Dragon Group defense chiefs emphasize importance of protecting maritime navigation
RIYADH — Saudi Ministry of Defense hosted the eighth meeting of the Chiefs of Staff of the Dragon Group member states in Riyadh on Sunday.
The Saudi Chief of the General Staff Gen. Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili inaugurated the meeting, which discussed topics of common interest. These included the fight against terrorism, developments in the Palestinian territories, the importance of delivering humanitarian aid, and efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.
The participants emphasized the importance of securing and protecting maritime navigation, ensuring the safety and security of waterways, and strengthening efforts to combat smuggling and piracy.
The Dragon Group is an annual forum for Middle East defense chiefs from 10 countries in addition to the GCC General Secretariat. The meeting was attended by the Chiefs of Staff and representatives of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in addition to the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
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Leaders
2 hours ago
- Leaders
INTERVIEW: Saudi Vision 2030 and Morocco's Development Model Align, Says Moroccan Amb. on Throne Day
By: Muhammed Amin Zahran Muhammed Amin Zahran Moroccan embassies worldwide have recently marked the 26th anniversary of King Mohammed VI's accession to the throne, known as 'Throne Day.' In Saudi Arabia, the Moroccan Embassy, headed by Dr. Mustafa Al-Mansouri, hosted a special celebration to commemorate this national occasion. In an interview held on the sidelines of celebrations, the Moroccan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, talked more about the traditions of Throne Day, as well as the strong economic ties between both countries and the investment opportunities Morocco offers to Saudi investors. What does the celebration of the 26th anniversary of His Majesty King Mohammed VI's accession to the throne symbolize for Moroccans, particularly the Moroccan community in Saudi Arabia? The celebration of Throne Day represents a momentous national occasion that depicts pride and honor in the King's visionary leadership. Since his accession, His Majesty has launched prominent transformative strategies and flagship projects that have significantly modernized state institutions and promoted both economic and social development. This anniversary also carries profound national and spiritual meaning for all segments of the Moroccan people, including our community residing in Saudi Arabia. It goes beyond celebration to embody loyalty, belonging, and the deep cohesion between the throne and the people. Moroccans abroad mark this occasion by reaffirming their strong bond with the homeland and pride in the accomplishments realized under the wise leadership of His Majesty the King. In this context, the Cultural Palace in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter hosted an outstanding celebration on July 30, 2025, to mark this cherished national occasion. Organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Saudi Arabia, the ceremony witnessed the attendance of prominent figures from both nations. The celebration was graced by the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Governor of the Riyadh Region. In the light of this, the event perfectly mirrored the depth of the fraternal and historical ties between the two kingdoms and depicted the spirit of mutual respect and appreciation shared by their wise leaderships. How did the Moroccan Embassy in Riyadh celebrate this occasion and what activities did it organize? To mark this occasion, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Riyadh, along with the Consulate General in Jeddah, hosted high-level national and diplomatic events. The celebrations brought together their highnesses, excellencies, members of the diplomatic corps, as well as representatives from Saudi Arabia's economic, cultural, and media sectors, alongside members of the Moroccan community residing in the Kingdom. Notably, the ceremonies featured official speeches underscoring Morocco's major strategic achievements under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI across the political, economic, and social spheres. The speeches also commended the deep-rooted relations between Morocco and Saudi Arabia — an extraordinary model of solidarity, integration, and coordination between the two wise leaderships. Moreover, the ceremonies boasted a wide range of documentaries showcasing Morocco's landmark development projects, standing as a testament to the country's ongoing efforts in reform and modernization. The celebrations also included a reception held in honor of the attendees, featuring a fine selection of authentic Moroccan cuisine. The event was filled with warmth, loyalty, and collective pride in this deeply cherished national occasion, which holds a special visible place in the hearts of all Moroccans. On this joyous occasion, I would like, on my own behalf and on behalf of all members of the diplomatic and consular mission, to express our deepest gratitude and sincerest appreciation to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, represented by the Diplomatic Quarter Office, for their unwavering support and valued assistance, which played a pivotal role in the success of this celebration held at the Cultural Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh on July 30, 2025. How does the Moroccan community in Saudi Arabia express their pride in this national occasion? The Moroccan community in Saudi Arabia has showed a role model of deepest sense of loyalty and national pride through active participation in marking the 26th anniversary of Throne Day. By actively participating in the cultural and social programs organized by the Moroccan Embassy to mark the occasion, the Moroccan community showcased their strong ties to their homeland. The ceremonies featured the raising of national flags and the singing of the national anthem, offering distinctive vibes of pride and honor in their Moroccan identity and in the strategic achievements realized under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The ceremony, hosted by the Moroccan Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah, drew a large turnout from the Moroccan community. The attendees voiced their pride in Morocco's developmental achievements and stressed their unwavering dedication to serving national causes, preserving the Kingdom's supreme interests, and representing their homeland honorably in their country of residence, in line with the values of citizenship, openness, and national cohesion. Crucially, this wide participation stands as a testament to the profound humanitarian and fraternal bonds between the Moroccan and Saudi peoples, embodying a spirit of solidarity and mutual cooperation within the framework of the strong and enduring relations that unite the two sister kingdoms. On this occasion, what is your message to Moroccan citizens residing in Saudi Arabia? On behalf of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Riyadh, and in my personal capacity, I am pleased to extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to all members of the Moroccan community residing in Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the glorious Throne Day. On this precious national occasion, we stress our deep pride and appreciation for the exceptional image that the Moroccan community projects abroad, depicting the highest values of loyalty, belonging, as well as genuine citizenship. We further urge all members of the Moroccan community residing in Saudi Arabia to remain steadfast in upholding the values of national belonging, to continue contributing to the boosting of the bonds of brotherhood and cooperation with our sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to serve as an essential bridge of rapprochement and mutual understanding between our two brotherly peoples. What are the key investment opportunities and main areas of economic cooperation between Morocco and Saudi Arabia? Economic relations between Morocco and Saudi Arabia are generally known for their breadth and diversity, covering several strategic sectors such as renewable energy, food industries, tourism, modern technology, and infrastructure. This wide scope reflects the shared commitment of both kingdoms to establishing a sustainable and mutually beneficial model of economic cooperation. Importantly, the July 2025 visit of a high-level delegation from the Federation of Saudi Chambers to Morocco represented a significant milestone in fostering bilateral economic cooperation. Furthermore, the visit featured the signing of several investment partnership agreements and unleashed new horizons for discussions on establishing direct sea and air routes between the two countries, as well as exchanging expertise in industry and technological innovation. This growing momentum mirrors both sides' pride in the promising investment opportunities available in their countries. It also highlights their shared dedication to forging balanced economic partnerships that align with their development aspirations and advance the integration of their strategic visions. Looking ahead, the preparations for Morocco's hosting of the 2030 World Cup and Saudi Arabia's hosting of the 2034 World Cup are set to unleash new horizons for economic cooperation and joint projects with regional and global impact, further strengthening both countries' roles as key engines of development and stability in the region. In what ways does Saudi Vision 2030 align with Morocco's development strategies across various investment sectors? Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and Morocco's New Development Model converge on various strategic objectives, particularly the pursuit of a diversified and sustainable economy that ensures both social justice and environmental sustainability. This alignment mirrors the shared commitment of both countries to accelerating development by enhancing key sectors such as industry, renewable energy, digital transformation, and by increasing mutual investment opportunities. Both Saudi Vision 2030 and Morocco's New Development Model set the empowerment of the private sector as a top priority, by providing an attractive investment climate, empowering entrepreneurship and startups, and driving job creation — all of which contribute to boosting sustainable economic growth. In addition, both visions prioritize the development of human capital by developing education and training systems, promoting skills to meet the evolving demands of the labor market, and broadening opportunities for professional integration and personal growth, specifically among youth. Therefore, this convergence of visions and approaches offers fertile ground for signing strategic partnerships between the two kingdoms, partnerships that serve the interests of both nations and their brotherly peoples. It also depicts a spirit of cooperation, integration, and joint action aimed at fulfilling sustainable economic and social development at both the national and regional levels. What incentives and facilitative measures does the Moroccan government provide to support Saudi investors? Morocco stands out as a captivating investment hub, offering a stable and attractive business environment, underpinned by political stability, ongoing economic reforms, as well as progressive legislation. To make this environment more appealing to investors, the Moroccan government provides a vast array of facilities and incentives to investors—notably Saudi investors, who serve as strategic partners in advancing the Kingdom's development agenda. These incentives include specialized and well-equipped industrial zones, attractive tax advantages, and world-class infrastructure spanning ports, airports, highways, telecommunications, and energy networks. Likewise, the Kingdom offers strong institutional support through regional investment centers, advisory and monitoring mechanisms, and simplified administrative procedures, ensuring faster project implementation and higher returns for investors. This strategic orientation embodies Morocco's commitment to fostering its economic partnership with its sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to strengthening cooperation across diverse sectors—ranging from industry, agriculture, and tourism to renewable energy, financial services, and other high value-added fields. Looking ahead, these facilities are set to unlock new horizons for Saudi investments in Morocco, bolstering economic integration between the two nations while advancing their shared development aspirations and boosting the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity that unites their leaderships and peoples. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia, Morocco Deepen Ties with New Tax Agreement Exclusive: Mayor of Riyadh Celebrates Morocco National Day at Embassy Saudi Arabia, Morocco Boost Health Cooperation with New MoU Short link : Post Views: 48
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Mass protests in Tel Aviv call for end to Gaza war, release of hostages
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Saudi Gazette
7 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Syrian minister to visit Riyadh on Monday to deepen economic cooperation
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia will welcome a Syrian delegation to Riyadh on Monday, led by Minister of Economy and Industry Dr. Mohammad Nidal Al-Shaar, for an official visit aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two countries. The delegation includes representatives from both nations' private sectors and reflects a shared commitment to enhancing regional integration and building economic bridges. The visit follows the outcomes of last month's Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum, which was held under the patronage of Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and brought together over 100 Saudi companies and 20 Saudi government entities. The forum concluded with the signing of 47 investment agreements in key sectors valued at more than SR24 billion ($6.4 billion). The deals span real estate, infrastructure, finance, ICT, energy, industry, tourism, trade, investment, and healthcare.
