Aramco launches global innovation award for robotics excellence at WRO 2024

Aramco launches global innovation award for robotics excellence at WRO 2024
At the international final, 48 teams from 45 countries are eligible to win. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 28 November 2024
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Aramco launches global innovation award for robotics excellence at WRO 2024

Aramco launches global innovation award for robotics excellence at WRO 2024

Aramco has partnered with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team and World Robot Olympiad to launch the Aramco Innovation Award, a new global honor recognizing excellence in robotics design and technology.

The award aims to inspire and reward young innovators who excel in creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking and technical skills.

The first Aramco Innovation Award will be presented at the 2024 World Robot Olympiad international final, which will take place from Nov. 28-30 in İzmir, Turkiye.

It will be given to the winning team of the future innovators category (senior age group). More than 5,500 teams and 15,000 students from around the world will compete for the award.

At the international final, 48 teams from 45 countries are eligible to win.

The prize includes an exclusive Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team Innovation Experience, which features a tour of the AMR Technology Campus in Silverstone, the home of British motorsport.

Khalid A. Al-Zamil, Aramco vice president of public affairs, said: “We’re excited to launch the Aramco Innovation Award as part of our dedication to developing future science, technology, engineering and math innovators. By partnering with Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team and World Robot Olympiad, we aim to inspire young minds to explore new possibilities in robotics and encourage the next generation of STEM careers.”

Luca Furbatto, engineering director, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team, said: “We are thrilled to work with our partner Aramco to offer this insightful tour of our technology campus in Silverstone to the winners of the Aramco Innovation Award. It allows students the chance to see how a Formula One® team operates, and we expect it will help to inspire the next generation of designers and engineers through STEM opportunities.”

The Aramco Innovation Award celebrates young innovators who use robotics to address real-world challenges. By recognizing these achievements, Aramco and its partners are investing in future technology leaders who will help to shape the technologies of tomorrow’s world.

Claus Ditlev Christensen, secretary general of WRO, said: “Introducing the Aramco Innovation Award at this year’s WRO international final represents our ongoing mission to inspire young innovators. This collaboration with Aramco and Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team gives students an extraordinary chance to experience the latest technology. We believe these future leaders have the potential to drive the next wave of advancements in robotics.”


Saudi Arabia advances space industry with acquisition of Airbus’ UP42

Saudi Arabia advances space industry with acquisition of Airbus’ UP42
Updated 10 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia advances space industry with acquisition of Airbus’ UP42

Saudi Arabia advances space industry with acquisition of Airbus’ UP42

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Neo Space Group has finalized an agreement to acquire Airbus’ UP42 platform, a move that marks a key milestone in the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve its Vision 2030 goals.

On Dec. 3, NSG, a company owned by the Public Investment Fund and Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial space services provider, announced that it had reached a definitive agreement with Airbus Defence and Space to acquire the next-generation Earth observation digital platform.

The deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, as stated in a company release.

NSG CEO Martijn Blanken said: “By integrating the UP42 platform into the Saudi ecosystem, we are positioning NSG to deliver cutting-edge geospatial insights for one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.”

This acquisition underscores NSG’s strategic role in advancing Earth observation services in Saudi Arabia, following the permit granted in July by the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission to operate the platform within the Kingdom.

Aligned with PIF’s broader strategy, the deal aims to unlock the potential of emerging sectors in Saudi Arabia, boost the country’s non-oil revenues, and support the diversification of its economy in line with Vision 2030.

NSG emphasized that UP42’s platform will enable customers to tackle real-world geospatial challenges, offering valuable solutions across industries such as agriculture, urban planning, real estate, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster management.

The company also reiterated its commitment to fostering local expertise and strengthening the Kingdom’s position within the global space economy, with the goal of supporting the diversification of the Saudi economy and advancing Vision 2030.

Blanken further highlighted the significance of the acquisition: “This is a pivotal move in advancing our vision to drive both local and global innovation in the geospatial sector while contributing to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s space economy.”

Launched in 2019 by Airbus in Germany, UP42 is a leader in simplifying access to and deriving insights from geospatial data through its cloud-based platform. It is set to become an integral part of NSG’s growing geospatial division, which already includes the Saudi-based geospatial services provider, TAQNIA ETS.

UP42’s digital platform offers customers access to data and analytics from more than 80 of the world’s top geospatial companies, enabling users to manage and source diverse data from multiple providers through a single interface.

UP42 CEO Sean Wiid commented: “Joining NSG is an exciting step for UP42. Our continued international growth will help support NSG’s ambition to become a global leader in geospatial innovation.”

Wiid added that the collaboration will play a key role in establishing a robust Earth observation ecosystem within Saudi Arabia, benefiting sectors including government, agriculture, energy, and tourism.

Launched in May, NSG aims to become a global leader in the satellite and space sectors. The company provides a wide range of services, including satellite broadband communications, in-flight connectivity, Earth observation, and remote sensing. It is also a prominent investor in cutting-edge space technologies.

NSG plays a vital role in helping achieve Vision 2030 goals, which focus on economic diversification, industrial development, innovation, and job creation.

UP42’s platform revolutionizes how organizations access, manage, and analyze geospatial data. By simplifying data management and enabling large-scale imagery processing, it facilitates the creation of innovative geospatial solutions.


Ma’aden CEO calls mining industry the solution to global sustainability challenges

Ma’aden CEO calls mining industry the solution to global sustainability challenges
Updated 20 min 49 sec ago
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Ma’aden CEO calls mining industry the solution to global sustainability challenges

Ma’aden CEO calls mining industry the solution to global sustainability challenges

RIYADH: Metals and minerals are critical to the global energy transition, industrialization, modernization, and the broader push for sustainability, according to Ma’aden CEO Robert Wilt.

Wilt made this statement during a panel discussion on “Enhancing climate resilience through land restoration” at the 4th Saudi Green Initiative Forum in Riyadh.

He emphasized the essential role that these resources play in driving global sustainability and innovation, stressing the importance of securing the materials necessary for transformative progress in energy and industry.

“The world cannot make the energy transition. It cannot industrialize, it cannot energize, it cannot modernize without metals and minerals,” Wilt said.

As Saudi Arabia continues to work toward its Vision 2030 goals, the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to achieve environmental sustainability has become increasingly clear.

Wilt, whose company Ma’aden is a key player in the mining industry, stated that the private sector is crucial in helping the Kingdom meet its sustainability targets.

He added: “That’s why our board in the Kingdom has said that if you’re going to be the third pillar of the Saudi economy, you’re going to be an ESG (environmental, social, and governance) role model, and you’re going to do it right.”

Wilt also outlined Ma’aden’s ambitious sustainability goals, including achieving double-digit reductions in waste, water usage, and carbon emissions year on year, with the ultimate goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The company’s commitment to sustainability is also reflected in its efforts to plant over a million trees annually. Wilt argued that the mining sector, often seen as a contributor to environmental degradation, should be recognized as part of the solution to the climate crisis.

“If you want to save the world, join mining because we are the solution, not the problem,” he said, aiming to challenge public perceptions and inspire the next generation to consider careers in the industry.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Environment Osama Faqeeha also addressed environmental challenges during the forum. He pointed out that Riyadh consumes over 1 million cubic meters of water daily. “That’s like a river. So now we are actually aiming for 200 percent recycling,” he noted.

Faqeeha further explained that the government has upgraded several wastewater treatment plants to produce high-quality, reusable water, which will be repurposed for industry, land restoration, and other uses.

He emphasized that effective land restoration requires understanding the broader purpose behind the efforts, cautioning that focusing only on carbon storage offers a limited view. He added that ecosystems provide a wide range of services beyond carbon sequestration, making a holistic approach essential.

In terms of greening efforts, Faqeeha shared that Saudi Arabia is implementing a large-scale and detailed plantation plan, which spans both environmental and urban areas.

He also highlighted ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation to green the country’s highways, broadening the scope of the Kingdom’s land restoration initiatives.

Grethel Aguilar, director general of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, also stressed the private sector’s key role in driving environmental action.

“The private sector is fundamental, and this is not just about offsetting. It’s about planning. It’s about taking the right decisions at the right time. It’s about measuring what is the impact and taking action,” she stated.

Faqeeha echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that environmental sustainability is not merely a desirable objective but an essential one. “Environmental sustainability is not something nice to do, but it’s an imperative,” he said, underscoring that both business and government must work together to achieve meaningful progress.

The panel discussions highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to embracing innovation and change in its pursuit of both environmental and business success.

Faqeeha remarked:“I think with the determination and actually the will to change, to embrace innovation, I think you can win on the business front, production, as well as environmental.”

For Wilt and Ma’aden, sustainability is not only about benefiting the planet but is also a critical driver of their business strategy.

“Everything we’re doing is sure to save the planet, to green the world, all that. But at the end of the day, we’re a business. We need to make money and make profits,” he concluded, reinforcing that environmental responsibility and profitability can go hand in hand.


Saudi Arabia targets 30% land protection by 2030 in sustainability push

Saudi Arabia targets 30% land protection by 2030 in sustainability push
Updated 04 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia targets 30% land protection by 2030 in sustainability push

Saudi Arabia targets 30% land protection by 2030 in sustainability push

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia now has 20 percent of its territory designated as protected areas, a significant rise from just 3 percent a decade ago, according to a senior official. 

By 2030, this figure is projected to increase to 30 percent, said the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the Kingdom’s envoy for climate, Adel Al-Jubeir. 

During the “Climate Envoy Perspective” panel at the 4th Saudi Green Initiative Forum, Al-Jubeir highlighted Saudi Arabia’s dedication to environmental preservation and sustainability.   

“We are protecting 30 percent of our territory; it will be protected areas, both sea and land,” Al-Jubeir said, emphasizing the country’s efforts to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable resource management.  

He added: “The fact is, we used to (have) 3 percent of our territory protected 10 years ago, now we’re almost at 20 percent, and by 2030 will be 30 percent.”   

 

 

Saudi Arabia’s commitment to protecting its environment is evident in a wide range of initiatives. “We’re working on sustainable fishing in the Red Sea, as well as in the Gulf, and we’re making sure that everything we do is very, very in line with protecting our environment,” Al-Jubeir said.  

He also noted that tourism projects along the Red Sea are being developed with rigorous sustainability and environmental standards, ensuring minimal impact on marine life.   

The minister emphasized the progress of Saudi Arabia’s blue economy, drawing attention to the Kingdom’s announcement earlier regarding the launch of the National Red Sea Sustainability Strategy.

“We have launched more than 80 initiatives in Saudi Arabia, from turning waste into energy, from redesigning our cities, from planting trees, from capturing carbon, both naturally as well as using technology, and we are transitioning towards renewable energy,” Al-Jubeir added.  

He highlighted the Kingdom’s ambitious energy goals, saying: “50 percent of our electricity by 2030 will come from renewable energy, the other 50 percent from natural gas.”   

The Kingdom’s efforts extend beyond its borders, with the nation supporting global initiatives to combat environmental challenges. “We’re helping countries adopt a circular carbon economy approach so that they can deal with planting and environmental issues more effectively,” Al-Jubeir explained.   

Addressing land degradation, the minister emphasized its global impact. “We believe that the issue of land degradation is not just an environmental issue; it’s a national security issue, it’s a global issue, because land degradation means less ability to produce food, which means people go from no-food areas to areas where they can grow food,” he said.   

Al-Jubeir also underscored the economic benefits of sustainability. “When you invest in solar energy and wind, it’s not only sustainable and good for the environment, it’s also very good for the pocketbook,” he said. “Investors are more confident when they come to a country where they have clean water, clean air, and so this is part of what we’re doing.” 

He continued: “For every dollar we spend restoring land, the benefits are anywhere from $7 to $30, akin to investing in technology. We are doing this, and we are trying to point this out to the world.”

Al-Jubeir added: “When you invest in resorts in the Red Sea, and you are very sensitive to the environment it increases the value of your investment, and it makes it more attractive. So, we don't see a contradiction between having the utmost concern for environmental issues and financial gains.”

The minister highlighted the broader importance of environmental preservation, stating: “People are more productive when the environment in which they live is pleasant. We breathe the same air as everybody else. We need the same water like everybody else, and so we are very, very sensitive to our environment and to ensuring that we protect it and that we restore it if it needs to be restored.”   

Saudi Arabia, known as the world’s most efficient producer of oil and gas, is also emerging as a global leader in renewable energy. “We are an example for the world in terms of energy, in terms of renewable energy, in terms of our commitment to the environment,” Al-Jubeir said.   

He stressed the Kingdom’s focus on collaboration and practical solutions to address climate challenges.  

“We believe that we have the technology, we believe that we have the financial resources. We believe that by working together, we can overcome many of the challenges that we face, but we cannot do this if we’re trying to assign blame or trying to point fingers,” Al-Jubeir added. 

“We believe we are facing a tremendous challenge in terms of the climate, and we believe that by working together and putting our resources together we will be able to confront and deal with this challenge effectively,” he said.


COP16: Over $12bn pledged for drought resilience and land restoration on 2nd day

COP16: Over $12bn pledged for drought resilience and land restoration on 2nd day
Updated 04 December 2024
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COP16: Over $12bn pledged for drought resilience and land restoration on 2nd day

COP16: Over $12bn pledged for drought resilience and land restoration on 2nd day

RIYADH: More than $12 billion has been pledged for drought resilience, land restoration, and combating land degradation at the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. 

The Arab Coordination Group contributed an additional $10 billion to address desertification, land degradation, and drought, according to a press release.  

This follows the launch of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, with $1 billion each from the OPEC Fund and Islamic Development Bank, and $150 million from Saudi Arabia.  

The pledges were made during the Ministerial Dialogue on Finance, a key segment of COP16 focused on unlocking public and private sector funding. 

“With over $12 billion pledged for major land restoration and drought resilience initiatives in just the first two days, COP16 in Riyadh is already proving a landmark moment in the fight against drought,” said Osama Faqeeha, deputy minister for Environment, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency.  

“I hope this is just the beginning, and over the coming days and weeks, we see further contributions from international private and public sector partners, that further amplify the impact of vital drought resilience and land restoration initiatives,” Faqeeha added. 

He also called for the redirection of Official Development Assistance funds to address land degradation and drought. “As shown by the UNCCD’s latest report, there is a dire need for additional international funding,” Faqeeha added. 

Speaking on behalf of the Arab Coordination Group, Muhammad Al-Jasser, chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group, said: “Recognizing the critical role of finance in advancing these efforts, we commit to allocate up to $10 billion in financing approvals by 2030. These funds will target global land restoration, desertification prevention, and nature positive development projects aligned with the objectives of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership.” 

The UNCCD’s latest financial needs assessment report revealed that $355 billion annually is required from 2025 to 2030 to meet land restoration targets, but only $77 billion in investments are projected.  

On the second day of COP16 in Riyadh, the UNCCD released its financial needs assessment report, which also highlighted the private sector’s limited involvement. It contributes just 6 percent of global funding, despite the potential to generate up to $1.8 trillion annually from restoring over one billion hectares of land. 

As COP16 progresses, there is growing pressure for international stakeholders to close the financing gap and accelerate efforts to combat land degradation and boost drought resilience. 


Aramco, Linde, and SLB partner on major carbon capture hub in Jubail 

Aramco, Linde, and SLB partner on major carbon capture hub in Jubail 
Updated 25 min 59 sec ago
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Aramco, Linde, and SLB partner on major carbon capture hub in Jubail 

Aramco, Linde, and SLB partner on major carbon capture hub in Jubail 
  • Under the agreement, Aramco will hold a 60 percent equity stake, with Linde and SLB each owning 20 percent
  • The initiative supports Aramco’s broader ambition to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions across its wholly-owned operated assets by 2050

RIYADH: Saudi energy giant Aramco has signed a shareholders’ agreement with Linde and SLB to advance the development of a major carbon capture and storage hub in Jubail,  

Under the agreement, Aramco will hold a 60 percent equity stake, with Linde and SLB each owning 20 percent, according to a press release. 

Located in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, the project is set to be among the largest of its kind globally. It marks a critical step toward Aramco’s emission mitigation goals and aligns with its 2035 interim climate objectives. 

Phase one of the hub aims to capture and store up to 9 million tonnes of CO2 annually, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Future phases will further expand its capacity. 

“CCS plays a critical role in furthering our sustainability ambitions and our new energies business. This announcement represents a step forward in delivering on our strategy to contribute to global carbon management solutions and achieve our emission mitigation goals,” said Ashraf Al-Ghazzawi, executive vice president of strategy & corporate development at Aramco. 

He added: “Aramco’s collaboration with SLB and Linde demonstrates the importance of global partnerships in driving technological innovation, reducing emissions from conventional energy sources and enabling new, lower-carbon energy solutions.” 

The executive noted that the CCS hub was among several programs that would enable them to meet the rising demand for affordable, reliable, and more sustainable energy. 

The initiative supports Aramco’s broader ambition to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions across its wholly-owned operated assets by 2050, as well as its interim target to reduce upstream carbon intensity by 15 percent by 2035. 

Oliver Pfann, Linde’s executive vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, noted the project’s significance to Saudi Arabia’s climate goals. “Carbon capture and sequestration is essential for achieving the Kingdom’s emission reduction targets. Linde is proud to collaborate with Aramco and SLB, contributing Linde’s innovative technology and experience in delivering world-scale decarbonization projects,” he said. 

Announced during the Saudi Green Initiative Forum in Riyadh, the project reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to achieving its 2060 net-zero target.  

Phase one will capture CO2 from three Aramco gas plants and other industrial sources. The CO2 will be transported through a pipeline network and stored in a saline aquifer, leveraging the region’s geological capacity for carbon storage. 

Gavin Rennick, SLB’s president of new energy, highlighted the hub’s potential to reduce emissions. “Leveraging our proven portfolio of CCS technologies and extensive experience in complex CCS projects around the world, we are confident that SLB will play a critical role in advancing this important initiative. This project aligns perfectly with our commitment to industrial decarbonization, and we look forward to collaborating closely with Aramco and Linde to make it a success.” 

The hub also complements Aramco’s blue hydrogen and ammonia initiatives, reinforcing its efforts to support a circular carbon economy and contribute to the Kingdom’s energy transition.