States (SPA)
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Faisal bin Farhan Discusses Gaza, Regional Developments in New York Meetings

The Saudi Foreign Minister participates in the coordination meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of Eight Arab-Islamic States (SPA)
The Saudi Foreign Minister participates in the coordination meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of Eight Arab-Islamic States (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has participated in a coordination meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of Eight Arab-Islamic States in New York.

Monday’s meeting - held on the sidelines of the High-level Week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly - addressed the grave deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the escalating violations in the West Bank.

The ministers also discussed ways to unify efforts and positions to mobilize international support for protecting the Palestinian people and advancing their just cause in international forums.

Prince Faisal also took part in the sixth meeting of the Regional Quartet Foreign Ministers, which was also attended by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdelatty, and Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan.

The Saudi Foreign Minister participates in the sixth meeting of the Regional Quartet Foreign Ministers in New York (SPA)

The meeting addressed regional developments and ways to strengthen coordination and cooperation among the group's member states to help reduce tensions in the region, emphasizing the importance of intensifying diplomatic efforts to limit the repercussions of regional crises and preserve security and stability.

Prince Faisal also met separately with the Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

The meeting reviewed the close ties of cooperation between the two countries and discussed the latest regional developments and efforts to contain tensions through diplomatic solutions.

After the meeting, the two ministers signed a mutual exemption agreement from short-stay visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and special passports, aimed at facilitating procedures, strengthening coordination, and expanding areas of cooperation between the two countries.

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs also participated in the ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Switzerland.

The Saudi Foreign Minister participates in the ministerial meeting between Gulf countries and Switzerland (SPA)

The meeting addressed topics and issues of mutual interest, and reviewed areas of cooperation and coordination between the GCC states and Switzerland and ways to strengthen them in service of shared interests.

A similar ministerial meeting between the GCC states and France was also held.

The Foreign Minister participates in the ministerial meeting between the GCC states and France (SPA)

The talks, which were attended by Prince Faisal, addressed regional developments and their implications for security and stability in the region, as well as areas of cooperation and coordination between the GCC states and France in addressing current challenges.

The meeting also reviewed key topics and issues of mutual interest on the UN General Assembly agenda.

Gulf

GCC Stresses Importance of Elevating Ties with France

Gulf and French officials are seen at the meeting in New York. (GCC)
Gulf and French officials are seen at the meeting in New York. (GCC)
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GCC Stresses Importance of Elevating Ties with France

Gulf and French officials are seen at the meeting in New York. (GCC)
Gulf and French officials are seen at the meeting in New York. (GCC)

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi stressed on Monday that relations between the Gulf states and France are built on a solid strategic partnership, as well as shared interests and visions.

He highlighted the importance of continued efforts to elevate these relations and expand their scope to serve mutual interests, contributing to the support of security, stability, and peace both regionally and globally.

This came during a joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and France, co-chaired by Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani, Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Jean-Noel Barrot, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, with the attendance and participation of the GCC foreign ministers, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Albudaiwi noted that the meeting comes amid highly sensitive circumstances in the region, pointing to the Iranian attacks targeting vital installations and diplomatic premises that Gulf states have faced since February 28, despite these countries not being a party to the war and having exerted tireless efforts to mediate and contain the escalation.

He stressed the position of the Gulf states calling for ensuring the security and safety of waterways and freedom of international navigation, stressing the need to commit to Security Council Resolution 2817, the return of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb to its status prior to February 28, and the rejection of imposing any unilateral fees or conditions on the right of passage.

Albudaiwi commended France's position rejecting the attacks on Gulf countries, as well as its participation in international efforts aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

On the Palestinian cause, he reaffirmed its centrality, as well as the need to end the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to the Arab Peace Initiative and international resolutions.

Albudaiwi said the partnership between the GCC and France extends beyond addressing current challenges to building a shared vision for a more secure, stable, and prosperous future.

The mutual interests, visions, and political will binding the two sides form a solid foundation for expanding cooperation in political, security, economic, investment, and technological fields, as well as energy, defense, and education, he remarked.

The GCC views France as an important strategic partner, both at the level of Gulf-French and Gulf-European relations, praising Paris' role in supporting and strengthening that partnership, he went on to say.

He said Gulf countries were looking forward to the second Gulf-European Summit, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia on October 24. It will mark an important milestone to elevate this partnership and achieve tangible results in priority areas for both sides.

Albudaiwi underscored the strength of economic relations between the two sides, noting that the volume of trade exchange between the GCC and France has exceeded 60 billion euros, reflecting the promising opportunities and potential these relations possess to boost trade, investment, and cooperation in priority sectors.