RIYADH: The village of Rijal Alma has finalized its submission for the UNESCO’s World Heritage List and is now awaiting the arrival of experts from the UN International Organization for Culture, Arts and Heritage.
The importance of the historical and archaeological village lies in its cultural depth and prominence in trade and architectural arts, represented in tall fortresses that combine beauty and expertise. The space is exploited in a remarkable way, where eight blocks rise on a small surface, forming a united bloc with various fluctuating heights, reaching six floors at times, meticulously decorated from the inside and the outside.
Visitors can reach the village of Rijal via several roads, the most important of which is Aqabat Sama, linking Abha and Rijal Alma through the famous tourist Sawda Center in Saudi Arabia. There are also two other roads leading to Rijal, linking it to the province of Muhayil Asir and the Hobail leading to Ad-Darb province in the Jazan region.
The researcher Mohammed Hassan Gharib wrote about the history of the village and its development. He pointed out that “the evidence of civilization is depicted in buildings, roads, reserves, agricultural planning, wells, crowded cemeteries and in what has been revealed in terms of underground houses in valleys and coal in one of the 30-meter-deep wells dating back to 1375 AH in the neighborhood of Asla. This gives definitive indications of settlement and human presence in the village before the 10th Hijri century and depicts the stages of growth and prosperity.”
Gharib confirmed that the old commercial dimension of the village was the most famous in the region: “The traders in this region reached far regions and the sailboats that they used to rent to transport goods from Aden, Hodeidah and Habashah (Ethiopia) remained in the Red Sea, loaded with products and goods they bought from these areas, which made them an important economic power.” He added that the Rijal village has remained for a period of time, the destination for traveling traders coming from the ports of the Red Sea, especially from its local and foreign trade centers, and it also remained the favorite destination for those coming from Jeddah, Qunfudah and Qahma, Jazan, Hodeidah, Aden, and some of the east coast countries on the African continent like Djibouti, Massawa and Ethiopia.
Gharib said that the goods sold in the shops of the village at that time were Indian, Egyptian, Yemeni, European and African commodities. They even used to sell products from East Asia, such as from Japan and China. Some of them used to mix many trades together, such as food, grains, household items, spices, perfumes, jewelry and others.
The Rijal village has undergone various stages of development including an open theater that extends over an area of 615 square meters, and can accommodate about 1,000 people.
Documenting the heritage of the Alma province started while establishing one of the oldest museums in the Kingdom: The “Alma Museum of Heritage” in 1985, in one of the fortresses of the village. This museum has 2,800 pieces distributed in 12 rooms, each devoted for a particular type of heritage such as agricultural tools, clothes, jewels, old cooking utensils and accessories, ancient education tools and many other aspects related to ancient life, in addition to some rare manuscripts.
Gharib said: “The museum was created in 1405 AH upon the initiative of the people of the province to preserve the heritage of the region. Al-Alwan fort was chosen to be renovated in the Rijal village and it is one of the largest fortresses. The villagers in Rijal collected old artifacts donated by the people, and women in the village have also contributed to this work, under the supervision of Alma artist Fatima Ali Abu Qahas. Many women donated their old jewelry and adornments. The work at the museum was completed and then inaugurated by Prince Khaled in Asir in 1407 AH. The museum has become a cultural touristic hub since then.”
Rijal Alma: Saudi village with a long history prepares for international exposure
Rijal Alma: Saudi village with a long history prepares for international exposure

- Indications suggest presence of human settlement at the site before 10th Hijri
Saudi robotics deal supports STEM learning

- The program encourages students to explore robotics, develop skills, and participate in global competitions
RIYADH: The Saudi Federation for Robotics and RC Sports partnered with VEX Robotics and the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation to support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education in the Kingdom.
The initiative aims to introduce advanced robotics technologies into classrooms and competitions, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
It supports Saudi students by providing educational tools aligned with Vision 2030’s focus on technology and youth development.
The program encourages students to explore robotics, develop skills, and participate in global competitions, the SPA reported.
Abdullah Alsunaydi, CEO of the Saudi federation, said: “This partnership supports our mission to build a knowledge-based society and create opportunities for youth.”
Tony Norman, CEO of VEX Robotics, said that the partnership aims to equip the next generation with tools to succeed in a changing world.
VEX Robotics offers a hands-on educational program called VEX Continuum, for students from elementary to university levels.
The REC Foundation organizes robotics competitions that encourage students to apply learning, solve problems, and collaborate.
The partnership will provide teacher training and resources, organizing competitions to expand access to robotics education and inspire interest in STEM careers.
Riyadh hosts warehousing, logistics expo

RIYADH: Rumaih Al-Rumaih, Saudi Arabia’s vice minister of transport and logistic services, inaugurated the second Saudi Warehousing and Logistics Expo at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.
Al-Rumaih said that the Kingdom is experiencing a leap in the logistics sector, driven by an ambitious vision and strong leadership support to enhance its position as a global logistics hub.
He said that the expo came at a pivotal time, helping it keep pace with this critical phase of industrial and logistics development, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The exhibition featured more than 40 speakers from leading government entities. Sessions highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in developing supply chains, focusing on automation, fleet management, and modern logistics services.
The three-day expo, from May 27-29, is a leading platform bringing together public and private sector entities in the industry under one roof.
It offers an ideal opportunity to explore the latest solutions, including handling and storage equipment, automated systems, robotics, packaging, control and weighing systems, and security.
China grants visa-free entry to Saudi travelers

RIYADH: China is allowing visa-free entry for 30 days for travelers from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain in a one-year trial, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.
The new policy begins on June 9, 2025, and will last until June 8, 2026, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing.
Passport holders from the four countries will be allowed to travel to China for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends, exchanges and transit, Mao said.
China now grants visa-free access to all Gulf Cooperation Council countries, having implemented reciprocal policies with the UAE and Qatar since 2018.
“We welcome more friends from the GCC countries to embark on an impromptu trip to China,” Mao said.
Previously, Saudi Arabia had held Approved Destination Status with the East Asian nation, which came into effect on July 1, 2024.
This bilateral agreement gave access to tourists visiting the respective countries in groups.
The announcement is the latest step in strengthening ties between the two nations.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to attract 5 million Chinese tourists annually by the end of the decade.
The two countries also share a strong trade relationship, and the Kingdom is China’s largest trading partner in the Gulf.
KSrelief expands aid across global crisis zones

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact, providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
In Somalia, KSrelief distributed 1,220 food baskets to families affected by floods in camps across the Banadir region, benefiting 7,320 people.
The Saudi aid agency also distributed 900 food baskets to vulnerable displaced families in Sudan’s Blue Nile State, benefiting 4,050 individuals.
In Yemen, KSrelief launched a project to treat childhood cancer in Mukalla district, Hadramout governorate, involving five volunteers specializing in various medical fields.
So far, the KSrelief medical team has examined 23 children and reviewed their treatment plans. They also conducted training sessions for local health care workers, benefiting 10 individuals to date, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,435 projects worth more than $7.9 billion across 107 countries, in partnership with more than 317 organizations.
Study outlines forest fire prevention plan

RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has completed a study to enhance forest protection and reduce wildfire risks in support of environmental sustainability goals.
Titled “Forest Fire Prevention and Post-Fire Recovery in the Southern and Southwestern Regions of Saudi Arabia,” the study was conducted in collaboration with King Khalid University and Monash University in Australia.
It includes an assessment of forest conditions and risk factors, the development of a digital database, and a review of preventive measures and community practices, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The study proposes an integrated response plan involving relevant agencies, with defined roles and the use of modern tools such as early warning systems and drones.
It also offers field designs and sustainable alternatives for strategic firebreaks, a post-fire recovery guide, a performance evaluation tool, and a framework for joint operations.
To support this, the study outlines a mechanism for engaging local volunteer teams in forest areas through training, capacity-building, and coordination with authorities.
The study demonstrates institutional, technical, and community collaboration in forest protection. It reflects Saudi Arabia’s efforts to preserve natural resources and address climate-related challenges while balancing development with ecosystem conservation.
The national center continues to promote sustainable vegetation cover and has launched an initiative to plant 60 million trees — equivalent to restoring 300,000 hectares — by 2030.