Crown prince: World is facing mounting challenges in water sector

Update The crown prince also confirmed that Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the World Water Forum 2027, in cooperation with the World Water Council. (SPA)
The crown prince also confirmed that Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the World Water Forum 2027, in cooperation with the World Water Council. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 04 December 2024
Follow

Crown prince: World is facing mounting challenges in water sector

Crown prince: World is facing mounting challenges in water sector
  • Kingdom ‘has contributed $6bn in supporting 200 water-related projects in over 60 developing countries’
  • Prince Mohammed also confirmed Saudi Arabia preparing to host World Water Forum 2027

RIYADH: The world is facing mounting challenges in the water sector, including rising drought rates that lead to multiple crises represented by a shortage of usable water, the exacerbation of desertification, and the subsequent threat to human life and societies, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Tuesday.

He was speaking while inaugurating the One Water Summit in Riyadh in the presence of several presidents and top officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron.

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and several ministers and officials were also present.

The crown prince said the summit was being held in conjunction with the Kingdom hosting the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, which aims to reduce land degradation and drought.

He said that the Kingdom had contributed $6 billion in supporting 200 water-related projects in more than 60 developing countries around the world.

The summit is being jointly chaired by Saudi Arabia, France and Kazakhstan, and supported by the World Bank.

It underscores Saudi Arabia’s pioneering international role in confronting water challenges across the world and its commitment to sustainable environmental issues.

The crown prince also confirmed that Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the World Water Forum 2027, in cooperation with the World Water Council.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, he called on UN member states and international private sector organizations to join the World Water Organization that the Kingdom will establish to develop and integrate efforts to address water challenges.

The crown prince expressed his hope that the efforts of the international community to address water challenges will contribute to achieving the goals to which all aspire.

The Saudi-French Investment Forum in Riyadh, also on Tuesday, marked an important milestone in bilateral relations, with the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding and investment agreements worth billions of dollars.

Held to coincide with the state visit of President Macron, the event brought together officials, policymakers, and business leaders from both nations, aiming to align their national visions for a prosperous future.

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih welcomed French stakeholders in his opening remarks, emphasizing the strong ties between the two countries.

He praised Macron as a “good friend of the Kingdom, leading a strong delegation.” 

Al-Falih highlighted the enduring economic partnership, the breadth of sectors covered, and the presence of French companies in Saudi Arabia.

“Every time there is an event involving Saudi Arabia and France, there is a special magic and attraction,” he said, noting France’s early support for Riyadh’s bid to host Expo 2030.

Macron highlighted in his remarks opportunities for collaboration in clean energy, mobility, technology, culture, and artificial intelligence, noting the synergy between Saudi Vision 2030 and France 2030.

He said: “For all the French business people and investors, I want to encourage them to invest more in this country because investing here is investing in the cornerstone of the whole region.”

Tuesday’s forum hosted six panels, featured 50 keynote speakers, and facilitated hundreds of bilateral meetings.

Marc Ferracci, French minister delegate for industry, underscored the forum’s importance in strengthening ties amid Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented transformation. “The Kingdom is undergoing one of the biggest transformations in recent history,” Ferracci said.

Detailed coverage Page 3 Spotlight


AlUla’s vision based on strong partnerships, holistic development, says royal commission official

AlUla’s vision based on strong partnerships, holistic development, says royal commission official
Updated 24 January 2025
Follow

AlUla’s vision based on strong partnerships, holistic development, says royal commission official

AlUla’s vision based on strong partnerships, holistic development, says royal commission official
  • Ben Hudson highlights pacts with global investors and nations
  • Plan includes $31.9bn contribution to Kingdom’s GDP by 2035

DAVOS: Taking a socially and economically responsible approach to development and working closely with committed partners is the key to fulfilling AlUla’s potential.

This is according to the Royal Commission for AlUla’s Chief Development and Construction Officer Ben Hudson, who spoke to Arab News at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week.

Hudson also emphasized the commission’s commitment to cultural preservation in transforming AlUla into a global destination.

Hudson underscored the RCU’s alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform program. “(The) RCU is unlocking AlUla’s economic, investment, and touristic potential through comprehensive regeneration, integrated partnerships, and inclusive sustainable development.”

Highlighting the AlUla Sustainability Charter as a blueprint for the organization’s initiatives, he said the RCU was also focused on revitalizing the built environment, community empowerment, and light-touch tourism.

Citing the example of the Dar Tantora The House Hotel, he said this was tangible proof of its plan in action, where the blending of traditional materials with local expertise has created new socio-economic opportunities while preserving the cultural heritage of the area.

Hudson was keen to highlight the RCU’s plans to contribute SR120 billion ($31.9 billion) to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product by 2035, driven by sustainable tourism and investment.

Ben Hudson, Royal Commission for AlUla’s Chief Development and Construction Officer. (Supplied)

In Davos, Hudson said the RCU was looking to foster global partnerships to accelerate AlUla’s regeneration.

“We are building on AlUla’s position as an ancient crossroad of civilizations, transforming AlUla into the world’s largest living museum, and a place for our community to thrive, (and this) can only be achieved when we work together,” he said.

“Our first strategic partnership was established with France, almost at RCU’s inception. Since then, we’ve grown our network, establishing partnerships with China, Italy, the UK, and world-class partners from the US, among others.

“We continue to make progress in evolving our partnership portfolio by working with UNESCO, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the World Bank, and many others,” he said.

These collaborations enable billions of dollars in private sector investment across hospitality, real estate, cultural conservation, and infrastructure.

Hudson emphasized the importance of co-investment, inviting partners to join in developing key infrastructure, such as power and water, and creating vibrant public spaces. “This gives our partners confidence and provides a platform for sustained engagement, be it with our community or across the business landscape,” he said.

Preserving AlUla’s rich cultural heritage remains central to the RCU’s mission. Hudson described the area as a “hidden gem,” now revealed to the world, with strategies in place to balance conservation with growth.

Collaboration with organizations including the International Council on Monuments and Sites has enabled the creation of Heritage Impact Assessments to protect cultural areas while facilitating new construction, he said.

“Our goals are shaped by community feedback, from the people who stand to benefit the most, whose culture and heritage make AlUla what it is,” he explained.

The RCU’s short-term goals focus on making AlUla a livable destination that embodies the Quality-of-Life Program of Vision 2030, by attracting investment, enhancing infrastructure, and creating opportunities for local and global stakeholders.

Looking to the future, Hudson said the RCU’s commitment was to “creating a destination built around a vibrant culture and ancient heritage —somewhere to live, work, invest, and grow.”


AlUla strengthens global presence with LeBron James, UIM E1 World Championship

AlUla strengthens global presence with LeBron James, UIM E1 World Championship
Updated 24 January 2025
Follow

AlUla strengthens global presence with LeBron James, UIM E1 World Championship

AlUla strengthens global presence with LeBron James, UIM E1 World Championship
  • Team AlUla championed by LeBron James will take part in the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF
  • Title partnership centers around AlUla’s ambition as a premier sports and adventure hub, dedication to supporting high-profile international events

ALULA: AlUla has strengthened its global sporting presence with LeBron James launching a new team in the UIM E1 World Championship presented by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF in the world’s first all-electric race boat championship.

Named after the ancient oasis city in northwestern Saudi Arabia, Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James will compete in the 2025 E1 season, beginning with the E1 Jeddah GP on Jan. 24-25, and will be piloted by talented racers Rusty Wyatt and Catie Munnings.

The partnership centers around AlUla’s ambition as a premier sports and adventure hub, and its dedication to supporting high-profile competitions and sportspeople across the world, a press release issued on Friday said.

Central to AlUla’s development as a destination is the enrichment of its local community — a commitment that closely aligns with LeBron James’ philanthropic efforts in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

The E1 all-electric race boat series is also in line with AlUla’s commitment to sustainability and comprehensive regeneration, evident in the city’s approach to holistic tourism, which manages visitor numbers, boosts environmental awareness and engages the community in conservation.

Core to its strategy is the AlUla Sustainability Charter, which guarantees the preservation of the natural and historical integrity of the area amid ongoing development.

This commitment is highlighted by initiatives such as designating 50 percent of AlUla as nature reserve and investing in eco-friendly infrastructure.

Rami AlMoallim, vice president of destination management and marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “Our partnership with E1 and LeBron James marks a significant moment for AlUla, built on a shared commitment to conservation and community, spanning our desert landscapes to the world’s seas.”

“This collaboration highlights the deep interconnectedness of our environments and the power we all have to make a change. As a champion of regeneration and wildlife conservation, AlUla sees electric boat racing as an opportunity to redefine the future of sports and innovation and we are thrilled to be part of such a visionary partnership,” AlMoallim said.

As a growing heritage luxury boutique destination, and home to Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, AlUla has become known for blending history with innovation as it champions world-class home-grown sporting events such as Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo, AlUla Trail Race, AlUla Tour and more.

Through AlUla’s partnership, Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James will visit iconic host cities such as Doha, Monaco and Miami, reinforcing its status as a premier global destination.


Saudi authorities foil attempt to smuggle $35m worth of captagon pills

Saudi authorities foil attempt to smuggle $35m worth of captagon pills
Updated 24 January 2025
Follow

Saudi authorities foil attempt to smuggle $35m worth of captagon pills

Saudi authorities foil attempt to smuggle $35m worth of captagon pills

RIYADH: The Saudi Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority has thwarted an attempt to smuggle over 1.4 million captagon pills into the Kingdom through the Jeddah Islamic Port.

According to the authority, the pills were found inside a shipment during customs procedures and live detection.

 

 

Coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control led to the arrest of the intended recipients of the seized items in the Kingdom.

Captagon, a type of amphetamine, is used predominantly by young men and teenage boys across the Middle East and has a street value of between $10 and $25 a pill, according to research by the International Journal of Addiction Research.

 

The Kingdom vs Captagon
Inside Saudi Arabia's war against the drug destroying lives across the Arab world
Enter
keywords

Saudi Arabia to host regular World Economic Forum event in the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia to host regular World Economic Forum event in the Kingdom
Updated 24 January 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia to host regular World Economic Forum event in the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia to host regular World Economic Forum event in the Kingdom

DAVOS: Saudi Arabia announced a regular world economic global forum in the Kingdom said the country’s minister of economy Faisal Alibrahim in Davos on Friday. 

Alibrahim said the decision was based on the success of the forum held for the first time last year. 

Saudi Arabia hosted its first two-day WEF special meeting on April 28-29, 2024.

The meeting focused on global collaboration, growth and energy.

At the time of last year’s event Alibrahim said that the forum had recognised that the Kingdom was “becoming a stronger, more impactful leader on the global stage,” and he added: “we found it as an opportune time to bring this global Tier 1 event to the kingdom, and start this new chapter together.”

Saudi Arabia is already the birthplace of the Future Investment Initiative, which holds its annual conference in the Kingdom.


Saudi foreign minister in Damascus to discuss Kingdom’s support for Syrian transition

Saudi foreign minister in Damascus to discuss Kingdom’s support for Syrian transition
Updated 5 min 50 sec ago
Follow

Saudi foreign minister in Damascus to discuss Kingdom’s support for Syrian transition

Saudi foreign minister in Damascus to discuss Kingdom’s support for Syrian transition

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Syria on Friday, in an official visit foreign ministry said in a statement.

Prince Faisal will meet with Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa and meet with top officials in the new Syrian administration.