Saudi Arabia joins Arab partners to collaborate on space exploration

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The dream of an Arab space agency is one step closer to becoming a reality, after Saudi Arabia and 10 other countries signed the first pan-Arab agreement.
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The space group’s first project will be a satellite system to be built in the UAE. (Shutterstock)
Updated 28 March 2019
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Saudi Arabia joins Arab partners to collaborate on space exploration

  • Kingdom has joined 10 other countries to sign the first regional agreement on coordinating exploration
  • Saudi Arabia has form in looking to the stars for inspiration — Riyadh famously put Sultan bin Salman Al-Saud into orbit in 1985, making him the first Arab in outer space

ABU DHABI: The dream of an Arab space agency is one step closer to becoming a reality, after Saudi Arabia and 10 other countries signed the first pan-Arab agreement on coordinating national exploration programs at the Global Space Congress in Abu Dhabi last week.
The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, said that the group’s first project would be a satellite system to be built in the UAE.
“I personally believe in Arab talents,” he said on Twitter. “We called our new satellite ‘813’ in reference to the date that marked the beginning of prosperity for the House of Wisdom in Baghdad under the reign of Al-Ma’mun.”
The agreement is unprecedented for the nations involved, whose levels of technical expertise vary. The first aim of the agreement will be to bring them all up to an equal level of capability.
“It has taken a while because it needed leadership that was not there, but the UAE has now provided it,” said Dr. Mohammad Al-Ramadhan, director of the Research Directorate at the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences. “The initiative will develop and support the launch of satellites, which will be a gift to the Arab world, and will give scientists and engineers from Arab countries the chance to participate. With this fresh impetus and the opportunities it provides, the future will be different.”
A delegation from the Saudi Space Commission (SSC) was present at the event, to connect with regional partners and conduct research for the Kingdom’s own national strategy, which is currently under construction.
Established in late 2018, the commission’s role is to supervise and regulate the space sector in Saudi Arabia, working with partner organizations such as the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, the Ministry of Defense, universities, the Communications and Information Technology Commission and the General Authority for Civil Aviation. The end goal is to make the sector profitable, eventually contributing to the economy and creating jobs.
“Arabs have a lot of potential in space exploration, especially because a large segment of our population, around 60-70 percent, is very young,” Al-Ramadhan said. “If we can use the revenues from our oil resources to fund our youth, we will definitely make our mark.”
The SSC’s national strategy, when published, will span 15 years, encompassing observation, navigation and communication satellite systems, human space flight, scientific research and exploration. It will be presented to the Saudi Council of Ministers for approval later this year.
“The world is already in an energy transition,” Al-Ramadhan added. “Countries are moving towards renewable energy, like hydrogen and solar power, buying electric cars, and we are slowly shifting away from oil. By diversifying our economy, it will definitely make a big difference in terms of moving from a reliance on oil revenue.”
The Kingdom has form in looking to the stars for inspiration — Riyadh famously put Sultan bin Salman Al-Saud into orbit in 1985, making him the first Arab in outer space.
According to Sheikha Al-Maskari, chief innovation officer at the UAE Space Agency, the move to establish a new Arab space group is a significant moment: “We hope to organize and energize the regional space sector. We also hope to share knowledge and expertise to further contribute to humanity’s ongoing quest to understand the universe in which we live.”
Senior figures from Kuwait, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and the UAE met during the event’s second day to discuss their respective progress. “Morocco started investing in space in the early 1980s, and one of its strategies was to merge all of its space programs to a single national agenda,” said Dr Edriss Al-Haddani, director general of the Royal Center for Remote Sensing in Morocco. “This will be a good starting point for all Arab space agencies to improve and develop their capabilities.”
Although Jordan does not have a dedicated space agency yet, the Royal Jordanian Geographic Center is tasked with updating maps and forecasts using satellite imagery. “When we talk about space programs, it has always involved collaboration between different bodies,” said Brig. Gen. Dr. Awni Al-Khasawneh, director general of the center.
“Collaboration between Arab countries is crucial to our collective success. It is a very positive initiative and we, as Arab countries, should take this opportunity to use all our resources in the best possible way.”
According to Al-Ramadhan, the most significant challenge facing any country embarking on space exploration is financial. “You need a huge budget,” he explained, “so the capabilities or resources of one country on its own will not be enough. The new initiative will be the most efficient solution to funding shortfalls, as well as helping to break the psychological barrier that such a field is the preserve of (great powers).
“The ultimate objective is not just to send astronauts to space, but to enhance the scientific and technological capabilities of our younger generations, who will have a mission to go even further. Space technology can help us find ways to mitigate climate change, for instance, while improving the quality of the environment and the air.”
The natural end point of such collaboration is the establishment of an official pan-Arab space agency. “The plan is to start cooperation and to build mutual projects to reach that point of creating this agency,” said Ghalib Faour, director of the Lebanese Remote Sensing Center. “Lebanon is a beginner in space, but we have a lot of potential in our universities, some of which are ranked among the highest in the region. We just need the (opportunity) to work on large projects driven by nations like the UAE.
“We tried many times before to build Arab cooperation for space exploration, but this is the first time I feel it is serious. Competition came in the way — 10 years ago, we tried with the Arab League to launch a constellation of Arab satellites, but we faced a problem over who would lead it. The UAE is now taking the lead, though, and they are supporting the rest of us.”
Faour expressed hope that space exploration would help to deliver sustainable development for Arab countries, especially those rebuilding after years of strife. “After the war in Lebanon, during the period of reconstruction, we had a lack of data,” he concluded. “So remote sensing, for instance, provided data for land use planning, environmental protection and monitoring of resources. The benefits greater space exploration will bring are endless.”


Saudi Geological Survey celebrates excellence in research, innovation

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Saudi Geological Survey celebrates excellence in research, innovation

  • Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishaal and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef attended the event
  • CEO Abdullah Al-Shamrani reviewed 25 years of accomplishments, emphasizing the survey’s role in advancing geological sciences

JEDDAH: The Saudi Geological Survey recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special event in Jeddah, marking a quarter-century of excellence in geological research and exploration.
Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishaal and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef attended the event.
The event highlighted the survey’s achievements, future initiatives, and contributions to geological research and innovation. Guests shared insights from their experiences with the organization.
CEO Abdullah Al-Shamrani reviewed 25 years of accomplishments, emphasizing the survey’s role in advancing geological sciences, supporting national development, and managing resources sustainably.
He also outlined plans to raise awareness of geological risks via the “Rawasi” platform, preserve Zamzam water sustainability, and complete digital transformation of technical services.
Al-Shamrani affirmed a commitment to advancing technical achievements, implementing projects, and supporting development for a promising future through skilled Saudi cadres.
Al-Khorayef said that since the start of the millennium, the Kingdom had made intensive efforts in mineral resource research and exploration. Led by SGS employees, this had yielded significant discoveries over the past 25 years, impacting the mining sector by boosting investment and developing mineral wealth.
He added that the aim was to position the Kingdom as a global leader in earth sciences and geology through ambitious plans, aligning with its international standing.
These efforts included fully uncovering its mineral wealth, meeting geological needs, building a global earth sciences database, and creating a platform for stakeholders worldwide, the minister said.


Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates Riyadh Metro project

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates the Riyadh Metro project on Wednesday. (SPA)
Updated 24 min 4 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates Riyadh Metro project

  • Riyadh Metro consists of a network that includes six train lines measuring 176 km and 85 stations, including four main stations
  • The metro will begin to be available for public use from Dec. 1 and will operate daily from 6 a.m. to midnight

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurated the Riyadh Metro project on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The project is considered the backbone of the public transport network in Riyadh, SPA said.

King Salman watched an introductory film about the project, which is distinguished by its exceptional design and technical specifications.

The Riyadh Metro consists of a network that includes six train lines measuring 176 km and 85 stations, including four main stations.

“The Public Transport Project in Riyadh City, with its train and bus components, is the fruit of King Salman’s efforts and is based on his insightful vision when he was chairman of the High Commission for the Development of Riyadh,” Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said. 

The Public Transport Project in Riyadh City was launched based on various studies prepared by the High Commission for the Development of Riyadh, which is currently the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. 

The studies considered the current and future needs of the public transport sector in the capital and identified the best solutions and options for establishing a sustainable public transport system that is compatible with the city and its characteristics.

The metro will begin to be available for public use from Dec. 1 and will operate daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. 

The lines will open over the next two months in stages — with the blue, yellow and purple lines opening on Dec. 1, the red and green lines opening on Dec. 15, and the orange line opening on Jan. 5, 2025. 

Abeer Al-Shehri, a Riyadh-based lawyer, told Arab News that the new metro would cut the time she spent in traffic and the number of postponed appointments.

“As a lawyer, my profession involves fieldwork at courts, the Public Prosecution and police stations. Sometimes I have to attend sessions at the office while also having two important appointments to attend,” she said.

“With the traffic, there’s not enough time for both, so I’m forced to postpone one. Additionally, client meetings at the company’s office often take place around noon, and it’s well known that at that time, it’s impossible to reach the location within an hour without being late.

“This forces me to leave at least an hour earlier. The metro will significantly improve the time wasted in traffic, and as a lawyer, it will allow me to commute back and forth to the office in record time.”

Riyadh resident Faisal Suliman Al-Anzy told Arab News that he was “happy and excited” about Wednesday’s announcement.

He plans to use the metro “for visiting friends, (especially at) the weekend when there are traffic jams everywhere.”


Saudi teams shine at Formula 1 in Schools World Finals

Updated 27 November 2024
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Saudi teams shine at Formula 1 in Schools World Finals

  • Over 450 young innovators from around the globe join together for the event in Dhahran
  • Competitors worked in 55 teams to design, build and race miniature F1 cars on a 20-meter track

RIYADH: Three Saudi teams have scooped awards at the 2024 Aramco Formula 1 in Schools World Finals.

Over 450 students from gathered at Dhahran Expo from Nov. 23-26 for the competition, the first time it has been hosted in the Kingdom. The finalists emerged from an initial 29,000 schools worldwide.

The Clad team won the Enterprise Portfolio Award, while Oryx claimed Best Engineered Car and Shaheen took Best Application of Project Management.

Competitors worked in 55 teams to design, build and race miniature F1 cars on a 20-meter track. Those taking part were aged from nine to 19, one third of whom were female.

The competition reflects Aramco’s commitment to developing future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, otherwise known as Ithra, oversaw the Saudi teams’ preparation during a nine-month training period. Led by 37 experts from six specialized centers, the program focused on engineering, design and teamwork.

It has become a key platform for developing Saudi Arabia’s next generation of scientific talent and putting innovation firmly on the global stage.

At the 2023 World Finals in Singapore, Saudi teams won the Innovative Thinking, Women in Motorsport and Identity awards.

The Aramco Formula 1 in Schools World Finals offer young innovators an opportunity to shape Saudi Arabia's future creative industries.

The program follows a unified curriculum covering physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacturing, branding, graphic design, sponsorship, marketing, leadership, teamwork, media skills and financial strategies.


Grand mufti of Saudi Arabia meets Pakistan’s Senate chair

Updated 27 November 2024
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Grand mufti of Saudi Arabia meets Pakistan’s Senate chair

  • Al-Sheikh highlights role of Council of Senior Scholars on Islamic issues
  • Council ‘keen to promote moderation and combat extremism in the region’

RIYADH: The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday received the chairperson of Pakistan’s senate at the presidential headquarters in Riyadh.

Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh met Yusuf Raza Gilani, who was accompanied by a delegation of members of the upper house in the Pakistani parliament.

Al-Sheikh, who is also chairperson of the Council of Senior Scholars, and president general of scientific research and ifta, highlighted the depth and distinguished brotherly Islamic relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He highlighted the significant role the Council of Senior Scholars performs in the Kingdom to explain Shariah rulings about issues that concern Muslims. It has issued more than 30,000 fatwas and 200 rulings.

The council is keen to promote moderation and combat extremism in the region, he added.

He said that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman continue to serve the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah, ensuring that visitors and pilgrims receive appropriate services.

Gilani expressed his happiness to visit Saudi Arabia, noting the great role the Kingdom is playing through its leadership as well as the ties it has developed with Pakistan on various issues.

The meeting was attended by the secretary-general of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Fahd Al-Majed, and Shoura Council member Abdulrahman Al-Harbi.


New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability

Updated 27 November 2024
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New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability

  • NCVC CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate
  • Efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has launched the Grow Impact initiative in Hafar Al-Batin governorate to encourage community participation in preserving and expanding vegetation cover, while promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.

The center’s CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate.

These efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Al-Abdulkader described Grow Impact as a key step toward achieving sustainable development goals, restoring ecological balance, and enhancing biodiversity.

He said that the initiative also encourages environmental responsibility among individuals and communities.

The initiative aims to reduce waste in natural areas, protect plant and animal species from human activity, and combat desertification by inspiring communities to protect natural resources.

These goals align with Saudi Arabia’s vision for preserving the planet and its natural heritage, SPA reported.

The center continues its mission to develop and protect vegetation cover throughout the Kingdom, rehabilitating degraded areas, addressing violations, combating illegal logging, and overseeing rangelands, forests and national parks.