Makkah’s first stone park to promote sustainability

Makkah municipality is building the first stone park on 1,000 square meters, using recycled materials and leftover stones from local projects. (SPA)
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Makkah municipality is building the first stone park on 1,000 square meters, using recycled materials and leftover stones from local projects. (SPA)
Makkah municipality is building the first stone park on 1,000 square meters, using recycled materials and leftover stones from local projects. (SPA)
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Makkah municipality is building the first stone park on 1,000 square meters, using recycled materials and leftover stones from local projects. (SPA)
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Updated 08 September 2024
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Makkah’s first stone park to promote sustainability

Makkah’s first stone park to promote sustainability
  • The project aims to improve park landscapes, promote environmental sustainability, and blend natural beauty with local heritage using sustainable technologies

RIYADH: Makkah municipality is building the first stone park on 1,000 square meters, using recycled materials and leftover stones from local projects.

The project aims to improve park landscapes, promote environmental sustainability, and blend natural beauty with local heritage using sustainable technologies, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The park will feature eco-friendly materials, seating areas, educational paths, and children’s play spaces, with minimal maintenance required due to the durable stone used.

The design adapts to climate changes, considering temperature shifts and rainfall, while allowing for easy modifications, SPA stated.


Saudi FM participates in G20 ministerial meeting in New York

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks at a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in New York on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks at a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in New York on Wednesday. (SPA)
Updated 8 sec ago
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Saudi FM participates in G20 ministerial meeting in New York

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks at a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in New York on Wednesday. (SPA)

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated in a meeting of G20 foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

During a speech, the minister stressed the urgent need to adhere to successful models of collective action and the importance of seeking to develop and reform international institutions, Saudi Press Agency reported.

“The repercussions of wars and political conflicts undermine efforts to establish international peace and security, and cast their shadows on all aspects of multilateral action.

“When these institutions fail to carry out their basic duties towards these crises, this creates a gap in international action and a crisis of confidence that undermines their legitimacy, and this is what we are witnessing today in the way some international institutions deal with the humanitarian disaster in Palestine,” Prince Faisal said.

The minister stressed that prolonging and expanding the war in Gaza will deepen the suffering of the Palestinian people, threaten international peace and security, and undermine the chances of achieving comprehensive peace in the region.

“G20 countries must intensify their joint efforts to overcome the international failure to confront Israel’s serious violations of international laws and norms, and enable the achievement of a ceasefire and the adoption of a reliable and irreversible path to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state,” Prince Faisal said.

The foreign ministers of GCC countries and the US pose for a photo in New York on Wednesday. (SPA)

The Kingdom’s foreign minister also took part in a ministerial meeting between Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the US on Wednesday.

Participants in the meeting discussed ways to enhance partnership and cooperation between the council and the US. Regional issues of common interest including the current situations in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon were also discussed.


Saudi crown prince receives written message from Jordan’s king

Message was received by Saudi deputy foreign minister during a meeting with Jordan’s ambassador to Kingdom.
Message was received by Saudi deputy foreign minister during a meeting with Jordan’s ambassador to Kingdom.
Updated 25 September 2024
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Saudi crown prince receives written message from Jordan’s king

Message was received by Saudi deputy foreign minister during a meeting with Jordan’s ambassador to Kingdom.
  • Al-Khuraiji and Abu Al-Foul reviewed Saudi-Jordanian relations and ways to support and enhance them in various fields

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a written message from Jordan’s King Abdullah on Wednesday relating to relations between their countries.

The message was received by Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji during a meeting with Jordan’s ambassador to the Kingdom Haitham Abu Al-Foul in Riyadh.

Al-Khuraiji and Abu Al-Foul reviewed Saudi-Jordanian relations and ways to support and enhance them in various fields. They also discussed topics of common interest.


Reconnect and revitalize: AlUla Wellness Festival returns in October

Reconnect and revitalize: AlUla Wellness Festival returns in October
Updated 25 September 2024
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Reconnect and revitalize: AlUla Wellness Festival returns in October

Reconnect and revitalize: AlUla Wellness Festival returns in October
  • AlUla Wellness Festival program features a series of immersive retreats, unique wellness activities, and celebrity-led workshops
  • Some of the highlights include the Five Senses Sanctuary, where visitors can engage in meditation, yoga, and mindfulness sessions led by world-class experts

JEDDAH: The AlUla Wellness Festival is returning from Oct. 17 to Nov. 2, inviting relaxation seekers, nature lovers, and free-spirited individuals to join a like-minded community for an expanded schedule of activities amid the stunning scenery of AlUla.

For centuries, AlUla has served as a haven for renewal, reflection, and personal development, benefiting both residents and travelers.

This year, the festival celebrates and revives this legacy, offering visitors the opportunity to indulge their senses in harmony with nature.

The AlUla Wellness Festival program features a series of immersive retreats, unique wellness activities, and celebrity-led workshops.

Some of the highlights include the Five Senses Sanctuary, where visitors can engage in meditation, yoga, and mindfulness sessions led by world-class experts.

The All Day I Dream music concert is an immersive experience that brings music, art, and community together through carefully curated melodic and soulful tunes.

The Hegra Sound Bath allows nature lovers to recharge under the bright moonlight with holistic sound therapy that combines yoga for all levels with soothing tunes.

Guests can explore a diverse array of healing experiences and embark on a profound journey of self-discovery through mindfulness practices, bodywork, art therapy, and more.

As the largest wellness festival of its kind in the Middle East, the AlUla Wellness Festival offers a stimulating yet blissful escape from urban life, immersing visitors in holistic living, life-changing practices, adventure activities, and a spirit of community.

Tickets will go on sale soon, with further news and updates to follow in due course. For more information, visit experiencealula.com.

The AlUla Wellness Festival is part of the AlUla Moments Calendar, which features five major festivals, each offering unique experiences in art, culture, music, nature, and wellness.

Other highlights include Winter at Tantora, the Ancient Kingdoms Festival, the AlUla Skies Festival, the AlUla Arts Festival, AZIMUTH, Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo, and heritage events blending fashion, adventure, and sports.


Investment in infrastructure key to smart and sustainable cities, say experts

Investment in infrastructure key to smart and sustainable cities, say experts
Updated 25 September 2024
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Investment in infrastructure key to smart and sustainable cities, say experts

Investment in infrastructure key to smart and sustainable cities, say experts
  • Mansour Al-Mushaiti: Protecting the environment is a significant challenge in agricultural and food advancement, and sustainable development is crucial for economic growth
  • Experts discussed the crucial role of infrastructure management in smart city operations, emphasizing the use of new technologies like intelligent transportation systems

RIYADH: Investment in infrastructure is pivotal in fostering sustainable development and facilitating the evolution of smart cities, the deputy minister of environment, water and agriculture has said.

Mansour Al-Mushaiti was speaking during “Shaping the Future: Collaborative Infrastructure Initiatives for Saudi Arabia,” a panel discussion at the Saudi Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition.

Panelists discussed the importance of taking practical steps and working together with government entities, along with the importance of overcoming obstacles in infrastructure development. They also emphasized the need for transparency and accountability to build trust with stakeholders.

“Protecting the environment is a significant challenge in agricultural and food advancement, and sustainable development is crucial for economic growth,” Al-Mushaiti said. 

The biggest challenge, he added, was the high cost of infrastructure and lengthy construction: “The environmental burden in the municipalities and waste management system amounts to about SR7 billion (USD1.8 billion), which can be converted into revenues by 2035 through sustainable management, reducing consumption, and rationalization.

“The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 contributes to enhancing the sustainability of infrastructure through the implementation of a unified government framework to maximize assets in environmental, social, and economic domains.”

This includes technological innovations which contribute to providing job opportunities, improving the urban landscape and achieving spending efficiency.

“Applying sustainable resource management in the environment, water and agriculture system enabled us to benefit from the use of seawater, after which it is returned to nature,” added Al-Mushaiti.

The Saudi Infrastructure Summit is organized in collaboration with the Riyadh Infrastructure Project Center to improve project efficiency, increase spending effectiveness, and improve the overall quality of life in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, experts also discussed the crucial role of infrastructure management in smart city operations, emphasizing the use of new technologies like intelligent transportation systems and data analytics to optimize resource allocation and public safety.

Head of Smart Cities at the Eastern Province Municipality Mohammed Binhijna said infrastructure management would be essential for efficient operation. The integration of new technologies in transportation would enable cities to enhance traffic management, minimize congestion, and boost effectiveness.

He shared his insight during a session called “Smart City Operations: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices” at the Smart Cities Saudi Expo, held alongside the Saudi Infrastructure Expo and Global Water Expo.

“Furthermore, data analysis serves as a valuable tool for optimizing resource distribution and operational efficiency within urban areas,” Binhijna added. As an example, he explained that data analysis meant cities could pinpoint areas with higher crime rates and allocate resources accordingly, enhancing public safety.

“Citizen engagement is essential for successful Smart Cities, with online platforms for reporting issues and participating in decision-making processes,” said Binhijna.

Abdulrahman Al-Bati, smart city solutions manager at Misk City, highlighted the importance of key performance indicators in measuring a city’s sustainability, including energy management and air pollution reduction.

He explained that KPIs used by cities covered four main areas — health and safety, mobility, data availability, and governance.

Energy management was a significant KPI, he said, with smart street lighting reducing operational costs by 10 percent annually. Air pollution reduction was also a crucial global indicator for sustainable city development.

Fabian Sowieja, technical director of International IoT Communication Technologies at Arrowfinch Technologies, said public-private partnerships were essential for successful smart cities, with a focus on managing different stakeholders.

“Public-private partnerships play a crucial role in this context, with collaborative navigation representing a fundamental principle of smart city development,” he said, adding the key to a thriving smart city lay in efficient management across diverse stakeholders.


Saudi Arabia highlights AI, data efforts at UN meeting

Saudi Arabia highlights AI, data efforts at UN meeting
Updated 25 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia highlights AI, data efforts at UN meeting

Saudi Arabia highlights AI, data efforts at UN meeting
  • Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Athority’s general manager of strategic partnerships, Rehab Alarfaj, highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts in data and AI
  • Alarfaj said that the authority’s efforts aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the fourth goal on quality education

RIYADH: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority participated in a dialogue session on AI capabilities at the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The authority’s general manager of strategic partnerships, Rehab Alarfaj, highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts in data and AI, focusing on building national human capacities and its global contributions.

Alarfaj said that the authority’s efforts aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the fourth goal on quality education.

As part of this, she added, Saudi Arabia organized the National Olympiad for Programming and AI, with more than 260,000 middle and high school students participating, and the first International AI Olympiad, involving 25 countries.

She also emphasized alignment with the fifth UN Sustainable Development Goal on gender equality, citing the Elevate program, which trained more than 25,000 women worldwide in AI.

Alarfaj stressed the importance of building capacity through training to raise awareness among policymakers and professionals in AI, emphasizing ethical AI practices that Saudi Arabia has embraced.

She said that the Kingdom’s data and AI initiatives, including the National Data Bank and Estishraf, an AI-powered decision-making platform, had received international recognition, winning the 2024 WSIS prizes.

Alarfaj said that the Riyadh-based International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics was leading regional and global AI initiatives, supporting research, promoting AI ethics, coordinating policy development and enhancing capacity-building efforts.