Saudi Arabia and Singapore have enjoyed a long-standing diplomatic relationship marked by mutual cooperation and collaboration across various sectors. There have been interactions at multiple levels. We bring you some highlights
On 1st March 2023, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, arrived in Singapore for an official visit on the invitation of Minister Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development, Second Minister for Health & Ministerin- Charge of Muslim Affairs. Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah paid a courtesy call on H.E. Halimah Yacob, the President of Singapore, at the Istana and PM Lee Hsien Loong at the Parliament House. Amongst the matters discussed was the latest updates and developments related to Hajj and Umrah and reaffirmed the friendly and longstanding ties that both countries share. On 5th June 2023 Assistant Minister of Defense of the KSA, Eng. Talal bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi, participated in the roundtable meeting of the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Defense ministers, senior military leaders, and defense and security policymakers came from all over the world. While here, the Saudi Defense Minister also met with Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence of Singapore Mr Zaqy Mohamad, as they reviewed the defense and military cooperation relations and issues of common concern.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development for Emiratisation, Eng. Majid Al-Dahwi and his accompanying delegation visited Singapore. The Saudi-Singapore Forum was opened by H.E. Ambassador Abdullah Mohammed Al-Madhi, and was attended by H.E. Engineer Ahmed bin Saleh Al-Khamshi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture along with many prominent figures from the Saudi and Singaporean business communities.
The Minister of Transport and Logistics, H.E. Saleh Bin Nasser Al Jasser the Co-Chairman of the Saudi-Singapore Joint Committee visited Singapore; his accompanying delegation also visited Changi International Airport and Tuas Sea Port to learn more about the Singaporean experience in managing the airport and port as well as the modern technologies used for this purpose.
In November 2022, the Minister of Interior of Saudi Arabia met with Minister of Home Affairs and Law of Singapore, H.E. Mr. K.Shanmugam and held a fruitful discussion on bilateral relations between our countries and ongoing security cooperation.
Saudi Students Collaborating with Singapore
On 4th June 2023 it was announced that three teams of male and female students (pictured right) have qualified for the finals of the Formula 1 School Program, which will be held in Singapore during the Formula 1 race in September. They represent the Kingdom alongside 55 other countries in the finals. F1 in Schools is a global educational programme to raise awareness of STEM and Formula 1 among students covering topics like physics, aerodynamics, design, manufaturing etc. The event is organised by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and sponsored by Saudi Aramco. On 31st May 2023 the Saudi Logistics Academy launched the first programme dedicated to qualifying and developing capabilities of 15 female leaders in the logistics field, in partnership with the Supply Chain and Logistics Academy (SCALA) in Singapore. The Executive Director of the Saudi Logistics Academy Dr. Abdullah Al-Abdulakareem said that the programme is the first dedicated to women leaders.
Eid Celebrations and Hajj Pilgrims Send-off
Singapore’s Minister for Social and Family Development as well as Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, was accompanied by the Saudi Ambassador H.E Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mahdi, when the minister bid farewell to Singaporean hajj pilgrims at Changi airport.
The Saudi Arabian Embassy hosted an exciting and vibrant celebration for Eid Al-Fitr this year. The event was graced by several esteemed guests, including the Minister of Social and Family Development and also responsible for Muslim Affairs, Mr. Masagos Zulkifli, and diplomatic friends of Saudi Arabia from many countries. A diverse group of attendees, including embassy employees, scholarship students, citizens, diplomats, and members of parliament, were also present.
Source – Sun Media Magazine ” SAUDI ARABIA GATEWAY TO THE MIDDLE EAST 2023 “
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