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.



Albudaiwi, Holds Separate Discussions with Guterres, Kallas on Latest Regional Issues

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
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Albudaiwi, Holds Separate Discussions with Guterres, Kallas on Latest Regional Issues

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi discussed developments in the Middle East and efforts to de-escalate tensions with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

During a phone call, the two sides reviewed a range of regional and international issues of mutual concern, with particular focus on the latest developments related to Israeli military operations targeting the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as ongoing efforts to promote de-escalation and enhance regional security and stability, SPA reported.

Albudaiwi reaffirmed the commitment of the GCC member states to supporting international and UN-led efforts, as reflected in the statement issued following the 48th Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council on regional developments.

The council underscored the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire to preserve regional security and stability. It also called on all parties to work collaboratively to de-escalate tensions, prioritize diplomacy as a constructive means of resolving conflicts, and exercise maximum restraint to shield the region and its people from the dangers of war.

For his part, Guterres praised the GCC’s positive role in supporting de-escalation efforts and promoting regional security. He emphasized the United Nations’ desire to strengthen cooperation with the GCC across various areas of shared priority.

Also, Albudaiwi discussed developments in the Middle East with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas during a phone call.

During their talks, they discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and international efforts to advance the peace process, in addition to exchanging views on ways to elevate regional and international coordination to foster security and stability in the region.

Both officials stressed the need to move forward in supporting de-escalation efforts in the region to achieve lasting peace in the region and the world.