A Formula E event in the historic town of Ad-Diriyah is expected to attract around 40,000 people, including visitors from the Americas and Europe.
The E-Prix, held in the UNESCO World Heritage Site outside the capital Riyadh, is the first event of its kind in the Middle East and also boasts a glittering lineup of musical talent including David Guetta, Jason Derulo and Amr Diab.
Formula E, officially the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, is a class of auto racing that uses only electric-powered cars.
“The Kingdom is preparing to host the Formula E race a week from now,” Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, vice president of the General Authority for Sport, said on Thursday. “We are confident that a fruitful partnership agreement with the Formula E World Championship is an ambitious and inspiring step to organize the grand and anticipated Formula E race.
“I would like to emphasize that the tickets will not only be dedicated to race events, But also to attend the largest-ever festival in the Kingdom for motor racing, music, entertainment and cultural activities, which will include the organization of six major international art exhibitions for the first time in the Kingdom.”
The biggest number of registered visitors were coming from Europe and North America, the prince said, but people were
also coming from Russia and Australia.
“The fact is that we are hosting one of the biggest races in the world even though we don’t have an official racetrack. We are racing in the streets, just like how it started in the past, yet in a historical place which is the fatherland of the first Saudi state. To merge the past and future and enjoy the present will only add to Ad-Diriyah, Riyadh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Nobody will be excluded from the event, he added, because it also has attractions for women and children.
Prince Abdul Aziz, himself a famed racing driver, told media at Thursday’s press conference that two Saudi nationals would be taking part in the E-Prix but that he would not be on the track at Ad Diriyah.
“I still race, but in other forms. If I got a chance I would go for it but my turn today is bigger than participating and it is to organize this worldwide event in which we hope everyone will enjoy.”
Prince Khalid bin Talal Al-Faisal, president of the Saudi Federation of Motor Sports and Motorcycles, called the E-Prix a dream come true.
Prince Khalid, who retired from racing in 2011, said: “It is a dream for me, as a race car lover, to see Formula E in Saudi. It’s a day that will go down in history, and I am honored to be working on it.”
He revealed there was a surprise in store for drivers as spectators will be able to vote on who will get an extra boost of 25 kilowatts to their vehicle.
40,000 expected to attend Saudi E-Prix in Riyadh
40,000 expected to attend Saudi E-Prix in Riyadh
- Formula E is a class of auto racing that uses only electric-powered cars
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman receives written message from Senegal president
- The message related to Saudi-Senegalese relations, and was received by the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman received a written message from the President of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The message related to Saudi-Senegalese relations, and was received by the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during a meeting with Senegal’s Minister of Armed Forces Gen. Birame Diop in Riyadh.
During the meeting, Prince Faisal and Diop discussed topics of common interest and ways to enhance relations between their countries.
Eastern Region’s green initiative shows remarkable progress
- Initiative has focused on introducing climate-appropriate trees and flowers
- Eastern Province Municipality emphasized the project’s collaborative nature
DAMMAM: Significant strides were made by the Eastern Province Municipality last year in its efforts towards vegetation expansion and anti-desertification.
The initiative, designed to counter industrial pollution, improve air quality and move towards environmental sustainability, has focused on introducing climate-appropriate trees and flowers while adhering to scientific afforestation guidelines and controls.
Throughout the year, the municipality launched 87 initiatives involving more than 1,200 volunteers across 60 parks. This included the Dammam Corniche waterfront and its walking trails where some 680,000 trees and shrubs were planted, complemented by 7.7 million flowers, expanding green coverage by 205,000 sq. meters.
Work was also carried out to rehabilitate streets and other spaces, while technical upgrades included maintenance work on 200 pumps and the installation of irrigation networks covering 30 km of streets.
There was also progress for the park investment program, with four parks already under investment management and 400 more designated for future opportunities.
The municipality emphasized the project’s collaborative nature, highlighting the active participation of community members, government bodies and the private sector companies. Its inclusive approach aims to cultivate a lasting environmental consciousness and ensure sustainability practices are passed down to future generations.
Riyadh to host second edition of Model of Care Forum
- Forum aims to introduce the Saudi healthcare model locally and internationally, highlight success stories, and outline future goals and ambitions
- Forum represents the second phase in a four-part strategic process in the healthcare sector’s transformation
RIYADH: Riyadh will host the second edition of the Model of Care Forum under the patronage of Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel.
Organised by the Health Holding Co. on Jan. 28-29, the forum will be held at Malfa Hall in Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City.
The forum aims to introduce the Saudi healthcare model locally and internationally, highlight success stories, and outline future goals and ambitions in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.
It also promotes partnership in healthcare among individuals and their families by taking necessary measures to maintain their health, ensuring the provision of healthcare that meets societal needs according to the highest quality standards.
The forum represents the second phase in a four-part strategic process in the healthcare sector’s transformation, aimed at developing the healthcare model in the Kingdom.
The Health Holding Co. is playing a key role in enabling healthcare delivery through 20 health clusters across Saudi Arabia.
Directorate imposes new exit visa requirement
- Directorate addressed employers, stating that if a resident identity is valid for fewer than 30 days, the final exit visa may not be issued
- Resident identity must be renewed for the issuance of the final exit visa
RIYADH: The Saudi General Directorate of Passports has said that resident identities must be valid for at least 30 days when applying for a final exit visa.
The directorate addressed employers, stating that if a resident identity is valid for fewer than 30 days, the final exit visa may not be issued. In that case, the resident identity must be renewed for the issuance of the final exit visa.
It noted that if a resident identity is valid for more than 30 days and fewer than 60 days, a final exit visa may be issued for the resident identity’s remaining period.
If the resident identity is valid for 60 days or more, the final exit visa may be issued for 60 days only.
The directorate noted that employers may issue final exit visas for their sponsored workers or affiliated family members through the Ministry of Interior’s Absher Business platform, and the Muqeem portal.
Saudi king and crown prince congratulate Joseph Aoun on being elected president of Lebanon
- In a congratulatory cable, King Salman wished Aoun success and the Lebanese people further progress and prosperity
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Joseph Aoun on being elected president of Lebanon on Thursday.
In a congratulatory cable, King Salman wished Aoun success and the Lebanese people further progress and prosperity.The crown prince sent a similar cable.
Lebanon’s parliament voted Thursday to elect the country’s army commander, Joseph Aoun, as head of state, filling a more than two-year-long presidential vacuum.
Thursday’s session was the 13th attempt to elect a successor to Michel Aoun, whose term ended in October 2022.
