Crown prince meets US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in AlUla
The crown prince and Blinken discussed the latest developments in the situation in Gaza
Blinken is on a regional tour as part of a diplomatic push to stop the war in Gaza spreading further
Updated 08 January 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Winter Tent in AlUla on Monday.
During the meeting, the crown prince and Blinken reviewed aspects of bilateral relations, areas of joint cooperation, and ways of developing it to achieve the common interests of Saudi Arabia and the US.
They also exchanged views on regional and international developments and efforts being made toward them in order to achieve security and stability, especially the latest developments in the situation in Gaza.
The crown prince stressed the importance of stopping military operations in Gaza, intensifying humanitarian aid efforts, and working to create conditions for the return of stability. He also urged a return to the peace track that would ensure the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights and achieve lasting peace.
Blinken is on a regional tour as part of a diplomatic push to stop the war in Gaza spreading further.
Earlier on Monday, Blinken visited Abu Dhabi where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and underscored the importance of urgently addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza
How a Saudi startup is pioneering the cultivation of algae in the desert
From reducing carbon emissions to providing alternative food sources, algae represents a cornerstone of sustainability
Green Desert Tech uses innovative sensor technology to grow the crop at scale in the water-scarce Kingdom
Updated 20 September 2024
Tamara Aboalsaud
RIYADH: If you have ever brushed against slimy green algae while swimming in the sea, you might not realize that this humble organism holds the key to some of the most promising innovations in food, energy and sustainability.
For Abdulmajeed Hashem, a Saudi chemist and founder of Green Desert Tech, algae is nothing short of revolutionary.
“Algae is the most water-efficient, land-efficient and protein-productive crop to exist in the world,” he told Arab News.
Hashem’s Jeddah-based startup is pioneering new methods to grow algae in the desert, using innovative outdoor cultivation systems that rely on advanced monitoring technology to overcome the environmental challenges of Saudi Arabia’s arid climate.
His journey began in Boston, where he earned a degree in chemical science before pursuing a master’s in organic chemistry at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia.
Hashem’s initial focus was on macromolecule synthesis, but his passion for groundbreaking technologies led him to abandon his PhD to explore something that had “a bit more impact.”
Spirulina, a high-protein and nutrient-dense superfood, has been consumed by humans for centuries. (Greentech photo)
The turning point came from a conversation with his PhD adviser, Basem Moosa, who emphasized the untapped potential of algae as a renewable resource.
The notion fascinated Hashem, and after gaining hands-on experience in greenhouse technology at Red Sea Farms, another KAUST startup, he decided to launch Green Desert Tech.
Hashem’s choice to focus on algae was strategic. “If you look at the protein productivity per meter squared of algae, it’s higher than anything else that exists,” he said.
Algae’s water use is another major advantage. It can be grown using a fraction of the water required by traditional crops — about one-10th to one-15th — and the water it does consume can be fully recycled.
In a water-scarce region like the Arabian Peninsula, where many essential crops are imported, algae’s water efficiency is a game changer. Moreover, algae thrives in high temperatures and abundant sunlight — two resources that Saudi Arabia has in spades.
The challenge, however, lies in the need for high humidity, something less common in the region. Despite this, Hashem is confident that with the right technology, algae cultivation can flourish.
Green Desert Tech’s primary innovation lies in its sensor technology, which monitors and controls environmental variables in algae pools.
DID YOU KNOW?
• From reducing emissions to providing alternative food sources, algae represents sustainability.
• Algae can grow using a fraction of the water needed for traditional crops.
Hashem said current methods for cultivating algae are outdated and inefficient.
Open pool systems, while simple and cost-effective, are not optimized for maximum productivity. On the other hand, photobioreactors — closed systems with controlled lighting — are highly efficient but expensive to scale.
“If you think of a future where algae is our main source of biofuel, food and feed, it can’t be done through bioreactors,” Hashem said. “Scaling algae production will have to happen through open pools.”
The company’s first step toward optimization is better monitoring. If you are to optimize a system, “you have to know what’s going on,” Hashem said.
Green Desert Tech has developed a sensor box that provides real-time data on the pool’s conditions, from temperature to algae density, with readings every 10 seconds.
“All of these sensors already exist,” Hashem said. “This is not something very novel. The way we integrate it into our system is.”
The sensor technology uses optics and transmittance to monitor algae growth. As algae grows, it absorbs more light, blocking signals from reaching a detector. By tracking the changes in these signals, the system can determine growth rates over time.
In the future, Hashem hopes to implement microscopy for even more accurate monitoring. It will not just provide a quantitative sense of the algae growth rate but also qualitative information, he said.
With microscopy, Green Desert Tech could track cell health, detect contaminants, and even observe potential damage to algae cells in real time.
Once the system gathers data, it uses control mechanisms to adjust conditions in the pool, ensuring optimal growth. For example, when pH levels fluctuate, the system automatically dispenses sodium bicarbonate to stabilize the environment.
For Hashem, the significance of algae extends far beyond its agricultural potential. He believes it offers a viable solution to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
One of the most exciting aspects of algae cultivation is its ability to absorb carbon dioxide at rates far higher than traditional plant life.
A hectare of algae is 10 to 20 times more efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide than a hectare of trees, Hashem said. This makes algae a powerful tool in the global effort to combat climate change.
Algae also has potential as an alternative animal feed. Currently, about 70 percent of fish produced globally are used to make fish feed, which is unsustainable in the long run. Hashem believes algae could offer a nutritious and eco-friendly substitute.
“You have a process that essentially takes nothing from the Earth and even gives back,” he said. Algae not only cleans the air by absorbing carbon dioxide but also produces a high-value biomass that can replace traditional feed or energy sources.
Green Desert Tech is now moving from the prototype stage to a larger production scale. Having successfully tested its technology in a 50-square-meter prototype facility in Tahlia, Jeddah, the company is expanding to a new 10,000-square-meter facility in Huda Al-Sham.
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This new site will serve as a production center and a research and development hub, where the team can continue refining their technology while producing algae for commercial purposes.
Hashem envisions a future where several industries can benefit from algae. The goal is to make it easy and economically feasible for producers to grow algae, he said.
Green Desert Tech has already started selling sensor boxes to algae pool owners, sharing its cutting-edge technology with the broader industry. Hashem hopes that as more algae pools adopt these sensors, they can collectively build a vast data bank on algae cultivation.
“With AI (artificial intelligence) and generative AI models becoming more prevalent, the data is one of the most valuable commodities we will produce,” he said. As more data flows into the system, AI could help refine algae production methods, driving further efficiencies.
For Hashem, algae represents a cornerstone of sustainability. From reducing carbon emissions to providing alternative food sources, he believes it has the potential to reshape industries and ecosystems worldwide.
Green Desert Tech’s mission is to unlock that potential, making algae cultivation more efficient, scalable and accessible.
Art, music, fireworks shows on for Saudi National Day celebrations
Events taking place in Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla over 4-day holiday
Traditional arts, theater events also on the schedule nationwide
Updated 20 September 2024
Rashid Hassan Afshan Aziz Jasmine Bager
RIYADH/JEDDAH/ALKHOBAR: With the Saudi National Day holiday running from Friday to Monday, what better way to mark the annual Sept. 23 occasion than by immersing oneself in the Kingdom’s most breathtaking landscapes as well as fireworks, music and art shows.
The General Entertainment Authority has announced there will be fireworks displays across Saudi Arabia. On Sept. 22, Umm Ajlan Park in the capital is hosting, for free, the nation’s biggest fireworks display, a drone show, and a folklore event, starting at 9 p.m.
Saudi folklore shows, air shows and many other events are taking place across the Kingdom as part of Saudi National Day celebrations. (SPA)
There will also be fireworks displays at Jeddah Promenade from Friday to Monday starting at 6 p.m. On the same day, as a part of the festivities, there will be an air show at Jeddah’s North Corniche with planes flying in formation and leaving green smoke trails across the sky.
Having started on Sept. 19, the Mishkat Interactive Exhibition is hosting the “Energy of Glory” celebration until Sept. 21, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., focusing on Saudi Vision 2030 and the nation’s sustainable energy goals.
September 23 will feature a local band performing traditional and modern songs, a Saudi folklore show, and a marine show at the Jeddah Yacht Club. (Supplied)
At Nakheel Mall Riyadh, Fontana Circus will be performing with gravity-defying aerialists. There will also be a musical fountain on display.
At The Globe, one of Riyadh’s most iconic dining spots, which is a glass-enclosed venue with panoramic city views, diners can enjoy afternoon tea from Sept. 20 to 23.
In Alkhobar, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture will have a series of curated interactive cultural programs from Sept. 20 to 23. (Supplied)
Other dining options in the capital include the Mandarin Oriental and Al-Faisaliah where cuisine from the Kingdom’s 13 regions is on the menu.
At Jeddah Yacht Club and Jeddah Art Promenade, a local band will perform traditional and modern songs, in addition to a Saudi folklore show, and a marine show on Sept. 23.
One of the standout events this weekend is “Shojaa,” a family-friendly musical show at The Club in Al-Shallal Theme Park. Running from Sept. 20 to 23, this performance celebrates Saudi Arabia culture with music, storytelling, and a homage to the Year of the Camel.
In Jeddah’s Historic District, the cultural history of Saudi Arabia will be presented at the Tariq Abdulhakim Center. From Sept. 21 to 24, the center will host museum tours, karaoke sessions, art workshops, face painting for children, and an Arabic calligraphy booth.
Zawiya 97 in the Historic District will have an artisan souq on Sept. 23, with handmade crafts for sale, and educational and cultural offerings. From Sept. 22 to 23, there will be performers playing traditional music on the oud at Social Shot Lounge & Bar.
In AlUla, the Azimuth Festival is on from Sept. 19 to 21 at Wadi Al-Fann, featuring international and regional artists. Also, Hero Experiences Group is offering hot-air balloon flights above AlUla’s ancient landscapes
Also on offer is the Sharaan Platinum Dinner Safari, a tour of the nature reserve led by expert guides in the afternoon. There will be tours of canyons with ancient petroglyphs and rock formations. Canapes will be available as the sun sets over the valley.
In the evening, a traditional South African braai, or barbecue, will be on offer in a canyon aglow with lanterns, and later a stargazing session under the vast desert sky.
In Alkhobar, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture will have a series of curated interactive cultural programs from Sept. 20 to 23. The activities include live performances, workshops, exhibitions and film screenings which highlight Saudi heritage.
In addition, there will performances of traditional Saudi art forms, including the Al-Ardah dance.
From Sept. 19 to 23, Alkhobar’s new performing arts center, Fantakah, will stage an original play titled “The Law of Attraction.” Fantakah founder and chief operating officer, Husain Zaber, is the writer and director.
JAZAN: The Higher Institute for Tourism and Hospitality, in cooperation with UN Tourism’s regional office in Riyadh, recently organized a workshop called “Innovative Approaches for Sustainable Tourism Practices” at the institute’s headquarters in Jazan.
The workshop featured an introduction to sustainable tourism, under the supervision of Luis Nicolas Barrios, regional manager for innovation, education and investments at the UN Tourism Regional Office.
Brainstorming sessions were conducted to promote critical thinking and idea generation during the event. (SPA)
Those participating in the event undertook brainstorming sessions aimed at promoting critical thinking and the generation of ideas.
Ali bin Saeed bin Jaber, director of the institute, explained that the initiative was part of the body’s ambitious plans for providing job opportunities for Saudi youngsters while helping them toward meeting the needs of the international hotel and tourism industry through the institute’s programs. These had been designed in cooperation with international academic institutes and the local private sector.
4 Ethiopians arrested for drug smuggling in Saudi Arabia’s Asir
In Al-Ardah, also in Jazan, they thwarted an attempt to smuggle 435 kg of qat
Updated 20 September 2024
SPA
ABHA: The Kingdom’s Border Guard land patrols in Dhahran Al-Janub, Asir, arrested four Ethiopians for illegal entry and attempting to smuggle 40 kg of hashish into the country.
The initial regulatory procedures were completed, and the seized narcotics were handed over to the relevant authority.
Meanwhile, Border Guard land patrols in Al-Dayer, Jazan, thwarted an attempt to smuggle 165 kg of qat.
In Al-Ardah, also in Jazan, they thwarted an attempt to smuggle 435 kg of qat.
Security authorities urge citizens and residents to report all information regarding activities related to drug smuggling or selling by calling the numbers 911 for Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Region, and 999 for the rest of the Kingdom.
Saudi aid center expands relief efforts in Chad and Sudan
KSrelief extended its humanitarian reach to Sudan, where it distributed 600 shelter kits in the Merowe area of Northern State
Updated 20 September 2024
Arab News
N'DJAMMENA: In a significant humanitarian initiative, the Saudi aid agency KSRelief recently distributed aid packages in Chad and Sudan, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities in Africa.
In Chad, KSRelief distributed 3,299 food baskets in several cities. This distribution, part of the 2024 food security support project in Chad, benefited 19,794 individuals from the neediest families. The operation underscores the agency’s ongoing efforts to address food insecurity in the region.
Simultaneously, KSrelief extended its humanitarian reach to Sudan, where it distributed 600 shelter kits in the Merowe area of Northern State. This initiative, which is part of the 2024 urgent shelter assistance project for Sudan, helped 3,056 individuals from families severely affected by heavy rains and flooding.
The distributions are part of a broader series of relief and humanitarian projects implemented by KSRelief. The agency serves as the Kingdom’s humanitarian arm, providing assistance to the Sudanese people during the ongoing humanitarian crisis in their country.
