SAUDI ARABIA : Saudi official Khalid Al-Zahrani elected vice chair of ‘Codex Alimentarius Commission’ the organization that sets standards for global food trade

Saudi Food and Drug Authority says selection of Khalid Al-Zahrani by Codex Alimentarius Commission is a ‘milestone’ and ‘testament to our commitment to global food safety

Al-Zahrani has represented the Kingdom on several international committees, including at the World Trade Organization

Saudi official Khalid Al-Zahrani was chosen on Wednesday to be vice chair of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which sets the standards for the international food trade that are designed to ensure products are safe and protect consumer health.

Representatives of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority who were present for the vote at the commission’s 47th annual session in Geneva, Switzerland, congratulated Al-Zahrani on his election.

“This is a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia and a testament to our commitment to global food safety and standards,” said Hisham Aljadhey, the authority’s CEO.

“By assuming the role of vice chair of Codex, (Saudi Arabia) aims to further strengthen international collaboration, promote sustainable food practices and ensure the well-being of consumers worldwide.”

Al-Zahrani has served as the Codex chairperson for the Near East region since 2020 and was reelected to the position in 2023.

He also represented Saudi Arabia on several international committees, including the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade, the Gulf Cooperation Council Standardization Organization, and the International Organization for Standardization’s Food Products Committee.

He works closely with the Kingdom’s Food and Drug Authority, which aims to prioritize sustainability and enhance efficiency, inclusiveness and transparency within food systems. The authority was recognized in January by the World Health Organization as one of the first five countries in the world to eliminate the use of industrially produced trans fats in food, alongside Denmark, Lithuania, Poland and Thailand.

“Al-Zahrani’s election highlights the exceptional quality of Saudi staff at the SFDA and the authority’s efforts in food-safety legislation and oversight,” the authority said.

The Codex Alimentarius (Latin for “Food Code”) is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations related to food production, labeling and safety, published by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the WHO.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Khalid Al-Zahrani and the CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Hisham Aljadhey, during the vote at the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Geneva. (Supplied)

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SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIA: GLOBAL RECORD: Amount of desalinated water produced by Saudi Arabia each day equivalent to global oil production

President of the Water Authority tells Local Content Forum 2024 in Riyadh the Kingdom aims to be a pioneer in desalination industry.

The volume of desalinated water produced by Saudi Arabia each day is equivalent to daily global oil production, the president of the Saudi Water Authority said on Thursday.

Speaking on day two of the three-day Local Content Forum 2024 in Riyadh, Abdullah Al-Abdulkarim said the Kingdom desalinates an estimated 15 million cubic meters of water daily. In 2023, global oil production amounted to nearly 15.3 million cubic meters a day, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The nation’s water sector has undergone significant shifts in recent years as a result of critical issues such as climate change and growing demand for fresh water, he added, and there are “great opportunities for the Kingdom to become a pioneer” in the desalination industry.

The Water Authority is working tirelessly to support Saudi manufacturers and contractors and help them enter the desalination sector, Al-Abdulkarim said.

“Partnerships in the water sector start from research and innovation, and transforming them into new projects,” he added.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Abdullah Al-Abdulkarim, the President of the Saudi Water Authority, at the Local Content Forum held in Riyadh on Nov. 21, 2024 (SPA)

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SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIA : 4,000-year-old town discovered hidden in Arabian oasis

Then an ancient 14.5 kilometer-long wall was discovered at the site

When Al-Natah was built, cities were flourishing in the Levant region along the Mediterranean Sea from present-day Syria to Jordan

The discovery of a 4,000-year-old fortified town hidden in an oasis in modern-day Saudi Arabia reveals how life at the time was slowly changing from a nomadic to an urban existence, archaeologists said on Wednesday.


The remains of the town, dubbed Al-Natah, were long concealed by the walled oasis of Khaybar, a green and fertile speck surrounded by desert in the northwest of the Arabian Peninsula.


Then an ancient 14.5 kilometer-long wall was discovered at the site, according to research led by French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux published earlier this year.


For a new study published in the journal PLOS One, a French-Saudi team of researchers have provided “proof that these ramparts are organized around a habitat,” Charloux told AFP.


The large town, which was home to up to 500 residents, was built around 2,400 BC during the early Bronze Age, the researchers said.


It was abandoned around a thousand years later. “No one knows why,” Charloux said.


When Al-Natah was built, cities were flourishing in the Levant region along the Mediterranean Sea from present-day Syria to Jordan.


Northwest Arabia at the time was thought to have been barren desert, crossed by pastoral nomads and dotted with burial sites.


That was until 15 years ago, when archaeologists discovered ramparts dating back to the Bronze Age in the oasis of Tayma, to Khaybar’s north.


This “first essential discovery” led scientists to look closer at these oases, Charloux said.


Black volcanic rocks called basalt concealed the walls of Al-Natah so well that it “protected the site from illegal excavations,” Charloux said.


But observing the site from above revealed potential paths and the foundations of houses, suggesting where the archaeologists needed to dig. They discovered foundations “strong enough to easily support at least one- or two-story” homes, Charloux said, emphasising that there was much more work to be done to understand the site. But their preliminary findings paint a picture of a 2.6-hectare town with around 50 houses perched on a hill, equipped with a wall of its own.


Tombs inside a necropolis there contained metal weapons like axes and daggers as well as stones such as agate, indicating a relatively advanced society for so long ago.
Pieces of pottery “suggest a relatively egalitarian society,” the study said. They are “very pretty but very simple ceramics,” added Charloux.


The size of the ramparts — which could reach around five meters (16 feet) high — suggests that Al-Natah was the seat of some kind of powerful local authority.
These discoveries reveal a process of “slow urbanism” during the transition between nomadic and more settled village life, the study said.


For example, fortified oases could have been in contact with each other in an area still largely populated by pastoral nomadic groups. Such exchanges could have even laid the foundations for the “incense route” which saw spices, frankincense and myrrh traded from southern Arabia to the Mediterranean.


Al-Natah was still small compared to cities in Mesopotamia or Egypt during the period.


But in these vast expanses of desert, it appears there was “another path toward urbanization” than such city-states, one “more modest, much slower, and quite specific to the northwest of Arabia,” Charloux said.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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This picture taken on December 12, 2022 shows an aerial view of an old fort in the Khaybar oasis in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Khaybar, best known for a 7th-century fierce battle between the Islam’s Prophet Mohamed and local Jewish tribes is remodelling itself as an upscale tourist draw in line with the kingdom’s rebranding efforts. Situated in an oasis amid a volcanic field north of Medina, it was once home to thousands of Jews, who were defeated in a decisive seventh-century battle with the Prophet’s army as Islam expanded across the Arabian peninsula. (Photo by Mohammad QASIM / AFP)

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SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIA : Aid Agency KSrelief wins ‘Global Humanitarian Achievement Award 2024’, Washington, U.S.A

The Saudi aid agency KSrelief was honored with the Global Humanitarian Achievement Award by the National Council on US-Arab Relations, in recognition of relief efforts that have made a substantial impact in crisis regions around the world.

Delano Roosevelt, the council’s second president and CEO, presented the award to the supervisor general of KSrelief, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, in Washington, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Dr. Al-Rabeeah said the award is an international acknowledgement of Saudi Arabia’s leading role in relief efforts.

He underlined the Kingdom’s commitment to assisting people in need, supporting those affected by crises, and assisting refugees wherever possible.

He also affirmed that Saudi Arabia has consistently been a leader in charitable and humanitarian initiatives and is at the forefront of donor countries on regional and international fronts.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Delano Roosevelt, CEO of National Council on US-Arab Relations, presents the award to the supervisor general of KSrelief, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, in Washington. (SPA)

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SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIAN – BRITISH Veteran editor Othman Al Omeir honored at UK Parliament

Othman Al Omeir was awarded the Legacy of Change Medal by the Parliamentary Society for Arts

Celebrated journalist and editor Othman Al Omeir was awarded the Legacy of Change Medal by the Parliamentary Society for Arts last week.

The ceremony, held in Committee Room 14, an esteemed space within the House of Parliament usually reserved for significant political announcements, acknowledged Al Omeir’s contributions to media and advocacy.

The assembly was organized by Rebeca Riofrio, chairwoman of the Parliamentary Society for Arts, and brought together leaders from the creative industries.

Among the distinguished guests was Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls Alex Davies-Jones, who delivered an impassioned speech underscoring the UK government’s commitment to addressing the issue of violence in the arts. Her speech highlighted the importance of advocacy for all artists, echoing the assembly’s overarching theme of resilience and protection within the creative sectors.

Other notable figures such as Joshua Kane and Marine Tanguy were also honored for their impactful contributions to arts and culture.

Born in Saudi Arabia and a British citizen for the past 40 years, Al Omeir has spent decades shaping the Arab world’s media.

He has been closely connected with the Parliamentary Society for the past five years and has long championed initiatives to protect creatives and uphold the integrity of journalism. His presence, alongside influential figures such as Minister Davies-Jones, Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Dame Tessy Antony de Nassau, and Lady Paris Smith, underscored his dedication to advancing a free and supportive media landscape.

As the founder of Elaph, the first independent Arabic e-newspaper, Al Omeir sought to break free from censorship and provide a space for liberal perspectives, promoting open dialogue on issues affecting the Arab region and beyond.

Nowadays, he serves as one of the advisers for the Parliament News Magazine, a publication that has gained recognition for addressing critical social issues since 2019.

In his ongoing work, Al Omeir uses his platforms to encourage the industry to work collectively to safeguard its talent, highlighting the pervasive challenges that creatives can face, such as violence and substance abuse.

Reflecting on the award, Al Omeir stated: “To receive this recognition in such a revered space as Committee Room 14 is deeply meaningful. Media is not just about information; it’s a powerful force for justice and societal progress. We must use this influence to protect those who bring creativity and truth into our world, ensuring they can express themselves without fear.”

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Born in Saudi Arabia and a British citizen for the past 40 years, Al Omeir has spent decades shaping the Arab world’s media. (Supplied)

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BRITISH / SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIAN Reda Shaib hopes to break World’s Largest Stamp Collection record

A Saudi has sent to the Guinness World Records what is believed to be the world’s largest stamps collection.


Reda Shaib, a philatelist, started the project two years ago in Al-Ahsa.


“Shaib’s collection contains 1.1 million different Saudi stamps,” Mohsin Hassan Al-Shaikh, adviser to the Saudi Philatelic and Numismatics Society (SPNS), said. The collection includes stamps issued since the Kingdom was founded, he said.


He said that Shaib took every opportunity to ask people he met to support the project, adding that It would be a matter of great pride for the Kingdom to enter into the Guinness World Records.


Part of Shaib’s collection was shown to visitors at the King Fahd Cultural Complex, where the Ministry of Culture and Information marked the Saudi National Day by organizing an exhibition of books and pictures about Saudi Arabia.


Al-Shaikh thanked Shaib for including SPNS members in his project, making them feel an increased sense of belonging to the organization.


He said that a US collector had earlier come up with a similar project consisting of 500,000 stamps.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIA / FRANCE: ‘Arabic Language Month – October 07th, Paris, France. Experts highlight historical role of Arabic language as bridge between cultures.

Arabic and French experts this week underlined the importance of learning languages to enhance intellectual and cultural communication.

At an event in France to mark Arabic Language Month, they noted how, without the Arabic language, the world would not have been able to access a significant portion of the intellectual heritage of Greek philosophers, as well as mathematics and sciences from ancient times.

Hamdi Al-Adawi, professor of linguistics at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, described the role of language in expressing a person’s inner thoughts and feelings, and described the historical interplay between Arabic and French.

“The Arabic language has played a vital role towards affirming the role of Islam in enhancing communication between different civilizations, blending civilizations, and fostering the exchange of cultures,” he told Arab News.

Al-Adawi noted that the convergence of certain words, concepts and meanings between languages is key to accepting other cultures and coexisting peacefully with them.

He also said that there are many shared terms among languages, which encourages leveraging these similarities to understand the commonalities between these languages and their cultural connotation.

Al-Adawi concluded that the cultural exchange between the Arabic and French languages is tangible and well documented.

Some examples include the Belgian orientalist Henri Lammens, who identified more than 700 Arabic words in his French-language writings in the early 20th century, and the French writer Pierre Giraud who acknowledged the influence of Arabic on the French language, providing a list of 280 Arabic words that were used in French during different periods.

Jack Lang, the secretary-general of the Arab World Institute, said that “the Arabic language is music, and it is a global language.” He noted that it ranks fifth among the most spoken languages in the world.

“We cannot ignore the fact that the Arabic language has served as a bridge for communication between peoples. Without the Arabic language, we would not have been able to access a significant portion of Greek philosophers, nor mathematics and sciences from ancient times,” he said.

Lang, who is a former French minister of education, highlighted the efforts being made by Saudi Arabia to preserve the Arabic language, saying that the Kingdom was “moving towards exerting a considerable cultural effort.”

He added that he currently observes “large cultural events happening throughout Saudi Arabia.”

He also praised Saudi Arabia’s role in assisting other countries in their commitment to the Arabic language through the Arab World Institute, which is based in Paris.

Lang noted the intention to establish a House of the Arabic Language in France, in collaboration with King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language.

KSGAAL launched Arabic Language Month in France on Oct. 7, in collaboration with the Arab World Institute.

Events included a seminar, a panel discussion and a scientific competition focused on the art of diction, with participation from several contestants.

Abdullah Al-Washmi, secretary-general of KSGAAL, said that the academy is active in various fields to promote the Arabic language, locally and globally.

The academy launched the Arabic Language Month program in France, which aimed to display KSGAAL activities related to teaching Arabic to non-native speakers and to highlight the Kingdom’s efforts in serving the Arabic language and its sciences worldwide.

Additionally, the academy is working to offer training programs to enhance teachers’ competencies and improve Arabic language learning outcomes for students, in line with the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program, one of the initiatives under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by interested individuals and intellectuals, led by the Kingdom’s ambassador to France, Fahad Al-Ruwaili.

KSGAAL will continue the activities of Arabic Language Month in France on Nov. 1, featuring tours in several French cities in collaboration with French and international educational institutions.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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The Arabic Language Month in France featured several linguistic competitions. The awards were presented by Fahad Al-Ruwaili, Saudi Ambassador to France, Jack Lang, Secretary-General of the Arab Institute in France, and Abdullah Al-Washmi, Secretary-General of King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (from the right: the first, the third and fourth respectively)

A group photo of the participants in the Arabic Language Month in France, which commenced on Monday, shows the Saudi ambassador in the second row from the left, sixth from the group

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SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI space pioneer Rayyanah Barnawi recognized by Guinness World Records as ‘First Female Arab Astronaut in Space’

Saudi Rayyanah Barnawi was part of the Axiom Mission 2 that launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida on May 21, 2023.

 The first female Arab astronaut has had her pioneering spaceflight recognized by Guinness World Records, the organization announced on Monday.

Saudi Rayyanah Barnawi was part of the Axiom Mission 2 that launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida on May 21, 2023. She was accompanied by fellow Saudi Ali Al-Qarni aboard a craft bound for the International Space Station.

In her first message she said: “This trip does not represent me alone, but rather the entire Arab world and all Saudis. We are living a dream that once seemed impossible but has become reality.”

Al-Qarni and Barnawi — the first Arab woman to orbit Earth — returned on May 31 after an eight-day stay at the ISS. During their time there they carried out 14 research projects on microgravity, three of which were kite experiments involving 12,000 school students from 47 locations across the Kingdom, conducted via satellite.

During her mission, part of the Saudi Astronaut Program, Barnawi completed several groundbreaking experiments that included studying the response of immune cells and how microgravity affects biological processes.

Barnawi has spent her career advancing scientific knowledge, particularly in the field of cancer stem cells. She worked at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre and holds a bachelor’s degree in genetic engineering and tissue development from the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. She also has a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Alfaisal University in Riyadh.

Barnawi’s personal journey reflects her strong ties to both Saudi Arabia and her Sudanese heritage.

Her world record-breaking achievement follows in the footsteps of the Kingdom’s Prince Sultan bin Salman who, in 1985, became the first Arab to go into space.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Rayyanah Barnawi, Saudi astronaut

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SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI HISTORIAN : Darah releases 19 volumes of Saudi historian Ibrahim bin Issa’s works

The works consist of 19 volumes, encompassing the writings of the historian as well as his summaries and correspondences, shedding light on his time.

Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of the board of directors of the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, inaugurated the launch ceremony of the complete works of Saudi historian Ibrahim bin Saleh bin Issa on Wednesday at Darah headquarters.

These works consist of 19 volumes, encompassing the writings of the historian as well as his summaries and correspondences, shedding light on his time.

Speaking on behalf of his family Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League, expressed the family’s gratitude and appreciation to Darah (the foundation) for this honor, which celebrates their ancestor’s scholarly legacy.

He said that the publication documents the historian’s long academic journey, characterized by precision and objectivity in various scientific fields.

He also expressed the family’s pride that this work will serve as an important reference for researchers and those interested in Saudi history and culture. 

Furthermore, he praised the tremendous efforts made by Darah in realizing this monumental project, noting that this recognition reflects the significance of knowledge in strengthening national identity.

The work on the project took several years and went through numerous stages, involving a team of about 20 people, said Dr. Fahd Al-Samari, secretary-general of Darah.

Al-Samari told Arab News: “The project followed a clear methodology, where we gathered as much of the heritage of historian Ibrahim bin Issa as possible and conducted a thorough investigation.”

Given the project’s scale and the diversity of fields covered, which include religious, historical, linguistic and geographical arts, several specialized committees were formed for the project, including the supervisory committee, the text editing and verification committee, and the manuscript and document collection committee, Al-Samari added.

Bin Issa relied on more than 700 sources for his work, including 570 manuscripts and documents from across the Kingdom, while the remaining sources were distributed between Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, and the US.

Bin Issa was born in 1854 in Ushaiger town, 200 kilometers northwest of Riyadh, and lived for about 71 years. He was a scholar, historian and genealogist, and one of the most prominent historians of the Najd region.

Al-Samari pointed out that Darah was established to fulfill a noble mission, which is to serve the history of Saudi Arabia, its geography, and its intellectual literature, as well as to collect various historical sources, including documents related to the Kingdom, classify them, and enrich the historical library with scientific research.

Darah has devoted special attention to the prominent figures of the Kingdom, honoring their rights, highlighting achievements, celebrating contributions, appreciating efforts, and acknowledging their glory.

“Since establishment, Saudi Arabia has sought to make knowledge the foundation for building the state. Under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom has witnessed a comprehensive renaissance in all fields, with the most significant being in the areas of national heritage,” Al-Samari concluded.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Prince Faisal bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Darah, is seen in a group photo with several descendants of historian Ibn Issa on Wednesday evening in Riyadh.

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SAUDI ARABIA

OMAN: 03 Omani Doctors – 1st for the region: Drs Bader Al Rawahi, Ahmed Al Wahaibi & Jamila Al Ahri Win prestigious WHO awards at 77th World Health Assembly, Geneva

Eight medical professionals from around the world were feted for their unique roles and contributions to public health in their countries and the world at a special ceremony during the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva on Friday.

Of the eight, four recipients are from the Eastern Mediterranean Region of which three are from Oman, a first for a country in the region.

Dr Bader bin Saif al Rawahi

The Dr Lee Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health 2024 was presented to Dr Bader bin Saif al Rawahi, who leads a major public health programme as Director of Communicable Diseases and Control, and manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation at Ministry of Health (MoH).

Dr Rawahi has made considerable effort to leave no one behind in the immunisation programme, including migrants, displaced populations and underprivileged people.

Dr Ahmed Hamed Saif al Wahaibi, head of Elderly Care Section in Primary Health Care Department of MoH, and the Chinese Geriatrics Society, China, were jointly awarded the Sheikh Sabah al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah Prize for Research in Health Care for the Elderly and in Health Promotion.

Dr Ahmed Hamed Saif al Wahaibi

Dr Wahaibi is a family doctor who has made an important contribution to integrating high-quality care for older people within primary health care in Oman. He has also played a part in the development of a national programme for people aged 60 years and older that provides screening, assessment and early intervention as part of primary health care.

Dr Jamila Taiseer Yasser al Abri, a renowned obstetrician and gynaecologist with extensive experience and leadership in women’s health, currently Director of Department of Woman and Child Health, was honoured with the Ihsan Doğramacı Family Health Foundation Prize.

Dr Jamila has demonstrated significant leadership in teaching and managing national health programmes, including on breast cancer, mental health and autism spectrum disorders, besides other family health issues. She has played an important role in contributing to the strategic plans for women’s and children’s health as part of Oman’s long-term vision, Health Vision 2050.

Dr Jamila Taiseer Yasser al Abri

The United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize went to National Death Registry System, Saudi Arabia.

“I feel so proud to see four experts and institutions from the Eastern Mediterranean Region receive four of the eight highly valued WHO awards,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

“This sends a strong message about how rich the region is in talented, distinguished and knowledgeable people. The awardees’ expertise and achievements, across different health fields, show that we have human assets who contribute to the improvement of regional and global health.

“Heartfelt congratulations and a big thank you to Saudi Arabia’s National Death Registry System and to Dr Rawahi, Dr Wahaibi and Dr Jamila from Oman. You have made us all very proud and filled us with hope and determination.”

The winners were awarded by Dr Edwin Dikoloti of Botswana, President of the 77th World Health Assembly, alongside high-level representatives of the foundations providing the public health awards and prizes and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO and administrator for the prizes.

source/content: muscatdaily.com (headline edited)

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OMAN / SAUDI ARABIA