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Saudi drugs watchdog boosts domestic and international collaborations

Aljadhey also led a delegation from the Kingdom at the 19th annual meeting of the International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities in New Delhi last week. (Supplied)
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Aljadhey also led a delegation from the Kingdom at the 19th annual meeting of the International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities in New Delhi last week. (Supplied)
Aljadhey also led a delegation from the Kingdom at the 19th annual meeting of the International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities in New Delhi last week. (Supplied)
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Aljadhey also led a delegation from the Kingdom at the 19th annual meeting of the International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities in New Delhi last week. (Supplied)
Aljadhey also led a delegation from the Kingdom at the 19th annual meeting of the International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities in New Delhi last week. (Supplied)
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Aljadhey also led a delegation from the Kingdom at the 19th annual meeting of the International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities in New Delhi last week. (Supplied)
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Updated 21 October 2024

Saudi drugs watchdog boosts domestic and international collaborations

Saudi drugs watchdog boosts domestic and international collaborations
  • Kingdom’s Food and Drug Authority signs collaboration deal with King Abdulaziz University on opening day of Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh
  • Authority’s CEO also led Saudi delegation at 19th annual International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities in New Delhi last week

RIYADH: Officials from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority are this week participating in a second event in the space of two weeks at which they will work to enhance local and international collaborations in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors.

The authority signed a memorandum of understanding with King Abdulaziz University on the opening day of the Global Health Exhibition 2024 in Riyadh, which began on Monday and continues until Wednesday.

The agreement, signed by the authority’s CEO, Hisham Aljadhey, and the university’s president, Tareef Alaama, is designed to encourage collaboration in rehabilitation services, training, consulting, studies and research, officials said. Key areas for cooperation include the designation of university labs as reference laboratories, the development of educational programs about legislation related to medical devices, and the use of artificial intelligence in the pharmaceutical industry.




Agreement was signed by the authority’s CEO, Hisham Aljadhey, and the university’s president, Tareef Alaama. (Supplied)

The aim is to advance innovation in healthcare in the Kingdom while improving levels of medical and regulatory expertise, the agency said. It added that both organizations want to help build a healthier future for the Kingdom through empowerment of young people by providing training and jobs in the medical field.

Aljadhey also led a delegation from the Kingdom at the 19th annual meeting of the International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities in New Delhi last week. The five-day event was hosted by the Indian government in collaboration with the World Health Organization.

“The international presence of member states is a testament to the shared goals we seek to achieve in ensuring the safety, efficacy and quality of medical products worldwide,” Aljadhey said.

Emphasizing the importance of international cooperation, he added that he is confident collective efforts will help to develop innovative solutions and strengthen regulatory frameworks in the sector, thereby enhancing global healthcare outcomes.


KSrelief undertakes new food and medical initiatives in Africa

KSrelief undertakes new food and medical initiatives in Africa
Updated 28 September 2025

KSrelief undertakes new food and medical initiatives in Africa

KSrelief undertakes new food and medical initiatives in Africa

DUBAI: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has launched and concluded several major relief initiatives across Africa this week, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
In Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, KSrelief inaugurated a large-scale food security support project designed to help the country’s most vulnerable communities.
SPA reported that the program will distribute 38,900 food baskets, each weighing 40 kilograms and containing essential food items, reaching approximately 233,400 individuals across multiple regions.
The initiative forms part of Ƶ’s pledge to support the Lake Chad region, a commitment made during the 2024 Jeddah Donors' Conference. 
Meanwhile, in Nouakchott, Mauritania, KSrelief successfully concluded a voluntary cardiac surgery and catheterization mission held from September 18 to 25.
According to SPA, an 18-member volunteer medical team performed 28 open-heart surgeries, 95 cardiac catheterization procedures, and three transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) operations.
In North Kordofan State, Sudan, KSrelief also distributed 1,400 food baskets in Sheikan locality, the effort is a continuation of Ƶ’s long-standing humanitarian assistance in Sudan.


On World Tourism Day, Ƶ highlights sector’s role in Vision 2030

On World Tourism Day, Ƶ highlights sector’s role in Vision 2030
Updated 27 September 2025

On World Tourism Day, Ƶ highlights sector’s role in Vision 2030

On World Tourism Day, Ƶ highlights sector’s role in Vision 2030
  • Ƶ invests heavily to boost travel culture and open up broad horizons for global visitors

JEDDAH: Ƶ joined countries worldwide in celebrating World Tourism Day, observed annually on Sept. 27.

The day aims to raise global awareness about the tourism sector’s significant economic, social, cultural, and political value, and its role in supporting sustainable development through various events and initiatives.

Tourism acts as a powerful soft power, capable of reshaping economies and societies by expanding job opportunities, developing infrastructure, and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

The Kingdom has prioritized this sector within the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, investing heavily to promote comprehensive development, enhance the culture of travel, and open up broad horizons for global visitors.

Recently, a UN tourism official said that rich natural and cultural assets mean Ƶ had strong potential to become a leading destination for wellness tourism in the Middle East.

Tourism provides communities across the planet with their livelihoods. The worldwide tourism industry was worth $10.9 trillion in 2024, or 10 percent of the global economy, and is projected to contribute $11.7 trillion in 2025, supporting 357 million jobs in 2024 and an estimated 371 million in 2025.


Ƶ to bring global AI translation debate to Seoul

The King Abdulaziz Public Library. (SPA0
The King Abdulaziz Public Library. (SPA0
Updated 27 September 2025

Ƶ to bring global AI translation debate to Seoul

The King Abdulaziz Public Library. (SPA0
  • The morning session, “Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Translation,” will be led by Yoon Eun Kyung, head of the university’s Arabic studies department

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Public Library will host an international symposium on artificial intelligence and translation in Seoul, bringing together experts from Ƶ, Morocco, and South Korea.

The event on Sept. 30 is titled “Translation and Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges,” according to Saudi Press Agency.

It will be held at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies as part of the 11th King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation.

FASTFACTS

• Organized by King Abdulaziz Public Library, the ‘Translation and Artificial Intelligence’ event will be held on Sept. 30.

• It will be held at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul as part of the 11th King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation.

Organizers said discussions will cover key issues for the industry, including the most effective AI tools for translators, ethical and copyright concerns, practical applications, and frameworks for responsible adoption.   

The program will begin with remarks from Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muammar, general supervisor of the King Abdulaziz Public Library, and Park Jeong-woon, president of Hankuk University.

The morning session, “Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Translation,” will be led by Yoon Eun Kyung, head of the university’s Arabic studies department. 

Presentations include Yahya Al-Zahrani on emerging AI translation tools, and Woon Baek on optimizing human-machine translation workflows.

Buthaina Al-Thuwaini will tackle ethical questions in her talk, “Who owns the translated text? Ethical issues in the age of AI.”

The afternoon focuses on Arabic language challenges, with Mai Al-Rashed moderating discussions on Arabic-Korean translation complexities.

Kwak Sun Lee will present bilateral translation research, while former UN Arabic Translation chief Mohammed Didaoui will discuss strategies for responsible AI use.

The symposium will highlight the growing role of AI in reshaping translation, raising questions about professional standards, cultural nuance and intellectual property, while offering new tools for efficiency.

 


KSrelief, UNOPS to support children’s hospitals in Syria

KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah signed the agreement with UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva.
KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah signed the agreement with UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva.
Updated 27 September 2025

KSrelief, UNOPS to support children’s hospitals in Syria

KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah signed the agreement with UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva.
  • The project, which is set to benefit 844,778 individuals, aims to enhance the capacity of high-quality emergency and essential healthcare facilities for children in affected areas

NEW YORK: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and the UN Office for Project Services signed a joint executive program to support children’s hospitals in northern Syria with specialized medical equipment.

The signing took place on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York City.

KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah signed the agreement with UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva.

The project, which is set to benefit 844,778 individuals, aims to enhance the capacity of high-quality emergency and essential healthcare facilities for children in affected areas.

This will be achieved by supplying specialized medical equipment to the pediatric intensive care units of three hospitals in Hama and the pediatric cardiac surgery department in Aleppo.

 


Saudi authorities launch Super Yacht Arabia

The region offers a blend of cutting-edge technology and great natural beauty, such as giant coral reefs and private islands.
The region offers a blend of cutting-edge technology and great natural beauty, such as giant coral reefs and private islands.
Updated 27 September 2025

Saudi authorities launch Super Yacht Arabia

The region offers a blend of cutting-edge technology and great natural beauty, such as giant coral reefs and private islands.
  • Saudi Tourism Authority CEO Fahd Hamidaddin said the Saudi Red Sea was ready to welcome the global yachting community, supported by an investment of more than SR84 billion ($22.4 billion) and a coastline stretching 1,800 km

MONACO: The Saudi Tourism Authority announced the launch of its international Super Yacht Arabia campaign at the Monaco Yacht Show.

The campaign aims to position the Saudi Red Sea as a new global destination for maritime and luxury cruising, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The region offers a blend of cutting-edge technology and great natural beauty, such as giant coral reefs and private islands. The campaign also showcases modern ports, sea lanes and exclusive offers.

Saudi Tourism Authority CEO Fahd Hamidaddin said the Saudi Red Sea was ready to welcome the global yachting community, supported by an investment of more than SR84 billion ($22.4 billion) and a coastline stretching 1,800 km.

The Monaco show was the perfect platform to showcase the Red Sea’s potential as a new yachting destination, he said.

The waterway represents a strategic growth opportunity in line with Saudi Vision 2030, due to its geographic location, scalable infrastructure and strong government support.