RIYADH: Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), has said that the Kingdom, as the president of the 2020 G20, had led many initiatives regionally and globally to mitigate the repercussions of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
This came during his participation in the Helsinki Policy Forum, which was held virtually from Helsinki, Finland and was headed by Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto, with participation of a number of representatives of EU and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region countries.
Al-Rabeeah affirmed that Saudi Arabia, as the host of the G20 Summit and a major player in the MENA region, had implemented many initiatives to mitigate the repercussions and effects of COVID-19 in order to achieve long-term stability.
Al-Rabeeah said that, as an embodiment of these initiatives, the Kingdom announced a donation of over $500 million, including $200 million to support the World Health Organization (WHO) in the fight against the pandemic; $150 million to support Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to develop a vaccine against COVID-19; and $150 million to support the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) toward vaccine development; and $10 million to support the WHO’s fund to support countries with fragile health systems.
He pointed out that Saudi Arabia, through KSRelief, had provided support for countries in the MENA region to combat COVID-19, including medical supplies and tools to Yemen worth $25 million, to Palestine amounting to $4 million, and to Somalia worth $3 million.
Al-Rabeeah reiterated that Saudi Arabia’s policy toward the security and stability of Yemen was unchanging, as the Kingdom had supported and continues to support efforts to bring political stability and peace to the country.
Kingdom has lead regional, global initiatives to deal with coronavirus: Saudi aid chief
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Kingdom has lead regional, global initiatives to deal with coronavirus: Saudi aid chief
City governor launches $160m first phase of Madinah Gate project
- Development will comprise apartments, hotel, retail units, bus station
MADINAH: Madinah governor Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz on Monday launched the $160 million first phase of the Madinah Gate project.
The mixed-use development will comprise a 325-bedroom DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, 80 shops, 44 restaurants, apartments, recreational facilities and a bus station, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It will also have a direct connection to the Haramain High-Speed Railway, which links Madinah with Makkah.
Madinah Gate — the first two phases of which will span 37,000 sq. meters — is being developed as a collaboration between Saudi Arabia Railways and developer Knowledge Economic City Co., with support from the city’s authorities.
Amin Shaker, chairman of the development company, said the project — its first in southern Madinah — would help strengthen the city’s status as a global visitor destination.
New partnership set to drive Kingdom’s architecture industry
- Deal will help promote local talent, foster innovation
RIYADH: The Architecture and Design Commission has signed a strategic partnership with contracting firm Nesma & Partners to promote the Kingdom’s architecture and design industry.
The commission’s CEO Sumayah Al-Solaiman and Nesma’s Managing Director Rami Al-Turki on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for collaboration in professional development and industry innovation.
The partnership aims to prepare a new generation of Saudi professionals to compete on the world stage and reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub for architecture and design excellence.
“The initiative aims to empower architects and designers to develop their skills and enhance their capabilities, creating an environment that nurtures Saudi talent while fostering innovation and creativity in the sector,” Al-Solaiman said.
It would also help to advance the commission’s mission to forge strategic alliances with industry leaders, she said.
Under the deal, the two sides will cooperate in areas such as industry best practice, knowledge exchange and professional workshops. It will also involve the joint sponsorship of competitions, awards and conferences.
“As a leading Saudi contractor, we are committed to providing training and creating employment opportunities for Saudi architects,” Al-Turki said.
“Our strategic partnership with the commission reflects our values of innovation, excellence and social responsibility.”
The initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals for sector development, focusing on building a sustainable ecosystem for architecture and design professionals.
The commission emphasized its commitment to advancing scientific research and creating an integrated environment that supports the sector’s creative community.
Kuwait’s deputy prime minister visits Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority
- Visit focused on enhancing cooperation between Kingdom and Kuwait in cybersecurity sector
RIYADH: Kuwait’s deputy prime minister visited the National Cybersecurity Authority headquarters in Riyadh on Monday, accompanied by an official delegation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Sheikh Fahd bin Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, who is also Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior, was received by Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, and Chairman of the NCA Board of Directors.
The visit focused on enhancing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in the field of cybersecurity.
Discussions centered on strengthening measures to safeguard cyberspace and protect the vital interests of both nations, SPA added.
Film Commission hosts masterclass with Syrian film veteran in Alkhobar
- Ghassan Massoud shares insights to elevate the next generation of talent in the Kingdom
DHAHRAN: The Ministry of Culture’s Film Commission hosted Syrian actor and filmmaker Ghassan Massoud for a masterclass titled “The Secrets of Acting Art” in Alkhobar over the weekend.
The masterclass, a part of the filmmaker’s program, covered the fundamentals of cinematic and theatrical acting, including academic training and actual practice.
It emphasized the close relationship between acting and the visual arts, music, sociology and psychology.
Reflecting on his training and upbringing, Massoud had praise for the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus, where he studied and later became a professor.
He said Syrian theater and filmmaking drew inspiration from mainstream and alternative sources, including Hollywood and European cinematic traditions.
The masterclass consisted of two question-and-answer sessions. The first round was moderated by scriptwriter and director Abdulaziz Al-Sultan, who guided a discussion on Massoud’s background and his experiences in television and filmmaking.
The second round provided an opportunity for interactions with the audience that included filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, as well as movie enthusiasts.
Massoud shared his thoughts on how actors should approach character development.
“I familiarize myself with the character’s vocation, trade jargon, and tools, as well as their psychological and physical attributes, weaknesses, and illnesses. All these aspects influence the character’s attitude, body language, facial expressions, and overall charisma or presence on set.”
Massoud had praise for the cultural landscape in the Eastern Province. He said he was delighted to have met talented and emerging actors, directors, screenwriters and cinematographers.
The actor has been acclaimed for his performances in several international films including Ridley Scott’s 2005 epic “Kingdom of Heaven,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.”
He said he has enjoyed visiting the Kingdom and collaborating on various cultural and artistic projects. This involvement includes serving as a jury member at the 2023 Saudi Theater Festival in Riyadh.
He also has a part in the upcoming historical epic “Desert Warrior,” which was shot in NEOM in northeastern Saudi Arabia and is set for release in the new year.
When asked about advice he has for aspiring actors, he told Arab News: “Dream a lot but work more.”
The filmmaker’s program, now in its fourth run, has opened new horizons for amateurs and professionals. It features a training program that encompasses all stages of film production, from initial ideas to marketing and distribution.
The program includes both in-person and virtual workshops with experts, as well as artistic residencies and masterclasses in collaboration with international institutes and universities.
European pilgrims visit Prophet’s biography museum, Islamic heritage sites in Madinah
- At the museum the visitors saw interactive displays and multimedia presentations about the Prophet Muhammad and other holy figures, historical events and Islamic culture
RIYADH: A group of 250 people from 14 European countries recently visited the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization in Madinah.
Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Umrah and Visit, the visitors were part of a wider scheme that will see 1,000 people from 66 countries perform Umrah in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
At the museum the visitors saw interactive displays and multimedia presentations about the Prophet Muhammad and other holy figures, historical events, Islamic culture and initiatives to safeguard Islamic history and civilization.
The fair seeks to present Islamic culture in an engaging way for different audiences and the visitors expressed their thanks to the Kingdom’s leadership for facilitating their visits to Madinah and Makkah.
They also commended the Kingdom’s efforts to promote Islam’s message of tolerance and to foster appreciation for its historical and spiritual legacy.
As well as the museum, the group visited the Battle of Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery and offered prayers at Quba Mosque.
At King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex, the pilgrims learned about the various stages of printing the Holy Qur’an, preservation efforts and its translation into many languages.
At the end of their visit the pilgrims were presented with copies of the Qur’an by representatives of the complex.
