Golden Pen Award invites Arabic writers to compete
Top literary works to win cash prizes, movie deals and global recognition
Updated 16 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Al-Sheikh has announced that Arabic-speaking writers can start submitting their works to compete for the Golden Pen Award, granted for the most influential literary work.
The winning scripts may be made into movies by the authority, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Applications for the award, sponsored by Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, will be accepted until Sept. 30.
A longlist will be announced on Nov. 30, followed by the shortlist on Dec. 30. The awards will be presented at a ceremony scheduled to take place in February 2025, which is expected to draw an elite group of writers, intellectuals, filmmakers and actors.
The six award categories are — the grand prize, the novel, the screenplay, the best translated novel, the best Arab publisher, and the audience award, with a total prize value of $740,000.
For both the grand prize and the screenplay categories, the first-place prizes will be $100,000 and the production of a movie, the second-place prizes will be $50,000 and the production of a movie, while the third-place prizes will be $30,000.
In the novel category, there will be eight prizes worth $25,000 each, including the best suspense and thriller novel, the best mystery and crime novel, the best romance novel, the best fantasy novel, the best comedy novel, the best historical novel, the best horror novel, and the best realistic novel.
The best translated novel will receive $100,000, while the best Arab publisher will be awarded $50,000, and the audience award will be $30,000, with public voting to open on the award website at a later date.
Last week, at the inauguration of the Golden Pen Award website, Al-Sheikh said that the website would serve as a comprehensive repository of Arabic novels, screenplays and related content, aligning with large-scale productions underway across the Arab world, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Sheikh said the Golden Pen Forum would be a special gathering place for writers with free membership. He added that there would be specific criteria for selecting beneficiary members, making it a vibrant focal point throughout the year in the Arab world.
Chairman of the Golden Pen Award Saad Al-Bazei encouraged all Arab writers and authors to participate in the competition, which aims to enrich Arabic content with high-value works.
Saudi aid agency continues relief work in Kyrgyzstan, Sudan and Yemen
Updated 57 min 11 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues its humanitarian work in Kyrgyzstan, Sudan and Yemen with the distribution of needed food packages and hygiene kits.
In Kyrgyzstan, KSrelief dispersed 2,060 food parcels as part of its 2024 food aid distribution project for neediest families there.
In Sudan, 4,000 food packages were given to displaced persons in shelters across the Damazin, Roseire and Bao regions of the Blue Nile State to ease the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing conflict.
In Yemen, about 362 tonnes of food aid were distributed to 5,758 families in Abyan and Aden governorates as part of KSrelief’s 2024 food aid project for the neediest families.
In Yemen’s Mareb Governorate, the distribution of 2,000 cartons of dates benefited 12,000 individuals who rely on relief and humanitarian efforts from Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, to support food security as the conflict in the country continues.
How Saudi Arabia is partnering with Denmark in sustainable wastewater management
Population growth, climate change, and limited natural resources are compounding water scarcity in the Middle East
Danfoss and Grundfos are among the Danish firms sharing their expertise to help bolster wastewater management
Updated 5 min 5 sec ago
Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: With a rapidly expanding population, limited natural water resources, and the harsh realities of climate change, Saudi Arabia is looking to international experts to develop its water sustainability and treatment infrastructure.
Among those answering the call are companies and consultants from Denmark, who are contributing their extensive knowledge and innovative solutions in wastewater management to support Saudi Arabia’s sustainability goals.
Partnerships with Danish firms like Danfoss, Grundfos, and AVK are helping the Kingdom manage its water resources more efficiently, reduce water wastage, and minimize its environmental impact.
This system treats the wastewater from the Grundfos CED surface-treatment application with a series of filters and reverse osmosis. It then sends the cleaned water back to the CED unit for reuse. (Grundfos photo)
Saudi Arabia, a country that relies heavily on groundwater and desalination, faces many challenges in water resource management.
According to a 2019 report titled “Wastewater Treatment and Water Resources in Saudi Arabia,” the Kingdom’s water demand has skyrocketed over the past two decades.
Between 2007 and 2018, the population grew from 25 million to nearly 33 million, leading to a sharp rise in freshwater demand.
However, only a portion of wastewater in Saudi cities is treated and reused. According to a 2021 report from King Saud University, 78 percent of wastewater in Dammam is treated, 60 percent in Riyadh, and just 50 percent in Jeddah.
To combat waste and to encourage the reuse of precious freshwater resources, the Kingdom has sought the expertise of Danish firms renowned for their advancements in sustainable water management.
Jacob Vind, a global water industry expert at Danish engineering firm Danfoss, highlighted the importance of addressing water scarcity in the region.
“We are in reality in the midst of an extremely serious and pervasive water challenge. There is not enough water,” Vind told Arab News.
In the last step of the wastewater treatment process, the water flows to secondary sedimentation tanks where the water is clear, does not have an odor, and is considered fully treated. (Shutterstock photo)
He further stressed that the growing demand for water, coupled with climate change, makes it essential for governments and industries to adopt advanced water management technologies.
Denmark has long been recognized for its cutting-edge wastewater management policies. The country boasts well-developed wastewater infrastructure, incorporating advanced filtration, treatment, and energy recovery processes.
DID YOUKNOW?
• 380 billion cubic meters of municipal wastewater is produced every year worldwide.
• Untreated water is a breeding ground for various diseases including cholera and typhoid.
• Most equipment for wastewater treatment is designed to operate effectively for just 15-20 years.
Denmark’s approach to water sustainability relies on innovative technologies that reduce water wastage while conserving energy and resources.
Danish engineering firms like Grundfos are making an impact in Saudi Arabia by introducing solar-powered pumping systems to supply water to remote and off-grid areas where access to electricity may be limited.
According to Morten Riis, the company’s group senior director, their water solutions target not only groundwater and rivers but also focus on reducing water loss and optimizing energy consumption in the process.
Morten Riis, group senior director and head of group external relations at Grundfos. (AN photo by Haifa Alshammari)
“We have intelligent solutions that can reduce not only the water loss but also reduce the use of energy due to managing the pressure in the water system,” Riis told Arab News.
This expertise is critical in Saudi Arabia, where reclaimed wastewater is expected to play a key role in ensuring a sustainable future.
The “Wastewater Treatment and Water Resources in Saudi Arabia” report highlighted how wastewater treatment infrastructure in the Kingdom lagged behind demand in the 1990s, leading to 40 percent of untreated wastewater being discharged into the environment.
However, recent investments and foreign collaborations are transforming the situation.
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Besides the solar-powered pumping stations introduced by Grundfos, fellow Danish engineering firm Danfoss is helping Saudi Arabia implement efficient water technologies that use less water, energy, and chemicals.
Vind says that while water treatment technologies are available, the challenge lies in making them affordable and accessible.
“In terms of recent advancements, I want to highlight that efficient water technologies use less water, less energy or chemicals and resources in general,” he said.
Meanwhile, over the past 30 years, Danish company AVK International has been providing solutions for wastewater, offering valves, hydrants, and accessories for water, gas, and sewage treatment in Jeddah.
AVK International manufactures penstocks, which are used for wastewater treatment, pumping stations and collection of wastewater. (AVK photo)
Wastewater treatment involves several stages to ensure it meets the safety standards for different uses, such as irrigation, industrial processes, and potable water.
At the start of the process, preliminary treatment involves the removal of large debris and solid particles using screens and sedimentation tanks. This is followed by primary treatment, where water passes through sedimentation tanks. Here, smaller solids settle to form sludge.
During secondary treatment, aeration is introduced to stimulate microbes that break down organic matter, removing most pollutants. Then, in a process known as tertiary treatment, the water is further filtered and disinfected to remove harmful pathogens, rendering it usable for irrigation and industrial purposes.
Some systems also include advanced treatment involving reverse osmosis and UV filtration, making the water safe for human consumption.
Of course, sustainability does not start at the treatment phase. Policies designed to protect freshwater at its source are just as important.
Tanya Gottlieb Jacobsen, deputy director of Danish consultancy State of Green. (Supplied)
“We get our drinking water from groundwater, so we focus on prevention, and we always have a strategy on prevention being better than advanced treatment for drinking water,” Tanya Gottlieb Jacobsen, deputy director of Danish consultancy State of Green, told Arab News.
Denmark’s holistic approach to water sustainability — focusing on prevention, smart technologies, and strategic investments — aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, which prioritize economic diversification alongside environmental stewardship.
By eliminating pollutants in water, people support biodiversity, protect aquatic life, maintain the balance of local ecosystems and promote sustainable urban development. (Photo credit: Red Sea Global)
As the Kingdom adopts cutting-edge technologies and incorporates Danish expertise into its water infrastructure, it is taking vital steps toward securing its water future.
These efforts will not only help Saudi Arabia mitigate the effects of water scarcity and climate change but will also position the country as a leader in sustainable water management in the region.
Saudi crown prince, French president discuss regional tension in phone call
Updated 11 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on the phone with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the call, they discussed the latest developments in the region and reviewed the efforts exerted to de-escalate the situation in Palestine and Lebanon to achieve security and stability, SPA added.
Macron, who attended a summit of European and Mediterranean leaders in Cyprus on Friday, said earlier on Friday that “stopping the export of weapons” used in Gaza and Lebanon was the only way to end fighting there, and also condemned “deliberate” targeting of UN peacekeepers.
“We all know it. It’s the unique lever that would end it,” Macron said, adding that it was “absolutely unacceptable” that UN peacekeepers in Lebanon were “deliberately targeted” by Israeli forces.
Global leaders gather in Baku to advance climate negotiations before COP29
Talks focus on finance and support for vulnerable communities
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev urges agreement on key issues
Updated 11 October 2024
Arab News
The COP29 Presidency is hosting global climate leaders, government officials, constituencies, and delegates at Pre-COP in Baku, Azerbaijan, to discuss key environmental issues facing the planet.
The 3-day Pre-COP meeting, which started Oct. 10, provides an important platform for parties to advance climate negotiations ahead of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, set to take place in November.
Pre-COP discussions are focusing on making progress on key priorities before COP29, including climate finance, the New Collective Quantified Goal, mitigation, adaptation, and supporting vulnerable communities, according to a press release issued by the organizers.
In an address delivered on his behalf by COP29 president-designate Mukhtar Babayev, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan emphasized the importance of agreeing an NCQG at COP29 that “meets the needs of the developing, least developed and small island developing states” and represents a “substantial increase” over the prior goal.
Aliyev said reaching this goal would require the collaboration of the international community. “Neither Azerbaijan in its capacity of the COP29 Presidency, nor any other state, can take decisions on behalf of others.
“Our role is to provide the platform for facilitating negotiations, which we believe we have been fulfilling impartially,” he said.
In his own address at the opening ceremony, Babayev recognized the progress made, while also calling for participants to act with urgency and use the Pre-COP meeting to build the foundation for a successful outcome at COP29.
“We are building bridges and momentum, but we need much more,” said Babayev. “We make progress when we come together, put differences aside, and engage in open and honest dialogue.”
Setting out clear goals for each priority, he identified the need to “take seriously the responsibility for identifying a number over a timeframe and come forward with solutions.
“Qualitative elements of the goal such as transparency and accessibility are also essential to ensuring that the goal is both fair and ambitious.”
Babayev also outlined goals for each of the other top negotiating priorities, including concluding work on Article 6 as a much-needed priority “crucial for directing financial and technical resources.”
The aim was to turn pledges into signed contributor agreements to the fund for responding to loss and damage, and attracting “significantly greater contributions” to all funds.
This includes the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund, and responding to the call of the UAE Consensus to transition away from fossil fuels in a just and orderly manner.
Pre-COP is the latest milestone in Azerbaijan’s preparations for COP29, which will be a key moment in the global effort to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and build resilience to climate impacts.
In the lead up to Pre-COP, the COP29 Presidency also convened an informal Heads of Delegation meeting on Oct. 8 in Baku, followed by the formal High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on the NCQG on Oct. 9.
Another Heads of Delegation meeting is scheduled for Oct. 12.
“COP29 will be a defining test for both the Paris Agreement and for multilateralism,” stated Babayev.
“The world is watching, and history will judge us on the outcomes we achieve. Success or failure at COP29 will be collective and each of us has a role to play. We must all offer the best of ourselves.”
