Day: September 3, 2024

Paris, Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, the Minister of Education, met with Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), on the sidelines of the 15th edition of the UNESCO-King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education, held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

The meeting discussed enhancing ongoing cooperation between the Kingdom and UNESCO, as well as coordinating future editions of the prize. The two sides also reviewed joint projects for the upcoming stage.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, chaired the 41st meeting of the National Human Rights Committee.

The meeting was attended by members and representatives of relevant government entities.

The minister noted the national efforts and effective role of the members in upholding human rights in compliance with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, with the continuous support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which has made Bahrain a role model in preserving human rights.

He also highlighted the important role of stakeholders, including governmental and private entities, in promoting the advancement of human rights within an integrated framework, emphasising the importance of continued cooperation to achieve HM the King’s vision in making the National Human Rights Committee successful.

The minister referred to the human and legal dim
ension in the Bahrain Declaration Summit, which is essentially related to the rights of all people, particularly the right to peace, life, health, and education, and the Kingdom’s efforts in this regard.

Bahrain’s regional and international reports were reviewed at the meeting. It also discussed reports of the seven international conventions and the two protocols added to the Right of the Child Convention, which are concerned with the protection of human rights.

The committee reviewed the mid-term report of the National Human Rights Plan (2022-2026) and the implementation of its projects by the relevant authorities, as well as the mid-term quarterly report recommendations of the fourth Universal Periodic Review, and the formation of the subcommittee for communication and follow-up.

It also reviewed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ National Human Rights Framework and the postgraduate diploma on peaceful coexistence, recently launched by the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence. The two initiati
ves were announced by the Kingdom as part of its pledges at the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) held recently in Geneva.

A number of decisions have been made during the meeting regarding topics on its agenda.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Damascus, Temperatures remain around average or slightly above average in most regions as the country is affected by an extension of Indian seasonal superficial pressure accompanied with low air pressure in the upper layers of the atmosphere.

The Meteorology Department expected in its Tuesday bulletin that the skies will be clear and partly cloudy in general, as rain showers are expected over the coastal area, while it will be misty in the eastern regions, al-Jazeera and al-Badia (semi-desert).

The winds will be westerly to northwesterly with light to moderate in speed with active gusts, while the sea waves will be low in amplitude.

The expected temperatures in some major Syrian cities will be as follows: Damascus 33/19, Daraa 33/18, Homs 31/21, Lattakia 32/25, Aleppo 33/21 and Deir Ezzor 38/42.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Manama, The Ministry of Labour has reaffirmed its commitment to integrating Bahraini job seekers into the private sector by implementing support initiatives and capitalising on opportunities.

These efforts, in coordination with relevant stakeholders, have increased employment rates and included more qualified national professionals across diverse specialties, a statement by the ministry said.

As of the end of August, the ministry’s database recorded 16,726 job seekers, a figure consistent with other national government databases.

These numbers are calculated automatically according to internationally recognised standards, aligning with the International Labour Organisation’s definitions.

The ministry highlighted the crucial role of its partnership with the Labour Fund “Tamkeen” in enhancing the training, employment, and development of national competencies.

This collaboration has been instrumental in creating a workforce equipped with the skills needed to succeed and ensuring job stability.

Since Novem
ber 2023, “Tamkeen” has launched programmes aimed at supporting 50,000 Bahrainis annually.

These initiatives have significantly boosted employment, making Bahrainis the preferred choice in the job market. The programmes have also contributed to increasing wages for Bahrainis, improved their employment prospects, and provided specialised training to help them advance into leadership and executive roles. Additionally, the initiatives have supported the growth of private sector businesses, further consolidating the sector as a key driver of Bahrain’s economic growth.

The ministry emphasised the importance of national efforts in employment and training, with all relevant parties working together to develop and implement effective policies that prepare national workers for suitable job opportunities.

A comprehensive online platform has been launched by the ministry to streamline access to employment, training, and unemployment insurance services.

This platform connects job seekers and employers to a unified da
tabase, providing detailed information on available opportunities. It is also linked with various government entities to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

Job seekers are encouraged to register on the ministry’s online platform.

The services and benefits on the platform include extending unemployment benefit eligibility from six to nine months annually, increasing the monthly allowance to BD 200 for university graduates and BD 150 for non-graduates, and increasing the compensation to BD 1,000 for those who lose their jobs due to circumstances beyond their control.

These measures are designed to attract and motivate job seekers to register and to maintain accurate national data that is calculated through the platform and published accordingly.

The ministry also confirmed that, in collaboration with the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) and other relevant entities, that it is expanding its online services and ensuring timely processing of citizen requests, particularly for employment and training.

These services, including those related to unemployment insurance, are now fully accessible online, eliminating the need for in-person visits to the ministry.

The ministry offers access to its databases for stakeholders and individuals interested.

It also underscored the national responsibility of all parties in the labour market to support government initiatives, contributing to the stability of both the labour market and the national economy.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Homs, The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Pakistan was inaugurated on Monday in Homs city in al-Insha’at neighborhood, amidst a diplomatic, official and economic presence.

In a speech after the opening ceremony and hoisting the flag of the Syrian Arab Republic and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in front of the consulate, the representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ambassador Tamam Suleiman, stressed the depth of the cooperation and close friendship relations between Syria and the Republic of Pakistan.

He added that the honorary consulate was accredited in Homs with the consent of the two countries, which supports the strengthening of bilateral relations and increases diplomatic activity and cooperation between them.

In a statement to the media following the opening, Ambassador Suleiman expressed Syria’s appreciation for Pakistan’s political stances and support for Arab issues, and the continued presence of the Pakistani embassy in Damascus, despite the events that the cou
ntry has gone through.

In turn, the Ambassador of the Republic of Pakistan, Shahid Akhtar, hoped that Syria would regain its ancient glory, thanks to the determination of its people and their insistence on rising and rebuilding, pointing out to the historical status of Homs, with its immortal monuments.

He underscored to the historical relations between the two countries, and the mutual support in international forums towards issues of interest to both friendly sides, noting the confidence in the Honorary Consul in Homs and his ability to enhance cooperation in all fields.

The Honorary Consul of the Republic of Pakistan in Homs, Labib Al-Ikhwan,, said that the opening of the consulate is an embodiment of the developed relations between the two friendly countries.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Manama, In preparation for the launch of the National Summary Data Page (NSDP) this month Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), received a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during their official visit to Bahrain on September 1-5.

The visit will include focused technical meetings with various government entities responsible for measuring and reporting Bahrain’s financial, economic, and demographic data.

In attendance were Duaa Sultan, iGA Deputy Chief Executive of Statistics and Population Registry, Dana Imad Hamzah, Assistant Undersecretary for Sustainable Development at the Ministry of Sustainable Development, several directors and officials from iGA’s Statistics and Population Registry departments, and representatives from the Ministry of Finance and National Economy.

Al Qaed highlighted the importance of launching the NSDP for Bahrain, emphasising the Kingdom’s adherence to the IMF’s Enhanced General Data Dissemination System (
e-GDDS) standards.

This initiative underscores Bahrain’s commitment to transparency by providing detailed information, indicators, and statistical data on national accounts, interest rates, government operations, and economic and banking sector indicators, enhancing accessibility of data for international organizations and investors through the NSDP page.

In parallel with the IMF delegation’s visit, iGA will hold two-days of focused meetings for the statistics teams from the Population and Demographic Statistics as well as a team from Economic Statistics Directorate tasked with updating the Kingdom’s NSDP.

The meetings will train data administrators on calculating, reporting, and publishing indicators according to IMF standards, utilizing the latest data exchange technologies such as the Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) system. It will also address performing annual and quarterly updates aimed at elevating Bahrain’s tiers in the IMF’s data standards.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Kuwait’s cabinet convened its regular weekly meeting at Bayan Palace on Tuesday under the chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to discuss the results of visit of Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya to the UAE.

Al-Yahya briefed the meeting on the deliberations of the fifth session of the Kuwait-UAE joint committee, co-chaired by him and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu-Dhabi yesterday.

During the joint committee meeting both sides signed a number of agreements and MoUs on cooperation in several vital areas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Abdullah Al-Mousherji said following the cabinet meeting.

Al-Yahya also apprised the cabinet of the results of his meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan which focused on ways to strengthen the bilateral ties in all areas and enhance the joint action among the GCC member states.

During h
is visit, Al-Yahya inaugurated the new premises of Kuwait Embassy in Abu Dhabi in the presence of UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

On her part, Minister of Public Works Dr. Nourah Al-Mashan briefed the cabinet on the results of the recent visit to Kuwait by a Chinese delegation which focused on the implementation of agreements on mega projects, including the construction and operation of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.

The Port, part of a gigantic regional project, aims to create an international trade hub in keeping with the Sovereign instructions of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Al-Mousherji pointed out.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Manama, Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Consort of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), has issued Edict (9) of 2024, introducing amendments to the “Imtiyaz” initiative, which was originally established by Edict (10) of 2011 to support young Bahraini entrepreneurs.

The edict renames the initiative to the “Imtiyaz Initiative for Young Bahraini Entrepreneurs” and updates the programme’s guidelines. Previously known as the “Bahraini Female Entrepreneur Honour Seal,” this initiative aims to recognise and support young entrepreneurs who demonstrate exceptional leadership in managing private enterprises and contributing to the national economy while also committing to social responsibility.

The initiative seeks to honour outstanding achievements in entrepreneurship among young Bahraini women, encourage innovation, and highlight the talents and capabilities of young entrepreneurs.

It also promotes an entrepreneurial spirit, fosters creativity, an
d increases the pool of talented young women through support and development.

Additionally, the initiative aims to strengthen partnerships between the SCW and civil society organisations, enhance women’s economic empowerment in line with the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women, and showcase successful entrepreneurial ventures led by young women.

The initiative also seeks to highlight emerging investment sectors within the Kingdom.

A committee composed of six experts in entrepreneurship will oversee the implementation of the initiative.

This committee is responsible for setting the criteria for the “Imtiyaz” award, evaluating applications, and recommending candidates. The committee’s recommendations will be submitted to the SCW Secretary-General for final approval by HRH Princess Sabeeka.

The edict will be implemented immediately and will be published in the Official Gazette.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Makkah, The Saudi Red Crescent Authority in Makkah Region has increased its readiness in response to severe weather warnings issued by the National Center for Meteorology.

Dr. Mustafa bin Jameel Baljoun, the authority’s Makkah branch Director, said that the command and control centre, all emergency centres, and specialised response teams are fully prepared to handle the situation created by heavy rainfall. He noted that the ambulance service has not been affected by the weather conditions, SPA reported.

The authority has elevated its readiness in 98 centers across Makkah, deploying teams of doctors, specialists, and emergency medicine ambulance technicians. A total of 1,420 service providers are equipped to respond, supported by approximately 149 vehicles, including ambulances and disaster response vehicles. An air ambulance is also available to provide additional support.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Cairo, The first edition of Egypt International Airshow 2024 kicked off today, which will be held at Alamein International Airport for three days.

The event will see the participation of 300 aeroplane manufacturers and space industrialists representing more than 100 countries, alongside representatives of several international and regional organisations operating in the space and aviation domain, Mena News Agency reported.

The event, the largest in Africa and the Middle East, aims to accelerate industrialisation, digitalisation, and globalisation in the defense, space, and commercial aviation sectors in Africa and the Middle East. (MENA).

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Shura Council Chairman, congratulated Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh, Speaker of the Shura Council of Saudi Arabia, on the occasion of his reappointment as the Saudi Shura Council Speaker.

Al Saleh lauded the historical Bahraini-Saudi relations supported by the leadership of both countries.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef has visited the Port of Singapore, the largest automated port in the world after completing all its phases.

Alkhorayef was accompanied by Assistant Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Planning and Development Dr. Abdullah Alahmari, Chief Executive Officer of the National Industrial Development Center (NIDC) Eng. Saleh Al-Sulami, and Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones Majed Al-Argoubi.

Alkhorayef discussed with port officials the transfer of expertise, leveraging the port’s model in handling the world’s largest container ships, adopting new technologies, and training advanced human resources working in Saudi ports.

He also visited Tuas Port, which opened in 2022 and is expected to be fully completed by 2040. The port will cover an area approximately equivalent to 3,300 football fields and will feature 66 automated docks stretching 26 kilometers to handle the largest
container ships. The port’s throughput is projected to reach 65 million twenty-foot equivalent units.

This visit is part of the minister’s official trip to the Republic of Singapore, included in an economic tour of East Asia covering China and Singapore.

Source: Saudi Press Agency