JEDDAH: Minister of Transport and Chairman of the Public Transport Authority Dr. Nabeel Al-Amoudi, said that the agreement on cooperation in maritime transport between Saudi Arabia and China aims at enhancing the maritime transport industry.
He said that the agreement encourages maritime studies and specialized training, including providing scholarships for Saudi maritime cadres, promoting the exchange of communications and enhancing the transferring of technology between maritime transport bodies and institutions of both countries.
This serves to contribute to the development of maritime transport techniques, providing facilities for shipbuilding and their maintenance, and encourage the establishment of maritime companies and joint maritime institutions.
On Friday, the cooperation agreement in maritime transport between the Chinese and Saudi governments was signed by Saudi Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid Al-Qassabi and Chinese Minister of Transport Li Xiaopeng.
Saudi-Chinese pact to enhance maritime industry
Saudi-Chinese pact to enhance maritime industry
- This serves to contribute to the development of maritime transport techniques, providing facilities for shipbuilding and their maintenance
Saudi Museums Commission, German Heritage Foundation launch program to deepen collaboration
RIYADH: The Saudi Museums Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, and the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation of Germany have taken a step forward in their cultural partnership by activating an executive program focused on long-term collaboration in the museum sector.
Central to this initiative is the development of a loan index, outlining a selection of artworks and artefacts from the foundation’s various Berlin-based museums to be shared with the Museums Commission over a five-year period.
This loan program forms part of the broader executive program signed by both parties.
The agreement outlines key areas of cooperation, including joint exhibitions in art and archaeology, long-term loans, strategic cultural projects, and capacity-building through training and residencies.
Two dedicated training programs have been agreed upon as part of this collaboration, said the Ministry of Culture in a press release.
One of the flagship initiatives, Museums in Motion, will bring together up to 80 cultural and museum professionals from both countries over five years through four interdisciplinary training sessions.
Participants will engage in joint learning activities in both countries, fostering sustained dialogue, professional exchange, deeper cross-cultural understanding, and long-term institutional partnerships.
In a parallel initiative with the Hamburger Bahnhof — Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart (National Gallery of Contemporary Art) in Berlin, a professional program will support talent development in the museum field.
Over the next five years, experts from Hamburger Bahnhof will contribute to training and mentorship, fostering the exchange of knowledge and best practices in museum management and curation.
This executive program reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening international cultural dialogue and advancing professional exchange in the global museum community.
Call for Saudis to join national AI training
RIYADH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority, in collaboration with the education and human resources and social development ministries, has invited citizens to register for the national initiative, “One Million Saudis in AI – SAMAI.”
The initiative, which is taking place for the first time, aims to train 1 million Saudis in artificial intelligence to strengthen national capabilities in line with Vision 2030, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
It will provide trainees with skills and knowledge in data and AI technologies, their applications and ethics, and practical training on the tools needed to integrate AI into business and daily life.
The initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s goal of becoming a global leader in technology and innovation while empowering citizens in advanced fields, according to the SPA.
The authority and ministries are encouraging citizens from all backgrounds to register at samai.futurex.sa/.
Red Sea International Film Festival opens for 2025 submissions
- Saudi, Arab, Africa, Asia entrants eligible to enter by Aug. 17
- Festival has shown 520 films from 85 nations, says official
JEDDAH: The Red Sea International Film Festival has opened its submissions portal for its fifth edition, which will run from Dec. 4 to 13 in the historic district of Al-Balad, Jeddah.
Filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, other countries in the Arab world, Africa and Asia have until Aug. 17 to submit their entries.
There will be no fee for entries submitted before July 7, after which a fee will apply: SR100 ($26) for short films and SR200 for feature films.
Submissions can be entered under three categories: the Red Sea Competition, Red Sea Shorts Competition and New Saudi/New Cinema.
The Red Sea Competition highlights outstanding works from Asia and Africa, including the Arab world, across narrative, documentary and animation.
The Shorts Competition showcases films under 60 minutes, focusing on original storytelling.
The New Saudi/New Cinema section focuses on emerging local talent, offering a platform for new voices in the Kingdom’s rapidly growing film scene.
Since its inception in 2019, the festival has served as a platform for cultural dialogue and cinematic discovery, while strengthening ties between regional and international filmmakers.
Selected films this year will vie for the prestigious Yusr Awards, including the Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film, which comes with a $100,000 prize. Other accolades include Best Director, the Jury Prize and the Golden Yusr for Best Short Film.
Shivani Pandya Malhotra, managing director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said in a statement the festival has “firmly established itself as a distinctive force within the cinematic landscape, both locally and internationally.”
“Having showcased over 520 films from 85 countries, the festival stands today as a vital platform for cultural exchange and compelling storytelling,” she added.
Saudi Arabia showcases defense innovation at Athens expo
- Saudi pavilion highlights advanced systems, strategic ties and investment potential
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is taking part for the first time in the Athens International Defense and Security Exhibition in Greece, held from May 6-8.
The Saudi pavilion is organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, with contributions from the General Authority for Defense Development and Saudi Arabian Military Industries.
The opening was attended by Ahmad Al-Ohali, governor of the General Authority for Military Industries; Lt. Gen. Fahd Al-Juhani, chief of staff of the Royal Saudi Land Forces; and Muhannad Al-Basrawi, charge d’affaires at the Saudi Embassy in Greece.
Al-Ohali and other officials toured the Saudi pavilion and were briefed on the advanced defense and security technologies on display.
The pavilion highlights the progress of Saudi military industries and growing national defense capabilities. It also showcases strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing international cooperation and localizing defense technologies.
Al-Ohali said that the Kingdom’s presence reflects its strategic position in military industries, its attractive investment environment and its efforts to localize more than 50 percent of military spending under the Vision 2030 reform plan.
The pavilion showcases Saudi Arabia’s defense industry ecosystem, including policies, regulations, national priorities and investor incentives. It also presents streamlined business processes, key achievements and major initiatives in the defense sector.
Participating countries and international companies are showcasing their latest systems in land, naval and aerial defense, as well as cybersecurity solutions.
The Saudi preence comes amid rapidly growing Saudi-Greek relations across multiple sectors, reflecting the strength of their strategic partnership — particularly in defense, where both countries share a common vision for regional security, stability and technological collaboration.
Saudi medical team begins to separate Egyptian conjoined twins
- Most delicate case ever undertaken by his team, says surgeon Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah
DUBAI: A medical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program began on Wednesday to separate Egyptian twins at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, advisor at the royal court and supervisor general of the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief, who heads the team, said the twins are joined at the back, lower chest, abdomen and pelvis, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
One of the twins lacks essential organs, including a heart and head, and suffers from severe congenital defects, making survival impossible.
The complex operation is expected to last approximately 11 hours and will proceed in six stages.
It involves a multidisciplinary team of 26 consultants, specialists, and support staff in fields including anesthesia, neurosurgery, pediatric surgery, and plastic surgery.
Al-Rabeeah described the case as one of the most delicate the team has undertaken, noting the shared spinal canal as a major surgical challenge.
Advanced imaging and surgical microscopes will be used to ensure precision, he said.
This marks the 63rd separation procedure under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which has reviewed 149 cases from 27 countries since its inception in 1990.
