Saudi Arabia News Gazette

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Saudi Space Agency (SSA), participated in the G20 Space Economy Leaders Meeting held today in Foz do Iguaçu, Federative Republic of Brazil. According to a press release from SSA, the delegation from the Kingdom was led by the CEO of SSA, Dr. Mohammed Altamimi. The meeting focused on enhancing the global role of the space economy and its tangible contributions to addressing environmental challenges and leveraging scientific and technological advancements in space to achieve sustainable development goals. The discussion involved space agencies and entities from G20 member countries, representatives from invited nations, and heads of international and regional organizations. In his address, Dr. Altamimi emphasized that this year's theme, "Space Economy and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities," underscores the vital role of the space sector in confronting global environmental challenges and its significant contribution to improving the quality of life o n Earth. He extended his gratitude to the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil, particularly to the CEO of the Brazilian Space Agency, Marco Antonio Chamon, for their efforts in organizing the fifth edition of this important meeting. He highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to advancing the global space economy. He noted that the Saudi Space Agency has Established the "Future Space Center" in partnership with the World Economic Forum. This center will serve as a catalyst for international collaboration, innovation, and economic opportunities in the space sector. He reiterated the Kingdom's belief that investment in space is essential for humanity's progress. The Space Economy Leaders Meeting is one of the outcomes of the Kingdom's G20 presidency, which, for the first time, included it as an agenda item. The Kingdom aims to enhance international space cooperation to maximize the benefits of the space economy and the use of space data in supporting sustainable development, food security, and glo bal health. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Saudi Committee for Labor Market and the Federation of Saudi Chambers concluded their three-day Workshops with the International Labor Organization (ILO) at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) yesterday. During these workshops, many topics were discussed that aimed to develop legislation and regulations with the Saudi Committee for Labor Market. The Chairman of the Saudi Committee for the Labor Market, Dr. Abdul Ghani Al-Sayegh, explained that the training workshops held on ILO and labor issues that affect companies impacted the labor market system and the relationship between the three parties of production represented by the government, employers, and workers. This is of the utmost importance as it gives dimension to local and international policies and legislation. The business owners spoke about improving the status of workers and raising their efficiency in the labor market. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and Red Bull Mobile Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) today to enhance AI capabilities and develop talent within both organizations. The agreement was signed during the 3rd Global AI Summit (GAIN Summit) in Riyadh. Under the MoU, signed by Supervisor General of Capability Building Sector at SDAIA Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi and CEO of Red Bull Mobile Saudi Arabia Engineer Sulaiman Almusallam both sides will collaborate on specialized training programs and workshops. These initiatives aim to equip employees with comprehensive knowledge of AI concepts and practical applications. SDAIA and Red Bull Mobile Saudi Arabia will also foster the exchange of knowledge and expertise in AI fields relevant to their respective domains, promoting continuous learning and a deeper understanding of AI-driven solutions. The MoU further outlines plans to explore additional collaboration opportunities, ensuring the partnership can adapt to emerging AI trends, allowing both organizations to remain at the forefront of the rapidly evolving technological landscape. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Roads General Authority (GAE) clarified that the Saudi Highway Code has established unified standards for designing wildlife and camel crossings to enhance safety. These standards are part of broader efforts to improve the quality of life and ensure safety and efficiency in the road network. According to the GAE, the code specifies technical requirements for designing crossings, such as ensuring they are wide enough, providing natural light in underpasses, and using fencing to guide animals. It also mandates protection for animals in overpasses. The GAE is responsible for supervising and regulating the roads sector. The code will become mandatory for government entities early next year and for private entities in the middle of the year, aiming to achieve strategic objectives for safety, quality, and traffic density, with the goal of reaching a global ranking of sixth in road quality by Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and the Ministry of Education signed today a memorandum to launch a scholarship program in artificial intelligence (AI), during the third Global AI Summit (GAIN 2024 Summit) at King Abdulaziz International Convention Center in Riyadh. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was co-signed by Minister of Education Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan and SDAIA President Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi. The MoU outlined a collaboration to establish a scholarship program in AI that aims to bridge the gap in highly skilled national talents in AI and facilitate the admission of talented individuals to the most renowned international universities specializing in AI. Those wishing to join the program can register via the following link: https://sdaia.gov.sa/ar/Sectors/academy/Pages/ScholarshipProgram.aspx Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Ambassador to the Republic of Niger Dr. Zaid bin Mukhlid Al-Harbi has met with Nigerien Minister of Humanitarian Action and Disaster Management Aïssa Lawan Wandarama. They discussed humanitarian cooperation between the two countries. The Nigerien minister expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia's support, including food aid, well-drilling, and medical campaigns. She also praised Saudi Arabia's initiative to organize a donors' conference for displaced peoples and refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions. Source: Saudi Press Agency