JEDDAH: On behalf of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, deputy governor of Makkah, participated on Tuesday in a pilot trip of the Haramain Express Train.
Also present were Transport Minister Sulaiman Al-Hamdan; Spanish State Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport and Housing Julio Gomez; President of the Saudi Railway Organization (SRO) and Chairman of the Public Transport Authority Rumaih Al-Rumaih; and a number of other top officials and media personnel.
The Haramain Express will transport passengers from Makkah to Madinah (and vice-versa), via Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City. The railway is around 450 km in length, and will offer a fast-paced, comfortable and secure transportation option for travelers passing through Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City. The train is expected to be fully operational during the first quarter of 2018.
On its pilot trip, the Haramain Express first ran from Jeddah to King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) station in Rabigh, which was toured and inspected. The train then continued its journey toward Madinah at a speed of over 300 km per hour.
Prince Saud bin Khaled Al-Faisal, deputy governor of Madinah, received the train upon its arrival at Madinah Station on behalf of Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman, and boarded the train for its return journey to Jeddah.
Al-Hamdan explained that the speed at which this large-scale national project — one of the largest transportation projects in the Middle East — has progressed would not have been possible without the ongoing support of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and support of the governors of Makkah and Madinah, and the support of the Public Investment Fund.
“The project represents substantial added value to the transportation system in the Kingdom, and is in line with one of Vision 2030’s objectives — to harness energies and potential to serve the guests of God by increasing the capacity of the systems and services provided to them.”
Such services include transportation, he said, noting that the number of pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques is predicted to increase from 8 million to 30 million people by 2030.
The minister went on to explain that the design of this project was based on the latest global specifications for high-speed railways, and features the highest safety and quality standards. The fully operational Haramain Express is expected to transport more than 60 million passengers annually.
For his part, Al-Rumaih said that the inauguration of the new railway will reduce pressure and limit pollution and congestion on roads between the two holy cities, while also providing a safer and faster transportation option.
The train’s travel time between Jeddah and Makkah will be around 21 minutes. It will take less than two-and-a-half hours to travel between Makkah and Madinah.
Haramain Express Train trial successful
Haramain Express Train trial successful
New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability
- Center’s CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate
- Efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has launched the Grow Impact initiative in Hafar Al-Batin governorate to encourage community participation in preserving and expanding vegetation cover, while promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.
The center’s CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate.
These efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Al-Abdulkader described Grow Impact as a key step toward achieving sustainable development goals, restoring ecological balance, and enhancing biodiversity.
He said that the initiative also encourages environmental responsibility among individuals and communities.
The initiative aims to reduce waste in natural areas, protect plant and animal species from human activity, and combat desertification by inspiring communities to protect natural resources.
These goals align with Saudi Arabia’s vision for preserving the planet and its natural heritage, SPA reported.
The center continues its mission to develop and protect vegetation cover throughout the Kingdom, rehabilitating degraded areas, addressing violations, combating illegal logging, and overseeing rangelands, forests and national parks.
Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday
- Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods
- Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers
RIYADH: The General Directorate of Civil Defense has forecast thunderstorms in several regions across the Kingdom until Sunday.
Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods, hail and dust-stirring winds, reported the Saudi Press Agency, while moderate to heavy rain is expected in Riyadh region.
Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers, while the Qassim, Eastern and Baha regions will experience moderate rain. The regions of Madinah and Najran can expect light rain.
The directorate has urged people to exercise caution, avoid areas prone to flash flooding, and refrain from swimming in flooded areas.
Members of the public should follow media channels to keep themselves updated on the latest conditions.
Autumn in Saudi Arabia is typically rainy, with rapid weather changes providing relief from the heat, according to the National Center for Meteorology.
Shoura Council, EU officials discuss strengthening ties
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council Vice Speaker Mishaal Al-Sulami met in Riyadh with an EU Political and Security Committee delegation, led by its chair Delphine Pronk, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The delegation included ambassadors from the 27 EU member states, the EU Special Representative for the Gulf Luigi Di Maio, and the EU Ambassador to the Kingdom Christophe Farnaud.
Al-Sulami highlighted the Shoura Council’s oversight and legislative roles and emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening cooperation.
The delegates praised the Kingdom’s significant developments and the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.
The talks addressed the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and the EU, ways to enhance collaboration between the Shoura Council and the European Parliament, and other topics of mutual interest.
Earlier, the EU delegation visited the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh, where they discussed ways to counter extremism.
The delegation also visited the Gulf Cooperation Council headquarters in Riyadh, where they discussed joint efforts to tackle global challenges.
Saudi aid targets schools in Yemen, health in Somalia
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief signed a cooperation agreement with a civil society organization to implement the third phase of the Back to School project in Yemen.
The initiative will be executed in the Al-Mukha district of Taiz governorate, Thamud district in Hadramout governorate, and the governorates of Shabwah, Abyan and Lahj, benefiting about 6,000 individuals.
KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor-General for Operations and Programs Ahmed Al-Baiz signed the agreement on the sidelines of the International Conference on Conjoined Twins in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The agreement includes the provision of 60 fully equipped classrooms, the outfitting of 10 schools to create a suitable learning environment, and the distribution of 6,000 school uniforms and bags containing essential supplies.
Additionally, job opportunities will be provided to low-income families — previous beneficiaries of training and empowerment projects — who will produce the school bags and uniforms.
This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts, led by KSrelief, to support the educational process, reduce dropout rates, and ensure a safer learning environment in Yemen.
In a separate agreement, KSrelief and the International Medical Corps signed a $1-million partnership to equip Garowe General Hospital in Somalia with dialysis machines and enhance its dialysis center. This project is expected to benefit 3,666 individuals.
The agreement was signed by KSrelief Supervisor-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and International Medical Corps President and CEO Nancy Aossey, also during the conference in Riyadh.
The initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to support health care services for those in need in Somalia.
Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon
- Kingdom appreciates all international efforts made to achieve the ceasefire, foreign ministry statement said
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomes the ceasefire in Lebanon, the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The Kingdom appreciates all international efforts made in this regard and hopes that this will lead to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability, and the safe return of the displaced to their homes,” the statement said.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah started on Wednesday morning after the two sides struck a deal brokered by the US and France.
The agreement ended the deadliest confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah in years.
