Latest news with #ArabRegion


LBCI
a day ago
- Business
- LBCI
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun says visit to Bahrain a step toward stronger bilateral ties
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described his official visit to Bahrain as a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties between Lebanon and Bahrain across political, economic, and cultural fields. "I look forward to fruitful meetings with His Majesty the King and senior Bahraini officials to discuss ways of advancing bilateral cooperation and exchanging views on regional and international issues," Aoun said. He affirmed Lebanon's pride in its longstanding relationship with Bahrain and expressed appreciation for the kingdom's consistent support in international and regional forums. Aoun also praised Bahrain's constructive role in promoting stability and development throughout the Arab region. The president emphasized that the visit would help open new avenues for strategic partnership, particularly in economic, investment, and tourism sectors. "We are working together in the interest of both our peoples and to elevate the status of our two countries amid the challenging circumstances facing the region," Aoun concluded.


Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Madinah presents SDG progress at UN in New York
RIYADH: The Madinah Region Development Authority participated in the main session of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the UN headquarters in New York, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. In the session, titled 'Transformation from the Ground Up: Acting at Local Level,' the authority highlighted Madinah's pioneering role and the Kingdom's leadership in localizing the Sustainable Development Goals. Abdulrahman Ibrahim, the authority's chief data and innovation officer, said Madinah had become a model for international best practices. Key initiatives include the 2023 Madinah City Voluntary Local Review — the first in the Kingdom and second in the Arab region; the 2024 State of Sustainable Development Report for Madinah Region — the first Voluntary Subnational Review in the Arab region; and the launch of the Atlas of Sustainable Development in Madinah City Neighborhoods, a global first for precise, neighborhood-level SDG assessment. The session also reviewed successful local and regional approaches to accelerating sustainable SDG solutions, discussing key enablers and opportunities to expand local action. The authority's participation, part of the Saudi delegation led by Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim, underscores the Kingdom's commitment to sustainable development aligned with Vision 2030. The UN forum, running through to July 23, also featured dialogue sessions on global frameworks for resilient urban development and strategies to create value for cities through data-driven trends.


Arab News
4 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Madinah leads global discussion on sustainability
RIYADH: Madinah Mayor and CEO of the Madinah Region Development Authority Fahad Albulihshi inaugurated an event at the UN headquarters in New York, emphasizing the critical role of local action in achieving global sustainability goals. The event, titled 'Act Local, Accelerate Global: Advancing Inclusive, Science- and Evidence-Based Solutions for SDG Localization in the Arab Region,' was part of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. It underscored the need for inclusive, data-driven approaches to localize the Sustainable Development Goals effectively and ensure no one is left behind, according to the Saudi Press Agency. This year's participation reflects the Kingdom's alignment of Vision 2030 with the global SDG framework and highlights Madinah's efforts in localizing the SDGs and adopting the Quality of Life Index initiative. Albulihshi noted that cities are responsible for implementing 65 percent of the SDGs, adding that the availability and quality of urban data remain major challenges. He stressed the importance of global frameworks in guiding sustainable local development. The Madinah Region Development Authority showcased its Atlas of Sustainable Development for the city and its neighborhoods, along with a report on building a risk-resilient future — both key tools for informed sustainable development decisions. Organized by the Madinah Region Development Authority in collaboration with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the World Council on City Data, the event brought together regional and international partners. On the sidelines, the mayor will meet with local and regional government representatives to discuss cooperation on the UN 2030 Agenda, including governance, inclusive services, and local investment to support regional SDG progress. The UN forum, running through to July 23, also featured dialogue sessions on global frameworks for resilient urban development and strategies to create value for cities through data-driven trends.


Zawya
15-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
MBRF and UNDP to organise 4th edition of Youth Knowledge Forum in Egypt
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will jointly organize the fourth edition of the 'Youth Knowledge Forum' (YKF) under the theme 'Knowledge Economy and Human Development' in the Arab Republic of Egypt. The event will be held in partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) in Cairo from 20 to 21 July 2025. YKF will be organized as part of ongoing strategic collaborations aimed at fostering innovation and enhancing the role of youth in advancing knowledge-based development, while empowering them to become key drivers of sustainable development. YKF is a leading intellectual platform that convenes the youth and key decision-makers from various sectors to exchange vital insights and explore solutions to mitigate prevalent challenges. Its primary aim is to devise innovative solutions, which can help bolster the knowledge economy, support entrepreneurship, equip youth with future-ready skills, and reinforce regional and international cooperation among stakeholders invested in youth empowerment. The event builds on the dedicated efforts of MBRF and MOYS, which played a key role in the success of the forum's previous edition. It aims to expand on the achievements made and further enhance its impact. The initiative also reflects MOYS's continued commitment to empowering Egyptian youth with the tools and support they need to shape a bright and prosperous future. Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, stated that Egypt's role as the host of YKF's fourth edition reflects the country's commitment to supporting and empowering youth, positioning them as a key pillar in building the New Republic, under the leadership of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. He emphasized that YKF serves as a key dialogue platform for enhancing young people's knowledge and skills, while expanding their intellectual horizons in innovation, entrepreneurship, and the digital economy. He also praised the fruitful partnership between MBRF and UNDP, which underscores the depth of Arab and international cooperation in youth empowerment and human development. His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, highlighted that the fourth edition of YKF reflects MBRF's longstanding efforts to position the youth as key contributors to ensure a highly innovative and sustainable future. He further stated: 'Through this forum, we aim to foster a proactive culture aimed at enhancing the youths' ability to address future challenges. This can be achieved not only by providing them with the requisite tools, but also by inspiring them to generate solutions and drive social change through the localization and application of knowledge. We are pleased to forge this constructive collaboration with MOYS, further highlighting both entities shared commitment to driving the transition towards an inclusive knowledge economy, one that opens new avenues for Arab youth to become leaders of development and pillars of progress.' 'As the world rapidly transitions towards a knowledge-based economy, empowering youth and enhancing their knowledge and skills has become an essential priority. Egyptian youth possess the ambition and innovation required to become key partners in advancing the country's development. In close partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, through the Knowledge Project and UNDP's programmes in Egypt, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen youth capacities and expand their horizons,' said Mr. Ghimar Deeb, Acting Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt. 'Through a range of initiatives, UNDP Egypt equips young people with critical skills in areas such as digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and the green economy, ensuring their active and meaningful contribution to sustainable development.' YKF's agenda will feature a rich lineup of impactful panel discussions and interactive dialogues on key topics related to public and development policies in the age of the knowledge economy. It will also explore ways to foster strategic cooperation and integration between governments and international institutions in this field, while addressing the growing challenges of misinformation in the digital age and the powerful role of digital media in raising awareness among Generation Alpha. In addition, the event will delve into entrepreneurship and obstacles faced by startups, showcasing inspiring success stories of young entrepreneurs from Egypt and the wider Arab world. Furthermore, discussions will be held on human capital development amid ongoing digital transformation, exploring key themes such as reforming educational systems, enhancing digital and entrepreneurial skills, integrating formal and informal learning, and shifting the focus from traditional education to lifelong learning. It will also highlight the growing impact of AI on the job market and the knowledge economy, while also addressing ethical AI practices in modern societies. Other topics will focus on the role of arts in development, the current state of entrepreneurship in Egypt and the region, entrepreneurs' success stories, and mechanisms to empower startups to become more sustainable and innovative. YKF will conclude with a youth open dialogue, providing a platform for them to share the challenges they face and their aspirations for the future. This will serve as a safe space for the youth to share their ideas, catalyzing the creation of a knowledge-based Arab society grounded in the energy and potential of its youth. It will further reinforce a culture of dialogue, openness and lifelong learning, reflecting both parties' commitment to strengthening knowledge cooperation among Arab nations, while presenting an effective model for youth empowerment as well as creating a positive impact across all sectors and shaping a prosperous and progressive future.


Times of Oman
05-07-2025
- Health
- Times of Oman
Oman's National Autism Center earns landmark accreditation
Muscat: The National Autism Center (NAC) has achieved a historic milestone as it becomes the first organisation in the Arab region to receive full membership status with Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA), a prestigious U.S.-based authority in the field of applied behavior analysis. Officially accredited by QABA, the Ministry of Social Development, NAC's recognition underscores its leadership in specialised training and certification for autism services. The membership grants NAC exclusive standing to administer and oversee professional development programs, including certifications such as the ABAT (Applied Behavior Analysis Technician), QASP-S (Qualified Autism Services Practitioner-Supervisor), and QBA (Qualified Behavior Analyst). This accreditation signals NAC's readiness to build international partnerships and strengthen its infrastructure for behavioral services, positioning it as a central hub for QABA's expansion efforts across the region.