RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has marked another milestone in its bid to become a global transport hub, with the first Saudi Rail Conference and Exhibition kicking off in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The two-day event, inaugurated by Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser, will showcase the latest advances in railway technology, while fostering collaboration between local and international transport stakeholders.

More than 200 exhibitors and speakers from around the world will take part in the event.

Aligned with Vision 2030, the event supports the Kingdom’s goals of modernizing infrastructure, and enhancing economic and social development.

Al-Jasser, who also chairs Saudi Arabia Railways, highlighted the importance of the conference, and Saudi Arabia’s progress in transport and logistics.

“More than 15,000 participants and 120 exhibitors from around the world have gathered at this inaugural event, reflecting the Kingdom’s significance and the remarkable progress in the transport and logistics sectors,” he said.

“The immense interest shown by global companies to attend demonstrates their eagerness to contribute to and partner in the Kingdom’s ambitious railway projects.”

Al-Jasser said that this is a testament to the support provided by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose National Transport and Logistics Strategy has set the stage for transformative growth.

The Kingdom’s railway network has grown significantly in recent years, with major projects such as the Northern Train Network, the Eastern Train Network, and the Haramain High-Speed Railway connecting major cities and facilitating pilgrimage traffic.

Urban rail systems, including the Riyadh Metro, and specialized networks such as the Mashaer Train for Hajj pilgrims have also enhanced the infrastructure.

Bashar Al-Malik, CEO of Saudi Arabia Railways, emphasized the strategic significance of the event.

“Hosting the Saudi Rail event demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a leader in transportation innovation. This platform connects key stakeholders and fosters regional and global partnerships,” he said.

The conference aims to accelerate international collaboration, encouraging global companies to expand their operations in Saudi Arabia.

“By fostering partnerships, we aim to drive local capacity-building and knowledge transfer, ensuring that the Kingdom’s railway sector is globally competitive,” Al-Malik added.

The railway sector’s expansion aligns with Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification and sustainable development. By supporting tourism and trade, Saudi railways help ease road congestion, lower accident rates, and reduce environmental impact.

As the Saudi Rail Conference and Exhibition continues, it will cement the Kingdom’s reputation as a global hub for transport innovation. With strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology, Saudi Arabia’s rail sector is poised for exponential growth, serving as a model for sustainable and efficient transportation.

BAKU: The Saudi pavilion has emerged as a hub for collaboration and innovation at the COP29 climate talks, reflecting the Kingdom’s robust efforts to address climate change and drive sustainable development goals.

A series of panel discussions and expert insights at the pavilion have underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing climate solutions.

Energy leaders, policymakers, and professionals joined the sessions to exchange ideas and explore cutting-edge technologies.

Panel discussions have explored key climate initiatives, with one of the standout sessions, “The Role of International Standards in Addressing Climate Change,” delving into how global standards can be adapted to fit national circumstances.

Experts discussed the importance of aligning international frameworks to effectively support climate action across diverse regions.

Another session, “Advancing Innovative Carbon Utilization Technologies to Achieve Climate Ambitions,” focused on converting carbon dioxide into valuable products. Participants highlighted technical solutions for carbon management, including the development of carbon capture and utilization technologies, and discussed the global challenges of decarbonization.

The future of hydrogen as a clean energy source also took center stage, with the Kingdom reaffirming its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.

Speaking to Arab News, Renad Aldebasi, a carbon specialist at the Ministry of Energy, outlined the Kingdom’s efforts under the circular carbon economy program.

“This program, built on the four Rs — reduce, reuse, recycle, and remove — guides us toward net-zero emissions by 2060. Our world-class carbon capture and sequestration hub will scale up to capture 44 million tons of CO2 annually by 2035,” Aldebasi said.

Leadership and collaboration were also on display, with the Saudi Energy Leaders Assembly playing a pivotal role, and driving discussions on policies, partnerships, and infrastructure.

The assembly further amplified Saudi Arabia’s voice in global energy dialogues.

Nasser Al-Ghamdi, CEO of the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center, highlighted the Kingdom’s advances in improving energy efficiency.

“Since 2010, we’ve achieved significant efficiency gains, including a 57 percent improvement in HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) systems and a 28 percent improvement in transportation fuel economy. By 2030, we aim to save the equivalent of 1 million barrels of oil daily,” he said.

Abeer Alharbi, senior project manager at the Ministry of Energy, outlined progress in renewable energy.

“Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Program aims to meet 50 percent of electricity demand through renewables by 2030. With 6.2 GW already operational, we’re setting global benchmarks, such as achieving record-low costs for solar and wind energy,” Alharbi said.

Regional and global partnerships have also been cemented at COP29.

On the sidelines of the Baku talks, Saudi Arabia signed a joint executive program with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to enhance cooperation in renewable energy. The program focuses on interconnecting regional power grids, integrating renewable energy projects, and fostering joint investment opportunities. Agreements with ACWA Power further advance initiatives in battery energy storage and offshore wind power, particularly in the Caspian Sea region.

COP29 continues to provide a platform for Saudi Arabia to share its vision and initiatives, showcasing the Kingdom’s dedication to addressing one of the most pressing global challenges of our time.