Saudi Arabia Selected as Member of UN AI Advisory Body

The United Nations headquarters is seen during the 75th annual UN General Assembly high-level debate, in New York, US, September 21, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
The United Nations headquarters is seen during the 75th annual UN General Assembly high-level debate, in New York, US, September 21, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
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Saudi Arabia Selected as Member of UN AI Advisory Body

The United Nations headquarters is seen during the 75th annual UN General Assembly high-level debate, in New York, US, September 21, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
The United Nations headquarters is seen during the 75th annual UN General Assembly high-level debate, in New York, US, September 21, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced the selection of Saudi Arabia to the UN Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence (AI), which consists of 39 members representing government and private and civil-society organizations and the academic community from around the world.

Shura Council member Dr. Latifa bint Mohammad Al-Abdulkareem will represent the Kingdom at the UN AI Advisory Body.

The secretary-general said in a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York that the members of the High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence come from various backgrounds in terms of gender, geography, and age, bringing wide range of perspectives to the task.

The Kingdom hosted a consultative meeting during the Global Artificial Intelligence Summit, organized by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in 2022, on the establishment of the UN Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence.

The proposal to establish the body was made in 2020 as an initiative of the UN chief and part of the digital cooperation roadmap to conduct analysis and provide recommendations on international governance of AI.



Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
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Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued on Sunday a circular indicating that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.”

Lebanon's health ministry expressed surprise and said it would seek clarification.

It said it received the Kuwaiti statement "with great surprise", adding it had not been provided with "any information or notification from any Kuwaiti entity about this matter.”

"The hospitals mentioned in the statement are registered with the syndicate of private hospitals in Lebanon and carry out their role in providing treatment and health services to all Lebanese without exception," the ministry statement said.

It called the facilities "an essential part of the Lebanese health system,” and said it would contact the relevant authorities to request clarification and "protect Lebanon's health system.”

It noted that "Kuwait has numerous joint projects with the ministry... and has been among the most prominent countries that have stood by the health system during the successive crises that Lebanon has faced.”

The latest move was "unprecedented and inconsistent" with the Gulf country's usual approach, it added.


Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martínez in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of mutual interest.


Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
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Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed developments in Syria.