Digital Dispute Settlement Provides Appropriate Environment for Saudi Private Sector

One of the sessions of the International Judicial Conference on Monday, in Riyadh, in the presence of a group of legal experts (Asharq Al-Awsat)
One of the sessions of the International Judicial Conference on Monday, in Riyadh, in the presence of a group of legal experts (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Digital Dispute Settlement Provides Appropriate Environment for Saudi Private Sector

One of the sessions of the International Judicial Conference on Monday, in Riyadh, in the presence of a group of legal experts (Asharq Al-Awsat)
One of the sessions of the International Judicial Conference on Monday, in Riyadh, in the presence of a group of legal experts (Asharq Al-Awsat)

International experts have warned of the biases of artificial intelligence rulings in the judicial system, stressing the importance of providing modern technologies with correct data and updated information, to ensure fair and equitable decisions for all parties.

In a session on data analysis within the International Judicial Conference on Monday, a group of international jurists pointed to the importance of digital transformation in the Saudi justice system and in dispute settlement.

The experts noted that Saudi Arabia was able to keep pace with the massive and rapid development in technology by reducing time and effort and providing a justice environment suitable for all parties, including the local and foreign private sectors.

Wang Ju, a law professor and director of the Big Legal Data Lab in China, said that research and development were underway to employ artificial intelligence technologies in addressing complexities in judicial systems.

He also stressed the need to integrate technical and ethical information to make modern technologies capable of issuing fair judgments.

Another session on Monday highlighted the future of alternative dispute solutions in light of the digital transformation, with the participation of a number of international experts in legal affairs. Those pointed to the importance that workers in the judicial field understand the latest technologies and use them appropriately to accelerate the pace of business and ensure high quality of services.

Yousef Alghamdi, Director of the Saudi Justice Ministry’s Remote Reconciliation Platform, said that the Ministry of Justice has rich experience in digital transformation and modern technology, enabling it to keep pace with rapid technological development.

He added that the ministry has launched several initiatives aimed at providing a sustainable system, qualified capabilities, and high-quality services supported by social awareness.



World Bank to Finance Syria with $146 Million to Restore Electricity

Syrians walk in a dark street in Douma. Reuters file photo
Syrians walk in a dark street in Douma. Reuters file photo
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World Bank to Finance Syria with $146 Million to Restore Electricity

Syrians walk in a dark street in Douma. Reuters file photo
Syrians walk in a dark street in Douma. Reuters file photo

The World Bank approved a $146 million grant to help Syria restore reliable, affordable electricity and support the country's economic recovery, it said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The Syria Electricity Emergency Project (SEEP) will rehabilitate damaged transmission lines and transformer substations and provide technical assistance to support the development of the electricity sector and build the capacity of its institutions,” it said.

After 14 years of war, Syria's electricity sector has been suffering from severe damage to its grid and power stations, aging infrastructure, and persistent fuel shortages.

"Among Syria’s urgent reconstruction needs, rehabilitating the electricity sector has emerged as a critical, no-regret investment that can improve the living conditions of the Syrian people, support the return of refugees and the internally displaced, enable resumption of other services such as water services and healthcare for the population and help kickstart economic recovery," said World Bank Middle East Division Director Jean-Christophe Carret.

"This project represents the first step in a planned increase in World Bank support to Syria on its path to recovery and development,” he added.

According to the World Bank statement, the SEEP will finance the rehabilitation of high voltage transmission lines, including two critical 400 kV high-voltage interconnector transmission lines damaged during the conflict, restoring Syria’s regional connectivity to Jordan and Türkiye.

The project will also repair damaged high-voltage transformer substations near demand centers in the most impacted areas that host the highest number of returnee refugees and internally displaced people and provide necessary spare parts and maintenance equipment.

In addition, the SEEP will provide technical assistance to inform the country’s key electricity sector strategies, policy and regulatory reforms, and investment plans for medium to long term sustainability. It will also provide capacity building support to the electricity sector institutions to implement these strategies and reforms.