Arab Experts Gather in Jeddah to Strengthen Geographical Names Cooperation
The 10th Forum of the Arab Division of Experts in Geographical Names began on Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The forum, running until November 12, brings together experts, specialists, and delegations from 22 Arab countries and international organizations. It aims to strengthen cooperation in geographical names across the Arab world.
Event Highlights and Keynote Addresses
The forum kicked off under the patronage of Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense and Chairman of the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA). Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah, inaugurated the event. In his speech, GEOSA President Mohammed Alsayel emphasized the importance of geographical names in effective international communication. He welcomed the attendees and acknowledged the forum’s significance in fostering Arab unity in this critical field.
Focus on Arab Cooperation and Documentation
The theme of the forum, “Strengthening Relationships and Links Between Arab States in the Field of Geographical Names,” underlines the need for unified efforts. Discussions will center on unifying geographical names in Arabic, avoiding colloquial dialects, and establishing new national committees for documentation. Alsayel noted that Saudi Arabia prioritizes geographical names and highlighted the Kingdom’s leadership in this area.
International Collaboration, Memorandums of Cooperation
During the forum’s opening day, GEOSA signed 10 memorandums of cooperation with entities from government, academia, and the nonprofit sector. The collaboration aims to further the documentation and standardization of geographical names. Tim Trainer, a consultant to the UN, praised the regional cooperation, stating that it sets a positive path for future collaborations.
Focus on Geological Data, Mineral Documentation
Tariq Aba Al-Khail, spokesperson for the Saudi Geological Survey, spoke about the importance of documenting mineral sites. He emphasized the role of the National Geological Information Database in this effort.
The forum’s discussions and initiatives will play a pivotal role in strengthening ties between Arab states in the field of geographical names, setting a foundation for future cooperation.
