Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the expanded session of the Group of Seven and invited partners (G7+), which was hosted by the French capital, Paris, on Monday, and was devoted to discussing artificial intelligence.
The session discussed the implications of the rapid development of advanced technologies and models on the international strategic environment and security, and ways to enhance international coordination to deal with the risks associated with artificial intelligence.
It also discussed achieving a balance between taking advantage of innovation opportunities and ensuring that these technologies are developed and used in a safe and responsible manner. This enhances the ability to face challenges and maintain global security and stability.
On the other hand, the Saudi Foreign Minister discussed, in a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart, Jean-Noel, the recent regional developments, the ongoing Houthi attacks on the Kingdom, and joint efforts to contain crises in the region and limit their repercussions. This contributes to ensuring the safety of waterways and freedom of navigation, and maintaining the security and stability of the region.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan expressed his thanks and appreciation to France for its efforts within the framework of its presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) this year, and for its invitation to Saudi Arabia to participate in the ministerial meeting.
On the other hand, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, during his meeting with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, discussed the most prominent current regional issues and developments, and joint efforts to maintain the security of navigation and the safety of sea lanes, and restore security and stability in the region. They also reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries.
While the Saudi Foreign Minister and his South Korean counterpart, Jeon Hyun, touched on bilateral relations between the two countries, discussed paths of cooperation and partnership, and exchanged visions on current regional issues and the efforts made regarding them.
The Saudi Foreign Minister also met with his German counterpart, Dr. Johan Vadevoll, and they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries, developments in the regional situation, and diplomatic efforts aimed at maintaining security and stability in the region, and ensuring freedom of navigation and the safety of the sea lanes there.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan's meetings came on the sidelines of his participation in the Group of Seven (G7) ministerial meeting, which Paris is hosting on Monday and Tuesday, at the invitation of the French presidency.
The meetings will discuss the most prominent developments and issues on the international scene, and efforts aimed at resolving crises and conflicts, enhancing maritime and port security, combating smuggling, supporting the effectiveness of the humanitarian response, food security and nutrition, and artificial intelligence security.
Saudi Arabia’s participation in the meeting comes as an extension of its active role in the work of France’s presidency of the G7, and based on the Kingdom’s keenness to enhance consultation and coordination with international partners, and to intensify joint efforts to deal with the current regional and international challenges.
The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, held a regular meeting with the heads of pilgrims’ affairs offices from 76 countries, on Sunday, to discuss preparations related to the upcoming Hajj season, identifying 5 basic priorities, the most important of which is adherence to timetables and early preparation.
The meeting came as part of the sixth edition of the “Hajj Conference and Exhibition,” held in the “Jeddah Super Dome” under the slogan “From Mecca to the World,” where Al-Rabiah stressed that serving the guests of God is a great honor and an extended responsibility, receiving the care and attention of the Saudi leadership.
The Minister explained that the success of the Hajj season begins before the pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia, and that early preparation and integration of efforts represent the basis of this, pointing to many transformations aimed at developing the pilgrims’ experience, raising operating efficiency, and enhancing competitiveness and quality of services.
He added that the options available to the offices have expanded to 34 companies to provide the service, allowing them to differentiate between them and choose the most appropriate to serve their pilgrims, pointing to the launch of the “comprehensive package” that allows contracting for housing, subsistence, transportation, and other services in the holy sites, thus enhancing their integration and clarifying responsibility for their quality.
Al-Rabiah stressed the importance of following up on the readiness of housing, food and transportation, verifying the suitability of meals for pilgrims, early coordination with companies licensed by the Ministry and contracting with them via the “Electronic Path” platform, and reporting any shortcomings and addressing them effectively, warning against dealing with intermediaries and brokers as this would raise the cost of the service without improving its quality.
The Minister referred to the “Comprehensive Journey and Group Management” initiative, which aims to move from managing pilgrims as large numbers to specific groups, each of which includes 94 pilgrims supervised by a regiment leader and an assistant, so that the details of the pilgrim’s trip are planned in advance from the time he prepares to travel from his country until his return, stressing the importance of forming groups early and coordinating with companies and hospitality centers.
He explained that the Ministry launched 11 training courses for offices and 9 for companies, including housing, catering, transportation, packaging, and others, pointing out the importance of completing training for workers before the start of the season and reflecting the knowledge and skills they have acquired on the quality of services provided to pilgrims.
Al-Rabiah stated that the field compliance and oversight system will include monitoring readiness in hospitality centers, evaluating the readiness of camps and housing and the quality of services, and addressing observations before the arrival of pilgrims and during their stay, stressing that the results of readiness, operation and compliance will be reflected in the evaluation of the performance of service-providing companies.
The Minister identified five basic priorities for preparing for the next Hajj season, most notably adherence to timetables and early preparation, calling on offices to quickly complete contracts and issue visas before they close on March 9, and to contract early with air carriers and document contracts via the “electronic path” platform.
Al-Rabiah stressed that the health capacity and safety of pilgrims represents a priority that cannot be neglected, stressing the necessity of conducting accurate medical examinations before they leave their countries, completing the required vaccinations, and verifying that the approved requirements are met.
He pointed out the importance of raising operational readiness, qualifying regiment leaders and familiarizing them with the details of the pilgrim’s complete journey, completing the training of office workers, and benefiting from qualified trainers in implementing the program outcomes within the approved plans.
The Minister stressed the importance of the accuracy and completeness of pilgrims’ data for its essential role in the operational processes related to trips, accommodation, transportation, and packing plans, stressing the commitment of everyone to carry a “Nusk” card and present it when needed to contribute to verifying the pilgrim’s information and facilitating his access to services and entry to sites that require it to be presented in accordance with the approved regulations.
It is noteworthy that the sixth “Hajj Conference and Exhibition” is held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, with the participation of more than 520 governmental, private and non-profit entities locally and internationally, and in the presence of more than 150 countries, as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to support early preparation for the Hajj seasons and develop services provided to the guests of God.
As part of the conference activities, the Ministry of Hajj concluded agreements with government agencies, which included enabling educational competencies to participate in initiatives, promoting innovation, training and volunteer work, developing talents, enhancing research and innovation, and developing technical solutions, in a way that improves the quality of services provided to the pilgrims.
The agreements also aim to enhance integration in the organization and control of pilgrims’ accommodation services in Mecca and Medina, and to improve their quality. They also seek to establish and operate a station in Mecca to complete pilgrims’ travel procedures and examine and ship their luggage, within the “Traveler Without Bag” initiative, to facilitate their departure and improve their experience.
Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah and the Omani Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Al-Maamari, signed agreements to arrange Hajj affairs for the next season, within the framework of joint cooperation and coordination between the two countries to organize procedures and facilitate the performance of rituals for the guests of God coming from the Sultanate.
