G20 Summit to Use Saudi Videoconference Platform ‘Boroog’

G20 Summit to Use Saudi Videoconference Platform ‘Boroog’
TT
20

G20 Summit to Use Saudi Videoconference Platform ‘Boroog’

G20 Summit to Use Saudi Videoconference Platform ‘Boroog’

In continuation of Saudi Arabia’s successful leadership of the G20 this year, and under the supervision of the G20 Saudi Secretariat, the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) has completed its preparations to manage and operate the secure government video conferencing system, Boroog, for the G20 Summit.

The Kingdom will host the summit on Nov. 21-22, under the theme "Realizing the opportunities of the 21st century for all".

Boroog is a secure video conferencing platform managed and operated by SDAIA through one of its executive arms, the National Information Center. It provides effective and efficient virtual meeting services for the Kingdom’s leadership and government entities. The platform also provides the highest levels of safety and reliability and helps reduce operational costs and expenses.

It is worth noting that Boroog has already hosted more than 700 local and international meetings successfully, including the Extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit in the Kingdom last March.

The platform is also used to host meetings of the Cabinet, the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, Political and Security Affairs Council, Shura Council, OPEC meetings, and several others held by government and semi-government entities.

Boroog platform comes as a result of the efforts of the young highly qualified national cadres who work continuously to empower government entities through developing their remote communication with different local and international entities. This fulfills one of the most prominent objectives for which the platform was established, ensuring business continuity support.



Israel's Shekel and Bonds Slide as Gaza Ceasefire Buckles

New Israeli Shekel banknotes are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Nir Elias/Illustration/File photo
New Israeli Shekel banknotes are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Nir Elias/Illustration/File photo
TT
20

Israel's Shekel and Bonds Slide as Gaza Ceasefire Buckles

New Israeli Shekel banknotes are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Nir Elias/Illustration/File photo
New Israeli Shekel banknotes are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Nir Elias/Illustration/File photo

Israel's currency fell alongside its bonds and stock market on Tuesday as a wave of deadly airstrikes by its military in Gaza threatened the complete collapse of an already fragile two-month ceasefire with Hamas.

Concerns about both the humanitarian and economic costs of a return to intense fighting spiked as Israel's resumption of bombing of Gaza, which it said was a "preemptive offensive" to try to force the release of its remaining hostages, prompted anger from Hamas.

Israel's shekel dropped as much as half a percent against both the dollar and euro, while many of its government bonds, which suffered a wave of rating downgrades last year due to the war, had their biggest falls in over a month, Reuters reported.

Ronen Menachem, chief markets economist at Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, said a resumption in the conflict could see further falls in the shekel and a renewed rise in Israel’s bond market risk premium.

"The market will react based on whether this is perceived as a defined and limited operation or the opening of a broader campaign," he said.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the military to take Tuesday's "strong action" in response to Hamas's refusal to release the remaining 59 hostages it holds following its October 7, 2023 attacks and its rejection of other ceasefire proposals.

The Palestinian militant group accused Netanyahu of breaching the ceasefire deal and jeopardizing efforts by mediators to secure a permanent truce.

Negotiating teams from Israel and Hamas had been in Doha as mediators from Egypt and Qatar sought to bridge the gap between the two sides after the end of an initial phase in the ceasefire, in which 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais were released in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.