World

Sudan evacuations: How Saudi Arabia was prepared for the worst-case scenario

Over 100,000 people have so far been forced to leave Sudan after violent fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, according to the United Nations.

More than 5,600 people, including 239 Saudi citizens and about 5,390 foreign nationals from 102 different countries, were evacuated to Saudi Arabia in the days following the conflict.

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In what has been described as the “worst of worst-case scenarios” by the UN’s Special Representative to Sudan Volker Perthes, the Kingdom managed to step up and ensure that it could get as many people to safety as it could.

Saudi Navy personnel assist civilians of different nationalities after being evacuated by Saudi Arabia from Sudan to escape the conflicts, at Jeddah Sea Port, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 27, 2023. (Reuters)

So, how was Saudi Arabia ready to accept so many evacuees in such short notice?

Procedures underway at various entry points

When authorities received notice that they would need to prepare for the large influx of people who would be coming into Saudi Arabia from Sudan through various entry points, they quickly enforced protocols to ensure that procedures would be implemented efficiently.

The King Faisal Naval Base and the Jeddah Islamic Port welcomed thousands of evacuees who fled the conflict by sea including citizens from the United States, Canada, Yemen, Indonesia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Syria, Turkey, and many more.

Civilians are seen onboard a Saudi commercial ship after being evacuated by Saudi Arabia from Sudan to escape the conflicts, as they arrive at Jeddah Sea Port, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 26, 2023. (Reuters)

As each ship arrives at one of the seaports, marine officers in the Kingdom’s bases are told how many passengers are on board and what their nationalities are, according to an Al Arabiya report.

Once the information is confirmed, the ships are given permission to dock in pre-designated spots to allow the passengers to offboard safely.

Entry procedures smoothed out

At the Jeddah Islamic Port, more than a hundred counters have opened to welcome the incoming passengers, with passport control procedures taking less than 30 seconds to check each person.

Since the conflict erupted with little warning, many people did not expect to flee Sudan on such short notice. Saudi authorities say they are also prepared to handle situations where evacuees may not have valid entry visas or passports.

Saudi Navy personnel assist civilians being evacuated by Saudi Arabia from Sudan, to escape the conflict, at Jeddah Sea Port, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 26, 2023. (Reuters)

The General Directorate of Passports in Saudi Arabia confirmed that it was coordinating with embassies and missions to expedite the completion of their entry and exit procedures during evacuations, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Wednesday.

Designating hotels and accommodation

Once evacuees complete entry procedures, dozens of public buses have been allocated to transport them to hotels that are prepared to house them temporarily until all procedures are done and they could return to their home countries.

Global praise

The Kingdom’s efficient evacuations have drawn regional and global praise.

From Iran to the Netherlands, ambassadors and global leaders have complimented Saudi Arabia’s government on its efforts to evacuate people from all over the world.

British Consul-General Cecille El Beleidi in Jeddah last month thanked Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the Saudi government's role in the evacuation of British nationals from Sudan.

For his part, the US Consul General in Jeddah, Faris Asad, praised the Kingdom's humanitarian efforts, while thanking all institutions in the Kingdom for their hospitality and efforts in facilitating US nationals' procedures from their departure until their arrival at Saudi territory.

Abdul Razzaq Al-Manfi, Libyan Consul in Jeddah, also commended the Kingdom's efforts, as did Maya Hadi, the Deputy Consul of Iraq.

Saudi Navy personnel assist civilians being evacuated by Saudi Arabia from Sudan, to escape the conflict, at Jeddah Sea Port, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 26, 2023. (Reuters)

“Saudi Arabia is continuing to play a critical role in alleviating the crisis in Sudan by evacuating dozens of foreign nationals today including citizens from the US, UK, Sweden, Italy, Turkey, Iraq, the Netherlands and Qatar, among others,” said Fahad Nazer, spokesman for the Saudi embassy in Washington.

The violence has resulted in more than 500 deaths and displaced thousands of people.

Hundreds more evacuees rescued from battle-scarred Sudan arrive in Saudi Arabia

World

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

World

At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

World

US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM