Middle East Experience

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abzulaziz stressed the need for equitable access to the tools needed to combat the coronavirus pandemic, including vaccines against the COVID-19 virus, in his opening remarks to the leaders of the 20 biggest world economies as part of the virtual G20 Riyadh Summit on Saturday.Held under the shadow of the raging pandemic, the summit which is usually an opportunity for one-on-one engagements between world leaders is reduced to brief online sessions on pressing global issues – from climate change to growing inequality.Discussions were dominated by the pandemic's implications and steps for reviving the global economy.Saudi Arabia is the first Arab nation to host a G20 summit.Here is the full transcript of King Salman's opening remarks during the G20 Riyadh Summit, according to the Saudi Secretariat of the G20:"Your Majesties, Your Excellencies, Your Highnesses,Dear participants, Peace be with you,We would like to welcome you to the Riyadh Summit, our second summit this year. It is unfortunate that we are unable to host you in-person in Riyadh, due to the exceptional circumstances that we are all facing this year. Still, we are delighted to see you all today, and we thank you for your participation.This has been an extraordinary year. The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented shock that affected the entire world within a short period of time, causing global economic and social losses. Our peoples and economies are still suffering from this shock. However, we will do our best to overcome this crisis through international cooperation.We have expressed our commitment during our Extraordinary Summit to urgently mobilize resources and we all pledged, at the onset of the crisis, over $21 billion to support the global efforts to combat this pandemic.We also took extraordinary measures to support our economies by injecting over $11 trillion to support individuals and businesses.We also extended our social safety nets to protect those prone to losing their jobs or source of income. To this end, we have provided emergency support to the developing countries, including the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative to the low-income countries.We have a duty to rise to the challenge together during this summit and give a strong message of hope and reassurance to our peoples through adopting policies to mitigate this crisis.Dear participants,The theme of our Presidency is Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to adjust our focus rapidly to face its repercussions, the subject areas under this general theme, namely: Empowering People, Safeguarding the Planet, and Shaping New Frontiers, remain essential to overcome this global challenge and shape a better future for our people.In the near future, we must address the vulnerabilities exposed by COVID-19, while working to protect lives and livelihoods.Although we are optimistic about the progress made in developing vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics tools for COVID-19, we must work to create the conditions for affordable and equitable access to these tools for all peoples. At the same time, we must prepare better for any future pandemic.We must also continue to support the global economy and reopen our economies and borders to facilitate the mobility of trade and people.We must provide support to the developing countries in a coordinated manner to maintain the development already achieved over the past decades.Beyond that, we need to continue laying the basic foundations for a robust, sustainable, and inclusive growth.We need to promote access to opportunity for all, especially women and youth to enhance their roles in the society and in the job market through education, training, job creation, as well as supporting entrepreneurship, strengthening financial inclusion, and bridging the digital gaps among individuals.We also need to create the conditions for a more sustainable economy. Therefore, we have advocated the Circular Carbon Economy as an effective approach for achieving our climate goals and ensuring cleaner, more sustainable, and affordable energy systems.We must lead the international community in preserving and conserving our environment. In this context, we advocate the need to combat land degradation and conserve coral reefs and biodiversity to send a strong signal about our commitment to safeguard our planet.Realizing that trade is a key driver of economic recovery, we have adopted the Riyadh Initiative on the Future of the WTO, with the aim of making the multilateral trading system more capable to face any present or future challenges.Dear participantsThe G20 leaders met for the first time twelve years ago in response to the financial crisis. The outcomes achieved are ample proof that the G20 is the most prominent forum for international cooperation and for tackling global crises.Today, we are working together again to face another, deeper global crisis, that has ravaged people and economies.With our coming together once more, I am confident that the Riyadh Summit will deliver significant and decisive results and will lead to adopting economic and social policies that will restore hope and reassurance to the people of the world.Thank you.May peace be with you.”For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Read more:Saudi Arabia's King Salman urges G20 cooperation on COVID-19 crisis, sustainabilityG20 showed strength, ability in efforts to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic: King SalmanSaudi Arabia will be among ‘relative winners’ of pandemic: Minister Khalid al-FalihG20 world leaders emphasize need for unity, solidarity to overcome coronavirus impact
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Full transcript of Saudi Arabia's King Salman address to the G20 Riyadh Summit

Source: Jerusalem Post
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Virtual Youth Circle stresses importance of dialogue and cooperation..
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A facility is being adapted to prepare for large-scale vaccinations.
Source: Jerusalem Post
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Ankara has to improve Turkey’s international image with major reforms in order to attract much-needed foreign capital but the jury is out on whether President Erdogan can do it.
Source: Al Monitor
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US Secretary of State Pompeo's visit to the Psagot settlement, built on occupied land in the West Bank, reflects the Donald Trump administration’s decision to consider the Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be legal.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Pompeo’s visit to Psagot settlement, a farewell gift from Trump to Israel

It seems Palestinians are trying to get out of international and Arab isolation by taking a series of measures, including restoring ties with Israel and returning their ambassadors to the UAE and Bahrain, in anticipation of the Joe Biden administration’s arrival into office.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Palestinians trying to dig themselves out of isolation

The United Arab Emirates announced on Sunday a public sector holiday next month in honor of the country’s National Day and Commemoration Day.Read more: US Secretary Pompeo ‘confident’ other Arab countries will sign Israel peace dealsEmployees at federal entities and ministries in the UAE will have Tuesday, December 1 to Thursday, December 3 off, according to state news agency WAM, citing a memo issued by the UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.As Friday and Saturday are weekend days in the UAE, this means that many federal employees will have five consecutive days off work.The UAE will celebrate its 49th National Day on December 2. Major initiatives are scheduled for the commemoration, including a dramatic live production named “Seeds of the Union,” which will be broadcast on television across the country.Read more: Coronavirus: UAE bans private parties on National Day, Christmas, New YearThe country was formed on December 2, 1971 and consists of seven emirates.Read more:Coronavirus: Moderna to charge $25-$37 for COVID-19 vaccine, CEO saysIn Lebanon, army courts, plainclothes officers target protestersUS President Trump tells G20 he looks forward to working with them ‘for a long time’
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE announces public sector holiday for National Day

The Saudi G20 Presidency hosted a side-event meeting on Sunday on safeguarding the planet where Saudi Arabia and other G20 leaders emphasized the importance of the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) approach and clean energy for a sustainable future.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Opening the session, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz said the Kingdom has “big plans” for renewable energy, including wind and solar which will generate 50 percent of the country’s electricity by 2030.“Safeguarding the Planet is of critical importance. With the increase in emissions due to economic and population growth, we must pioneer sustainable, pragmatic, and cost-effective approaches for achieving ambitious climate goals. The Saudi Presidency has promoted the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) that allows holistic management of emissions to mitigate the challenges of climate impacts and advance cleaner and more sustainable energy systems as well as advancing stable and secure energy markets and energy access,” King Salman said, adding that “through this initiative, countries will be able to adopt and promote technologies that match their transition paths through the 4Rs of the Circular Carbon Economy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Remove.”Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga affirmed the need for G20 to lead in making changes for a sustainable future.“We, the G20 leaders, need to take the lead and work together as a team,” Suga said, adding that Japan aims to “reduce greenhouse gas emission to net-zero, and realize a decarbonized society.”Lawmakers in Japan declared a climate emergency on Thursday in a symbolic vote aimed at increasing pressure for action to combat global warming, after Japan last month committed to its firm timetable for net-zero emissions, according to Reuters.Under international pressure to do more to address global warming, Chinese President Xi Jinping told the G20 that China would implement its own initiatives including achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.“China supports deepening G20 coordination in reducing land degradation, conserving coral reefs, and cleaning up plastic from the ocean…let us work together for a clean and beautiful world,” Xi said.US President Donald Trump also joined the session by sharing his administration’s contributions to creating a sustainable future, adding, “Together we can protect our environment, promote access to clean, affordable energy, and deliver a future of opportunity, prosperity, and hope for our nations all over the world.”However, Trump also defended his decision to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement because it is “unfair” and “one-sided,” adding that it was not designed to save the environment but was meant to kill the US economy.Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte all participated in the event and committed to build a more “inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future.”With ReutersRead more:Saudi Arabia pushing the sustainability needle forward at G20 Riyadh SummitSaudi Arabia's King Salman urges G20 cooperation on COVID-19 crisis, sustainabilityG20 world leaders emphasize need for unity, solidarity to overcome coronavirus impact
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia, other G20 leaders emphasize importance of clean energy, sustainability

Turkey has the highest coronavirus infection rate among Israeli travelers, according to new data from Israel’s health ministry, which found one in five Israelis who traveled to Turkey last month returned home with coronavirus.Read more: King Salman, Turkey’s Erdogan discuss G20 summit and bilateral relationsBetween October 1 and 28, 988 Israelis returned home from Turkey, with 197 testing positive for coronavirus, The Jerusalem Post reported citing new data from Israel’s health ministry.Israelis are not required visas to travel to Turkey, which has diplomatic relations with Israel.Bulgaria came in second on the list of coronavirus infection rates in Israelis returning home from abroad, with the US and Greece ranking third and fourth, respectively.Turkey records highest number of coronavirus patientsTurkey reported its highest daily number of coronavirus patients on Saturday, with 5,532 people being diagnosed with COVID-19.The government responded with partial weekend curfews and limiting the opening hours of restaurants and shopping centers.Read more: Coronavirus: Istanbul mayor wants lockdown to restrain second COVID-19 waveTurkey has come under scrutiny for the accuracy of its coronavirus figures, with the World Health Organization (WHO) questioning the way Ankara records new coronavirus cases and calling for the Turkish government to report COVID-19 data in line with WHO guidance.Turkey’s health minister revealed last month that his country’s daily COVID-19 numbers record only patients with symptoms - excluding asymptomatic positive cases.There have been over 440,000 coronavirus patients in Turkey since the pandemic broke out, according to the government. Over 12,200 people have died due to COVID-19.Israel has recorded over 327,407 coronavirus cases and 2,742 deaths.Read more:Erdogan asks EU 'to keep its promises' over membership, says Turkey future in EuropeCoronavirus: Moderna to charge $25-$37 for COVID-19 vaccine, CEO saysCoronavirus: UK PM Johnson to end England's national COVID-19 lockdown on Dec 2
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: 1 in 5 Israelis who went to Turkey were infected with COVID-19