RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 18,407 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 12,995 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,512 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,900 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,260 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 66 percent were Ethiopian, 28 percent Yemeni, and 6 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 67 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 21 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency, KSrelief, is providing humanitarian assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
In the Syrian Arab Republic, KSrelief distributed 125 food baskets in Rif Dimashq governorate, helping 125 families.
In northern Lebanon, 828 Syrian refugee families in Western Beqaa, Akkar, and Danniyeh received food aid. In Beirut, 237 food baskets reached 1,185 vulnerable people.
In Yemen’s Hodeidah governorate, KSrelief pumped 3.5 million liters of drinking water and 448,000 liters of non-potable water in one month as part of its water and sanitation project.
A KSrelief mobile medical clinic in Hajjah governorate served 1,691 patients during the same period, the SPA reported.
In Sudan, 2,000 food packages were distributed to displaced and needy families in Atbara, River Nile State, aiding 12,001 people.
Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has carried out 3,389 projects worth almost $7.9 billion across 106 countries, in partnership with over 300 organizations.
Algorithms are used to recommend salons to customers in Saudi Arabia
Millions of gigabytes of data on hair and skin is being fed into AI engines
Updated 13 min 22 sec ago
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in the beauty industry, both in Saudi Arabia and internationally.
Mohamed Hassan, CEO of Saudi-based Glamera, spoke to Arab News about how the company uses AI to recommend services to customers.
“The system analyzes user behavior and preferences to offer personalized service suggestions,” he said.
Founded in Egypt in 2020, where it still covers Cairo and Alexandria, Glamera then relocated to Saudi Arabia, where it covers Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Taif, Qassim, and Madinah.
Another technology implemented by some beauty companies is augmented reality, which allows users to ‘try out’ beauty products using their smartphones.
L’Oreal uses AI technology for a wide range of features including analyzing customer reviews and evaluating product formulas, Vismay Sharma, president of L’Oreal South Asia Pacific, Middle East, and North Africa, told Arab News.
The company’s Beauty Genius, which provides users with analysis, product recommendations and personalized routines for hair and makeup, is powered by generative AI.
L’Oreal has also created SkinConsultAI, which “measures skin aging” and offers personalized skincare regimens.
Sharma said that the company has collected a vast amount of data on hair and skin — more than 11 million gigabytes — which is fed into the AI engine.
“We have by far the highest amount of data … that is what we are now feeding into all of our AI engines such as LLMs (large language models), which is allowing us to do significant exploration of formula evaluation,” Sharma said.
Stressing how important it is to use technology responsibly, Sharma added that L’Oreal has been transparent about its commitment to not using computer-generated photos of results.
“We never use GenAI on our models, because that, in a way, is faking results,” he said. “There are very clear ethical rules that we put around the use of technology and I very strongly believe that if technology is in the hands of responsible people, using it responsibly can significantly enhance the quality of experience, the beauty journey of consumers, and the overall efficiency of an organization.”
Saudi king, crown prince congratulate Senegal’s president on independence day
West African country celebrates yearly on April 4, the day in 1960 it signed a transfer of power agreement with France
Updated 05 April 2025
Arab News
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday congratulated Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his country’s Independence Day.
In a cable, King Salman wished the president “continued good health and happiness,” and the government and people of Senegal “steady progress and prosperity.”
The crown prince issued a similar statement, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The west African country celebrates its independence yearly on April 4, the day it signed a transfer of power agreement with France in 1960 to form the Mali Federation with French Sudan. The union, however, was short-lived as the two parted ways in August of the same year and the former French Sudan became the Republic of Mali.
In early 1982, Senegal and neighboring Gambia formed the Confederation of Senegambia, only to be dissolved in 1989 as the integration was never carried out.
Faye, the current president, was an opposition candidate who rose to power after defeating incumbent president Macky Sall in the March 2024 election.
How Saudi companies are redefining corporate responsibility with ESG leadership
ESG integration is transforming industries as Saudi firms leverage AI, blockchain, and biotech to drive impact
Private companies like SAWACO and WAYAKIT are proving that profitability and sustainability can thrive together
Updated 05 April 2025
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: Saudi companies across multiple industries are increasingly integrating environmental, social, and governance principles into their corporate strategies, driving sustainable growth while balancing environmental stewardship, community impact, and corporate responsibility.
This strategic shift aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 roadmap — a transformative economic diversification plan — and its ambitious 2060 net zero emissions target, reinforcing the nation’s position as a sustainability leader.
SAWACO Water Group exemplifies this transformation, embedding sustainability into its core operations.
“Sustainability is not just a goal; it’s a responsibility,” CEO Nizar Kammourie told Arab News, emphasizing the company’s alignment with Vision 2030’s focus on environmental and social progress.
He added: “At SAWACO, we integrate ESG into every aspect of our operations, from optimizing resource efficiency to ensuring transparent governance and community engagement.”
Underpinning this commitment, SAWACO has implemented advanced operations intelligence software to enhance energy efficiency in desalination plants.
“We are leveraging cutting-edge technology to reduce power and chemical consumption while extending the life cycle of our assets,” said Kammourie.
Nizar Kammourie, chief executive officer of SAWACO. (Supplied)
The company also tracks carbon emissions through its Remedium Platform, which supports data-driven reduction targets.
“Accurate carbon accounting allows us to set tangible, data-driven targets for reducing our environmental footprint, ensuring our growth remains responsible and sustainable,” he added.
To address resource optimization, SAWACO has partnered with a US-based firm to pioneer brine minimization technology.
“Water is one of our most precious resources, and we are committed to maximizing its use,” said Kammourie.
“Our innovative brine minimization system enhances freshwater recovery from seawater while significantly reducing brine discharge, preserving marine ecosystems and supporting coastal livelihoods.”
Governance reforms further solidify SAWACO’s ESG leadership. A dedicated committee oversees alignment with international sustainability standards such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“Ethical governance is the foundation of a sustainable business,” said Kammourie “By integrating real-time data analytics, third-party audits, and stakeholder engagement into our decision-making process, we ensure accountability at every level.”
He added: “Sustainability must be measured, not just discussed. That’s why we also integrate ESG metrics into performance reviews, making it a part of our company culture rather than just a corporate initiative.
“We are not just providing water — we are safeguarding the future of water sustainability in Saudi Arabia. Our goal is to drive meaningful change that aligns economic success with long-term sustainability.”
These efforts reflect broader national momentum, as Saudi businesses bridge profitability and planetary stewardship to set new benchmarks for ESG leadership in emerging markets.
SAWACO is not just providing water, but also afeguarding the future of water sustainability in Saudi Arabia, according to its CEO. (Supplied)
Similarly, Luisa Javier, CEO of WAYAKIT, highlighted how her women-led biotechnology company has embedded ESG into its DNA, transforming hygiene solutions in aviation, transportation, and facilities management.
“We are not just creating products; we are building solutions that have a measurable environmental and social impact,” she told Arab News.
WAYAKIT’s flagship disinfectant eliminates 99.999 percent of viruses and bacteria in just 30 seconds using 93 percent biodegradable components.
By replacing harmful quaternary ammonium compounds with biodegradable nano-modified citric acid in aircraft cleaning processes, the company says it has reduced environmental impact by 94 percent.
Dr._Luisa_Javier (left), CEO of WAYAKIT, and cofounder Dr. Sandra Medina. (Supplied)
In addition, its environmental footprint tracker measures progress in energy efficiency, water conservation, pollution reduction, and health improvements.
“Sustainability isn’t just about compliance — it’s about innovation,” said Javier. “We have to rethink traditional approaches and develop solutions that align with the future.”
WAYAKIT also integrates ESG principles into its governance and transparency measures. Its women-led C-suite strengthens decision-making diversity, while blockchain technology safeguards sustainability metrics, preventing greenwashing and ensuring accurate reporting.
“Authenticity matters,” said Javier. “Every sustainability claim we make is backed by rigorous third-party laboratory testing. We are setting a new standard for how biotech companies can be both profitable and responsible.”
DID YOU KNOW?
• The Kingdom is aiming for net zero carbon emissions by 2060, embedding ESG principles in national initiatives like Green Riyadh.
• In 2021, the Saudi Stock Exchange introduced ESG disclosure guidelines, mandating listed companies prioritize transparency.
• Saudi Electricity Co., Almarai, and Saudi Telecom Co. have embedded ESG guidelines, issuing green bonds and improving governance.
Community engagement is another cornerstone of WAYAKIT’s ESG strategy. With 70 percent of its workforce consisting of women, the company provides technical training in biotechnology and leadership development to foster career advancement for Saudi women.
“Empowering women in STEM is not just a mission — it’s a responsibility,” said Javier. “Our workforce is a reflection of what Saudi Vision 2030 aims to achieve: a thriving, innovative economy where women play a central role.”
This momentum is part of a broader national trend. A 2023 report by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, PIF, highlighted how Saudi organizations, particularly those within its portfolio, are spearheading ESG awareness and implementation.
Under the Saudi Green Initiative, more than 600 million trees and shrubs are expected to be planted by 2030 across the Kingdom. (SGI photo)
The Saudi Green Initiative, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, supports this shift with $187 billion in investments across more than 60 programs to advance the green economy.
Through large-scale investments in green initiatives, innovative carbon reduction strategies, and community-focused programs like those led by SAWACO and WAYAKIT, Saudi businesses are proving that profitability and sustainability can coexist.
Collectively, these efforts set a new benchmark for ESG leadership in emerging markets while positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in sustainable development.
