Saudi Arabia Advances Gulf Food Security Cooperation at 38th GCC Committee Meeting in Bahrain

The committee commended Saudi Arabia for its role in developing the GCC Food Security Strategy  - SPA
The committee commended Saudi Arabia for its role in developing the GCC Food Security Strategy - SPA
TT

Saudi Arabia Advances Gulf Food Security Cooperation at 38th GCC Committee Meeting in Bahrain

The committee commended Saudi Arabia for its role in developing the GCC Food Security Strategy  - SPA
The committee commended Saudi Arabia for its role in developing the GCC Food Security Strategy - SPA

Saudi Arabia participated in the 38th Meeting of the GCC Committee for Agricultural Cooperation and Food Security in Bahrain, with a delegation led by General Food Security Authority President Eng. Ahmad Alfares, where it reviewed progress in implementing the GCC Food Security Strategy, as part of efforts to deepen coordination and integration among member states and build a more resilient regional food security system capable of maintaining stable agricultural and food supply chains.

The committee commended Saudi Arabia for its role in developing the GCC Food Security Strategy and preparing a comprehensive framework for a regional plant genetic resources bank. It also recognized Saudi Arabia's efforts to establish early-warning mechanisms to monitor and analyze indicators linked to food supply chains, SPA reported.

The meeting addressed a range of issues affecting agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and food security across the GCC. Officials also reviewed a report on a consultancy project examining modern technologies and artificial intelligence applications in farm management and agricultural productivity across the Gulf states.

The project is being carried out in cooperation with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

The committee also followed up on decisions from its 34th meeting and reviewed the implementation of resolutions adopted at its 37th meeting. Several unified regulations, laws, and implementing rules were approved during the session.

Saudi Arabia's participation underscores its efforts to strengthen an integrated Gulf food security framework and enhance coordination among GCC members as regional and global developments affect agricultural production and food supply chains.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Saudi Arabia announced that it will host and chair the committee's 39th meeting and continue working with GCC partners to expand cooperation. Saudi Arabia also thanked Bahrain for hosting the meeting and commended efforts to ensure its success.



Saudi FM Holds Separate Calls with His Qatari, Egyptian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi FM Holds Separate Calls with His Qatari, Egyptian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

They discussed the latest regional developments and efforts to de-escalate tensions and strengthen security and stability.

According to SPA, he also received a phone call from Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdelatty, with whom he discussed regional and international developments and efforts to support security and stability.


Coalition: Houthi Cruise Missile Launched Toward Riyadh Region Destroyed

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Coalition: Houthi Cruise Missile Launched Toward Riyadh Region Destroyed

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki stated on Saturday that a cruise missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward Riyadh Region was intercepted and destroyed.

Al-Malki said on Friday night that a UAV was intercepted and destroyed in Riyadh Region.


Turkish Parliament Ratifies Makkah Defense Pact

General view of the Turkish Parliament. (Reuters – File Photo)
General view of the Turkish Parliament. (Reuters – File Photo)
TT

Turkish Parliament Ratifies Makkah Defense Pact

General view of the Turkish Parliament. (Reuters – File Photo)
General view of the Turkish Parliament. (Reuters – File Photo)

Türkiye's parliament ratified a regional defense pact involving Saudi Arabia and Pakistan overnight, state media reported.

The three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement in August, committing them to come to one another's aid if any member is attacked.

Lawmakers approved the measure by 279 votes to 119, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency.

During parliamentary debates, ruling AKP lawmaker Ziya Altunyaldiz said the agreement was not directed against any third country and was intended to prevent conflicts rather than escalate them, Anadolu reported.