Saudi Mediation Leads to Successful Prisoner Swap Between Russia, Ukraine

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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Saudi Mediation Leads to Successful Prisoner Swap Between Russia, Ukraine

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

The Saudi Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday the success of a mediation, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, for a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.

Moscow released ten prisoners from Morocco, the United States, Britain, Sweden and Ukraine.

The Ministry stressed that the move reflects Crown Prince Mohammed’s ongoing efforts in adopting humanitarian initiatives in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

It added that the concerned authorities in Saudi Arabia transported the prisoners from Russia to the Kingdom and are working on returning them to their homes.

The Ministry expressed the Saudi government’s gratitude to its Russian and Ukrainian counterparts for their cooperation and response to the efforts carried out by Crown Prince Mohammed to release the prisoners.



Saudi Arabia Raises Military Spending Localization to 24.89%

GAMI governor Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali during the annual meeting (Asharq Al-Awsat)
GAMI governor Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali during the annual meeting (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Raises Military Spending Localization to 24.89%

GAMI governor Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali during the annual meeting (Asharq Al-Awsat)
GAMI governor Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali during the annual meeting (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) announced that Saudi Arabia has increased the localization of its military spending to 24.89% by the end of 2024, underscoring continued progress toward the Kingdom’s goal of exceeding 50 percent by 2030.

The announcement was made during the Annual Military Industries Sector Meeting in Riyadh, organized by GAMI under the patronage of its governor, Ahmad bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, with wide participation from government entities, private firms, and local and international defense companies.

Al-Ohali said in a speech that the achievement is a pivotal milestone in developing the Kingdom’s defense industries, made possible through the support of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also serves as prime minister and chairman of GAMI’s board.

He explained that the sectoral strategy prioritizes building a sustainable local sector with security, developmental, and economic impacts through unified governance, legislative enablers, investment incentives, empowerment of supply chains and small and medium enterprises, and development of national competencies.

He revealed the “National Platform for Military Industries” to provide easy access to sector programs and announced the launch of the “Localization Excellence Award” to encourage military and security entities and industrial companies to adopt best practices and increase local content.

The authority stated that activating the framework agreements for military procurement was introduced to enable beneficiary entities to purchase directly from industrial investors.

This mechanism aims to achieve spending efficiency, increase localization rates, improve product and service quality, unify prices, save time in procurement procedures, and issue direct purchase orders within a defined price range for periods of up to seven years.

According to information shared during the meeting, six framework agreements have been implemented with relevant entities, resulting in purchase orders worth 2.8 billion riyals ($746 million) over four years. These covered areas such as ammunition, systems, equipment, communications, and military devices.

To enhance transparency and accelerate procedural cycles, the authority has made available the “National Platform for Military Industries,” which provides programs, guides, and instructions for investors and suppliers.

It also announced the launch of the “Localization Excellence Award” to honor military entities and industrial organizations that make a significant contribution to local content and adopt best practices.


Hajj Conference in Jeddah Highlights Integration between Public, Private Sectors in Developing Services to Pilgrims 

Officials are seen at the Hajj Conference and Exhibition main session in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the Hajj Conference and Exhibition main session in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
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Hajj Conference in Jeddah Highlights Integration between Public, Private Sectors in Developing Services to Pilgrims 

Officials are seen at the Hajj Conference and Exhibition main session in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the Hajj Conference and Exhibition main session in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)

The Hajj Conference and Exhibition held its main session in Jeddah on Monday under the title “From Vision to Reality: Integrated Sectors in Serving Pilgrims,” with the participation of Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Chairman of the Pilgrim Experience Program Committee Tawfig Al-Rabiah, Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel, and Director General of Public Security Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami.

The officials reviewed the integration among various public and private sectors and the role of institutional collaboration in developing the Hajj and Umrah service ecosystem, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to streamline procedures and enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims from around the world.

Al-Rabiah highlighted the extensive care, services, and efforts provided by the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to pilgrims from across the globe, emphasizing the successes achieved by the conference in its previous editions.

He noted that the current edition, held under the theme “From Makkah to the World,” reflects the wise leadership’s continuous support for developing the Hajj system and achieving Vision 2030 goals to facilitate pilgrims’ journey while enriching their spiritual and human experience.

The Kingdom is witnessing a qualitative transformation in the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem through the adoption of modern technologies and digital solutions to boost service efficiency and ease pilgrims’ experience from arrival to departure, added the minister.

Al-Rabiah also underlined that integration among government entities is the cornerstone for achieving the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the key Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives.

The session concluded by emphasizing the importance of maintaining intersectoral coordination under Vision 2030 to ensure a unique and seamless experience for pilgrims, reflecting the leadership's unwavering dedication to serving pilgrims and Umrah performers.

The History of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques Forum, launched by the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) kicked off on Monday on the sidelines of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition.

Organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in cooperation with the Pilgrim Experience Program, the event featured a panel discussion “Digital and Research Projects and the Media Dimension in Serving the Two Holy Mosques.” The talks focused on the pivotal role of digital transformation in boosting and supporting the Hajj and Umrah system.

Assistant Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah for Planning and Digital Transformation and General Supervisor of the Hajj and Umrah Information Center Eng. Fahad Al-Dosri highlighted the unprecedented digital revolution the world is witnessing, fueled by emerging technologies, smart analytics, and big data applications.

He underscored the importance of digital transformation in the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem, underlining its role in driving digitization, improving the pilgrim experience, and maximizing the economic and social impact of the sector. He noted that adopting advanced digital solutions helps ensure that the Hajj and Umrah journey remains exceptional, spiritual, smooth, and safe.


Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Seek to Strengthen Bilateral Ties, Cooperation 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Seek to Strengthen Bilateral Ties, Cooperation 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya in Riyadh on Monday.

The ministers reviewed the close and historic fraternal relations between their countries and discussed issues of mutual interest.

Following the meeting, they co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council, which aims to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. The session followed up on the outcomes of the council’s subcommittees meetings throughout 2025.

At the outset of the meeting, Prince Faisal commended the efforts made by both sides to ensure its success, reflecting the depth of fraternal relations and the strong ties uniting the two nations and their peoples.

For his part, the Kuwaiti foreign minister expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality and the efforts of the council’s secretariat, noting Kuwait’s anticipation to host the fourth session of the council in the future.

Four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed to enhance cooperation across various fields. The first, in the field of Radio and Television Cooperation, was signed by Saudi Assistant Minister of Media Abdullah bin Ahmed Al-Maghlouth and Kuwaiti Ministry of Information Undersecretary Dr. Nasser Ahmed Muhaisen.

The second, in the field of Economy and Planning, was signed by Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning Undersecretary for International Economic Affairs Eng. Rakan bin Waddah Tarabzoni and Kuwaiti Ministry of Oil Undersecretary Dr. Nimer Fahad Al-Malik Al-Sabah.

The third, in the fields of Science, Technology, and Innovation, was signed by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology Deputy President for Strategy and Institutional Excellence Dr. Ziad bin Saleh Al-Raimi and Kuwaiti Ministry of Finance Undersecretary Aseel Sulaiman Al-Munifi.

The fourth, in the field of Public-Private Partnership Cooperation, was signed by National Center for Privatization Chief Executive Eng. Muhannad bin Ahmed Basudan and the Kuwaiti Finance Ministry's Undersecretary Al-Munifi.

The meeting was attended by several senior officials from both sides, including Saudi Assistant Minister of Interior Dr. Hisham Abdulrahman Al-Falih, Assistant Minister of Media Abdullah bin Ahmed Al-Maghlouth, Foreign Affairs Ministry Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Ambassador Dr. Saud Al-Sati, Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Prince Sultan bin Saad bin Khalid, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy Dr. Nasser Al-Dossary, Investment Ministry Deputy Minister for International Relations Sarah bint Abdulrahman Al-Sayyid, and the council’s head of the Saudi General Secretariat Team Eng. Fahad bin Saeed Al-Harithi.