Saudi Arabia unveils Expo 2025 Osaka pavilion design and logo

Saudi Arabia unveils Expo 2025 Osaka pavilion design and logo
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The pavilion aims to reflect the story of Saudi Arabia from antiquity to the present and into the future. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia unveils Expo 2025 Osaka pavilion design and logo
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The pavilion aims to reflect the story of Saudi Arabia from antiquity to the present and into the future. (SPA)
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Updated 19 November 2023
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Saudi Arabia unveils Expo 2025 Osaka pavilion design and logo

Saudi Arabia unveils Expo 2025 Osaka pavilion design and logo
  • Pavilion aims to reflect story of Saudi Arabia from antiquity to the present and into the future, Kingdom’s culture minister tells gala dinner

OSAKA: Saudi Arabia hosted a Cultural Gala dinner at Osaka's River Dojima Forum, held under the patronage of Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture, unveiling its pavilion design and logo for Expo 2025 Osaka.

“It's a great pleasure to be here in Japan and particularly to be here in Osaka, one of the great cities of the Far East,” Hamed Fayez, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture said. “Saudi Arabia is excited to participate in Expo 2025 Osaka because we recognize that as a nation to which again and again the world looks for inspiration and leadership, Japan is and will be the perfect host.”

The pavilion aims to reflect the story of Saudi Arabia from antiquity to the present and into the future. Prince Badr highlighted the Kingdom’s promotion of culture and the arts, which has seen the establishment of numerous museums and art galleries in recent years, as well as its energy and environmental plans.




The pavilion highlights the wonders of Saudi Arabia, is environmentally friendly, and blends tradition with modernity. (SPA)

Sumayah Al-Solaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission, spoke on the symbolic representation of the building and its concept, which encompasses the different aspects of the Kingdom’s historical traditions and culture. The pavilion highlights the wonders of Saudi Arabia, is environmentally friendly, and blends tradition with modernity.

Al-Solaiman said that the aim of the design is “to create a journey of discovery that’s ultimately about cultural exchange and sharing knowledge between visitors from all around the world and the people of Saudi Arabia.”

She added: “The pavilion’s design highlights the many harmonies and shared attributes between the cultures of Saudi Arabia and Japan, and the idea is to establish impactful, meaningful connections by unifying the people of both nations.

“The pavilion will enable a journey of exploration that will transport you to Saudi Arabia’s towns and villages, with a central courtyard that embodies a sense of calm during the day and provides excitement and entertainment during the evening to create a building that is authentic not just to Saudi Arabia, but also to its context in Osaka, a pavilion that is ultimately a celebration of human experiences.”

Al-Solaiman said that the pavilion will be composed of different blocks where the inside and the outside mix, like the typical courtyard of Saudi homes. Evening, concerts and attractions will bring the courtyard to life. In keeping with the aim of being environmentally friendly, there will be solar panels on the roofs of each block, so the pavilion will emit very little carbon dioxide.

Othman Almazyad, the commissioner-general of Saudi Arabia’s Osaka pavilion, who studied in Japan, commented on Japanese hospitality and respect for traditions.

Guests at the dinner, which was prepared by Saudi chefs, were greeted by a curated photo exhibition of Saudi Arabia and were shown a video titled “Kingdom on the Rise,” before a 3D model of the Saudi pavilion was unveiled accompanied by a multimedia presentation. The event also included live Arabic calligraphy, a Samri performance, and the serving of dates and coffee.

Between the speeches, Saudi musicians performed music from Saudi Arabia, accompanied by two groups of dancers.




 The event included live Arabic calligraphy, a Samri performance, and the serving of dates and coffee. (ANJ)

The Kingdom’s participation at Expo 2025 Osaka builds on the long-lasting relationship between Japan and Saudi Arabia, and the cultural gala celebrated increased investment, tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries.

Vice Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Executive Committee for Saudi Arabia at Expo 2025 Osaka Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez said: “With diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan first officially established in 1955, and the launch of Expo 2025 Osaka marking 70 years of official relations, the two nations share deep cultural traditions. Our heritage is both rooted in hospitality, generosity, a sense of community and a deep respect for others. As Saudi Arabia progresses ahead with Vision 2030, fostering economic diversification and cultural exchange, we look forward to celebrating our shared values at Expo 2025 Osaka.”

The event revealed the pavilion’s design curated by leading architects Foster + Partners, signifying a celebration of the Saudi and Japanese relationship through heritage and architecture. The sustainable design pays tribute to Saudi Arabia’s natural environment, blending the shapes of the desert with modern architectural elements, symbolizing a connection between historical legacy and future advancements.

With a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility, the design incorporates features to lower carbon emissions, uses energy-efficient lighting, implements rainwater harvesting, and is equipped with solar panels to produce clean energy.

The identity of Saudi Arabia at Expo 2025 Osaka was revealed through an innovative logo that blends the word “Saudi” in the aesthetic of Japanese script within the Kingdom’s map, depicted through Arabic calligraphy in a style reminiscent of Japanese penmanship. The unveiling of the logo complemented the architectural design of the pavilion.

With SPA


Riyadh anticipates return of Diriyah Season

Riyadh anticipates return of Diriyah Season
Updated 06 December 2023
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Riyadh anticipates return of Diriyah Season

Riyadh anticipates return of Diriyah Season
  • Three-month cultural calendar is full of surprises that will take you through Kingdom’s culture and heritage

RIYADH: The 2023-2024 Diriyah Season is set to begin on Dec. 12 with a curated three-month calendar of events that combines arts and culture, and live performances and experiences that showcase nearly 600 years of history and heritage.

The season is off to a musically spectacular start with an exceptional lineup of cultural concerts. Tickets for the first cultural concept, featuring the Saudi music legends Rabeh Saqr and Ayed performing in Mayadeen theater, will go on sale on Dec. 10.

Diriyah Season cultural showcase includes immersive art installations and exhibitions, live and theatrical performances, and culinary experiences that celebrate both traditional and contemporary cuisine. (Diriyah Season)

This year’s theme honors Diriyah’s story and celebrates Al-Awja in a rallying call for all Saudis to unite and celebrate their shared culture and identity.

The season will be set in five distinct Diriyah locations: Wadi Safar, which will feature a Diriyah cultural basecamp; the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site At-Turaif; Bujairi Terrace; the Mayadeen theater; and Diriyah district.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Diriyah Season is set to begin on Dec. 12 and will conclude in March.

• The theater will also host a theatrical equestrian show and cultural concerts.

• For the first time, Bujairi Terrace will feature a themed escape room called ‘Journey to the Future.’

• For more information, check diriyah.sa/season.

The season “blends the old with the new and takes us on a journey of self-discovery as we reconnect with our authentic selves. This is not just entertainment; it’s entertainment with meaning,” said Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority.

“We want people from all over the world to see 300 years of our music, our food, our tents, our costuming, our storytelling, our poetry, our calligraphy,” Inzerillo said.

Diriyah Season cultural showcase includes immersive art installations and exhibitions, live and theatrical performances, and culinary experiences that celebrate both traditional and contemporary cuisine. (Diriyah Season)

The Diriyah E-Prix championship, immersive art installations and exhibitions, live and theatrical performances, plus culinary experiences that celebrate both traditional and contemporary cuisine, are also planned for the season.

The Culinary Arts Commission of the Ministry of Culture will present Shetana, an outdoor winter-evening Saudi culinary experience, every day for four weeks at the Mayadeen theater. There will be a theatrical equestrian show and cultural concerts at the theater as well.

Ahmad Alnuaisri, Diriyah Company assistant manager of media relations

Bujairi Terrace, the fine dining destination, will include an expanded return of Layali Diriyah, which sees one of Diriyah’s heritage farms transformed into an open-air illuminated wonderland, showcasing the best of local and international contemporary art, design, cuisine, dance, live music, poetry and theatrical performances.

For the first time, Bujairi Terrace will also feature a themed escape room called “Journey to the Future,” which will test players’ escape skills and explore the Kingdom’s historical narratives.

What is special about the Diriyah escape room is that it will carry a cultural aspect and requires reviewing your cultural and historical information to solve the puzzles at hand.

Ahmad Alnuaisri, Diriyah Company assistant manager of media relations

“The themed escape room is a unique experience. It is an activity that requires one to be a quick thinker, and quick at making decisions and solving puzzles,” said Ahmad Alnuaisri, assistant manager of media relations at Diriyah Company.

“What is special about the Diriyah escape room is that it will carry a cultural aspect and requires reviewing your cultural and historical information to solve the puzzles at hand,” he said.

Jerry Inzerillo, Diriyah Gate Development Authority CEO

This season’s events planned for the At-Turaif historic district include poetry pop-ups, workshops, a retrospective, an exhibition, Souq Al-Mawsim, and more.

The At-Turaif retrospective explores and embraces the values of At-Turaif’s continuing influence on the Kingdom while bringing Diriyah’s stories and memories together in a multimedia installation. The “Diriyah Doors” exhibition explores the significance and history of the vividly colored, intricately patterned and engraved doors in Diriyah and Najd.

We want people from all over the world to see 300 years of our music, our food, our tents, our costuming, our storytelling, our poetry, our calligraphy.

Jerry Inzerillo, Diriyah Gate Development Authority CEO

The season, which ends in March, is predicted to strengthen the Kingdom’s tourism sector by bringing in both local and international visitors and generating 178,000 jobs for young Saudis.

“Even though we’re a 2030 project, we opened assets in 2022 including our UNESCO site … we’ve already had 1 million visits,” Inzerillo said.

“And now the numbers are growing, and we’ll have a million people that will visit us … until Ramadan when this Diriyah season concludes,” he said.

The 2023-2024 Diriyah Season is presented by Diriyah Company in partnership with Diriyah Gate Development Authority.

 

 


Saudi Arabia contributes $1.5m toward launch of new regional aviation safety body

Saudi Arabia contributes $1.5m toward launch of new regional aviation safety body
Updated 06 December 2023
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Saudi Arabia contributes $1.5m toward launch of new regional aviation safety body

Saudi Arabia contributes $1.5m toward launch of new regional aviation safety body
  • Al-Duailj said: “The establishment of the new organization will be a milestone for all its member states and is also a testimony to their commitment to aviation safety, quality, and efficiency

RIYADH: A new body to monitor aviation safety in the Middle East and North Africa region was on Wednesday unveiled at an international industry conference being held in Riyadh.

Abdulaziz Al-Duailj, president of the Saudi General Civil Aviation Authority, inaugurated the new MENA Regional Safety Oversight Organization — which will be based in Riyadh — during a ceremony as part of the 15th International Civil Aviation Organization meeting.

A memorandum of agreement was later signed by representatives of MENA-RSOO member states including Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Sudan, Somalia, Palestine, Libya, Mauritania, and Yemen.

‎Inauguration ceremony ‎of the Regional Safety Oversight Organization ‎for the ‎Middle East and North African States (MENA-RSOO) which is hosted by ‎Riyadh ‎‎(Wednesday, December 6, 2023) by Abdulaziz Al Duailej President of the General ‎Civil Aviation Authority inaugurated.‎ (Supplied)

The new organization will aim to help develop and implement national training and safety programs, improve the monitoring of air safety, and work with nations to meet aviation safety standards.

In a speech, Al-Duailj said: “The establishment of the new organization will be a milestone for all its member states and is also a testimony to their commitment to aviation safety, quality, and efficiency.

“This step confirms the Kingdom’s keenness and commitment to aviation safety through its continued cooperation with international partners, to ensure the highest standards of air safety are achieved,” he added.

Al-Duailj noted that the ICAO wanted to see unified safety standards and the integration of technology throughout the civil aviation industry, especially regarding the design of aircraft engines, autonomous control, remotely piloted service aircraft, personal transportation via air taxis, and the overall performance of the air traffic network.

On Saudi Arabia’s financial contribution toward the setting up of the MENA-RSOO, he said: “Through this, the Kingdom aims to activate the role of this organization and support it with an amount of $1.5 million for the first two years of its establishment, in order for the organization to carry out its tasks and responsibilities in supporting air safety programs in our region.

“It also aims to assist member states in strengthening and raising the legislative and supervisory capabilities of their national air safety systems, enabling them to achieve higher levels of compliance with international rules and recommendations,” Al-Duailj added.

Salvatore Sciacchitano, president of the ICAO Council, said that the organization’s inauguration was an important step toward enhancing safety in the civil aviation sector.

“It embodies the amount of cooperation exerted to develop civil aviation safety in the Middle East,” he added.

He pointed out that the sector was an essential driver of economic growth and connectivity between countries.

Abdenbi Manar, director general of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, noted ‎that the transportation sector played an essential role in the progress of nations.

He said: “It contributes to creating wealth and job opportunities, whether at the ‎industrial level or the infrastructure of the transportation system, and air transport ‎is usually an integral part of this system.

“The air transport sector is distinguished from other types of transportation by its ‎speed, efficiency, regularity, and high level of safety.

“Also, it relies on international ‎standards, whether at the institutional level or at the legal, financial, and technical ‎level,” Manar added.‎

The five-day ICAO conference is being hosted by the GACA until Dec. 7, with the participation of more than 100 countries and international organizations, and at least 700 industry experts.

 


Russian president Putin meets Saudi crown prince in Riyadh

Russian president Putin meets Saudi crown prince in Riyadh
Updated 14 min 40 sec ago
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Russian president Putin meets Saudi crown prince in Riyadh

Russian president Putin meets Saudi crown prince in Riyadh

RIYADH: Russian president Vladimir Putin arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Putin met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on arrival at Yamamah Palace in the Saudi capital.

Putin traveled to the UAE earlier on Wednesday, where he was received by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan at Qasr Al-Watan Palace in Abu Dhabi.

More to follow...


Annual date exports worth $2.3bn globally: Saudi minister

Annual date exports worth $2.3bn globally: Saudi minister
Updated 06 December 2023
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Annual date exports worth $2.3bn globally: Saudi minister

Annual date exports worth $2.3bn globally: Saudi minister
  • Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli said that date cultivation helped toward achieving food security, sustainable agricultural development, and job provision in rural communities
  • Al-Fadhli highlighted some of the challenges faced by the industry, including climate change and the spread of diseases and pests

RIYADH: The global value of date exports had reached an annual $2.3 billion, a Saudi government minister has revealed.

And the Kingdom’s Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli said that the sector now had more than 200 million palm trees — covering 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres) of land — producing 9.7 million tons of dates, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Forty countries, most from the Middle East and North Africa region, were involved in the import and export of palms and the sweet fruit.

Addressing a session of the International Dates Council, held in Riyadh, Al-Fadhli noted that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN had adopted the Kingdom’s proposal to mark 2027 as the International Year of Date Palm.

He pointed out that dates and palms had multiple uses such as for food, medical and cosmetic products, and building materials, adding that date cultivation helped toward achieving food security, sustainable agricultural development, and job provision in rural communities.

During his speech, Al-Fadhli highlighted some of the challenges faced by the industry, including climate change, the spread of diseases and pests, the low rate of consumption of dates globally (150 grams per person), high post-harvest losses, competition issues, trade obstacles, weak diversification, quality of dates, and marketing.

The International Dates Council held its first meeting in 2011, followed by gatherings in 2013 and 2019. It has a two-year renewable budget of $4 million a year.

The International Year of Date Palm will aim to raise awareness of the contribution of the palm and dates sector to achieving sustainable rural agricultural development and food security.


GCC leaders say Israel violating international law in Gaza, demand end to occupation

GCC leaders say Israel violating international law in Gaza, demand end to occupation
Updated 06 December 2023
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GCC leaders say Israel violating international law in Gaza, demand end to occupation

GCC leaders say Israel violating international law in Gaza, demand end to occupation
  • The 44th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Qatar was also attended by Turkish President Erdogan
  • Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani says his country is ‘constantly working to renew’ Israel-Hamas truce

RIYADH: Members of the GCC have condemned Israel for committing “clear violations” of international law and reitterated their demand for an end to the Israeli occupatiuon of the Palestinian territories.

In a statement issued at the end of the 44th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council on Tuesday, the leaders of the six nations condemned Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, “which have led to the forced displacement of the civilian population, and the destruction of civilian facilities and infrastructure, including residential buildings, schools, health facilities, and places of worship.”

The statement of decleration went on to say such actions were “in clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law,” and they expressed their dissatisfaction with the “blatant Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people”.

The summit, which was attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the lead member of the Saudi delegation, was in Qatar.

The representatives of the six Gulf nations were joined by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who said there had been $23bn worth of trade between Turkiye and the GCC countries.

He went on to condemn Israel’s continued bombardment of  the Gaza Strip, adding: “

Netanyahu is committing war crimes against humanity in Gaza.”

And he said that Netanyahu “is pushing the entire region into danger for the sake of his political future.”

The meeting of GCC leaders took place in Qatar as Israeli forces launched their long-awaited storm of the main city in the southern Gaza Strip, where hospitals were overrun with scores of Palestinian dead and wounded.

In what appeared to be the biggest ground assault since the truce collapsed last week, residents said Israeli tanks had entered the eastern parts of Khan Younis for the first time, crossing from the Israeli border fence and advancing west.

Some took up positions inside the town of Bani Suhaila on Khan Younis’ eastern outskirts, while others continued further and were stationed on the edge of a Qatari-funded housing development called Hamad City, residents said.

After days of ordering residents to flee the area, Israeli forces dropped new leaflets on Tuesday with instructions to stay inside shelters during the assault.

“In the coming hours, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) will begin launching an intensive attack on your area of residence to destroy the terrorist organization Hamas," said the leaflets.

“Don’t move out yet. For your safety, stay in the shelters and the hospitals where you are. Don’t get out. Going out is dangerous. You have been warned.”

But Israel’s bombardment has driven 80 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents from their homes, most fleeing south – an area more densely populated than London.

And according to Gaza health officials deemed reliable by the United Nations, more than 15,800 people are confirmed dead, with thousands more missing and feared buried under rubble.

The declaration went onto to call for the immediate resumption of a humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip in order to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and the assurance of that all humanitarian aid would reach its intended destinations.

The declaration went onto to call for the immediate resumption of a humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip in order to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and the assurance of that all humanitarian aid would reach its intended destinations.

The summit pledged its ongoing support for the Palestinian people and its continued support to alleviate the suffering of the residents of the Gaza Strip.

The GCC statement also agreed to help rebuild “what the Israeli war machine destroyed in its attacks on the Strip during the past years.”

The GCC leaders warned that if the war continued there was a danger of the conflict expanding to other regions in the Middle East, something it warned would lead to “dire consequences for the peoples of the region and for international peace and security.”

And they called on the international community to intervene to establish a ceasefire and protect civilians.

The council reiterated its demand for an end to the occupation of Palestine, and its support for the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all the occupied territories.

It praised Saudi Arabia’s continued efforts and its initiative in partnership with the Arab League, the European Union, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to revive the peace process, in accordance with international law, United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani called on the UN Security Council to force Israel to return to the negotiating table over the war in Gaza.

“It is shameful for the international community to allow this heinous crime to continue for nearly two months, during which the systematic and deliberate killing of innocent civilians continues, including women and children,” he said at the summit. 

The Qatari ruler said his country was “constantly working to renew” the truce, which he added was “not an alternative to a permanent ceasefire”.

He called for “an international investigation into the massacres committed by Israel” and condemned the targeting of civilians of all nationalities and religions.

The GCC council released a declaration at the end of the summit, with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani saying that their primary goal now is to stop the war in Gaza, adding that mediation talks on Gaza are still ongoing.  

The minister reiterated how it is unacceptable to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching the besieged strip.

(With Reuters)