Dr. Al-Rabeeah Emphasises Integration Of Humanitarian Aid, Development, And Peace For Global Community Support

Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, an advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief, highlighted the importance of investing in infrastructure and industrial policies in the world's least developed countries. He stated that these investments help these nations transition to middle-income economies and positively impact the global economy. Dr. Al-Rabeeah shared these insights during a roundtable discussion titled "Industrial Policies for the Development of the Least Developed Countries" at MIPF 2024.

The event, organized by UNIDO and hosted by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, gathered around 3,000 industry leaders, decision-makers, CEOs, and experts from various sectors. Dr. Al-Rabeeah remarked, "In this significant gathering, our goal is to advance economic prosperity, industrial development, and sustainable practices." He emphasized that this roundtable serves as a crucial platform for sharing ideas and strategies that have helped least developed countries transition successfully to middle-income status.

Dr. Al-Rabeeah pointed out that UNIDO’s mission aligns with the ninth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which aims to build resilient infrastructure, foster inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and promote innovation. He noted that KSrelief's efforts reflect these objectives by empowering vulnerable communities towards self-reliance beyond immediate relief efforts.

Since its inception, KSrelief has collaborated with over 190 humanitarian organizations worldwide, impacting 102 countries. Dr. Al-Rabeeah stressed that localization is central to KSrelief's mission. This approach strengthens national capabilities and enhances social resilience, creating long-term prosperity, peace, and social cohesion while boosting employment opportunities for marginalized groups.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for coordinated logistical efforts as many countries struggled with aid and vaccine distribution independently. In response to this challenge, Saudi Arabia is focusing on localizing vaccine production and establishing logistics centers for critical supplies. These measures aim to ensure a more effective response to future health emergencies both regionally and globally.

Highlighting KSrelief's achievements, Dr. Al-Rabeeah mentioned that over 43,000 beneficiaries have been positively impacted through diverse training and capacity-building initiatives. In Yemen alone, more than 11,000 individuals—particularly women and youth—have gained professional skills leading to improved living conditions.

Empowering Women in Renewable Energy

Dr. Al-Rabeeah noted that 87% of these individuals have started their own businesses with increased income due to KSrelief's support. Additionally, he mentioned projects empowering 375 Yemeni women in renewable energy sectors by establishing solar energy projects benefiting 21,000 people.

An integrated approach combining humanitarian work with development initiatives is crucial for effective crisis responses while fostering sustainable development in conflict-affected regions. MIPF 2024 provides an opportunity to showcase Saudi Arabia's accomplishments in the industrial sector by highlighting initiatives aimed at localizing strategic industries.

The forum aligns with Vision 2030 and the National Industrial Strategy of Saudi Arabia which seek to enhance competitiveness within its industrial sector while promoting innovation creativity among stakeholders involved across various domains globally.

With inputs from SPA