JEDDAH: This city is famous for the Red Sea. Scuba diving is popular among Jeddawis and residents as the sea offers so much to explore, and divers in the city participate in the preservation of the sea’s marine environment.
The Vice President of the Environmental Affairs at the General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection (GAMEP), Dr. Ahmed Al-Ansari, explained that the authority is working on a marine-friendly initiative under the Saudi Vision 2030, specifically the National Transformation Plan 2020.
“One of GAMEP’s initiatives for the National Transformation Plan is titled the Protection of Marine & Coastal Environment Initiative. We will have some sub-projects in this initiative that will take care of many things, including surveying of marine waste to determine its amounts and the best ways to deal with it,” he told Arab News.
The initiative will also aim to improve other things, such as our capabilities in continuous monitoring of our coastal and marine environments to prevent any possible pollution that may occur in the water bodies in Saudi Arabia, whether from point or non-point sources,” he added.
A diving center called Jeddah Pro Divers cooperates with many divers in the Red Sea area. Ehab Al-Jawi, the 45-year-old diving instructor and owner of the center, continuously coordinates with the diving community to ensure the preservation of the marine environment.
Jeddah Pro Divers is certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), of which Al-Jawi is a member.
“In order to preserve the environment, we sometimes create many programs or activities to clean the Red Sea, whether it is on the beach or the corniche, and we have created many events, such as Earth Day 2010. There were specific activities for the groups,” Al-Jawi told Arab News.
He explained that Project AWARE created a program called Dive Against Debris, in which “we teach divers from the beginning how to collect garbage when they are diving and how to take it out of the water.”
PADI is affiliated with the nonprofit organization Project AWARE. Jeddah Pro Divers sends the collected ocean data to the nonprofit organization’s website, www.projectaware.org.
PADI member Nouf Al-Osaimi, the 30-year-old diving instructor at the Bay La Sun Marina Yacht Club at King Abdullah Economic City, also constantly participates in marine environment preservation.
Her heavy interest in the ocean began the first time she experienced diving in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
“I tried diving for the first time in Sharm El-Sheikh in 2008, and I fell in love with it. I began taking courses in 2009, and I have been diving for about nine years now,” Al-Osaimi told Arab News.
Al-Osaimi has been nominated by PADI as an AmbassaDiver.
As explained in PADI’s website, “PADI AmbassaDivers are selected representatives who have excelled within their field, inspiring others to start diving, keep diving or teach diving. They represent PADI values and help to inspire divers, ocean advocates and explorers across the globe.”
“I frequently participate in environmental awareness events, such as this year’s Earth Day. I explained the negative impact plastic has on the environment to people from a marine life creature’s standpoint,” Al-Osaimi told Arab News.
The AmbassaDiver cares deeply about marine life. “I participated in many shark awareness events,” she said. “Sharks are top of the food chain in the ocean. They are actually the creatures that clean the marine environment and preserve the environmental balance.
“Their existence is an indicator that the area is a healthy environment. You will know it is a healthy reef and sea. If an area does not have sharks, it is a very unhealthy marine environment. Just like humans: If there is a land without humans, it is not a healthy environment to live in.”
She explained that sharks are misunderstood creatures. “People fear them because of what is displayed in the media. It is my calling to educate people about sharks for people to know the significance of their presence in the ocean, and that they are not the monstrous creatures that we were brought up to believe they are.”
Al-Osaimi warns people that whatever is thrown in the ocean will come back to them.
“The plastic they throw in the ocean is ingested by marine creatures, which are our source of seafood.
Saudi divers to the rescue of the Red Sea environment
Saudi divers to the rescue of the Red Sea environment
Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh looks to bolster global links
- Mining leaders from 85 countries gather next week to discuss challenges, outlook
RIYADH: Leading mining representatives from more than 85 countries will meet in Riyadh next week as the Future Minerals Forum discusses challenges and developments in the global mineral industries.
Key stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, business federations, investors, and sector leaders, will take part in the forum from Jan. 14-16 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.
The event is being organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources under the patronage of King Salman.
According to the ministry, the fourth annual international ministerial meeting of mining ministers, due to take place on Jan. 14 as part of the forum, will feature its largest-ever number of government representatives and topics to be discussed.
Among the 85 countries represented will be 16 nations from the G20. At least 50 ministers and 13 deputy ministers are taking part, the ministry said.
The ministry said that over 50 official and nongovernmental organizations, along with trade unions and leading figures in the global mining industry, will attend the event, reflecting the significance of the gathering as a global platform to discuss mining and mineral industry affairs, ways to meet the growing demand for strategic and critical minerals, and new opportunities for development in mineral-producing and processing countries.
The meeting will focus on several issues, including progress made during the previous year concerning the three ministerial meeting initiatives, which include developing a strategic framework for critical minerals increasing value-added processing in mineral-producing countries, producing green minerals using modern technologies and renewable energy, and ensuring sustainability and transparency in supply chains.
Discussions will also focus on the establishment of centers of excellence in major mining regions to enable investment, build capabilities, and develop human resources.
Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef will chair the meeting and deliver the opening address, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable mineral development and emphasizing its leadership role in advancing the sector’s future.
He will also discuss opportunities for global cooperation to face challenges and invest in the vast potential offered by the mineral sector.
Among the ministers attending the meeting are Italian Minister for the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin; UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds; Brazilian Minister of Mines and Energy Alexandre Silveira; Indian Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy; South African Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parks Tau; Democratic Republic of Congo Minister of Mines Kizito Pakabomba; Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi; Nigerian Minister of Solid Minerals Development Henry Dele Alake; and Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali.
Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer said that the meeting represents an important step toward achieving sustainable development in the global mining and minerals sector.
He said that the international ministerial meeting provides an ideal platform for finding solutions and developing legislation on best practices in sustainable mining, exploring ways to invest in mining projects to achieve economic and social development in producing countries.
Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh looks to bolster global links
- Mining leaders from 85 countries gather next week to discuss challenges, outlook
- The event is being organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources under the patronage of King Salman
RIYADH: Leading mining representatives from more than 85 countries will meet in Riyadh next week as the Future Minerals Forum discusses challenges and developments in the global mineral industries.
Key stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, business federations, investors, and sector leaders, will take part in the forum from Jan. 14-16 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.
The event is being organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources under the patronage of King Salman.
According to the ministry, the fourth annual international ministerial meeting of mining ministers, due to take place on Jan. 14 as part of the forum, will feature its largest-ever number of government representatives and topics to be discussed.
Among the 85 countries represented will be 16 nations from the G20. At least 50 ministers and 13 deputy ministers are taking part, the ministry said.
The ministry said that over 50 official and nongovernmental organizations, along with trade unions and leading figures in the global mining industry, will attend the event, reflecting the significance of the gathering as a global platform to discuss mining and mineral industry affairs, ways to meet the growing demand for strategic and critical minerals, and new opportunities for development in mineral-producing and processing countries.
The meeting will focus on several issues, including progress made during the previous year concerning the three ministerial meeting initiatives, which include developing a strategic framework for critical minerals increasing value-added processing in mineral-producing countries, producing green minerals using modern technologies and renewable energy, and ensuring sustainability and transparency in supply chains.
Discussions will also focus on the establishment of centers of excellence in major mining regions to enable investment, build capabilities, and develop human resources.
Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef will chair the meeting and deliver the opening address, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable mineral development and emphasizing its leadership role in advancing the sector’s future.
He will also discuss opportunities for global cooperation to face challenges and invest in the vast potential offered by the mineral sector.
Among the ministers attending the meeting are Italian Minister for the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin; UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds; Brazilian Minister of Mines and Energy Alexandre Silveira; Indian Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy; South African Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parks Tau; Democratic Republic of Congo Minister of Mines Kizito Pakabomba; Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi; Nigerian Minister of Solid Minerals Development Henry Dele Alake; and Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali.
Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer said that the meeting represents an important step toward achieving sustainable development in the global mining and minerals sector.
He said that the international ministerial meeting provides an ideal platform for finding solutions and developing legislation on best practices in sustainable mining, exploring ways to invest in mining projects to achieve economic and social development in producing countries.
NEXTG3N Hackathon: Shaping future skills through Web3, gaming
- Event gathered international, Saudi innovators in Riyadh
- The event was spearheaded by Princess Nourah Al-Faisal, founder and CEO of Adhlal, in collaboration with W3 ff Venture Builder
RIYADH: As the world rapidly evolves, projections indicate that 65 percent of future jobs are yet to be created. Hence, Saudi Arabia is proactively preparing its youth for this dynamic landscape.
The NEXTG3N Hackathon, which started Jan. 9 and ends Jan. 11 at Princess Nourah University in Riyadh, gathered international innovators alongside Saudi talent to develop groundbreaking solutions at the crossroads of Web3 and gaming.
The event was spearheaded by Princess Nourah Al-Faisal, founder and CEO of Adhlal, in collaboration with W3 ff Venture Builder.
Participants were invited to create practical solutions that addressed critical areas such as education, digital inclusion, and emerging technologies.
This initiative aimed at empowering the next generation with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a world increasingly influenced by technological advances.
The hackathon leveraged Web3’s decentralized framework and gaming’s engaging approach to address the critical challenge of preparing the next generation for an uncertain job market.
Selected innovations from the hackathon will be showcased at the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global digital and creative landscape.
This initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals, creating a platform from which Saudi youngsters collaborate with global innovators to tackle shared challenges and shape the future of work.
The first day of the event featured an impressive lineup of speakers who are pioneers in their respective fields. Among them were Princess Nourah; Hamad Al-Owaishiq, founder and CEO of the Saudi Youth Society; Tanja Ludwig from W3 ff Venture Builder in Germany; Dalia Samra-Rohte from the Algemeine Handels Kamer; and Xavier Prost from Veridos UAE, one of the event’s sponsors.
Princess Nourah spoke of the importance of creating a safe online environment for children through Web3 technology. She highlighted how blockchain can provide a secure space for young users, fostering their engagement with digital platforms. She introduced Adhlal as a research-based community and design consultancy focused on innovation and creativity in design.
Princess Nourah remarked on the significance of soft skills in preparing the youth for future challenges, and added: “When we think about the evolving landscape over the next few years, we must consider how to foster innovation and creativity among youth.”
Al-Owaishiq said: “Web3 is the focus of the current global discourse, and it’s crucial for young people to be aware of this paradigm shift. They need to develop skills that allow them to engage with Web3 technology creatively and innovatively.”
His emphasis on youth empowerment underscored the hackathon’s goal of equipping participants with the tools to navigate and lead within the new digital landscape.
Sabrina Goerlich, a Web3 consultant, emphasized the vision behind NEXTG3N, saying: “Our objective is to create a safe, hybrid space that utilizes technologies like blockchain and Web3 to empower the younger generation. We aim to cultivate tomorrow’s architects of change.”
She noted that the collaboration with W3 ff Venture Builder brought both technological and business perspectives, enhancing the overall impact of the initiative.
The NEXTG3N Hackathon represented a strategic effort to harness creativity and technology for the betterment of society. By bringing together diverse talents, the event sought to inspire participants to develop solutions that addressed real-world challenges, while fostering a culture of innovation.
As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in the future of its youngsters, events like the NEXTG3N Hackathon highlight the nation’s commitment to preparing its workforce for the jobs of tomorrow.
By focusing on Web3 and gaming, the hackathon aimed to equip participants with essential skills, ensuring they are not only consumers of technology but also innovators and leaders in the digital economy.
Tuwaiq Academy opens registration for cybersecurity bootcamp
- Scheduled to begin on Feb. 16, 2025, the five-month bootcamp will be held at the academy’s headquarters in Riyadh
- The program aims to cultivate exceptional national talent in diverse cybersecurity domains
RIYADH: Tuwaiq Academy has opened registration for the Tuwaiq Cybersecurity Bootcamp, a program offering employment opportunities to top-performing participants.
Scheduled to begin on Feb. 16, 2025, the five-month bootcamp will be held at the academy’s headquarters in Riyadh.
The program aims to cultivate exceptional national talent in diverse cybersecurity domains, providing participants with the opportunity to earn professional certifications in collaboration with OffSec.
The Tuwaiq Cybersecurity Bootcamp provides participants with the opportunity to earn the Security Operations Center-200 professional certification, which equips them with critical skills for SOC operations, including advanced system defense techniques and strategies to mitigate cyber threats.
The program also offers a chance to obtain the PEN-200 professional certification, focused on building expertise in advanced penetration testing.
The academy has opened registration for the Tuwaiq Cybersecurity Bootcamp, along with over 150 professional camps and programs, available through its website: https://tuwaiq.edu.sa
Tuwaiq Academy CEO Abdulaziz Al-Hammadi highlighted the academy’s dedication to cultivating outstanding national talent in cybersecurity.
This commitment is reflected in its professional boot camps and programs conducted in collaboration with leading international organizations.
Additionally, the academy partners with government and private sector entities to create job opportunities for its graduates. Ninety percent of participants in previous Tuwaiq Cybersecurity Bootcamp were employed within three months of graduation.
Tuwaiq Academy is the first specialized institution dedicated to cultivating national talent in advanced technology.
Through partnerships with global companies such as Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Google, IBM, and Amazon, the academy offers a range of professional boot camps.
The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between the rapid evolution of modern technologies and the needs of the labor market.
Parliamentary Foreign Vice-Minister Matsumoto to visit Saudi Arabia, Jordan
TOKYO: Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Matsumoto Hisashi will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Jordan from Jan. 11 to 15, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
During the visit, Matsumoto is scheduled to exchange views with government officials of Saudi Arabia and Jordan on bilateral relations as well as regional and international situations.
Matsumoto is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh on Jan. 12, according to the ministry.
A version of this article appeared on Arab News Japan.
