3rd Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum Kicks Off

Dignitaries are seen at the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum (RIHF3). (SPA)
Dignitaries are seen at the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum (RIHF3). (SPA)
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3rd Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum Kicks Off

Dignitaries are seen at the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum (RIHF3). (SPA)
Dignitaries are seen at the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum (RIHF3). (SPA)

Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz attended on Monday the inauguration of the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum (RIHF3).

The event is being held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. It is organized by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in partnership with the United Nations and its humanitarian organizations in Riyadh.

During an opening address, Advisor at the Royal Court and KSrelief General Supervisor, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah welcomed the participants to Riyadh.

He underlined the support from King Salman and the follow-up of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister.

Dr. Al Rabeeah said: "We are meeting today as the world is witnessing many disasters, crises, conflicts, and events that have exacerbated the humanitarian situation and multiplied its challenges.”

The latest of these tragedies is the earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria, claiming the lives of tens of thousands of people and leaving millions homeless.

He stressed that today's meeting calls for more concerted efforts and expansion of donors, states, bodies, and individuals, and raising the level of coordination and impact of humanitarian aid so that work will be more effective and responsive.

He noted that the forum has enjoyed great interest and active participation from the UN and international, regional and local organizations, as well as active leaders in humanitarian efforts from 50 countries and nearly 60 organizations.

Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, delivered a speech on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.

He thanked Saudi Arabia, explaining that the humanitarian scene is a harsh one, as the needs are growing all over the world.

He noted that the world is experiencing the largest food crisis in modern history and famine is knocking on many doors. He cited challenges caused by the Ukraine war and catastrophe of the Turkiye and Syria earthquakes.

Griffiths added that more than 350 million people need humanitarian assistance around the world. More than 222 million people do not know when they will eat their next meal or whether they will find something to eat at all, and 45 million people are already on the brink of starvation, most of them women and children. He added that nearly $54 billion was needed to meet the basic needs of the most affected people.

Griffiths called for ending wars and conflicts, stopping the outbreak of new conflicts, and addressing climate change directly because every flood, heat wave, drought, or severe storm leaves in its wake a humanitarian crisis.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan said: "Driven from the values of our true Islamic religion, the kings of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, since its founding by King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud and his sons, up to the era of King Salman, have always been keen to rally all efforts and mobilize the Kingdom’s capabilities to serve humanitarian causes to alleviate the suffering of stricken people and provide relief to the distressed wherever the need arises, without racial or religious discrimination.”

He added that the volume of the aid supplied by the Kingdom over the past seven decades amounts to $95 billion, benefiting 160 countries around the world.

He added that amid geopolitical and economic crises and challenges, the Kingdom continues to advance in its humanitarian contributions, making it at the forefront of donors of development and humanitarian aid to low- and middle-income countries, with an amount exceeding $7 billion.

He recalled that the last humanitarian efforts of the Kingdom were the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed to operate an air bridge, provide various humanitarian aid, and organize a national campaign to mitigate the effects of the earthquake on the Syrian and Turkish peoples.

"These repeated events remind us of our urgent need for humanity without borders, to ensure the preservation of human dignity, and prompt us to redouble efforts to avoid the scourge of war, to cooperate in facing disasters, and to ensure the delivery of aid to those who deserve it in line with international humanitarian law and the principles of humanitarian action,” he stressed.

The Kingdom has worked proactively to reduce the deterioration of the conditions of affected countries and societies and to seek practical and effective solutions through regional and international cooperation, he went on to say.

The Kingdom announced in the past two years a series of initiatives that proved its leadership in climate affairs at the regional and global levels, he remarked. He cited the establishment of a Riyadh-based regional center for the Middle East and North African countries to reduce carbon emissions.

The center was set up in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Council for Western Asia (ESCWA).

Meanwhile, Dr. Al Rabeeah signed approval to allocate sums of money for new and various projects for those affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkiye, with a value exceeding SAR183 million.

The first project, valued SAR75 million, includes the construction of 3,000 housing units to shelter those affected by the earthquake. The second, with a value of SAR40 million, will sponsor orphans affected by the earthquake,

The third project, with a value of SAR18 million, includes the implementation of a voluntary program for the benefit of the victims (Saudi Volunteer Life). The fourth project, worth more than SAR17.8 million, will provide life-saving health care services.

The fifth project, valued at of more than SAR6,500,000, includes the implementation of life-saving water and sanitation interventions. The sixth project, worth more than SAR6,500,000, calls for providing basic nutrition supplies. The seventh project, with a value of more than SAR19,800,000, includes the urgent medical response to relief the earthquake victims in Syria.



World Bank, UAE Lead Climate Financing Boost at COP28

COP28 president Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber speaks during the Transforming Food Systems in the Face of Climate Change event on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit at Dubai Expo on December 1, 2023. (AFP)
COP28 president Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber speaks during the Transforming Food Systems in the Face of Climate Change event on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit at Dubai Expo on December 1, 2023. (AFP)
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World Bank, UAE Lead Climate Financing Boost at COP28

COP28 president Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber speaks during the Transforming Food Systems in the Face of Climate Change event on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit at Dubai Expo on December 1, 2023. (AFP)
COP28 president Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber speaks during the Transforming Food Systems in the Face of Climate Change event on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit at Dubai Expo on December 1, 2023. (AFP)

Governments, development banks and companies announced on Friday initiatives to mobilize billions in climate cash at the COP28 summit where the UAE has made increasing financing central to its leadership of the UN talks.

So far the world has barely begun to deliver the vast amounts of money needed to help the world pay for the transition away from fossil fuels and deal with the impact of climate change.

Developing countries will need an estimated $2.4 trillion in annual climate finance by 2030, the Climate Policy Initiative non-profit organization said.

To try to end years of deadlock on the financing issue, COP28 summit host the United Arab Emirates said it would invest $30 billion in a new climate investment venture.

Named ALTÉRRA, it will aim to mobilize $250 billion in investment by the end of the decade, in what COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber described as a "defining moment" for climate finance.

Calling it "the world's largest private investment vehicle for climate change action," Al Jaber said it included $5 billion to be allocated to poorer countries.

BANK ROLL

The World Bank stepped up with a promise to increase the amount it spends annually on climate-related projects to 45% of its financing over 2024 to 2025, up from 35% now, as part of a policy overhaul to better respond to climate change.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also backed the broader effort to reform the world's multilateral development bank system to "leverage far more private finance at reasonable costs."

Average annual climate finance hit almost $1.3 trillion in 2021-22, but only around $30 billion – just 2% - went to developing countries, a November report by the Climate Policy Initiative said.

Another report released Friday by the Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance also said investment was too little and too much of that "is still misdirected".

Emerging market and developing countries were being "left behind on clean energy," it said.

To help channel support to emerging market financial firms, the World Bank and other multilateral lenders including the International Monetary Fund launched the Global Capacity Building Coalition on Friday.

Also to try to ensure climate funding is not wasted on spurious projects, the World Bank on Friday announced a plan to expand the growth of "high-integrity global carbon markets," helping five countries in 2024 to develop robust offset credits that they can sell into the market.

PLEDGE'S FROM WORLD'S WEALTHIEST

To help support smallholder farmers in Africa and South Africa who face severe consequences from global warming, the Gates Foundation, the charitable foundation of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and the UAE together committed $200 million.

In a first for blended finance, bringing together public and private lenders, leading climate-focused donors including the Bezos Earth Fund joined forces to launch the Allied Climate Partners investing platform. The aim is to generate $11 billion in investments in developing countries.

The transition to electric vehicles also drew impetus as Tata Motors said it would work with affiliated banks under the Climate Finance Leadership Initiative India (CFLI India) to boost sales.

Part of broader coalition of Indian and international companies, CFLI plans to mobilize more than $6.5 billion into sectors including e-mobility, green hydrogen, and renewables.

FINANCING A SHIPPING TRANSITION?

Decarbonizing shipping and how to finance it also came into focus at Friday's talks.

Some of the world's biggest container shipping lines set out commitments on how to decarbonize shipping, after a global deal reached in July was criticized for lacking substance.

Countries through the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) to aim for net-zero shipping emissions by around 2050, but they failed to reach consensus on issues such as a carbon levy.

In a declaration on Friday, shipping lines CMA CGM, Hapag Lloyd, Maersk and MSC, and backed by France, Denmark and South Korea called for a global marine fuel emissions intensity standard. They also sought a pricing mechanism to reduce the price gap between fossil fuels and alternative fuels for shipping.

The companies also pledged to aim for one or more of the highest targets in the IMO deal en route to net zero - including a 30% emissions reduction by 2030 and an 80% decrease by 2040 - and called for a firm date to end the construction of vessels based on fossil fuel.

"By collaborating with others, we each take a new step in our energy transition, while ensuring a collective level playing field and access to greener fuels for the industry," CMA CGM's Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saade said.

Shipping transports around 90% of world trade and accounts for nearly 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions.


Erdogan Meets UAE President, Says Israel Restarting Attacks on Gaza Is ‘Very Negative’

A handout photo made available by Turkish Presidential Press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during their meeting at the UN Climate Change Conference COP28, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 01 December 2023. (Turkish Presidential Press Office /Handout/EPA)
A handout photo made available by Turkish Presidential Press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during their meeting at the UN Climate Change Conference COP28, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 01 December 2023. (Turkish Presidential Press Office /Handout/EPA)
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Erdogan Meets UAE President, Says Israel Restarting Attacks on Gaza Is ‘Very Negative’

A handout photo made available by Turkish Presidential Press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during their meeting at the UN Climate Change Conference COP28, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 01 December 2023. (Turkish Presidential Press Office /Handout/EPA)
A handout photo made available by Turkish Presidential Press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during their meeting at the UN Climate Change Conference COP28, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 01 December 2023. (Turkish Presidential Press Office /Handout/EPA)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan that Israel restarting its attacks on Gaza after the collapse of a week-long truce was "very negative", his office said on Friday.

The Turkish and Emirati leaders met on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai. Erdogan also met the prime ministers of Japan and Italy to discuss Gaza, as well as with his counterpart from Uzbekistan, the presidency said.

"President Erdogan, who noted that the restarting of clashes was very negative, said Turkey was working to achieve a lasting ceasefire and for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza," it said in a statement, adding Erdogan also said Türkiye was doing its best to stop Israel's "massacre".


24th Saudi Relief Plane for Palestinians in Gaza Arrives in Egypt

24th Saudi relief plane to Gaza - SPA
24th Saudi relief plane to Gaza - SPA
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24th Saudi Relief Plane for Palestinians in Gaza Arrives in Egypt

24th Saudi relief plane to Gaza - SPA
24th Saudi relief plane to Gaza - SPA

The 24th Saudi relief plane, operated by the Riyadh-based King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), has arrived in Egypt on Friday.

The plane carries 31 tons of relief aid, including food and shelter materials, to be transported to the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip, SPA reported.

The assistance, which was dispatched Thursday, is in keeping with Saudi Arabia's historic role in supporting the brotherly Palestinian people in times of crisis.


South Korean President Congratulates Saudi Crown Prince on Riyadh Expo 2030 Selection

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Riyadh last October. SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Riyadh last October. SPA
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South Korean President Congratulates Saudi Crown Prince on Riyadh Expo 2030 Selection

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Riyadh last October. SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Riyadh last October. SPA

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received a phone call from South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call on Thursday, Yoon congratulated the Crown Prince on Saudi Arabia's selection as host of the World Expo 2030 in Riyadh, which was announced on Tuesday, SPA said.

Prince Mohammed thanked Yoon for his congratulations.

Riyadh will host the Expo 2030 world fair, the vote results from 182 members of the Bureau International des Expositions showed on Tuesday.

South Korea's Busan and Italy's Rome were also in the running to host the world fair, a five-yearly event that attracts millions of visitors and billions of dollars in investment.

Riyadh was picked by a majority of 119 out of 165 votes. Busan won 29 and Rome 17.


Khalid bin Salman, Grundberg Discuss Saudi Efforts to End Yemeni Crisis

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met in Riyadh on Thursday with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg.
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met in Riyadh on Thursday with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg.
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Khalid bin Salman, Grundberg Discuss Saudi Efforts to End Yemeni Crisis

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met in Riyadh on Thursday with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg.
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met in Riyadh on Thursday with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg.

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met in Riyadh on Thursday with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg.

The meeting reviewed the Kingdom's efforts to support peace and the roadmap between the Yemeni parties to reach an inclusive political solution to end Yemen’s crisis under the supervision of the United Nations, ensure comprehensive peace, and ensure its sustainability.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber and the Director-General of the Office of the Minister of Defense, Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif.

From the UN side, the attendees were Special Assistant to the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Linnea Hincks, Chief of Political Affairs in the Office of the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen Roxaneh Bazergan, and Advisor to the UN Special Envoy to Yemen April Alley.


Saudi Defense Minister, Iranian Chief of Staff Discuss Ties Between 2 Countries

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister, Iranian Chief of Staff Discuss Ties Between 2 Countries

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received a phone call from Iranian Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday.
During the phone call, the two sides reviewed relations between the two countries in the military and defense fields and discussed other issues of mutual concern, SPA said.


14 Ambulances Head to Gaza as Part of Saudi Aid

Fourteen out of the planned 20 ambulances provided by KSrelief are en route to the Gaza Strip. SPA
Fourteen out of the planned 20 ambulances provided by KSrelief are en route to the Gaza Strip. SPA
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14 Ambulances Head to Gaza as Part of Saudi Aid

Fourteen out of the planned 20 ambulances provided by KSrelief are en route to the Gaza Strip. SPA
Fourteen out of the planned 20 ambulances provided by KSrelief are en route to the Gaza Strip. SPA

Fourteen out of the planned 20 ambulances provided by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) are en route to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing, the Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday.

These ambulances carry crucial medical supplies including biometric devices, oxygen devices, first aid kits, burn treatment kits, transport beds, splints, and straps, among others, SPA said.

This aid is part of the ongoing Saudi Campaign for the Relief of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, the news agency added.


Saudi FM: What Brings Us Closer to a Solution in Gaza is a Ceasefire

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks during a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East at the United Nations headquarters on November 29, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Andrea RENAULT / AFP)
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks during a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East at the United Nations headquarters on November 29, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Andrea RENAULT / AFP)
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Saudi FM: What Brings Us Closer to a Solution in Gaza is a Ceasefire

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks during a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East at the United Nations headquarters on November 29, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Andrea RENAULT / AFP)
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks during a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East at the United Nations headquarters on November 29, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Andrea RENAULT / AFP)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has participated in the UN Security Council’s emergency session on the situation in the Middle East, stressing the importance of a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

In his statement at the session, Prince Faisal said that the Security Council’s meeting on Wednesday was the second to be held under the same difficult and painful circumstances in Gaza, adding that, since the previous session, the death toll in Gaza has reached more than 14,000, 67% of whom were women and children, with the total number of the displaced exceeding half a million people as a result of the horrific military escalation by the Israeli occupation forces and their continued violation of international charters and resolutions.

The Saudi Minister also underlined that the complete absence of international accountability mechanisms prevails in light of the Council’s inability to take any deterrent measures against these violations.

He also noted that the Kingdom hosted the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh on November 11.

He said the resolutions of the summit represent the will of Arab and Islamic peoples that seek to end bloodshed and unconditionally deliver relief assistance, end the violations and the large-scale suffering of the Palestinian people and support them in realizing their legitimate rights and establishing their independent state.
Prince Faisal further said that the message of the Joint Arab-Islamic summit is clear and unified: an immediate and permanent ceasefire that establishes a genuine and credible peace process.

He added: “Countries that seek peace and justice, and seek to preserve the legitimacy and solidity of the international system, whose credibility has been shaken as a result of its slow approach to this humanitarian crisis must add their voices to ours."

The Saudi Foreign Minister also welcomed the humanitarian truce reached in Gaza, voicing in the efforts of Qatar, Egypt and the US, which came as the first step to free prisoners and detainees and enable the return of the displaced and deliver adequate assistance to them. Prince Faisal said this step is not enough in light of the ongoing restrictions of the numbers of trucks entering Gaza.

He underlined the need for an unobstructed and sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza and removing all unjustified restrictions and additional complications as the situation of civilians can no longer tolerate any delay in the arrival of urgent aid to them, stressing the importance of implementing Security Council Resolution 2712, and building on it to reach a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire.

The Prince said that the truce does not relieve the Israeli side of its responsibilities within the framework of international law and international humanitarian law, and that the baseless pretexts for self-defense are unacceptable and unreasonable in light of the humanitarian tragedies repeated on a daily basis in Gaza.

Prince Faisal also stressed that allowing the military escalation to continue immediately after the end of the truce, and taking two steps back, would constitute a disgrace to the United Nations and the Security Council.

“We heard during this session that water, food, and medicine will not bring us a solution, so what will lead to a solution? More deaths, more suffering for civilians. No, what brings us closer to the solution is a ceasefire, and Israel’s response to decades-long peace efforts,” the minister said.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia presented the Arab Peace Plan at the Fez Arab Summit in 1982. The Arab Peace Initiative was also presented at 2002 Arab Summit in Beirut, and was supported by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The Palestine Liberation Organization also recognized the state of Israel in 1993. Where is the Israeli peace plan? Where is the Israeli recognition of the state of Palestine? We are advocates of peace, and peace has always been our strategic choice, and we want it to be the choice of the other side as well.”

Prince Faisal called for an international recognition under a Security Council resolution of the independent state of Palestine, and for it to gain full UN membership, renewing the call for holding a UN-organized international peace conference through which a serious and reliable peace process would be launched to guarantee the implementation of the two-state solution on the basis of international legitimacy resolutions.


Emir of Qatar, German President Stress Need to Resume Regional Peace Process

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (QNA)
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (QNA)
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Emir of Qatar, German President Stress Need to Resume Regional Peace Process

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (QNA)
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (QNA)

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier have emphasized the necessity of resuming the comprehensive peace process in the Middle East, to ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Sheikh Tamim announced in a post on his official X account on Wednesday that he had had extensive talks with the German President, focusing on the cooperation between the two countries in investment and energy.

They discussed the latest developments in Gaza, emphasizing together the need to resume the comprehensive peace process in the Middle East, ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state under international legitimacy resolutions.

The German President arrived in Doha from Muscat, where he spent an official three-day visit and met with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and ways to enhance and develop them in all fields, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.

They also addressed the latest regional and international developments and matters of mutual interest.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said on X that the German President’s visit to Oman and the comprehensive discussions will undoubtedly deepen and expand the partnership, especially in energy and tourism.

The German President and his wife visited the Oman Across Ages Museum in the Wilayat of Manah in the al-Dakhiliyah Governorate.

They were briefed on the facility’s design inspired by the rugged topography of the al-Hajar Mountains. They toured the History Hall and the Renaissance Hall, which present interactive displays to the visitors.

They saw antiques and manuscripts demonstrating the depth and authenticity of Omani history. They were briefed about modern technologies that characterize the museum and the services that the museum provides for visitors.

They also visited the Nizwa Fort and listened to a brief explanation of its history.

After their visit, Steinmeier and his spouse signed the Senior Visitor’s Register, conveying their thanks for the hospitality and expressing happiness at learning about the history of the Sultanate of Oman.


Kuwait’s Emir Hospitalized Due to Emergency Health Problem

Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah. Kuna
Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah. Kuna
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Kuwait’s Emir Hospitalized Due to Emergency Health Problem

Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah. Kuna
Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah. Kuna

The Emir of Kuwait was hospitalized Wednesday “due to an emergency health problem” but later reported to be in stable condition.

Wednesday night, authorities put out a new statement urging the public to only take information from “official sources” about Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah’s health.

They also added he was receiving the medication he needed.