Khasawneh arrives in Riyadh for World Economic Forum

Riyadh: Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh Saturday arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to participate in the special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which starts Sunday.

The two-day Forum will discuss international cooperation, growth and energy with the participation of leaders, officials and international experts.

Khasawneh is scheduled to participate in a special session, Monday, on the Israeli war on Gaza and efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the embattled enclave.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and the UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction in Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, will also participate in the Gaza discussions.

Attending the Forum activities from Jordan are Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, the Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Affairs, Ibrahim Jazi, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Saleh Kharabsheh, Finance Minister Mohamad Ississ and the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Zeina Touqan.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Foreign Minister starts working trip to Riyadh

Amman: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi begins a working visit to Riyadh Saturday, where he will participate in the World Economic Forum hosted by Saudi Arabia.

He will also join a ministerial meeting of a group of six Arab states tasked with following up on the situation in Gaza and the group’s meetings with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and European Union ministers.

Safadi will also take part in panel discussions and hold a series of encounters with counterparts.

Source: Jordan News Agency

ADNOC Logistics & Services holds its first Annual General Meeting for shareholders on April 29th

ADNOC Logistics and Services (ADNOC L and S) will hold its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) for shareholders on April 29, following the success of last year’s Initial Public Offering (IPO).

One of Adnoc’s six subsidiaries currently trading on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, ADNOC L and S witnessed unprecedented demand during its initial public offering, oversubscribed by 163 times, making it the second-largest IPO in the Middle East and North Africa for 2023.

Since its listing, the company has achieved exceptional results, ending the year with a 138 percent annual increase in net profit and a 91 percent rise in share price.

In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC logistics and Services, stated, “As we complete our first year as a publicly traded company, we remain committed to our transformative growth strategy, which will enhance our position as one of the world’s largest owners and operators of marine logistics services fleets, entering new ma
rkets to expand our geographical footprint in line with the company’s smart growth strategy and providing comprehensive maritime logistics services to the energy sector.”

The company reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its progressive dividend approach, aiming for an annual profit increase of no less than 5 percent in the coming years. Shareholders will vote on the final dividends for 2023 amounting to US$130 million (AED477 million), equivalent to 6.45 fils per share, as recommended by the company’s board of directors upon announcing the full-year financial results.

ADNOC L and S announced that its sustainability standards implementation plan aligns fully with Adnoc Group’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2045 and the UAE’s strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The company has committed to investing $2 billion in environmentally efficient vessels and has achieved a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions intensity in its operations since 2020.

The company also looks forward to benef
iting from advanced artificial intelligence technologies, which include integrated logistic services, shipping operations, maritime services, including the implementation of the “Smart Ships” system within its growing fleet, which operates with artificial intelligence and is designed to predict ship maintenance problems, as well as the use of remote surveillance cameras, sensors, and smart video analytics to enhance safety measures.

ADNOC L and S has also achieved another significant milestone by operating the Integrated Logistics Services platform, as one of the largest integrated logistics programmes globally, with the aim of providing a unified logistics interface for customers.

This comes alongside securing an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services contract from ADNOC Maritime, worth AED3,581 million (US$975 million) for the construction of Offshore Artificial Island. Providing engineering, procurement, and construction services within the integrated logistics services sector of the c
ompany represents a new direction and a part of its smart growth strategy, enabling it to generate new revenues due to expansion into various sectors.

The company intends to continue leveraging artificial intelligence and the latest technologies as key pillars to enhance its business units, including integrated logistics services, shipping, and maritime services in the maritime sector.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Outer Edge Forum Launches in Saudi Arabia to Strengthen Web3 Applications System


Riyadh: The Outer Edge Web 3 Innovation Forum convened at The Garage headquarters, organized by Animoca Brands and Edge Of companies, to explore the impacts of Web3 and artificial intelligence technologies on economic systems and society. The event welcomed the President of KACST, Dr. Munir bin Mahmoud Eldesuki, along with elite experts and specialists from around the world.

The decision to host the forum in Riyadh reflects the Kingdom’s technological advancement and its embrace of innovation industries, particularly in Web 3 applications, marking a new era for the World Wide Web.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Saudi ESports Federation Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan outlined the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global gaming and electronic sports hub. He emphasized the transformative potential of gaming as a platform for social cohesion, innovation, and empowerment, highlighting strategic initiatives such as the Esports World Cup scheduled for Riyadh next summer.

Vice President of KACST for
the Future Economics Sector Dr. Maryam Noah underscored KACST’s commitment to accelerating technological development. She mentioned the establishment of the Gaming and Immersive Technologies Institute and numerous local and international partnerships aimed at localizing technologies with significant economic impact.

CEO of The Garage Omar Al-Shabaan described the incubator as the largest in deep technologies in the region, supporting over 240 startup companies from 50 countries. He emphasized its role in fostering growth and sustainability for entrepreneurial ventures and providing an environment conducive to pioneering projects and ideas.

The Chairman of Animoca Brands, Yat Soi, introduced Web3 and its technologies, including blockchain, cryptocurrencies, electronic games, decentralized applications, and smart contracts. He articulated Web3’s vision of creating a more open, secure, and user-focused Internet, empowering individuals to have greater control over their data and digital interactions.

Direct
or of Web3 and Spatial Reality Portfolio at NEOM Naif Al-Rabeah discussed smart cities and NEOM’s role in adopting artificial intelligence applications. He emphasized the aim of building a Web3 ecosystem through infrastructure, applications, and regulatory frameworks to enable global innovators to develop cognitive solutions that redefine urban living.

General Manager of the Gaming and Immersive Technologies Institute at KACST Mohammad Hadhrawi highlighted the Kingdom’s potential to lead in gaming and e-sports, driven by youth and technology experts. He anticipated increased investments in digital infrastructure and predicted that the Kingdom would pioneer the integration of blockchain and artificial intelligence into gaming and e-sports.

The forum sessions, the first of their kind in the Kingdom and outside America, featured discussions on the future of Web 3 applications, artificial intelligence for business and smart cities, investment opportunities in blockchain gaming, artificial intelligence, and e-
sports. Participants also explored prospects for the digital economy, the future of financial services, digital art and brands, and the evolution of sports and entertainment.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Economy Minister: Riyadh WEF Special Meeting is a ‘Unique Opportunity’ to Reshape Development Paths


Riyadh: Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim has emphasized that the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) special meeting in Riyadh presents a vital chance to reshape development strategies globally. This opportunity allows for a new approach to international cooperation, prioritizing overcoming differences and fostering mutual prosperity.

Alibrahim made this statement during the meeting’s initial press conference, joined by WEF President Borge Brende. The conference took place at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, leading up to the special meeting on April 28th and 29th. This year’s theme is “International Cooperation, Growth, and Energy for Development.”

Heads of state and government representatives from 92 nations will gather to discuss the challenges of worldwide economic instability, climate change, and technological disruption. Their objective is to discover fresh avenues for sustainable development while fostering greater collaboration among nations.

The meeting w
ill serve as an opportunity for Saudi Arabia to present Vision 2030 as a strategic plan for fostering innovation-led development and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Alibrahim stated that Saudi Arabia is ready to spearhead a progressive growth model centered on transformation, innovation, and sustainability. Our vision is to cultivate a flourishing economy driven by knowledge and innovation, fully harnessing the immense potential of our people.

The primary focus will be on crafting forward-thinking strategies to tackle climate change, economic volatility, and natural disasters.

The WEF’s upcoming special meeting is expected to generate new recommendations and guide nations towards increased collaboration in addressing global challenges. Its objective is to forge a more sustainable and prosperous future for all stakeholders involved.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Republic of Honduras Announces Visa Exemption for Saudi Citizens


Riyadh: The Government of the Republic of Honduras has announced a visa exemption for Saudi Arabian citizens visiting Honduras for various purposes.

This news follows a meeting between Honduran Minister of Foreign Affairs Eduardo Enrique Reina GarcĂ­a and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji, which took place in Tegucigalpa.

The meeting focused on strengthening relations and promoting tourism between the two nations.

The announcement regarding the visa exemption was made by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Consular Affairs and Immigration for the Republic of Honduras Antonio Garcia via his account on the “X” platform.

Source: Saudi Press Agency