Dr. Al-Rabeeah meets chiefs of UNICEF, UNDP and UNFPA in Brussels
BRUSSELS — King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah held separate meetings with the top officials of UNICEF, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Brussels on Wednesday. The meetings were held on the sidelines of the European Humanitarian Forum.
During the meeting, Al-Rabeeah discussed with Executive Director of UNICEF Catherine Russell humanitarian and relief efforts focused on supporting children worldwide. On his part, Russell underscored UNICEF's pride in its partnership with KSrelief, noting that this collaboration has made it possible to reach and assist millions of vulnerable children across the globe.
The KSrelief chief also met with UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem. They discussed topics of common interest related to relief and humanitarian issues. Kanem praised KSrelief's humanitarian efforts and its unwavering commitment to supporting and assisting communities and countries in need worldwide.
During their meeting, Dr. Al-Rabeeah and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner discussed topics of mutual interest related to relief and humanitarian efforts and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two sides. Steiner praised the Kingdom's active humanitarian role on the international stage, highlighting KSrelief's efforts in alleviating the suffering of those in need and affected populations around the world.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
Muslim World League chief meets Afghan ministers in Kabul
KABUL: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, conducted high-level meetings with senior Afghan officials during his visit to Kabul. Al-Issa met Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi. Discussions centered on strengthening solidarity and promoting Islamic values worldwide. Key topics included the imperative to present Islam's true character through its principles of justice, rights protection, moderation and universal compassion. The officials emphasized that religious tolerance, as outlined in the Qur'an, Sunnah and prophetic traditions, must be reflected in Muslim conduct at both individual and community levels. The dialogue addressed contemporary challenges facing these objectives, particularly conflicting scholarly interpretations on critical issues that should unite the Muslim community. Officials referenced the significance of the 'Makkah Document' and the 'Document for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought,' while highlighting the crucial role of the league's Islamic Fiqh Council as the premier jurisprudential body serving the Islamic nation's muftis and senior scholars. The meeting stressed the importance of promoting religious awareness through wisdom and sound guidance, while preventing those who exploit such discrepancies — whether deliberately or through ignorance — from damaging Islam's image and fueling Islamophobic sentiments. Al-Issa commended the Afghan government's counter-terrorism efforts during the talks. In a separate meeting, Al-Issa held discussions with Afghan Interior Minister Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, focusing specifically on Afghanistan's fight against terrorist organizations. Both officials underscored that Islamic unity carries profound significance, while division and discord threaten Muslim solidarity and tarnish Islam's reputation. They agreed that such damage far outweighs any perceived benefits some scholars might identify in jurisprudential matters that rank below this paramount Islamic goal, adhering to the established principles of weighing benefits against potential harm recognized across all Islamic schools of thought.
Asharq Al-Awsat
5 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum Begins in Damascus
Under the patronage of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum kicked off on Thursday in Damascus, attended by various ministers and officials from both countries. Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih delivered the opening speech, expressing gratitude for the hospitality extended by Syria and its people since their arrival, SPA reported. He conveyed greetings from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, along with hopes for security and prosperity for Syria. Al-Falih emphasized that the directive from the Crown Prince to visit Syria with a delegation, comprising representatives from both the government and private sectors of Saudi Arabia, highlights the Kingdom's strong support for Syria in its journey towards economic growth, prosperity, and sustainable development. He stated, "We are not here to build new relationships; strong social, cultural, and economic ties have long connected our two countries. Historically, the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant were vital links in global trade through the Silk, Spice, and Incense Routes. Saudi Arabia and Syria have shared strong social, economic, and political ties. Recent meetings between the Crown Prince and the Syrian President aimed to strengthen this bond and create new opportunities for cooperation, highlighting the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing economic and investment relations with Syria." The minister noted that over 20 government entities and 100 leading private sector companies from Saudi Arabia are present at the forum, investing in various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, financial services, healthcare, agriculture, as well as communications and information technology. He announced that 47 agreements, valued at approximately SAR24 billion, will be signed, covering various fields including real estate, finance, and tourism. Al-Falih also stressed that the forum reflects the belief that the private sector is a key partner in achieving mutual goals between the two countries. It encourages Saudi and international investors to explore opportunities in Syria and contribute to its strategic projects, thereby fostering mutual benefits across vital sectors. He highlighted that agreements exceeding SAR11 billion will be signed in infrastructure and real estate. This includes the establishment of over three new cement factories, aimed at securing essential raw materials for construction and enhancing self-sufficiency in this critical area. In the telecommunications sector, Al-Falih stated that the forum marked the beginning of cooperation between the Syrian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Syrian tech companies on one side, and leading Saudi companies—such as Elm, stc, GO Telecom, Cipher, Classera—on the other. This collaboration aims to develop digital infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity capabilities, and build advanced ecosystems in artificial intelligence, data centers, and educational academies. Agreements in this sector are estimated to be worth approximately SAR4 billion. Al-Falih described Syria's agricultural sector as rich with potential in modern farming, grain production, organic products, and food supply chains. He expressed eagerness to collaborate with the Syrian side to develop innovative joint projects, including model farms and processing industries, as well as knowledge and technology exchange. He also addressed the financial services and remittance sector, which will witness, at the event, the signing of a memorandum of understanding today between the Saudi Tadawul Group and the Damascus Securities Exchange. This agreement aims to enhance cooperation in financial technologies, dual listings, data exchange, and the establishment of investment and transfer funds that will stimulate investment in Syria. The minister commended the positive and active role played by over 2,600 Syrian entrepreneurs in the Kingdom, noting that direct investments by Syrian investors in Saudi Arabia have reached nearly SAR10 billion. He emphasized their major role in building the new Syria and its growing economy. He said, "These figures are only the beginning and do not reflect our ambitions. We must work together, closely and cohesively, to grow and elevate these figures in line with the efforts of our two nations to build a better future for our peoples." Al-Falih also praised the positive steps taken by the Syrian government to improve the investment climate, foremost among them the amendment of the Investment Law on June 24, 2025, which grants investors more guarantees and incentives, facilitates procedures, and enhances transparency. As a reflection of the Kingdom's commitment to fostering investment in Syria, Al-Falih announced the establishment of the Saudi-Syrian Business Council, composed of a select group of business leaders. The council aims to drive economic cooperation, activate partnerships among private sector institutions in both countries, and boost Saudi investment presence in Syria's promising market. Al-Falih reiterated that the strong interest and presence of successful and pioneering Saudi companies across diverse investment sectors at the forum, along with the enthusiasm, engagement, and responsiveness witnessed from all sides in Syria. The resulting agreements across critical and high-value fields—capped by the commitment shown by the Syrian leadership and officials—are promising signs. These signs affirm that the path of cooperation and integration being launched today marks the beginning of a future filled with prosperity, growth, and development for both countries and their peoples across all fields, under the guidance and support of the leadership of both nations.
Leaders
7 hours ago
- Leaders
Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum: $6.4bn Worth of Deals Signed to Support Reconstruction
The Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum 2025 has concluded in Damascus, announcing deals worth of SAR 24 billion ($6.4bn) to support Syria's economic recovery and reconstruction. Furthermore, the Forum witnessed the establishment of the Saudi-Syrian Business Council to boost economic cooperation and promote Saudi investments in the promising Syrian market. Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum 2025 On Thursday, Damascus hosted the Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum, with the attendance of the Syrian Transitional President, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and several senior officials and executives from Saudi Arabia and Syria. The Saudi Investment Minister, Khalid Al-Falih, led the Kingdom's delegation, which comprised more than 20 government entities and over 100 leading private companies with international investments in various sectors, such as energy, industry, infrastructure and real estate, financial services, health, agriculture, and communications and information technology (ICT). Saudi Unwavering Support During his speech, Al-Falih reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's unwavering support for Syria in its path toward growth, economic prosperity, and sustainable development, highlighting the deeply-rooted historical bonds between the two nations. He added that this visit, which came upon the directives of the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, underscores the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening its economic and investment ties with Syria. Moreover, he said that forum emphasizes the pivotal role of the private sector in realizing the two countries' common goals and encouraging Saudi and international investors to explore promising investment opportunities Syria and contribute to its strategic projects. In April, Saudi Arabia and Qatar committed to settling Syria's outstanding arrears to the World Bank Group, which stands at $15 million, in order to support and accelerate the recovery of Syria's economy. Furthermore, the Kingdom led regional and international efforts to lift Western sanctions on Syria, which culminated in a landmark decision by the US President, Donald Trump, to lift the decades-long sanctions, upon the request of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Infrastructure Deals Al-Falih announced the signing of 47 agreements on the sidelines of the Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum, worth of SAR 24 billion, covering various fields including real estate, infrastructure, finance, energy, industry, tourism, trade and investment, health, and ICT. In infrastructure, deals valued at over SAR 4.3 billion were signed, including the construction of three cement factories in Syria to support supply chains and achieve self-sufficiency during the country's reconstruction process. In the light of this, Al-Falih on Wednesday inaugurated the Fayhaa White Cement Factory in Adra Industrial City, valued at SAR 100 million, to expand cement production in Syria. Real Estate Projects The Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum saw the signing of SAR 7.2 billion real estate deals, including projects to rebuild Syria's infrastructure and develop facilities across the country. Moreover, the Saudi Minister launched Al-Jawhara Tower Project, a SAR 375 million Saudi-led real estate project in Damascus spanning 25,210 square meters and including office, hospitality, and retail components across 32 floors. Al-Falih also announced that Bayt Al-Ebaa Company will sign a multi-billion agreement to build a distinctive residential and commercial project in Homs city. These projects provide a model for the integration of Saudi capital and Syrian local expertise to achieve sustainable social and commercial goals. ICT Deals As for the telecommunications sector, the forum saw the signing of agreements worth of SAR 3.6 billion, involving partnerships between the Syrian Ministry of Communications and major Saudi tech firms such as STC and Elm. The agreements aim to develop Syria's digital infrastructure and enhance cybersecurity. They also aim to build advanced ecosystems for artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, and educational academies, according to Al-Falih. Agriculture Cooperation In the agriculture sector, the Saudi Minister expressed aspirations to cooperate with Syria in developing high-quality joint projects, including model farms and processing industries. He highlighted promising opportunities in the fields of modern agriculture, grain production, organic products, and food supply chains. Financial Sector In terms of finance and banking, the forum witnessed the signing of SAR 4.8 billion agreements, as well as a key memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Saudi Tadawul Group and the Damascus Securities Exchange. The MoU aims to boost cooperation in sectors such as fintech, dual listings, and data exchange. It also includes launching new investment funds to promote investments in Syria. Syrian Investments in Saudi Arabia During his speech, Al-Falih highlighted Syrian investments in Saudi Arabia, which currently amount to SAR 10 billion ($2.66bn), pointing to the vital role of Syrian entrepreneurs in rebuilding Syria and reviving its economy. He also commended measures taken by the Syrian government to create a more investment-friendly environment, including facilitating investment procedures and enhancing transparency. Saudi-Syrian Business Council Al-Falih announced the formation of the Saudi-Syrian Business Council – a move that further underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to encouraging investments in Syria. Chaired by the prominent businessman, Mohammed Abunayyan, the joint business council will comprise an elite of Saudi businessmen. It aims to advance economic cooperation, activate partnerships between private sector companies in both countries, and boost Saudi investments in the Syrian market. Short link : Post Views: 116
