Saudi Arabia announces cultural cooperation award with China

Saudi Arabia announces cultural cooperation award with China
Saudi Culture Minister Prince Bader bin Abdullah during his official visit to Beijing. (SPA)
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Updated 28 March 2024
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Saudi Arabia announces cultural cooperation award with China

Saudi Arabia announces cultural cooperation award with China
  • The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation culminate in an annual ceremony honoring the two countries’ shared cultural talent

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture announced on Thursday the launch of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China, at the King Abdulaziz Public Library branch in Beijing, Saudi Press Agency reported.

This award aims to acknowledge the efforts of researchers, artists and translators from both countries, offering grants to support their continuing work. It is designed to spur enhanced collaboration and shared creative efforts.

The award includes several categories — cultural research and studies, artistic and creative works, translations, and a cultural personality of the year from each country, recognizing significant contributions to culture.

Additional categories target young researchers, creators and translators, encouraging youth engagement in cross-cultural communication. An annual ceremony will highlight the cultural achievements and award winners.

The award will promote creative cooperation and cultural dialogue between Saudi Arabia and China by highlighting the two countries’ achievements in the academic, cultural, media, literary and artistic communities.

It will culminate in an annual ceremony honoring the two countries’ shared cultural talent and announcing the winners in each category.

Saudi Culture Minister Prince Bader bin Abdullah said that the award was a critical component in bridging cultural divides and strengthening ties between China and Saudi Arabia through the arts, literature and academic research.

Individuals from Saudi Arabia and China, as well as government, private and non-profit institutions, may submit nominations. They can be submitted by filling out the nomination form, which will be posted on the award website.

On the same day, the Saudi Film Commission, a government body under the culture ministry, signed a framework memorandum of understanding with China’s Bona Film Group to explore collaborative opportunities in movie distribution, exhibition and talent development.

Bona Film Group, founded in 1999, has emerged as one of China’s leading movie distribution and production companies.

The signing ceremony in Beijing was attended by Prince Badr, Film Commission CEO Abdullah Al-Eyaf, and Bona Film Group CFO Qi Zhi.

The MoU outlines key areas of cooperation, such as investment in the film industry, the possibility of establishing a joint film fund dedicated to cinematic endeavors, and collaboration on Saudi film distribution in China. It also looks into talent development opportunities for Saudi filmmakers through Bona Film Group productions and Chinese film education institutions.

In accordance with this agreement, the Film Commission intends to develop the movie industry, improve local production and showcase Saudi productions. The commission also promotes investment, content production, talent development and regulatory frameworks.

The historic agreement reflects the commission’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and leveraging cultural exchanges as a key component of Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.


Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network

Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network
Updated 13 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network

Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network
  • Spain passed on the network's leadership during a turnover ceremony at UN headquarters in Vienna
  • Saudi Arabia was unanimously elected to chair the network's for a 3-year term last year

VIENNA:  Saudi Arabia, through its Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), has officially assumed the presidency of Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network).

Spain handed over to the Kingdom the leadership of the network during a ceremony at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, Austria, the Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday. 

Nasser Aba Al-Khail, Nazaha's deputy for international collaboration, was installed as chairman of the committee, with Boni de Moraes Soares, Brazil's national solicitor for international affairs, as vice chair. 

Saudi Arabia was unanimously elected to chair the GlobE Network's Steering Committee for the 2025–2027 term during a high-level meeting last year in Beijing, China.

Its election to lead the international network underscores member states' recognition of the Kingdom’s commitment to fighting corruption. 

Established in 2021, GlobE Network includes more than 229 law enforcement agencies from over 124 countries, as well as numerous international organizations.

Al-Khail emphasized that Saudi Arabia aims to enhance collaboration among member states to combat corruption in alignment with the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

As chair of the network, Saudi Arabia "seeks to create new strategies for asset recovery and initiate a secure communication platform to facilitate quicker and more efficient information exchange among member states," Al-Khail said in a statement carried by SPA.

"This will enhance international cooperation and empower governments to tackle emerging challenges in combating corruption, refine asset recovery processes, and more effectively trace illicit funds across borders,” he said.

Since its creation, the network has had a positive impact on the efforts of member to combat cross-border corruption.

During a recent meeting of the network, representatives from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Chile, China, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and Indonesia shared insights on various cross-border investigations, including joint efforts to uncover embezzlement of EU grant funds, the use of the Network’s Secure Communication Platform (SCP) to advance investigations as well as operations targeting large-scale VAT fraud. 

Presenters also highlighted examples of swift action in asset recovery, successful extraditions, and effective collaboration between agencies to track and freeze offshore assets obtained through corruption, according to the network's official site.

For its part, the Nazaha had made great strides in combatting corruption in the Kingdom since its creation in 2016. During the month of December 2024 alone, the authority have arrested 145 citizens and residents — among them government employees — accused of various crimes such as bribery and abuse of authority. 


International padel stars predict bright future for the sport in Saudi Arabia and beyond

International padel stars predict bright future for the sport in Saudi Arabia and beyond
Updated 13 February 2025
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International padel stars predict bright future for the sport in Saudi Arabia and beyond

International padel stars predict bright future for the sport in Saudi Arabia and beyond
  • They were competing in the Premier Padel Riyadh Season P1 tournament, which reached the round of 16 stage in the men’s and women’s competitions
  • Among those in action on Wednesday were the Spanish duo of Paula Martin and Ariana Fallada, who sit joint top of the International Padel Federation women’s rankings

RIYADH: As the round of 16 in the Premier Padel Riyadh Season P1 tournament concluded on Wednesday, the winning players predicted a bright future for a relatively new sport that is growing in popularity around the world.

The competition at the Padel Rush Arena in Boulevard City, which features separate men’s and women’s doubles events, began on Saturday with two days of preliminary qualifiers, followed by the opening rounds of the contest proper on Monday and Tuesday.

Today’s winners progress to the quarterfinals on Thursday, with the semifinals on Friday and the tournament reaching its climax on Saturday. All in all the event will feature 71 matches in the men’s competition and 43 in the women’s.

Among those in action on Wednesday were the Spanish duo of Paula Martin and Ariana Fallada, who are joint top of the International Padel Federation women’s rankings. They enjoyed a comfortable 6-1, 6-0 victory over French player Alix Collombon and Spaniard Araceli Martinez.

Martin told Arab News that playing in Riyadh felt like home and she has noticed increased interest in the sport in the Kingdom.

“I was very surprised because there are so many people here … I can say there is an increase and (it is) growing, and that is the reason we are here,” she said.

Argentinian player Delfina Senesi highlighted the importance of advocating for the participation of women in sports.

“I think it’s fundamental for everyone, (for) every woman to see that they can play, that they can do anything that we want,” she said. “It’s very important for us to be here, to be in Saudi Arabia. We’re really happy to start the year here.”

Senesi and her Spanish playing player, Gemma Pons, who were playing together competitively for the first time, secured a hard-fought 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Spanish players Andrea Prieto and Alejandra De Villa on Wednesday.

“It was a long match, a really difficult one. The girls are playing really good. Everyone is getting better year by year, so we’re really happy,” said Senesi.

Asked what is the secret to success in the sport, she said: “The secret is working, working hard, every day; work on your mental health, work on your body is the key.”

Pons said that the match was difficult and she and Senesi struggled a little in the middle, but it came together in the end.

“We started the match really well and then they played, really good,” she said. “But this is really nice for us — 6-4 in the third set is great and, well, now we have to rest and prepare for the next match.”

In the men’s competition, Spaniard Javier Garrido and his Argentinian partner Martin Di Nenno defeated Javier Leal and Carlos Gutierrez 6-4, 6-2. Garrido said everyone who plays padel falls in love with the sport.

“I think for the players it’s really, really good because our sport is pretty new and we are trying to expand our sport all over the world,” he added. “Here in Riyadh, a lot of people like the sport and I think it’s super good for us.

“I’m sure that (padel) is going to explode, I don’t know, this year or next year but … when you play padel, when you try padel, you are going to love it.”

Among the spectators on Wednesday was Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo. The tournament is the first stop on this year’s Premier Padel World Tour and forms part of the Riyadh Season of events. The 2024 campaign tour featured 24 tournaments in 16 countries.

Padel is a racket sport most often played in doubles on a court that is slightly smaller than a tennis court, which has walls and the ball can be played off them.


Saudi foreign minister meets French counterpart in Paris

Saudi foreign minister meets French counterpart in Paris
Updated 13 February 2025
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Saudi foreign minister meets French counterpart in Paris

Saudi foreign minister meets French counterpart in Paris
  • Ministers discussed recent developments in the Middle East
  • Prince Faisal headed Saudi Arabia's delegation at the AI Action Summit in Paris

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, met his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, in Paris on Wednesday.

The ministers discussed recent developments in the Middle East and efforts to achieve security and peace in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Fahd Al-Ruwaili, the Saudi Ambassador to France, and Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan, the political advisor to the Foreign Minister, attended the meeting.

Prince Faisal headed the Kingdom's delegation at the AI Action Summit held in Paris this week, which gathered nearly a hundred countries and over a thousand representatives from the private sector and civil society around the globe.


Madinah governor receives Palestine envoy

Madinah governor receives Palestine envoy
Updated 12 February 2025
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Madinah governor receives Palestine envoy

Madinah governor receives Palestine envoy

Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan met with Palestine’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Mazen Ghoneim on Wednesday.

During the meeting in Madinah, the two officials discussed topics of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Mauritius Fayez Altemyat met with the nation’s Health and Wellness Minister Anil Kumar Bachoo in Port Louis.

They discussed ways to boost ties and topics of common interest.


Saudi Film Commission to host pavilion at Berlin Film Festival

Saudi Film Commission to host pavilion at Berlin Film Festival
Updated 12 February 2025
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Saudi Film Commission to host pavilion at Berlin Film Festival

Saudi Film Commission to host pavilion at Berlin Film Festival
  • Kingdom to showcase growing influence in global film industry
  • Commission aims to enhance cultural exchange, empower Saudi talents

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Film Commission is to participate in the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, which takes place from Feb. 13 to 23.

The body is hosting a Saudi pavilion with key partners to showcase the Kingdom’s growing influence in the global film industry and its strategy to become a top destination for filmmakers and producers.

It is organizing a roundtable session at the festival called “Will 2025 be the Year of Independent Films at the Global Box Office?” This will bring together film industry leaders to discuss future challenges and opportunities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The commission also aims to enhance cultural exchange, empower Saudi talents, and develop the skills of emerging filmmakers in the Kingdom.

An official delegation from the commission — accompanied by a group of filmmakers — is set to attend the Berlin festival, one of Europe’s top film events, which is known for presenting the prestigious Golden Bear award for best film.

The festival, which was established in 1951, features a variety of films, including documentaries, experimental works, and feature films.