Saudi Arabia Exerts Efforts to Enhance Security of Int’l Sea Lanes
November 14, 2019, 9:29 am

Saudi Arabia Exerts Efforts to Enhance Security of Int’l Sea Lanes

Saudi Arabia continues to take qualitative steps towards securing international corridors and freedom of maritime navigation.

The Royal Saudi Naval Forces is expected to organize the Saudi International Maritime Patrol Ships Forum on November 24-26 in Riyadh along with Saudi efforts to maintain the corridors’ security and safety.

Saudi Arabia aims to ensure the freedom of international maritime traffic in the straits and strategic corridors and to enhance maritime security in sea lanes and transport lines, said Brig. Gen. Faisal Bin Muhammad Al-Ghamaisi, Chairman of the Forum, in a speech during a press conference held on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Saudi Royal Navy in Riyadh.

On the importance of the conference in addressing security challenges facing maritime navigation, Ghamaisi told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The forum will discuss with particular interest maritime security.”

He added that experts would analyze those challenges and discuss the means to resolve them.

“It is known that challenges and threats remain, and work should focus on how to deal with them before they occur,” he added.

The US-led naval military coalition in Bahrain last week officially launched its mission to protect shipping in the Gulf region from attacks primarily blamed on Iran.

Around four months ago, Washington launched the initiative to form the International Alliance for the Safety and Protection of Maritime Navigation and the Safety of Maritime Corridors.

The alliance includes, in addition to the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Britain, Australia and Albania.

Ghamaisi said that the forum would discuss five main issues dealing with all aspects of securing strategic sea lanes, adding that an exhibition would be held in parallel, where local and international companies would showcase latest equipment, technologies and systems in the field of maritime security.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”