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Saudi Arabia Approves New Personal Data Protection System

The system protects any personal data that might lead to identifying directly or indirectly the user from unconsented collection and processing
The system protects any personal data that might lead to identifying directly or indirectly the user from unconsented collection and processing
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Saudi Arabia Approves New Personal Data Protection System

The system protects any personal data that might lead to identifying directly or indirectly the user from unconsented collection and processing
The system protects any personal data that might lead to identifying directly or indirectly the user from unconsented collection and processing

The head of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, said that the newly government approved personal data protection system would help ensure the privacy of personal data, regulate its sharing and prevent any abuse.

On Tuesday, the Saudi government passed the Personal Data Protection System.

According to Al-Ghamdi, the new regulation will strengthen the sense of responsibility for individuals and entities, build the principle of trust and joint work between them, and consolidate respect for privacy.

The SDAIA chief also noted that the system will boost the Kingdom’s digital transformation process, a crucial pillar of achieving the national Vision 2030 transformation plan.

It will do so by developing the digital infrastructure supporting innovation.

This will empower the private sector and help create a favorable regulatory environment for business growth and attracting foreign investments to ensure economic sustainability, global leadership, and national data sovereignty.

Al-Ghamdi assured that it’s not permissible to use personal means of communication for the purpose of marketing or awareness materials except with the approval of the owner of personal data, or the existence of a mechanism that enables him to express his desire to receive it or not.

Al-Ghamdi stressed that the system guarantees the owners of personal data the right to view their data and know the purpose of its collection and processing, and they have the right to access it or obtain a copy of it.

The data owner has the right to request restricting the processing of his personal data for cases, especially for a limited period of time, bearing in mind that the collection of personal data is limited to the minimum amount of data that enables the achievement of the specified purposes.

More so, the law is designated to protect any personal data that might directly or indirectly identify the user from unconsented collection and processing.

The data include name, identification number, address, phone number, personal records, financial records and images, videos, or any other identifying data.

For his part, the head of the National Data Management office, Tariq Al-Sheddi, explained that the personal data protection system is one of the main pillars for building an integrated regulatory environment that supports the growth of the private sector and attracts foreign investments.

It is also vital for ensuring the privacy of personal data owners and protecting their rights.

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Gulf

Crown Prince and Sultan of Oman Review Bilateral Relations and Regional Developments

The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations - SPA
The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations - SPA
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Crown Prince and Sultan of Oman Review Bilateral Relations and Regional Developments

The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations - SPA
The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations - SPA

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, met on Tuesday in Jeddah with Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik, SPA reported.

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and explored promising opportunities to strengthen cooperation across various fields.

The two leaders also discussed recent developments in the Middle East and ongoing efforts to maintain regional security and stability.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Pushes to Activate Makkah Agreement, Strengthen Deterrence and Collective Defense

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairing a Cabinet session - SPA
Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairing a Cabinet session - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Pushes to Activate Makkah Agreement, Strengthen Deterrence and Collective Defense

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairing a Cabinet session - SPA
Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairing a Cabinet session - SPA

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held on Tuesday in Jeddah which reviewed the outcomes of recent consultations and discussions between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other nations, including the message received by the Crown Prince from Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman.

The Cabinet commended the outcomes of the first meeting of the Strategic Political Defence Committee of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan, which included an agreement to take further institutional steps to establish a General Secretariat headquartered in the Kingdom and activate joint cooperation mechanisms, aiming to enhance coordination and integration, ensure effective deterrence and collective defense, and support international security and regional efforts toward achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said that upon reviewing the outcomes of the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States, the Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's continued support for all efforts enhancing the organization's role in serving Islamic causes and fulfilling the aspirations of Muslims for peace and stability.

The Cabinet also congratulated Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on his election as OIC secretary-general, expressing appreciation for the dedicated efforts of former secretary-general Hissein Brahim Taha throughout his tenure.

The Cabinet further highlighted Saudi Arabia's active engagement in regional and international organizations, commending the national efforts that cemented its regional leadership with 21 healthy cities accredited by the World Health Organization.

This milestone was achieved by embedding accreditation standards into institutional and developmental practices that place human well-being and quality of life at the core of sustainable development.

The Cabinet also lauded the National Greening Program for receiving a United Nations award for World Restoration Flagships, a recognition that reflects the program's environmental leadership and dedication to expanding vegetation cover, rehabilitating degraded lands, protecting ecosystems, and enhancing biodiversity.

The Cabinet further noted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's re-election as Chair of the Executive Council of the Arab Administrative Development Organization, affirming its leading role in supporting joint Arab action and advancing human resource development and service quality across member states in line with shared aspirations.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan to Establish Secretariat Under Makkah Joint Defense Agreement

Officials are seen at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah agreement in Istanbul on Monday. (AFP)
Officials are seen at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah agreement in Istanbul on Monday. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan to Establish Secretariat Under Makkah Joint Defense Agreement

Officials are seen at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah agreement in Istanbul on Monday. (AFP)
Officials are seen at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah agreement in Istanbul on Monday. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan agreed to establish a secretariat in Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, which will initially be headed ‌by a Pakistani ‌secretary-general for ‌three ⁠years, the three countries ⁠said in a joint statement on Monday. 

The Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement held its first meeting in Istanbul bringing together the foreign ministers, defense ministers, commanders of the defense forces, and chiefs of the general staffs of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan. 

"In keeping with their commitment to fulfilling their regional responsibilities, the three states reaffirm their determination to work together within the framework of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region," said a joint statement after the meeting.  

"To this end, they will continue to support efforts aimed at de-escalation and restraint, thereby encouraging the peaceful resolution of crises." 

"The three states agreed today to take further steps to institutionalize their cooperation under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement in a manner that strengthens their solidarity, ensures the credibility and effectiveness of collective deterrence and defense, and contributes to regional efforts and cooperative security aimed at achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace," it continued. 

"A secretariat, headed by a secretary-general, will be established in Saudi Arabia to support the work of the three states under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement. During its initial phase, the secretariat will be led by a secretary-general from Pakistan for a three-year term," it added. 

"Through joint activities, the three states will work to boost their defense capabilities and the cohesion of their armed forces by fostering robust cooperation in defense industries and the development of joint production and technologies." 

"Through the institutional and substantive implementation of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, the three states will make essential contributions to regional peace and stability," it stressed. 

Speaking at a press conference after the talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the Makkah agreement will lead to greater stability and prosperity, and reduce uncertainty in the region, adding that "the process of testing a new architecture for security and cooperation in our region has begun with this agreement." 

He described the Makkah agreement as a "historic step," emphasizing that the countries of the region need to move together to establish peace.  

The alliance reinforces the concept of working to solve the region's problems through its own nations, rather than through foreign interventions that have deepened and intensified these problems, he remarked.  

"With the implementation of the agreement, we will witness greater stability in the region, ambiguity will decrease, and the positions of active players will become clear."  

"This alliance is founded on international principles such as respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in their internal affairs," he stated.  

"The alliance is not against any state and is open to all states in our region that adhere to these fundamental principles," he said.  

Asked if other countries could join the pact, Fidan said it was "indeed possible", but stressed consultations were ongoing to determine conditions, procedures and standards for membership.  

"We are also working on a roadmap regarding the processes of joining the alliance," he added.  

Fidan added: "The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement has been signed, and its objective is indeed to expand, but initially, the foundations must be solidly laid and it must be fully institutionalized."  

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, just like Türkiye, attach utmost importance to this matter, he noted.  

The scope of the agreement will be expanded to include other countries, with the approval of the three nations and through a gradual process. "We are currently seeking to complete the most difficult stage of the process, which is the foundational stage, together."  

Present at the meeting were Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Turkish FM Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Chief of General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu.