Riyadh’s Saudi Design Festival to go global

Saudi Design Festival’s CEO Basma Bouzo with Special envoy to the MENA of World Design Organization Hicham Lahlou. (Supplied)
Saudi Design Festival’s CEO Basma Bouzo with Special envoy to the MENA of World Design Organization Hicham Lahlou. (Supplied)
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Updated 27 January 2023

Riyadh’s Saudi Design Festival to go global

Saudi Design Festival’s CEO Basma Bouzo with Special envoy to the MENA of World Design Organization Hicham Lahlou. (Supplied)
  • “Aligning with the events and activities of the organization, Saudi Design Festival has started discussions with Hicham Lahlou, special envoy and regional advisor to the Middle East and North Africa of WDO,” it said

RIYADH: The second Saudi Design Festival concluded in the Kingdom’s capital on January 23 — but organizers will push their work beyond that date and the Kingdom’s borders.

SDF is now an official member of World Design Weeks, where it will work alongside international counterparts to develop cross-event collaborations.

It said it plans to participate at the World Design Summit, set to take place in Tokyo in October.

The SDF team, which started Saudi Design Week nearly a decade ago, has also announced plans to become international and team up with the French embassy in Riyadh, the CY School of Design and France Design Week.

The international counterparts were present during the SDF event in Riyadh, where initial commitments were solidified to create a long-term partnership and expand their cooperation.

SDF said in a statement that it was “proud of its inclusion as one of the first members from the Gulf into the World Design Organization.

“Aligning with the events and activities of the organization, Saudi Design Festival has started discussions with Hicham Lahlou, special envoy and regional advisor to the Middle East and North Africa of WDO,” it said.

“We are excited to explore the opportunities for mutual collaboration and design promotion through SDF, not just in Saudi Arabia but the whole Gulf region. Now, more than ever, the design presents a common tool and ground for nations to find meaningful solutions together to address the global challenges we all face as humanity.”

The agreement between Basma Bouzo, the CEO of SDF,  and Lahlou included discussions on incorporating WDO events and objectives in Riyadh and beyond.

Building on the continuous support the festival has received from the Embassy of France in Riyadh, SDF has formally entered into talks with the cultural mission and Dominique Sciamma, Dean of the CY School of Design, President of APCI-Promotion du design, and France Design Week.

The multi-partnership will focus on developing design education programs and joint-initiatives.

Lahlou and Sciamma were also part of the festival’s design forum. Lahlou gave the audience insights into the value of international organizations and creating a global community, while Sciamma spoke of design education.

For more information, visit the Saudi Design Festival website and their social media channels.

 


Mawhiba announces names of gifted students for the year

Mawhiba announces names of gifted students for the year
Updated 18 sec ago

Mawhiba announces names of gifted students for the year

Mawhiba announces names of gifted students for the year
  • The competition featured 25,000 students

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), the Ministry of Education, and the Education and Training Evaluation Authority represented by the National Center for Assessment announced the results of this year’s National Program for Gifted Identification.

“Participants included students from 40 different nationalities and Saudi students from 13 different regions in the Kingdom,” said Dr. Basil Al-Sadhan, Mawhiba’s deputy secretary-general.

Last year, the competition saw the participation of 17,000 students, while this year, it featured 25,000 students, said Dr. Mohammed Al-Moqbel, undersecretary of the Ministry of Education.

Compared to last year, there was “a huge increase in the number of discovered gifted students,” said Al-Sadhan.

The aim of the program is to discover students who are gifted in science and technology and to direct them through appropriate care programs.

“Gifted, promising students and their accomplishments should be reflected in our society, to raise the spirit of competition among students,” said Dr. Abdullah Al-Qatie, executive director of the National Center for Assessment.

“An important element for the success of this program is to train teachers on how to spot and deal with gifted students. A teacher who is trained to deal with gifted students has to be carefully selected,” he said.

He added: “It is our responsibility and priority to provide gifted students with a suitable, safe and supportive environment.”

In light of the increased number of students participating this year, Mawhiba has announced new plans to further improve the effectiveness of the program.

These include opening an international training program for high school students, led by researchers from prestigious universities; reaching out to undiscovered gifted students residing in small towns in the Kingdom; and improving on the special curriculum for gifted students.


KSrelief chief calls for expansion of global humanitarian donor base

KSrelief chief calls for expansion of global humanitarian donor base
Updated 5 min 47 sec ago

KSrelief chief calls for expansion of global humanitarian donor base

KSrelief chief calls for expansion of global humanitarian donor base
  • Only a small number of donors fund over 80% of aid operations around the world, says Al-Rabeeah

RIYADH: Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said that only a small number of donors fund over 80 percent of humanitarian operations around the world, calling upon other countries to help expand the donor base to meet growing needs.

Speaking at a session titled “Soaring humanitarian needs and limited resources: Engaging emerging donors and new sources of financing” at the European Humanitarian Forum, which is being held in Brussels March 20-22, Al-Rabeeah stressed the importance of expanding the donor base for global humanitarian action.

It is important to expand that base to reduce the cost for donors, Al-Rabeeah said, calling for intensified efforts on the part of countries, institutions and the private sector to finance global humanitarian action.

Al-Rabeeah recalled the generous directive of King Salman to involve the private sector in financing worldwide humanitarian work and task the center with launching campaigns in response to humanitarian crises, noting that the center supports international humanitarian action and UN institutions.

Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the World Food Programme, annually carries out a campaign worth over $136 million, gifting dates to 72 countries, Al-Rabeeah said.

KSrelief also supported the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing vaccines, medical supplies and financial support.

Al-Rabeeah noted that the Kingdom is chair of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ donor group for 2022-2023, adding that Saudi Arabia has been active in contacting donors, mobilizing their support for OCHA, and working with the group to expand the donor base and provide solutions to humanitarian problems.

At the forum in the Belgian capital, KSrelief showcased its humanitarian work in 90 countries. The center’s pavilion featured projects involving food security, health, safety, emergency relief, education and shelter for the displaced.

It also showcased KSrelief’s reach to beneficiaries through air and land bridges and its projects implemented in Yemen, including the Masam project to clear the country of mines, an initiative to rehabilitate child soldiers and the establishment of a center for prosthetics.

On the sidelines of the forum, Al-Rabeeah met with EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic. 

The two officials discussed issues related to humanitarian and relief affairs, and ways to develop them, as well as the key topics touched upon in the forum.

Lenarcic commended Saudi Arabia’s active participation in the forum and the donors’ conference for people affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkiye, highlighting KSrelief’s efforts in supporting humanitarian aid worldwide.

Haifa Al-Jedea, ambassador and head of the Saudi mission to the EU, also attended the meeting.


Indonesian, Hijazi cultural traditions celebrated at event in Jeddah

Event was organized by Zawiya 97, the Jeddah Historic District Program and Angklung Ensemble from KAUST’s arts office.
Event was organized by Zawiya 97, the Jeddah Historic District Program and Angklung Ensemble from KAUST’s arts office.
Updated 22 March 2023

Indonesian, Hijazi cultural traditions celebrated at event in Jeddah

Event was organized by Zawiya 97, the Jeddah Historic District Program and Angklung Ensemble from KAUST’s arts office.
  • “Apart from our role to revive the community in Al-Balad, we are celebrating the culture of Indonesia through its arts, tradition, food, and music,” Angawi said

JEDDAH: Performances using traditional musical instruments hit the right note with visitors to an Indonesian and Hijazi cultural event held recently in Jeddah.

The angklung, an Indonesian instrument made from bamboo, and the Arabian oud featured prominently at the event which took place in the historic Al-Balad area of the city.

Organized by Zawiya 97 in collaboration with the Jeddah Historic District Program and the Angklung Ensemble from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology’s arts office, the gathering was attended by around 300 guests including KAUST students and staff, members of the Indonesian community, and leading Saudi figures.

A musical rendition based around the angklung was performed by an Andika Berbawa-led band of students, teachers, and university staff from KAUST’s arts department.

Ahmed Angawi, chief executive officer of Zawiya 97, told Arab News: “Usually our celebrations focus on the traditions and culture of this region through arts, crafts, and architecture design but this event is about music in collaboration with KAUST and Jeddah Historic District Program.

“Apart from our role to revive the community in Al-Balad, we are celebrating the culture of Indonesia through its arts, tradition, food, and music, which highlights the beautiful connection between Indonesia and the Hijaz area,” he said.

He noted that the event had been staged to offer Indonesian music fused with Hijazi songs and Indonesian cuisine in celebration of a cultural convergence that extended through the ages.

Indonesian students showcased traditional clothing and crafts from various regions, and guests were invited to sample popular southeast Asian dishes such as selat Solo, mie goreng, sayur lodeh with quail eggs, and chicken satay.

Solkem N’Gangbet, head of KAUST’s office of the arts, said: “Al-Balad, Hijaz, and Indonesia are a natural combination. So, we decided, with Zawiya 97, to come up with music and culinary art to honor this connection through ages.”

She pointed out that the event had been designed to draw links between the past, present, and future.

The ceremony concluded with a local band performing Hijazi music.


Sri Lanka wants 5m tourists a year, envoy tells Riyadh event

Pakeer Mohideen Amza speaks at an event organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh on Monday to promote tourism. (AN photo)
Pakeer Mohideen Amza speaks at an event organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh on Monday to promote tourism. (AN photo)
Updated 22 March 2023

Sri Lanka wants 5m tourists a year, envoy tells Riyadh event

Pakeer Mohideen Amza speaks at an event organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh on Monday to promote tourism. (AN photo)
  • Sri Lankan embassy is hoping to encourage visitors from the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, to visit
  • Tourism will contribute to the country’s economy, which has suffered because of the global pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Ambassador

RIYADH: Sri Lanka is planning to increase visitor numbers to 5 million a year in a bid to revive its tourism sector and struggling economy, according to the island’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Pakeer Mohideen Amza was speaking at an event organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh on Monday to promote tourism to the South Asian country, which has faced an economic crisis and widespread social unrest since 2022.

The embassy is hoping to encourage visitors from the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, to visit Sri Lanka.

Pakeer Mohideen Amza speaks to Arab News at an event organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh on Monday. (AN photo by Saad Aldossari)

In a presentation, the ambassador shared statistics on tourism, and highlighted the country’s heritage, architectural history and natural attractions.

Tourism will contribute to the country’s economy, which has suffered because of the global pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Amza said.

“This year has started very well. I can say we had some challenging times in 2019. 2020 was the pandemic year. Then, in 2021, the tourism sector started to crumble. I think, in 2022, we started getting back, but, still, we had a bad economic situation. So, that hampered our tourism development,” he said.

People attend an event organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh on Monday. (AN photo by Saad Aldossari)

However, the country had more than 100,000 visitors in January and February this year, signalling a stronger tourism market.

“We think tourism is a very important sector for our economy,” he said.

As for what visitors can expect in Sri Lanka, the ambassador said: “We are small, but we are rich in resources. And that’s what we say, come and explore.”

Asked about future projects or plans to attract tourists, he replied: “We have a plan to develop the tourism sector. It will attract 5 million tourists a year. I’m sure we need to do a lot about that. At the moment, we are bouncing back. So, come and hold our hands. Work together with us. Tourism is one area where we can work together.”

Zafra Zafeen, an embassy official, talked about the culture, food, climate and sightseeing locations in Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital.

Attendees included diplomats and stakeholders from the tourism sector.

Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka on Tuesday signed a new agreement on the employment of workers, opening up more opportunities in the Kingdom for professionals from the crisis-hit island nation.


Local content will drive Saudi growth, AmCham forum told

Local content will drive Saudi growth, AmCham forum told
Updated 22 March 2023

Local content will drive Saudi growth, AmCham forum told

Local content will drive Saudi growth, AmCham forum told
  • The panel discussion revolved around the industrial transformation taking place in the Kingdom as part of Vision 2030 reforms
  • Forrest Young, president of AmChamKSA Jeddah Chapter, welcomed representatives from Zahid Industries, Johnson Controls Arabia, SAWACO, and MARS Arabia

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s “Road to Localization” was the focus of an American Chamber of Commerce Jeddah Chapter event featuring industry experts and representatives of leading corporations.
The panel discussion revolved around the industrial transformation taking place in the Kingdom as part of Vision 2030 reforms.
Forrest Young, president of AmChamKSA Jeddah Chapter, welcomed representatives from Zahid Industries, Johnson Controls Arabia, SAWACO, and MARS Arabia.
“As a G20 member and the 18th-largest economy globally, Saudi Arabia is experiencing a significant industrial metamorphosis, with localization being one of the primary pillars of the Kingdom’s ambitious vision,” he said.
“It has spurred numerous initiatives to increase domestic value creation, adapt to a rapidly evolving economic landscape, foster future prosperity, and generate sustainable job opportunities for the nation’s growing workforce.”
Nizar Kammourie, CEO of SAWACO, said: “As part of our project Rabigh 3 IWP, we are proud to contribute to the local content effort in Saudi Arabia where the production and procurement of goods and services support the country’s economic growth and development.”
“We are also committed to supporting local content policy by sourcing goods and services from local suppliers wherever possible. We believe that this not only benefits the local economy but also helps to build strong partnerships with local businesses.”
Kammourie said that the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority is playing a vital role in evaluating the level of local content in various sectors.
“As a responsible project company, we are fully supportive of the LCGPA’s efforts, and are always looking for ways to increase the participation of local businesses and manufacturing in our projects.”
Mohanad Al-Shaikh, Johnson Controls CEO, outlined an initiative aligned with the National Industrial Strategy announced recently by the Ministry of Industrial Affairs.
“Through this initiative, we are ensuring Saudi students before they graduate from high school get familiar with the manufacturing process and be a part of the ecosystem. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Industrial Affairs and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce through the industrial council, around 3,000 students will be assigned to visit the York factory,” he said.
Zeina Alnouri, Jeddah Chapter coordinator, said that the AmCham Saudi Arabia event brought together key industry leaders “and allowed attendees to gain a deeper understanding of localization and embrace it.”