G20 leaders emphasize need for coordinated response to pandemic

Leaders of the world’s biggest economies attend the virtual G20 Summit in Riyadh on Saturday. SPA the coViD-19 pandemic. (SPA)
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Updated 22 November 2020
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G20 leaders emphasize need for coordinated response to pandemic

  • Together people can protect their lives and livelihoods while shaping a better world: King Salman
  • It is time to come together with the idea of “common good” and providing primary healthcare access to all: Macron

RIYADH: The G20 heads of state on Saturday emphasized the need for a continued coordinated response to the coronavirus pandemic, especially to support the most vulnerable segments of society, as well as the need to increase spending on research and vaccines.

“From the onset of the pandemic and in an attempt to jump-start the global response, we met in an extraordinary summit last March where we all took swift and collective actions to counter this crisis. We continue to do so,” said King Salman, addressing the meeting.

“The pandemic has demonstrated that international cooperation is the optimal way to overcome crises. We must focus on the most vulnerable segments. We must provide support for all countries of the world, for we will not be safe until everyone is safe,” he added.

“In April, the Kingdom joined forces with international organizations and global leaders to launch the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator. We co-led the Global Coronavirus Pledging Event to meet the global shortage in developing and distributing vaccines and diagnostic tools, where the Kingdom contributed $500 million towards that end.”

The king said the pandemic is a true test for global health systems, so “through the G20 presidency, we utilized a number of vital initiatives to close the pandemic preparedness and response gaps.”

He added: “During our presidency, with the support of the G20 members, we proposed the Access to Pandemic Tools (APT) initiative, which aims at ensuring a focus on sustainable preparedness and response to counter any future pandemic. We look forward to furthering this discussion and implementation during the Italian presidency next year.”

Together, King Salman said, people can protect their lives and livelihoods while shaping a better world.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the G20 “has taken unprecedented measures, which allowed us to reach important milestones. The ACT Accelerator is one of those milestones.”

Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez said: “In Argentina, we have worked on a comprehensive approach, putting the protection of people’s lives first.”

He added that cooperation and solidarity are the two key elements to fighting the pandemic. “This is not only a responsibility of governments but every one of us, members of the international community, to defeat the pandemic,” said Fernandez.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the only effective response to the pandemic is a coordinated global one based on solidarity.

“We can reasonably expect that before the end of the year a vaccine will be available, which is totally unprecedented,” he added.

“But an even more difficult fight must be fought — that of universal access to health technologies against COVID-19.”

Macron said it is time to come together with the idea of “common good” and providing primary healthcare access to all.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “A global challenge, which is what the pandemic undoubtedly is, can only be overcome with a global effort. The G20 has a crucial responsibility in this area. For example, we have launched the ACT Accelerator and its COVAX facility. This unique global platform serves to promote the development, production and distribution of medicines, diagnostics and vaccines.”

“Each country is striving to find its own responses to the pandemic, as well as to contribute to the necessary worldwide response … (This) can only be overcome with a global effort,” said Merkel, adding that the G20 has a crucial responsibility in this regard.

She said in order to halt the pandemic, every country needs to have access to, and be able to afford, a vaccine.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said: “I would like to express my gratitude to King Salman for granting me the time to introduce Korea’s experience in responding to COVID-19. At the outset of the pandemic, Korea had the second-highest COVID-19 infections in the world, but could overcome the crisis thanks to our people, who readily cooperated with infectious disease control measures.”

He added that his country conceived the idea of drive-through and walk-through screening stations, which enabled massive testing in a short period of time.

“From a ‘Corona Map’ that spots the location of infection, to self-quarantine and epidemiological investigation apps, various mobile apps helped in fighting the pandemic,” he said.

His country will continue to beef up cooperation with the International Vaccine Institute, headquartered in Seoul, and scale up humanitarian assistance, he said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said inclusive economic recovery and collective efforts would be of great help to combat future epidemics.

To help African countries rebuild their economies, “the African Union has proposed several measures, including debt relief in the form of interest payment waivers and deferred payments to be prepared for the future,” he added. “We must invest in funding and research.”

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, board chair of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said: “Only through adequate financing for a global exit strategy like the ACT Accelerator can economic vitality be restored at home and catastrophe in the poorest countries be averted.”


Saudi FM arrives in Moscow on official visit

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. (File/AFP)
Updated 8 sec ago
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Saudi FM arrives in Moscow on official visit

  • Prince Faisal is expected to discuss Saudi-Russian relations and ways to strengthen them

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Moscow on an official visit on Thursday, the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry reported.

Prince Faisal is expected to discuss Saudi-Russian relations and ways to strengthen them. Important international and regional issues and matters of common interest will also be discussed, the ministry said.


Indonesia’s president performs Umrah

Updated 03 July 2025
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Indonesia’s president performs Umrah

  • Prabowo Subianto is on his first official trip to Saudi Arabia since taking office
  • Trade between the two countries over the past five years stands at about $31.5 billion

MAKKAH: Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto performed Umrah on Wednesday.

He was received on arrival at the Grand Mosque in Makkah by several officials, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prabowo was on his first official trip to Saudi Arabia since taking office.

The two countries have signed agreements worth about $27 billion between private sector institutions in several sectors, including clean energy and petrochemicals.

The two sides have also agreed to bolster cooperation in the provision of crude oil and its derivatives, improve energy supply chains and strengthen cooperation in mineral resources, the SPA reported.

Trade between the two countries over the past five years stands at about $31.5 billion.


Diriyah House showroom introduces Saudi Arabia’s ‘City of Earth’ jewel to London

Updated 03 July 2025
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Diriyah House showroom introduces Saudi Arabia’s ‘City of Earth’ jewel to London

  • On the completion of Diriyah, an estimated 100,000 residents will live there, and another 180,000 will commute to work in various jobs
  • Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman initiated a new vision in 2017 to develop Diriyah into a pedestrian-friendly city, while preserving its historical significance and Najdi architecture

LONDON: The Diriyah Company launched an interactive pavilion this week in London’s Knightsbridge area to broaden the brand reach of one of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious real estate projects that combines tradition, sustainability and modern design.

The Diriyah House London, located at One Hyde Park, features interactive models that highlight the various components of Diriyah city’s master plan, including residential units, boulevards, squares, cultural venues, hotels, offices and nature parks.

The Diriyah Company, established in 2023, is also offering visitors to Harrods a pop-up showroom of the budding and historical districts of the town, following a successful month-long event held in London in July 2024.

The Diriyah House London, located at One Hyde Park, features interactive models that highlight the various components of Diriyah city’s master plan. (SPA)

Diriyah is a historic site situated a 15-minute drive away from downtown Riyadh and 25 minutes from King Khalid International Airport. It is renowned for its significant political and religious importance, as it is the birthplace of the Kingdom. The Al-Saud family lived there during the establishment of the first state in 1727.

It is also known as the City of Earth, due to its distinctive qualities, which include being built from bricks made from a mixture of mud, ash, sand and water. In 2010, the UNESCO designated the At-Turaif district in Diriyah as a World Heritage site, citing its Najdi architectural style.

The whole vision (of Diriyah) is to unlock what it means to live and reside in a manner in which we were accustomed to doing hundreds of years ago

Kiran Haslam, chief marketing officer, Diriyah Company

Since 2017, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has initiated a new vision to develop Diriyah into a pedestrian-friendly city where residents can live, work and entertain, while preserving the city’s historical significance and incorporating Najdi architecture into the designs of the units for luxury brands, hotels and residential districts.

“Diriyah brings design and sustainability together. The whole vision is to unlock what it means to live and reside in a manner in which we were accustomed to doing hundreds of years ago,” Kiran Haslam, chief marketing officer for Diriyah Company, told Arab News.

“(At the same time), remain sympathetic to what you want the future urban environment to deliver — safety and community prosperity,” he said.

On the completion of Diriyah, an estimated 100,000 residents will live there, and another 180,000 will commute to work. (AN Photo: Mustafa Abu Sneineh)

At least 3.5 million people have visited the At-Turaif historic district since it partially opened to the public in 2022, known for its mud exterior walls that are beautifully illuminated at night, creating an enchanting sight. Since then, the developed dining areas of Buajiri Terrace and Zallal have provided their 120,000 monthly visitors with a taste of what it is like to live in a city within a 15-minute drive of the Saudi metropolis.

Diriyeh is a $64 billion project covering 14 sq. km, or six and a half times the size of Monaco. Mohamed Saad, the president of the Diriyah Development Company, told Arab News that there are currently 45,000 workers on the site, along with 85 tower cranes. However, the project is expected to employ at least 60,000 workers and use 158 tower cranes next year when construction begins on the second phase of the project.

(The challenge) was trying to figure out how to build modern amenities of luxury offerings and experience, but keeping the true traditional architecture of Diriyah

Mohamed Saad, president of Diriyah Development Company

His team is currently completing a pedestrianized district in Diriyeh, which spans 3.5 km in length and 1.2 km in width. They have excavated 45 meters deep to create three underground levels that include parking and the essential infrastructure a city needs, such as water and electricity.

Saad said that the main challenge of building such a project was “trying to figure out how to build modern amenities of luxury offerings and experience, but keeping the true traditional architecture of Diriyah.”

The Diriyah Development Company has excavated 45 meters deep to create three underground levels that include parking and city infrastructure. (AN Photo: Mustafa Abu Sneineh)

There are no motorized vehicles allowed in the pedestrianized district of Diriyah. Residents, visitors and shoppers will park their cars in the underground facility before heading to the surface. It is a complicated task of engineering, logistics and meeting sustainability standards, Saad admits. During the construction of the subterranean levels, 12.3 million cubic meters of rock and rubble have been excavated.

In 2023, the US Green Building Council awarded the Diriyah Company an accolade for achieving leadership in energy and environmental design in the first phase of Diriyah’s plan.

The town was established in the mid-15th century in Wadi Hanifah, a floodplain that has historically provided a vital source of water for the residents of Diriyah. The valley is situated on a water reservoir, and the Diriyeh Company decided to preserve it, using Saudi Arabia’s desalination technology to supply water to the town instead.

On the completion of Diriyah, an estimated 100,000 residents will live there, and another 180,000 will commute to work.

There are no motorized vehicles allowed in the pedestrianized district of Diriyah. (AN Photo: Mustafa Abu Sneineh)

Significant parts of Diriyah are set to be completed by 2030, a pivotal year for the Kingdom across multiple sectors, including tourism, technology, aviation, energy, health and sports, as outlined in its Vision 2030. Diriyah is set to fully open the gates of At-Turaif, making it a significant attraction for visitors during the Riyadh Expo 2030.

Haslam said that Diriyah “is not separate, far-flung, it is very much in the center of the capital city. It is a city within the city.

“Riyadh is an incredible bustling city now with global recognition and Diriyah is almost like this wonderful little jewel in the landscape of Riyadh,” he said.

* Schedule a visit to the Diriyah House London


Saudi culinary scene thoroughly deserves its place in Michelin Guide, says its international director

Updated 03 July 2025
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Saudi culinary scene thoroughly deserves its place in Michelin Guide, says its international director

  • Gwendal Poullennec tells The Mayman Show inspectors are busy exploring the Kingdom’s vibrant food culture, and the chosen restaurants will be revealed toward the end of the year
  • ‘I think there are a lot of places that need to be in (the guide); hidden gems that deserve their time to shine. And through the restaurants, we are also putting the spotlight on the culture,’ he adds

RIYADH: The first restaurants in Saudi Arabia chosen for inclusion in the Michelin Guide will be unveiled toward the end of this year, Gwendal Poullennec, the guide’s international director, mentioned during his appearance on The Mayman Show this week.

He said they are being selected in collaboration with the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, and inspectors are already busy in the field exploring the vibrant food scene in various parts of the Kingdom.

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“When we consider a destination, because we have to establish a road map, we need to have a gradual plan, so as not to compromise with the value and the methodology,” Poullennec said.

“We need also to acquire the knowledge of all the different food cultures. So that takes time. But to set up a clear priority, we monitor, in the field, the evolution of the different food scenes.”

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The guide announced in June that it was adding Saudi Arabia as a destination in its 2026 edition. The Kingdom’s diverse landscapes, from its vast deserts to the stunning Red Sea coastline, provide a backdrop for some unforgettable dining experiences, Poullennec noted, and the country is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Diriyah. This deep historical and cultural heritage helps to set it apart.

“You feel the dynamic, the talent joining the industry, the diversity,” he said. “And based on what is happening today — and even more on the potential it has to develop in the years to come — we decided to move to the next step, which is to publish a Michelin Guide selection … And this will happen at the end of the year, with three digital releases: Oct. 15, Nov. 15, Dec. 15.”

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The recommendations will initially focus on culinary hot spots in Riyadh and Jeddah, he explained. During the process of expanding into Saudi Arabia Poullennec found there were still a lot of misconceptions about the country’s identity and authenticity in the eyes of foodies.

“I think there are a lot of places that need to be in (the guide); hidden gems that deserve their time to shine,” he said. “And through the restaurants, we are also putting the spotlight on the culture.”

He also shared some of the initial findings about the Saudi food scene based on the feedback from inspectors so far.

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“What they found is the open-mindedness,” Poullennec said. “Not only do you have local restaurants inspired by the culinary heritage but you have a lot of creativity. You have inspiration from all around the world.

“So, you feel the dynamics; you feel that, definitely. There is a momentum and that’s the reason why we decided to move forward.”

With a mind for strategy and a palate shaped by curiosity, Poullennec has been quietly helping to shape the future of fine dining through his work for the guide for the past two decades.

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From the launch of Michelin’s Tokyo guide to steering its digital transformation, he has helped bring the renowned red book to 45 destinations around the world. Known for his motto, “On the move,” he embodies the spirit of discovery, biking thousands of kilometers a year and sampling new dishes not out of hunger but wonder. He leads with discipline but eats with joy.

“When I joined Michelin, I wanted to contribute to expanding the Michelin Guide abroad because I felt it had an incredible potential to transform the world, to contribute to putting the spotlight on the cultures,” Poullennec said.

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“And that’s basically what happened, because I’ve been working 20 years now for the Michelin Guide and I have been able to make it happen, you know, to make the dreams come true and to contribute to

the international expansion of the guide, starting with the US, outside of Europe, and then Asia, where we landed the guide in Japan.”

The more authentic and unique a destination is, the more appealing an option it is for inclusion in the guide, Poullennec said, because it means it can recommend places that offer “something that you will find nowhere else. It is a reason to travel for, based on the Michelin Guide criteria. And from that perspective, Saudi (Arabia) has a lot to offer and truly deserves its place in the world of culinary conversation.”

 


Nonprofits central to developing education, realizing Vision 2030 goals — Al-Benyan

Updated 03 July 2025
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Nonprofits central to developing education, realizing Vision 2030 goals — Al-Benyan

  • Ministry has taken serious steps toward ‘humanizing’ schools and improving educational environment, says Saudi education minister
  • Riyadh hosts 2nd nonprofit education, training forum

RIYADH: Serious steps have been taken towards “humanizing” schools and improving the educational environment, helping raise the quality of learning, Saudi Arabia Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan has said.

The minister was speaking during “Promising Opportunities and Future Foresight for the Nonprofit Sector,” the main session of the second Nonprofit Sector Forum in Education and Training taking place in Riyadh.

The two-day event, hosted by the Ministry of Education, ended on Wednesday. Taking the theme “Qualitative Partnerships and Sustainable Solutions,” it was attended by government officials and stakeholders in education and training, as well as non-profit sector representatives.

The minister said that the school environment accounted for roughly one-third of the factors influencing educational outcomes, alongside curricula and teachers.

“We have begun improving the humanization of schools and are working to leverage the ministry’s programs to support the educational environment within an integrated vision that seeks to provide a healthy and stimulating environment within schools,” he said.

He added that the non-profit sector was a key partner, alongside the public and private sectors, in developing education and achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. 

The ministry was working to develop teachers through capacity-building programs and ensure the quality of outcomes, said Al-Benyan, highlighting the establishment of a national center for curriculum development for the first time, in partnership with experts and specialized institutions. 

He also talked about the launch of initiatives to improve the educational environment and create attractive and stimulating school facilities, in addition to strengthening governance and accountability to ensure the sustainability of impact and measure returns.

The ministry established the Tatweer foundation to support the needs of teachers and last year signed 18 agreements encompassing more than 2,400 programs. It also implemented initiatives worth more than SR400 million through the Ehsan platform and contributed to providing more than 2,700 scholarships in cooperation with the Martyrs, Missing Persons and Prisoners Fund.

Cabinet decisions have enabled the Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, to allocate buildings and sites to non-profit schools using new methods that help expand the scope of support and providing sustainable resources. 

The minister emphasized the importance of programs such as vocational training for teachers through the National Institute for Teacher Development and the National Curriculum Center to enhance the quality of education and promote community partnerships.

The forum also featured a “Volunteer Hour” in which several education, training and non-profit sector officials took part.

Other sessions included “Building Human Capacity in the Non-Profit Sector: Programs and Initiatives,” which discussed linking training programs to the labor market and the role of employers in identifying them.

“Empowerment Across Sectors: Enhancing the Effectiveness of Non-Profit Training” addressed mechanisms for improving the quality of non-profit training and the potential of the national skills system, while “Early Childhood in the Nonprofit Sector: Empowerment Opportunities and Impact Models” reviewed opportunities for expansion and excellence in nonprofit kindergartens. “The Nonprofit Sector and Programs for People with Disabilities” focused on the reality and expectations of nonprofit organizations in programs for people with disabilities.

The first day of the forum featured three specialized workshops addressing services provided by the National Center for Strategic Partnerships to empower nonprofit entities, while around 50 exhibitors the "Generation Alpha: Research Insights for Understanding the Next Generation and Formulating Inspiring Educational Programs" workshop by Ithra Center, and the "Empowering Nonprofit Kindergartens: Practical Steps" workshop.

About 50 exhibitors presented the opportunities they offer for collaboration in the education sector.