In a historic move reflecting growing global confidence in Saudi scientific expertise, the Joint Committee of Experts on Food Additives (JECFA) of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization announced the appointment of Dr. Najla Al-Harbi, Head of the Chemical Hazards Department at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to its list of accredited experts. This achievement marks a significant milestone, underscoring the Kingdom's pivotal role in shaping the future of food safety standards on the international stage.

Historical context and importance of the JECFA committee

The Joint Commission on Food and Agriculture (JECFA) was established in 1956 as an independent international scientific body, operating under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations. Its primary mission is to conduct rigorous scientific assessments of the safety of food additives, contaminants, natural toxins, and veterinary drug residues in food. Its recommendations and assessments, such as the establishment of the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), form the scientific basis upon which the Codex Alimentarius Commission develops its international standards, which are adopted by the majority of countries worldwide as a regulatory framework for protecting consumer health and facilitating fair international food trade.

The strategic impact of the Kingdom's accession

The presence of a Saudi expert on this prestigious committee is not merely a personal recognition, but rather an international acknowledgment of the advanced level achieved by the Kingdom's food safety system, under the leadership of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. This membership grants the Kingdom an influential voice in the scientific discussions that shape global food policies and standards, ensuring their alignment with international best practices and safeguarding the health of citizens and residents. Regionally, this achievement reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leader in food regulation, enabling it to share its expertise to support the development of regulatory systems in the region. Internationally, it enhances confidence in Saudi food products and strengthens their competitiveness in global markets.

The role of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and Vision 2030

This achievement is the culmination of the strategic efforts undertaken by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), which aim to build specialized national capabilities and develop risk assessment methodologies based on the latest scientific and technological tools. The Kingdom's representation on the JECFA committee aligns directly with the objectives of Vision 2030, particularly those related to improving quality of life, promoting public health, and building a knowledge-based economy. Through active participation in shaping international scientific decisions, the SFDA contributes to enhancing the efficiency of the national food safety system, strengthening consumer confidence, and supporting the Kingdom's food security.

Diriyah Real Estate Development Company has achieved an exceptional global milestone, receiving the prestigious Sword of Honour award from the British Safety Council after achieving a five-star rating in its comprehensive assessment of occupational health and safety systems. With this recognition, Diriyah becomes the first real estate developer in the Middle East to achieve this high international accreditation, setting a new benchmark for excellence in managing major projects.

Historical context and strategic importance

This achievement is not merely a testament to quality; it reflects the profound commitment to a project of immense historical and cultural significance. Diriyah, known as the “Jewel of the Kingdom,” is the birthplace of the first Saudi state and home to the historic At-Turaif district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Diriyah Development Project is a key initiative within Saudi Vision 2030 , aiming to transform this historic site into a leading global cultural and tourist destination. Amidst a massive construction undertaking encompassing integrated infrastructure, world-class hotels, museums, and entertainment facilities, implementing the highest safety standards is not an option but a strategic imperative to safeguard the project's human and material heritage.

Assessment details and excellence criteria

Achieving the five-star rating and the Sword of Honour award was no easy feat. Diriyah Health Services Company underwent a rigorous audit by the British Safety Council. The assessment involved a detailed review of over 50 key elements within the company's health and safety management system. This included examining policies and procedures, conducting interviews with executives, employees, and stakeholders, and performing on-site assessments of operational activities. The assessment compares the company's performance to global best practices, confirming that Diriyah's safety systems meet, and even exceed, international standards.

Local, regional and international impact

Domestically, this achievement reinforces a culture of safety within the Saudi construction sector and sets a benchmark for other major projects aligned with Vision 2030. It also supports the goals of protecting human capital and empowering national talent by providing safe and sustainable work environments. Regionally, this recognition enhances the Kingdom's reputation as a leading center for the efficient and responsible execution of mega-projects. Internationally, this acclaim sends a powerful message to investors, partners, and tourists worldwide that the Diriyah project is built on a solid foundation of quality, sustainability, and a commitment to human safety, further enhancing its appeal as a world-class investment and tourism destination.

Figures reflect commitment

This commitment is embodied in managing a complex work environment with an average workforce of approximately 50,000 employees and operating more than 2,500 pieces of heavy equipment across various development areas. The company has achieved a remarkably low, recordable incident rate of 0.017 on its infrastructure projects, a figure that reflects the effectiveness of its safety system. In this context, Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Group , emphasized that occupational safety is a fundamental pillar of all project operations, not merely an operational priority, noting that this recognition reflects the company's unwavering commitment to establishing leading standards in risk management.

The CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), Dr. Hisham Al-Jadhey, affirmed that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies represent a qualitative leap in the healthcare sector, directly contributing to accelerating the delivery of innovative medications to patients. This came during his participation in a session titled “Human Progress and the Future of Work” at the International Labor Market Conference, where he explained that these technologies shorten the stages of drug development and discovery, as well as the simulation of clinical trials, thus reducing the timeline from years to months and significantly lowering costs.

Historical background: Challenges of the traditional pharmaceutical industry

Historically, developing a new drug has been a long, complex, and extremely expensive journey. It begins with a research and discovery phase that can take years to identify a promising compound, followed by preclinical trials and then clinical trials in humans, which are divided into three main phases, each requiring considerable time, enormous resources, and high failure rates. This cycle, which can extend for more than a decade and cost billions of dollars, has been a major obstacle to making new treatments available to patients quickly, especially in the face of emerging diseases and epidemics.

The importance of digital transformation and its impact on the health sector

Dr. Al-Jadaei explained that artificial intelligence (AI) will enhance the efficiency of regulatory processes at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) by improving the mechanisms for approving medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and food. Thanks to AI's ability to analyze massive amounts of data and develop products, the SFDA will have greater flexibility in adopting and approving innovations. In line with this approach, the SFDA launched the "SAIL" AI Lab last year, aiming to integrate the latest innovations and create a "digital twin" that supports regulatory efforts and compares their results to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

Saudi Vision 2030 and the role of artificial intelligence

These efforts are fully aligned with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes digital transformation and innovation in the healthcare sector. Adopting artificial intelligence technologies not only contributes to improving the health of citizens and residents but also enhances the Kingdom’s position as a leading regional hub for life sciences and biotechnology, opening new economic horizons. Al-Jada’i added, “We believe that artificial intelligence is the future, as it will contribute to improving the economy and health, and increase work efficiency.”.

The future of work: human-machine integration

Al-Jada'i reassured everyone that artificial intelligence (AI) will not replace humans, but rather serve as a supportive tool enabling employees to focus on more complex tasks that require critical thinking and creativity. He emphasized the importance of equipping human resources with the necessary skills to understand how to apply these technologies and analyze their data, noting that building a culture of adaptability to AI must begin with leadership to positively impact all employees, thus ensuring the effective use of this technology to achieve optimal health and economic outcomes.