Latest news with #Al-Qahtani
Leaders
12-07-2025
- Science
- Leaders
UN Sand & Dust Storms Meeting: Saudi Arabia's Efforts Gain Recognition
Saudi Arabia has gained global recognition for its international efforts in bolstering early-warning systems for sand and dust storms. The High-level Meeting on Sand and Dust Storms, which took place at the UN headquarters in New York, also praised the Kingdom's role in spearheading regional cooperation. The meeting convened in the context of the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms, marked on July 12 each year. International Recognition The high-level meeting hailed the Kingdom's global initiative to boost early-warning systems for sand and dust storms, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). It also highlighted Saudi Arabia's cooperation with regional centers affiliated with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to strengthen dust combat, pointing to the Kingdom's $10 million commitment over 5 years to enhance the capabilities of the vulnerable countries. Unwavering Commitment On its part, Saudi Arabia underscored its firm commitment to supporting climate and environmental action, and fostering scientific and technical cooperation to tackle the impacts of sand and dust storms, on the local, regional and international levels. These initiatives come in line with the Kingdom's strategic vision and ongoing efforts to protect the environment and achieve sustainability. On this occasion, the deputy CEO of the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) and Executive Chief of the Sand and Dust Storm Regional Center, Jumaan Al-Qahtani, outlined the Kingdom's efforts to combat dust storms under Saudi Vision 2030. These efforts include the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI), the Middle East Green Initiative, and the establishment of specialized centers such as the Regional Center for Sand and Dust Storms, the Climate Change Center, the Cloud Seeding Program, and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development. Saudi Arabia's Efforts Al-Qahtani highlighted the establishment of the Regional Center for Dust and Sand Storms in Jeddah in 2022, which marked a strategic milestone toward improving dust storms' prediction and strengthening early-warning. The Jeddah Center serves as a hub for supporting early-warning systems, data exchange, capacity building, and mitigating the health and economic impacts of storms in coordination with the WMO. Furthermore, Al-Qahtani boasted the Kingdom's scientific and research efforts, including hosting the First International Conference on Dust and Sand Storms in Riyadh in March 2024. They also include hosting regional workshops in collaboration with the WMO and ESCWA (the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia), and cooperating with international centers such as WMO Barcelona Dust Regional Center. In the light of this, he announced Saudi Arabia's readiness to host the second International Conference on Sand and Dust Storms in 2026 to build on the scientific momentum and assess the progress achieved since the Riyadh declaration, in addition to discussing challenges and solutions related to dust and sand storms. Tangible Results Owing to Saudi Arabia's tireless efforts and environmental initiatives, the Kingdom has planted over 142 million trees and reclaimed more than 436,000 hectares of degraded land. It has also managed to protect 18% of its land, under the (30×30) plan endorsed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in addition to launching 7 royal reserves, representing 13.5% of Saudi Arabia's total area. Moreover, Al-Qahtani emphasized the Kingdom's commitment to supporting international efforts and expanding partnerships to develop early-warning systems, protect human and the environment, and build more resilient societies in the face of climate change and dust storms. Dangers of Sand & Dust Storms Under the theme 'Sand and Dust Storms: Working Across Agendas for Resilience and Sustainability,' the high-level meeting convened at the UN headquarters on July 10 to discuss the challenges posed by sand and dust storms on affected countries. It also aimed to promote practical, coordinated actions at both regional and global levels. Moreover, the Secretary-General of the WMO, Celeste Saulo, highlighted the dangers of sand and dust storms, which 'affect more than 150 countries and impact about 330 million people worldwide.' Saulo explained that 'about 2 billion tons of dust are emitted yearly, equivalent in weight to 307 Great Pyramids of Giza,' adding that 'more than 80% of the global dust budget emanates from the North African and Middle Eastern deserts.' However, this dust has a global impact because it can travel hundreds and thousands of kilometers across continents and oceans, profoundly affecting health and quality of life, air and ground transport, agriculture and the environment, and solar energy production. Sand and dust storms are exacerbated by climate change, land degradation and unsustainable practices. They contribute to 7 million premature deaths every year, causing respiratory and cardiovascular disease, according to Assembly President, Philemon Yang. They also reduce crop yields by up to 25%, causing hunger and driving migration. Short link : Post Views: 9
Daily Tribune
10-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Tribune
Hajj bids farewell to summer heat for next 25 years
TDT | agencies This year's Hajj not only concluded a sacred spiritual journey for millions but also marked the final chapter of the pilgrimage's long association with searing summer temperatures. According to Hussein Al-Qahtani, spokesperson for Saudi Arabia's National Center for Meteorology (NCM), Hajj will not return to the summer season for another 25 years. In the meantime, the next eight pilgrimages will occur in the spring, followed by eight in winter and several more in autumn, as the Islamic lunar calendar gradually shifts the dates earlier each year. 'This natural cycle offers pilgrims a rare opportunity to perform Hajj in much cooler and more comfortable conditions for the foreseeable future,' Al-Qahtani explained. This year, temperatures reached 42°C (108°F) — significantly lower than the dangerous 51.8°C (125°F) recorded in 2024, which severely affected pilgrims, especially those without permits. That year, more than 1.8 million Muslims participated, with quotas distributed by country and assigned through a lottery system.
The Star
09-06-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Haj 1446H marks final summer Haj until 2050s, says Saudi National Centre for Meteorology
Muslim pilgrims perform the symbolic 'stoning of the devil' ritual as part of the pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on June 16, 2024. The next eight Haj seasons will occur during spring. - AFP MINA: Spokesperson for the Saudi National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), Hussein Al-Qahtani stated that this year's Haj season, 1446 AH, marks the end of Haj's association with the summer months. Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Al-Qahtani noted that the next eight Haj seasons will occur during spring, followed by eight more in winter, then in autumn with gradually rising temperatures, before returning to summer after approximately 25 years. The NCM spokesperson explained that this shift is due to the lunar calendar cycle, which offers pilgrims the opportunity to perform Haj rituals in more moderate weather conditions during the coming years. - Bernama/SPA
Sharjah 24
26-05-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Nasser Al-Qahtani: 11 countries win Sharjah Public Finance Awards
Expanded award categories and criteria Dr Al-Qahtani stated that the Sharjah Public Finance Award has broadened participation opportunities at both the individual and institutional levels. This was achieved by expanding the award's categories to 22 in total, with 11 dedicated to individuals and 11 to institutions. He noted that the initiative has led to tangible improvements in the performance of financial institutions across the region. Encouraging regional competition He further emphasized that over its three editions, the award has successfully fostered competition among Arab financial institutions, and expressed hope that this momentum would continue, reaching even more Arab nations in future editions. Rigorous evaluation standards Dr Al-Qahtani highlighted that the award employs precise evaluation standards to identify and recognize the best practices in financial management across the Arab world, thereby reinforcing its credibility and impact.
Arab Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kuwait's ambassador to Italy attends the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV
PARIS, May 20: Kuwaiti Ambassador to Italy, Nasser Al-Qahtani, represented Kuwait at the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected Pope, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. In a statement, the Kuwaiti Embassy noted that during his meeting with the Pope, Ambassador Al-Qahtani conveyed the greetings and well-wishes of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Ambassador Al-Qahtani also reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, was elected following the death of Pope Francis last April at the age of 88.
