Saudi Gazette report

BEIJING – Dr. Bandar Al-Aiban, president of Saudi Human Rights Commission, said that the concept of the right to development was enshrined as an integral part of the programs and initiatives of Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Addressing the opening session of the Beijing Forum on Human Rights here on Tuesday, he said that Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, continues working to promote and protect human rights as well as to make available of a decent living for all those living in the Kingdom, including citizens and expatriates.

Al-Aiban, who heads the Saudi delegation to the Forum, emphasized that Saudi Arabia, as a major partner in the global human rights system has given the right to development a big priority and reinforced the idea that man is a partner and the focal point in development. “The right to development is among the Vision’s interim and strategic goals. The effective implementation of the Vision helped strengthening justice, transparency, governance and fighting corruption, and that have contributed to instill an amount of trust in the hearts of Saudis as well as to deepen the concept of combating corruption as a national behavior,” he said.

Al-Aiban also drew attention to the concept of human capital development as envisaged in the Vision 2030. He specially noted that the Kingdom has always emphasized the continued promotion and protection of all issues related to women’s rights in accordance with the provisions of the Islamic Shariah.

“Saudi women are essential partners in the process of building and development and her role in this regard is keeping pace with the role of men based on the Vision 2030, the National Transformation Program 2020 and the Financial Balance Program. These demonstrate the need to promote the full participation of women in the labor market, develop their talents and invest their energies so as to contribute to the development of their society and economy as a whole,” he added.

The human rights official noted that the term sustainable development involves a deep awareness of the human relationship with resources in general and natural resources in particular, as well as precise dimensions related to the increasing need for sustainable development. “It is important to note that the most important challenges to sustainable development are the need to eliminate poverty, by encouraging balanced production and consumption patterns, without over-reliance on natural resources.”

Al-Aiban said the Kingdom has taken rapid and advanced steps towards optimizing the use of natural resources, promoting the use of alternative and renewable energy and introducing it into the lifestyle in addition to its multiple applications as clean energy. He also pointed to the efforts exerted by the Kingdom in the field of environmental protection.

On the sidelines of the two-day forum, Al-Aiban held talks with several Chinese officials. The talks focused mainly on the efforts of the Saudi government under King Salman to establish world peace, as well as its support in fighting poverty and lending a helping hand to the poor and needy people all around the world.