On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), opened here today the 4th News Agencies World Congress (IV-NAWC), which is hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represented by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) under the title 'Reshaping a News Agency in the 21st Century' at Ritz Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. At the outset of the speech ceremony, verses of the Holy Quran were recited. Then, the Minister of Culture and Information welcomed the participants in the 4th News Agencies World Congress (IV-NAWC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 'I conveyed to you greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense; and Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Second Deputy Primer, Advisor to and Special Envoy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, wishing all success for this conference,' Dr. Khoja said. He added that this conference acquires great importance in light of successive media variables and rapid developments in all methods and techniques of information as the coverage of those developments and changes represent a race against time. 'The agenda of this conference, which include important topics, is yet another evidence of serious determination to keep pace with new advances and put future plans for your media institutions that play a leading role in the world of information,' Dr. Khoja added. 'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia considers dialogue, rapprochement and communication among interreligious and intercultural followers as a priority and accordingly made many remarkable initiatives in this regard. Therefore, the Kingdom believes that this international gathering is an opportunity for constructive dialogue that ushers in cooperation and increasing rapprochement, communication and openness between members of the same profession,' the Minister of Culture and Information added. The Minister of Culture and Information said the world today is full of variables and contradictions that sometimes disrupt the balance. It also witnesses a huge revolution in the field of communication and information exchange technologies as well as a fierce competition between media bodies to reach and disseminate information materials. Therefore, such matters impose responsibilities upon you - as you are the leading producers of news and the most important news source - in terms of consolidating the commitment and adherence to the professional ethics of honesty, credibility and objectivity in covering the events. 'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has worked on keeping pace with the accelerated media development and is keen to have a positive influential leverage at Arab, regional and international levels based on firm foundations religiously and morally. It has also made great strides in the path of media developments by being committed to the principles of media work,' Dr. Khoja added. The Minister of Culture and Information also said that Riyadh conference brings together major media organizations that have responsibilities towards helping their counterparts that are still in early stages of growing. The conference is expected to witness an exchange of expertise and experience. 'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been supporting the humanitarian work around the world and standing by the brothers and friends in times of crises, an approach that is continuous and irreversible. We believe that this media gathering can be a platform for promoting the humanitarian side through news agencies and media,' Dr. Khoja said. Concluding his speech, the Minister of Culture and Information wished the participants all success, looking forward that the conference would achieve its objectives.
