Local News
Environmental commitment: Reporting up 88% and broad community engagement by 2025
The National Center for Environmental Compliance Monitoring recorded an 88% increase in reports for 2025, exceeding 10,000 reports, reflecting growing environmental awareness and the role of technology.
The National Center for Environmental Compliance recorded a new achievement that reflects the growing community awareness of the importance of preserving the environment, as the center initiated more than 10,000 environmental reports during the year 2025. Official statistics showed a record growth in the number of reports received through the Environmental Reporting Center (988), registering a remarkable increase of 88% compared to the previous year, indicating the success of the newly established communication channels and the effectiveness of the community's monitoring role.
The context of environmental transformation and the Kingdom's vision
This surge in reporting cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of the environmental movement underway in Saudi Arabia, stemming from the goals of Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative. The Kingdom prioritizes the protection of vegetation, the reduction of carbon emissions, and the fight against pollution in all its forms. The establishment of specialized environmental centers, including the National Center for Environmental Compliance, is a pivotal step towards ensuring the sustainability of natural resources and enhancing the quality of life for citizens and residents. This has created a robust legislative and regulatory environment that has encouraged public participation in reporting violations.
Geographical distribution and type of reports
In detailing this growth, the center's spokesperson, Saad Al-Mutrafi, explained that interaction with and response to environmental reports nearly doubled in areas with high industrial and developmental density. The Riyadh and Eastern Provinces each recorded more than 3,000 reports in a single year, reflecting the concentration of economic and industrial activities in these regions. Conversely, the number of reports in the Makkah region exceeded 1,700, demonstrating a direct correlation between the volume of reports and the intensity of human and developmental activities.
Regarding the nature of the violations observed, Al-Mutrafi explained that reports of "air quality pollution" topped the list with more than 3,000 reports handled by the center's inspectors, followed by noise reports that exceeded 2,600 reports, in addition to other reports related to soil and water pollution, which illustrates the map of environmental challenges facing urban and industrial areas.
The role of technology and community partnership
The official spokesperson attributed this record increase to the ease of access to and development of reporting channels, specifically the unified number (988) and the introduction of the reporting service in the "Tawakkalna" application, the leading national platform for digital services. The immediate response to public complaints on social media platforms also played a crucial role in monitoring any pollution threatening the environment (air, water, and soil). These data confirm that the community has become a strategic partner in monitoring, as these reports provide vital indicators that contribute to guiding inspection tours and ensuring the swift and efficient handling of violations, thus enhancing the protection of natural resources and proactively reducing sources of pollution.
Local News
The Minister of Education inaugurates Milaf health products for school canteens
The Minister of Education witnessed the launch of Milaf Health Products for school canteens, an initiative from the Public Investment Fund to promote healthy nutrition for students in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
In a strategic move aimed at raising health and nutritional awareness within the educational environment, His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan, witnessed the launch of a new range of healthy food products from the global food company "Milaf." This took place during His Excellency's visit to the company's headquarters, which is one of the Public Investment Fund's companies, as part of activating the strategic partnership between the public and private sectors.
Strengthening national industries based on local resources
During the visit, the Minister of Education was briefed on the production lines and the efforts being made to develop innovative processing industries that rely primarily on national resources, specifically dates and their derivatives, and camel milk. These products add value to the national economy by transforming local raw materials into high-quality food products, thus contributing to strengthening local content and diversifying income sources, which aligns with the Kingdom's economic objectives.
Supporting the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This launch comes within a broader context of supporting the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, where the Public Investment Fund plays a pivotal role in empowering promising sectors. Milaf serves as a model for investment in food security and public health, as the agreement between the Ministry and the company aims to provide healthy and sustainable food options for students, reflecting the integration of efforts between educational institutions and major economic entities.
Improving lifestyle and the quality of school meals
This step is of paramount importance given the ongoing efforts to improve the quality of meals offered in school canteens. By introducing healthy products based on natural and beneficial ingredients such as dates and camel milk, the Ministry is contributing to combating unhealthy eating habits and promoting a healthy lifestyle among young people. This approach aligns perfectly with the objectives of the Quality of Life Program, one of the Vision 2030 programs, which focuses on improving the lifestyle of individuals and families and building a society where its members enjoy a balanced way of life.
Sustainable impact on student health
This collaboration is expected to have a tangible positive impact in the long term, as providing healthy alternatives in schools not only plays a role in nutrition, but also extends to raising the level of academic achievement and physical activity of students by ensuring that they obtain the nutrients necessary for their healthy growth, thus establishing a health-conscious generation capable of contributing to building the future of the nation.
Local News
The governor of Al-Ardiyat offers condolences to the Al-Shamrani family: A story of loyalty and social cohesion
Touching details about the passing of a father in Al-Ardiyat Governorate and the stance of Governor Ali bin Yousef Al-Sharif, which embodies the unity of the official and the citizen, and the values of good upbringing in Saudi society.
On the morning of Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (1447 AH), two weeks before the start of the holy month of Ramadan, the Al-Ardiyat Governorate in the Makkah Region awoke to the news of the death of a prominent figure in his family and community—a father who left an indelible mark on his children and society. This event was not merely a passing loss, but rather a moment to reflect on the values of good upbringing and the exemplary father figure who contributed to building an educated and aware generation, despite his own illiteracy.
Authentic values: The founding generation of close-knit families
The deceased was a living example of a generation of fathers who built their families on the foundations of true Islam and authentic Arab values. For decades, he was committed to raising his children by setting a good example before preaching. He never missed the opening takbir (Allahu Akbar) at the mosque, except on one rare occasion that remains etched in his son's memory: when he said "Amen" alone on the way to the mosque, ashamed of missing the first rak'ah (unit of prayer). These meticulous details reflect the depth of his religious conviction and his keenness to eat only what is lawful. He spent on his children's education from primary school through university and married them off with the fruits of his honest labor, without ever allowing them to consume a single grain of what is forbidden.
Social cohesion and the role of the official in incidents
In a related context, the values of social cohesion that characterize Saudi society were evident during the days of mourning, as large crowds gathered to pray for the deceased and offer condolences to his family. This was not limited to ordinary citizens; the responsible role of the administrative leadership in the province was also apparent. The Governor of Al-Ardiyat, Mr. Ali bin Yousef Al-Sharif, made a point of offering his condolences despite being abroad on a trip at the time of the death.
To underscore the deep bond between officials and citizens in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the governor did not limit himself to the phone call he made immediately upon hearing the news. He promptly visited the family home upon his return from his trip. This visit, characterized by humility and respect, reflected the open policy adopted by the leadership and officials in sharing the joys and sorrows of citizens, thus alleviating the burden of grief and strengthening national unity.
An enduring legacy and welcoming Ramadan with supplication
The passing of such men leaves a great void, but they bequeath values that endure. The deceased was a paragon of honesty, kinship, and meticulous and trustworthy generosity towards those in need. As the blessed month of Ramadan approaches, the family welcomes it with a profound sense of loss, yet with acceptance of God's will and decree. They pledge to keep their father's memory alive in their prayers and charitable acts, and they deeply appreciate the support of the community and officials, which has eased the pain of their loss.
Local News
The Shura Council calls on universities to embrace digital transformation and empower women by 2024
The Shura Council directs Saudi universities to promote digital transformation, empower women, and invest in innovation and endowments to achieve financial sustainability in accordance with Vision 2030.
In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s interest in raising the efficiency of the university education sector to align with the goals of Vision 2030, the Shura Council held its regular session today (Monday) under the chairmanship of His Excellency the Speaker of the Council, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Sheikh, where it issued a package of important decisions and recommendations directed to a number of Saudi universities, which focused in their entirety on empowerment, digital transformation, and financial sustainability.
Development context and strategic direction
These recommendations come at a time when the Kingdom's education sector is undergoing radical transformations aimed at bridging the gap between educational outcomes and the evolving needs of the labor market. The Human Capital Development Program is a cornerstone of the vision upon which these directives are based, as the Council, through its decisions, seeks to encourage universities to adopt more efficient operational models based on self-financing, innovation, and comprehensive digitalization, rather than relying entirely on traditional government support.
Women's empowerment and institutional excellence
During the session, the council directed Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University to adopt an institutional identity that directly focuses on empowering women in areas of national development priority. This recommendation is particularly important given the significant strides Saudi women have recently made in the labor market. The council also urged the university to increase its recruitment of international students and develop student exchange programs, which will enhance cultural diversity and improve the university's global ranking and academic reputation.
In a related context, the council called on Al-Baha University to address shortcomings in institutional performance and raise the quality of educational and research outputs, stressing the importance of highlighting the university’s identity in a manner that is appropriate to the comparative advantages of the Al-Baha region, and developing the digital transformation system and partnerships with the private sector to ensure sustainability.
Innovation and the knowledge economy
The Council's recommendations to King Faisal University focused on the economic aspect of knowledge, calling for maximizing the benefits of innovative products and patents and transforming them into sustainable investment models. It also urged the university to leverage its digital infrastructure to develop a smart student guidance system. This step is essential for transforming universities from purely academic institutions into productive research centers that contribute to the national economy.
Preserving heritage and digital transformation
The session also addressed the issue of heritage, with the council urging the Islamic University of Madinah to digitize its library's paper holdings. This initiative aims to preserve and make Islamic and scientific heritage globally accessible, while respecting intellectual property rights. The council also called upon Jeddah University to complete its digital transformation and establish a unified database.
Localization of talent and financial sustainability
Regarding human resources, the council urged Hafr Al-Batin University to attract qualified national academic staff and provide scholarship opportunities for outstanding students to address staffing shortages and enhance the scientific research environment. Discussions also touched upon the importance of diversifying income sources through endowments and self-investments to ensure the financial and operational sustainability of universities, a point emphasized by council members in their comments on the reports from Majmaah University and Jeddah University.
The session concluded with the approval of two memoranda of understanding; the first between the Supreme Commission for Industrial Security and Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, and the second between the Ministry of Transport and Logistics and the Tunisian Ministry of Communication Technologies, which strengthens international and local cooperation in the security and logistics fields.
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