On Monday, Saudi Arabia and Djibouti concluded an agreement on mutual exemption from entry visas for holders of diplomatic and private passports between the governments of the two countries.
On behalf of Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Undersecretary for Protocol Affairs, Ambassador Abdul Majeed Al-Sammari, signed the agreement with Diaa Al-Din Bamakhrama, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Djibouti to the Kingdom.
The signing of the agreement comes within the framework of the distinguished bilateral relations between the two countries, and in a way that contributes to enhancing coordination and developing joint cooperation between them in various fields.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, is sponsoring the sixth edition of the “Hajj Conference and Exhibition,” which is hosted by Jeddah during the period between 8 and 11 November, with the participation of about 520 governmental, private and non-profit entities at the local and international levels, and decision makers from various sectors.
The conference, organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, comes as an extension of the leadership’s care for serving pilgrims, and within the framework of the country’s efforts to develop the Hajj services system, improve its quality, and achieve the goals of “Saudi Vision 2030” and the program for serving the guests of God.
The event represents a major milestone in the early preparation for the next Hajj season, as it brings together stakeholders with the aim of completing contracts, discussing operational and organizational aspects, reviewing solutions and initiatives, building partnerships, and raising the level of readiness.
The conference is a global platform that brings together leaders, decision-makers, and specialists from various countries of the world, to review solutions and practices, and exchange experiences.
It focuses on three tracks: “Infrastructure and Operational Services”: (transportation and logistics services, infrastructure and facilities management, housing and hospitality, and subsistence and nutrition), “Empowerment and Integration”: (security and safety, health care, media and communication, technology and innovation), and “Sustainable Development”: (the third sector, entrepreneurship, training, qualification and development, and enriching the experience of the pilgrims).
In addition to the conference, a specialized exhibition in the Hajj services system will be held on an area exceeding 67 thousand square metres, with the participation of entities and providers of services and solutions from about 150 countries.
The exhibition is based on a system of specialized communities that bring together leaders, pilgrim affairs offices, service providers, aviation, transportation, hospitality, health, infrastructure, technology, innovation, workforce, investment, and business development communities.
These communities are activated through specialized forums, dialogue sessions, round tables, workshops, business meetings, and platforms for launching initiatives and agreements and presenting solutions and innovations, in a way that enhances integration between the various components of the system, supports building partnerships, and improves the quality of services provided to the guests of God.
In its previous edition, the Hajj Conference and Exhibition achieved widespread attendance. It attracted more than 204,000 visitors and 270 exhibitors from more than 150 countries. It also included 134 specialized sessions and workshops, and more than 2,600 trainees from various countries of the world benefited from its training programs.
The Ministry called on all parties, interested parties and specialists to register and participate in the sixth “Hajj Conference and Exhibition”, to benefit from its various programs and events, and to view its details, programmes, and event dates by visiting its website.
The Saudi capital, Riyadh, will host the “Saudi International Maritime Forum” in its fourth edition, during the period from 23 to 25 November, under the patronage of Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense, with high-level participation that includes naval commanders, decision makers, experts, and representatives of industrial and technical sectors.
The forum, organized by the Royal Saudi Navy, is being held under the title “The Future of Seabed Security and Supply Chains in a Changing Global Environment,” in light of the rapid transformations in the maritime environment and the growing threats targeting vital infrastructure in the deep sea, most notably submarine cables and energy pipelines, due to the importance they represent for the digital economy and the sustainability of trade movement.
Through its specialized sessions and events, the forum discusses a number of main topics, the most prominent of which are the changes in the global strategic environment, their impact on the security of maritime supply chains, and the threats targeting energy supply chains. It also addresses seabed security, protecting undersea infrastructure, discusses security challenges in the maritime transport sector, and solutions and technologies supporting the protection of maritime systems and enhancing their operational efficiency, in addition to reviewing the role of artificial intelligence and modern technologies in supporting maritime security.
As part of the preparations for the forum, the supervisory and organizational committees continue their work according to an integrated plan, which includes preparing the scientific program, coordinating the participation of governmental, military and international agencies, receiving requests for participation from specialized international institutions, in addition to completing the necessary logistical and technical preparations.
International bodies in more than 40 countries confirmed their participation in the forum, enhancing its position as an international platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences and building partnerships, which contributes to developing common visions towards contemporary maritime challenges. The forum embodies the Kingdom's interest in enhancing maritime security, as a fundamental pillar of regional and international stability, and consolidates its position as an active partner in supporting the security of the seas and vital sea lanes, and enhancing international cooperation in the maritime fields.
