RIYADH: President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) Prince Sultan bin Salman will lead the Saudi delegation at the 106th session of the Executive Council of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in China.
The UNWTO will honor Prince Sultan for his exemplary support of global tourism and innovative initiatives to promote tourism in the Kingdom.
The 106th session of the Executive Council comes within the functions of the 22nd session of the General Assembly of the UNWTO, scheduled to open in Chengdu, the Peoples Republic of China, today.
More than 1,100 ministers and officials, representing 132 countries, will attend the event to discuss issues related to tourism in the world.
In press remarks, Prince Sultan appreciated the role and efforts of the UNWTO in removing obstacles facing tourism in the world and boosting cooperation and joint work to allow tourism to achieve successive leaps.
Evidence of the success of the UNWTO is that it has managed to bring all officials together in one place to exchange views and ideas to make tourism more active, he said.
He affirmed that the UNWTO has reached the highest level of professionalism in its works, projects and plans, especially during the past eight years.
For his part, the secretary-general of the UNWTO, Talib Al-Rifai, said the meeting represents a unique opportunity to bring sector officials together on a joint objective which aims to make tourism a real driver to sustainable development and determine steps of the UNWTO for 2018-2019.
He said the general assembly will give them a chance in making key decisions working as a guide to make a balanced contribution in the future of our planet and its population. “Therefore, we have to invest this opportunity to allow tourism sector to play its roles in development, economy and coexistence between peoples and countries,” he said.
The 22nd session of the UNWTO General Assembly is the second to be hosted by China and the fourth in the Asia and Pacific region. In this context, Al-Rifai said China is not only the fourth biggest tourism receiving country, but it stands as a model country that gives priority to tourism as an engine for the development wheel.
On the other hand, the UNWTO General Assembly will discuss a number of topics, notably tourism and objectives of sustainable development, smart tourism, the current tourism trends, and conversion of the global code of tourism ethics into an international agreement.
UNWTO to honor Prince Sultan for innovative tourism initiatives in Saudi Arabia
UNWTO to honor Prince Sultan for innovative tourism initiatives in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh Design Law Treaty signed at intellectual property conference in Saudi Arabia
- Document aims to enhance designers’ rights, unify design registration procedures
RIYADH: Member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization officially adopted the Riyadh Design Law Treaty on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The treaty, which aims to enhance designers’ rights and unify design registration procedures, was finalized at the Diplomatic Conference to Conclude and Adopt a Design Law Treaty at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, which finished on Friday.
By establishing a robust legal framework, the Riyadh treaty is set to bolster innovation and creativity across multiple industries worldwide, the SPA added.
Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, the CEO of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, spoke of the significance of the treaty’s adoption.
He said: “The name Riyadh treaty reflects Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role as a bridge between cultures and a hub for supporting global initiatives.
“Adopting this treaty is a historic achievement highlighting Saudi Arabia’s cooperation and contribution to the international intellectual property framework. It opens new avenues for collaboration among member states.
“This treaty will lay the foundation for vital legal frameworks that benefit designers and bolster innovation and creativity worldwide.”
The event, which was hosted by the SAIP, gathered high-level representatives and decision-makers from the WIPO’s 193 member states.
Environment minister opens international dates exhibition in Riyadh
- About 100 local, international bodies participating
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s environment minister has opened an exhibition in Riyadh which showcases a range of date products and their history.
Abdulrahman Al-Fadli, the Saudi minister of environment, water and agriculture, officially opened the International Dates Conference and Exhibition 2024, organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates. It runs until Nov. 28 with about 100 local and international entities participating.
It is a “global platform to showcase Saudi dates, drive innovation in their processing industries, and enhance their global export potential,” according to organizers.
The exhibition aims to enhance the competitiveness of Saudi products, contributing to the development of the palm and dates sector as a key pillar in driving economic growth.
Visitors can taste date varieties from the different regions of the Kingdom, including Al-Ahsa, Al-Qassim, AlUla, and Al-Jouf.
The exhibition also includes a variety of entertainment activities such as folklore shows, regional poetry, and cooking competitions.
On the sidelines of the opening ceremony, a carbonated sugar-sweetened date drink was launched by Al-Madinah Heritage Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund.
The exhibition also features a museum which takes visitors on a journey through time to explore the history of palm trees and dates over 1,000 years.
The museum showcases manuscripts and agricultural tools that highlight the significance of dates in daily life and literary culture.
It also houses archaeological collections showing the different uses of palm trees through the ages, including as tools.
In addition, there is a live cooking area that brings together local and international chefs to present a range of date-based dishes.
Al-Fadli, along with several officials and foreign delegations, toured the exhibition’s pavilions and explored a range of date-based products, such as juices, baked goods, and date chocolate.
Italian and Saudi flavors blend in embassy dinner and cooking competition
- Highlighting similarities between Italian and Saudi cultures that can be sensed in their cuisines, Chiari said: “Both Italy and Saudi Arabia place great importance on hospitality, family, and the tradition of sharing meals
RIYADH: A group of 15 Saudi and Italian chefs created a seven-course dinner titled “Italy meets KSA,” combining both cuisines at Ritz Carlton’s Azzuro Restaurant.
Daniele Chiari, Italian chef and head of Dinner Incredible, the hosts of the event, told Arab News: “Tonight’s event in Riyadh is inspired by the shared love for storytelling and culture through cuisine. As a chef, I see food as a universal language that connects people, and Saudi Arabia’s culinary traditions are incredibly rich and diverse, just like Italy’s.”
The event featured a culinary risotto competition between top Saudi chefs, which was won by Omar AlKhaldi, who received a scholarship fund from ALMA, the School of Italian Culinary Arts.
The event also had a display of fresh mozzarella cheese for tasting, made in the Kingdom by Sana cheese company, which specializes in Italian cheeses.
“This evening, we aim to create a bridge between these two cultures, highlighting how local Saudi ingredients and techniques can harmonize beautifully with Italian culinary artistry,” Chiari said.
The evening concluded with a seven-course tasting dinner highlighting Italian and Saudi flavors. The menu included a pumpkin tart, cream of beans soup with shredded camel meat, a Red Sea grouper served with truffle, and a Saudi-coffee twist on the famous tiramisu.
Highlighting similarities between Italian and Saudi cultures that can be sensed in their cuisines, Chiari said: “Both Italy and Saudi Arabia place great importance on hospitality, family, and the tradition of sharing meals. In terms of food, there’s a deep respect for natural, high-quality ingredients in both cuisines. Just as Italians value simplicity and the authentic taste of their produce, Saudis take pride in the purity and flavor of their spices, grains, and meats.”
Chiari spoke about the ability of food to cross international borders and connect communities.
“Food is one of the most powerful ways to build connections and foster understanding between cultures. It transcends language, politics, and borders, allowing people to experience something deeply personal yet universally relatable. By crossing international borders through food, we’re not just sharing recipes — we’re sharing history, values, and creativity.”
The competition was organized by the Italian Embassy in Riyadh, the Italian Trade Agency, and ALMA, the School of Italian Culinary Arts, in collaboration with Sitaf and the Royal Protocol.
Saudi Artisanal Co. showcases artisanry at Banan 2024 exhibition
- The Saudi Artisanal Co. will display diverse collections of handicrafts reflecting national heritage
RIYADH: The Saudi Artisanal Co. is showcasing a variety of handicrafts that reflect authentic Saudi heritage in an effort to support artisans during the Saudi International Handicrafts Week Exhibition, or Banan, taking place in Riyadh from Nov. 23 to 29.
The exhibition, organized by the Heritage Commission and in its second edition, brings together more than 500 local and international artisans from over 20 countries.
It offers a distinctive cultural experience through interactive events that promote handicrafts and cultural heritage, focusing on supporting artisans locally and internationally.
The Saudi Artisanal Co. will display diverse collections of handicrafts reflecting national heritage with the aim of fostering innovation and expanding the reach of Saudi artisanry in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.
Jeddah chamber concludes Global Entrepreneurship Week forum
- Participants were given the opportunity to establish partnerships and agree contracts with local and international companies
JEDDAH: The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday concluded the Global Entrepreneurship Week forum.
The two-day event held at the chamber’s headquarters featured the participation of strategic partners such as King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Monshaat, the Social Development Bank, the Entrepreneurship National Committee, and other private entities.
The forum emerged from the chamber’s keenness to participate in supporting and motivating more individuals to enter the world of entrepreneurship and to spread the innovation culture among local community members.
Participants established their pavilions where they displayed the latest technologies and sustainable solutions reflecting the development of the entrepreneurial sector, one of the most prominent development pillars in the Kingdom.
At the end of the forum, participants were given the opportunity to establish partnerships and agree contracts with local and international companies, the aim being to promote economic growth throughout the Kingdom in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
