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DAMMAM: Eastern Province Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Bandar met Norway’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Kjersti Tromsdal on Thursday.
The two sides exchanged cordial discussions on various topics and Tromsdal expressed her gratitude to the prince for the warm reception.
DOHA: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan took part on Saturday in a high-level meeting on Syria involving regional and international stakeholders in Qatar.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 22nd Doha Forum, brought together foreign ministers from Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, and Egypt, alongside representatives from the Astana track countries — Iran, Turkiye, and Russia, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The session also included the UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, underscoring the collaborative international effort to address the ongoing crisis in Syria, SPA added.
Discussions focused on developments in the Syrian arena, reflecting the forum’s broader emphasis on fostering dialogue and finding solutions to regional challenges.
Prince Faisal was accompanied by Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan, Saudi ambassador to Qatar, and Abdulrahman Al-Daoud, Director General of the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
According to a Qatari foreign ministry statement, the group affirmed the continuation of close consultations and coordination between them in order to effectively find a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
They added this had to be in a way that protected and achieved the aspirations of the Syrian people for security, stability, and justice, in addition to enhancing efforts aimed at consolidating security and stability in the region.
The ministers considered the continuation of the Syrian crisis as a dangerous development for the safety of the country and regional and international security.
They reiterated the importance of strengthening joint international efforts to increase humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, and to ensure its sustainable and unhindered access to all affected areas.
They urged an end to military operations in preparation for launching a comprehensive political process, based on Security Council Resolution 2254, which would protect it from slipping into chaos and terrorism and ensure the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons.
DOHA: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held discussions on Saturday with Iranian, Turkish and US officials at the Doha Forum, focusing on regional developments and diplomatic cooperation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the two officials explored ways to enhance relations and addressed key developments in the region, along with topics of mutual interest.
The meeting marked a continuation of efforts to strengthen dialogue between Riyadh and Tehran following a recent thawing of relations, the SPA added.
The foreign minister also held similar discussions with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan.
Also on Saturday, Prince Faisal spoke with Amos Hochstein, the US special envoy to Lebanon.
They discussed the situation in Lebanon and international efforts to address the challenges facing the country.
Both meetings were attended by Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan, Saudi ambassador to Qatar; and Abdulrahman Al-Daoud, director general of the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
RIYADH: International experts convened in Riyadh for the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification from Dec. 2-13 to address the increasing prevalence of floods and droughts and how to mitigate their impact.
In Saudi Arabia, a nation known for its arid climate and vast deserts, such extreme weather events could heavily affect water resources.
Andrew Robertson, senior research scientist at Columbia University’s Center for Climate System Research and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, said that climate change is impacting this region, which has some of the highest temperature increases in the world, more than the global average.
Robertson highlighted advancements that could help Saudi Arabia mitigate harsh climate conditions in the future.
“Heatwave early warning … (will) be important in the future here,” Robertson said.
Advanced seasonal forecasting capabilities can significantly help people adapt to extreme weather conditions, he added.
“The weather is not constant; it fluctuates daily and even annually,” Robertson said.
Although Saudi Arabia’s climate is predominantly dry, it is not immune to flooding. Intense rainfall, often linked to seasonal weather patterns, can cause urban flooding, particularly in areas with inadequate drainage systems.
A notable example is the devastating 2009 flood in Jeddah, which led to significant property damage, loss of life, and economic disruption.
Floods not only damage infrastructure but also exacerbate issues like soil erosion and water pollution, further straining the country’s already limited water resources.
In 2020, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the Regional Center for Climate Change, which provides research on climate conditions in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Mazen Asiri, executive director of the center, told Arab News that the center aims to develop a high-resolution climate change database projecting up to 2100. The database will analyze various climate scenarios to assess climate change and the impact of human activity on the environment.
Another major challenge in Saudi Arabia is drought, as the country is among the most water-scarce in the world. With no rivers, it relies heavily on desalination and underground water for its supply.
Recognizing the threat of drought, the Saudi government is actively implementing water conservation and management strategies. Initiatives such as rainwater harvesting and cloud seeding offer promising solutions to address the nation’s water challenges.
Asiri said: “We have seen examples today of how we can use techniques such as ‘seeding the skies’ in mountainous areas during the winter season to create snow. This is a recent but ongoing study that might succeed in mountainous locations here, such as Tabuk.”
He added: “This method may help improve tourism as well as support the water supply. It will also enhance vegetation cover and biodiversity.”
Asiri emphasized the importance of raising public awareness in addressing environmental issues and the role of the media in helping to achieve this. “We should focus on education from a young age to have thriving results in the future. We also offer workshops at our center and other similar entities, which are significant in raising awareness of these issues,” he said.
DAMMAM: On a cool Friday evening, Dammam’s Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts hosted a groundbreaking collaboration with the Alliance Francaise d’Arabie Saoudite and the French Embassy.
The eclectic two-hour show featured celebrated French artist JA Dupont Castro, Saudi calligrapher Faisal Al-Tayeb, Bahraini DJ and musician Na Der, and Syrian oud player Wasem.
Brought together “to build cultural bridges and explore the dynamics of collaboration,” the unlikely group of artists delivered an enriching experience for all to see and hear.
The result combined tangible art — such as paint smeared on a large black sheet — with digital and light projections illuminated and woven into the same work.
The sounds of live music from both sides further added to the allure and ambiance of the space and helped the hands of the visual artists move to the beats. The outcome was an improvised yet cohesive masterpiece.
The local community was invited to witness the interaction on stage at SASCA’s newly unveiled location. The event blended sights and sounds from the East and West with cutting-edge innovation, offering a one-night-only live performance that merged calligraphy, music and what was referred to as “paint-mapping.”
Castro, renowned for his live paint-mapping — a method combining projection technology and live artistic improvization — shared his excitement with Arab News about the performance. He was also ecstatic about his first visit to the Kingdom and the creation of completely curated works — all live.
“I developed a form of art that thrives on collaboration, where I work with painters and musicians live. It’s always exciting because I come to discover how local artists work — their processes, their world. My world meets theirs and we try to create something unique together.
“Improvization is at the heart of this. The energy of the audience shapes our performance. The audience, they’re witnessing something that is going to happen once, not twice. You know, it’s a one-time creation that begins, ends, and we don’t do it again,” he told us.
Al-Tayeb, who lives in the Eastern Province, brought his distinctive Arabic calligraphy style to the mix. He used real paint to write words in an abstract form, which Castro layered overtop with light and digital color. For Al-Tayeb, the project was not just about showcasing his skills but also expanding his artistic vision.
“For now, I’m a calligrapher, but I’m exploring other kinds of art. This collaboration with Jack (Castro) is an incredible opportunity to learn and grow,” he told Arab News.
“We’ve been working together to understand each other’s processes — blending Saudi desert hues with Jack’s digital and light-based techniques. Art doesn’t require a language; it’s about communicating through colors, forms and sound. This project is my first time working with music alongside visuals, and it’s truly fascinating.”
Al-Tayeb also reflected on Saudi Arabia’s evolving art scene: “The Kingdom has made tremendous progress in the arts, thanks to government support and initiatives by the Ministry of Culture.
“Saudi Arabia is becoming a hub for global collaboration, providing artists like me the opportunity to share our culture with the world.”
Syrian oud player and Saudi resident Wasem added depth and warmth to the space with his soulful compositions, inspired by the themes extracted from the artworks. He explained his distinctive approach to Arab News.
“I translate paintings and sculptures into music. It’s not just about improvization — it’s about understanding the artist’s concept and expressing it through melodies,” he said. “In Saudi Arabia, much of our work is influenced by local heritage. We incorporate eastern rhythms and quarter tones to give our compositions authenticity while merging them with global musical scales. This collaboration today is a bridge between East and West, creating a blend that honors both traditions.”
Wasem emphasized the humanistic essence of such collaborations.
“This kind of fusion serves global heritage and promotes universal traditions. It’s about connecting deeply with the stories and movements we experience and translating them through strings,” he said.
Bahraini DJ Na Der, who provided the evening’s dynamic soundtrack, described the event to Arab News as a metaphorical bridge.
“It only took me an hour to cross from Bahrain to Saudi today, but the more beautiful bridge is the cultural one we are building here tonight. This collaboration — blending music, painting, and light mapping — is unlike anything seen in the Gulf before — I’ve never seen it.
“We’ve synchronized well (the artists), and I believe tonight’s show will be unforgettable,” he told Arab News ahead of the performance.
The event marked another milestone in SASCA’s efforts to foster cultural exchange. Yousef Al-Harbi, director of SASCA’s Dammam branch, shared the significance of such initiatives with Arab News.
“This collaboration with the French Cultural Center is not our first. Over the years, we’ve partnered with French, British and American cultural organizations to host renowned artists and introduce new artistic concepts,” he said. “Such events broaden artistic horizons and encourage exchanges between local and international artists, enriching the community. They also help strengthen the cultural fabric of Saudi Arabia, by combining visual and auditory arts to create a holistic experience for us all to enjoy.”
Held inside SASCA’s state-of-the-art venue, the live performance captivated a diverse audience. The interplay of traditional Saudi calligraphy, French projection art and customized music coming from both sides offered a fusion of culture and innovation that reverberated within the space long after the improvised art was completed.
As Castro and Al-Tayeb’s work illuminated the real and metaphoric canvas, Wasem’s sultry oud and Na Der’s electronic beats created a rhythm that resonated with the crowd. The event was attended by mostly French and Saudi residents and its success was a testament to the interest within the local community who came together to witness an experimental live show.
The French artist will continue his journey across Saudi Arabia, performing a few other exclusive one-night shows in other cities, each with local artists from those area, further enriching the Kingdom’s vibrant cultural tapestry for both the performers and the audience.
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani at the Doha Forum on Saturday.
During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in various fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They also discussed regional and international issues.
