Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today celebrated Global Search and Rescue Day of the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme, an initiative launched by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and approved by the program’s council and member states. The occasion reflects the Kingdom’s pivotal role and leadership in search and rescue at both regional and international levels.

According to Saudi Press Agency, this initiative is part of GACA’s efforts to enhance safety and protect lives through search and rescue services. The authority presented the initiative during the International COSPAS-SARSAT Program meeting held in Riyadh in October 2024, where it gained broad support and approval from member states, underscoring the Kingdom’s active role in humanitarian action and international cooperation to safeguard lives.

The Saudi Search and Rescue Center, operating under GACA and managed by Saudi Air Navigation Services, is one of the first centers of its kind in the region. It covers seven neighboring countries and is regarded as an advanced hub that relies on the latest technologies to receive and analyze satellite distress signals, providing round-the-clock services to ensure rapid response to maritime, land, and air incidents.

Between 2020 and 2025, the center received 2,657 distress alerts, including 2,314 maritime, 236 aviation-related, and 107 individual alerts. Of these, 100 cases required search and rescue operations, resulting in the rescue of more than 250 people.