Saudi Arabia’s NEOM an ‘opportunity to redefine livability,’ deputy CEO tells World Economic Forum 

1 / 3
Deputy CEO of NEOM Rayan Fayez speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday. (WEF)
Short Url
Updated 20 January 2023
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s NEOM an ‘opportunity to redefine livability,’ deputy CEO tells World Economic Forum 

  • The Kingdom’s smart city giga-project aims to attract world’s best talent, Rayan Fayez tells Davos panel  
  • NEOM will be built according to the needs of the future with a focus on sustainability, WEF audience hears 

DAVOS: The Saudi megaproject NEOM is an opportunity to redefine livability, business and people’s relationship with nature, its deputy CEO said on Thursday.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum at a session titled “Bold New Cities Take the Stage,” Rayan Fayez said that most cities were designed for the needs of past generations and were facing many problems, including sprawling populations.

But the idea behind NEOM was to build according to the needs of the future with a focus on sustainability, he said.

“When you have a region that you are starting from scratch with no legacy, we have the ability to experiment and design how it should be for the future, rather than being anchored to what it was designed for in the past,” he said.

“So everything we’re doing in NEOM today is only on 5 percent of the landmass. The idea behind it is really to build not only a big and impressive real estate development, but also a real economy behind it.”

Fayez said that 95 percent of NEOM would be a nature reserve and that the city would run entirely on renewable energy, from wind and solar resources and the world’s largest hydrogen plant.

He added that although NEOM was a Saudi project, it aimed attract the best global talent to live there.

Speaking about The Line, a smart city under construction in NEOM which is designed to have no cars, streets or carbon emissions, Fayez said it would be built with glass walls to give it a timeless appeal and help it integrate with nature.

“We like to think of The Line as a city within a park,” he said. “Because The Line is actually literally in the middle of nature. And everyone will have access to nature within five minutes.”


Madinah governor hosts Eid Al-Adha reception, highlights Hajj services

Prince Salman bin Sultan receives well-wishers celebrating Eid Al-Adha in Madinah. (Supplied)
Updated 06 June 2025
Follow

Madinah governor hosts Eid Al-Adha reception, highlights Hajj services

  • The governor praised the facilities and services provided to pilgrims performing Hajj and commended the efforts of the relevant authorities

MADINAH: Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan received well-wishers celebrating Eid Al-Adha and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s dedication to serving pilgrims and maintaining the Two Holy Mosques.

During the reception, the governor underscored the commitment of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ensuring exceptional care for pilgrims visiting Islam’s most sacred sites.

The ceremony drew a diverse gathering, including senior clerics, government ministers, tribal chiefs, local officials and citizens, who came to offer their best wishes to the prince.

The governor praised the facilities and services provided to pilgrims performing Hajj and commended the efforts of the relevant authorities.

 


Saudi crown prince praises efforts behind Hajj success

Updated 06 June 2025
Follow

Saudi crown prince praises efforts behind Hajj success

  • Prince Mohammed also praised the dedication of government employees and volunteers across all sectors

MINA: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday lauded the success of this year’s Hajj season, crediting it to the Kingdom’s commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims who visit them, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“The continued success we witnessed today in serving the Guests of God is the result of our blessed country’s efforts in serving the Two Holy Mosques, the holy sites and their visitors,” the crown prince said.

“We will continue to exert all efforts to provide comfort to the Guests of God.”

His remarks came during a reception held at the Royal Court in Mina Palace, where he received Eid Al-Adha well-wishers on behalf of King Salman.

The gathering included senior princes, the Kingdom’s Grand Mufti, high-ranking officials, military commanders involved in the Hajj operation and guests from Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

The crown prince also praised the dedication of government employees and volunteers across all sectors for their role in enabling pilgrims to complete their Hajj rituals safely and peacefully.


Saudi authorities crack down on illegal Hajj entry

Updated 06 June 2025
Follow

Saudi authorities crack down on illegal Hajj entry

  • Penalties include imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000 ($26,600), public naming of violators, deportation of residents, and a 10-year re-entry ban after sentencing

MAKKAH: The Hajj Security Forces at Makkah’s entrances arrested 18 residents and 31 citizens for transporting 197 individuals without Hajj permits, the Saudi Press Agency reported Friday.

The Ministry of Interior issued administrative decisions through seasonal committees against the transporters, their accomplices, and the unauthorized pilgrims.

Penalties include imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000 ($26,600), public naming of violators, deportation of residents, and a 10-year re-entry ban after sentencing.

The ministry also called for the confiscation of vehicles used in unauthorized transport and fines of up to SR20,000 for those attempting Hajj without a permit.

In a separate incident, security forces arrested 119 expatriates holding visit visas for violating Hajj regulations by attempting to enter Makkah on foot via a desert route.

All involved individuals were referred to the relevant authorities for legal action, the SPA reported.

Authorities also arrested an Indonesian resident for transporting 24 residents and 23 expatriates with visit visas, attempting to enter Makkah without permits. All were referred to the competent authority.

Earlier, the ministry urged full compliance with Hajj regulations to ensure pilgrim safety and reminded the public that entering Makkah without a Hajj permit from April 29 to June 10 is prohibited.

 


Hajj guests praise Saudi dedication to Islam, Muslims

Updated 06 June 2025
Follow

Hajj guests praise Saudi dedication to Islam, Muslims

  • This year, the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj and Umrah is hosting 2,443 pilgrims from 100 countries

MAKKAH: Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj and Umrah have praised Saudi Arabia’s unwavering dedication to Islam and Muslims.

Implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the program’s invitation to diverse communities highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to enabling more Muslims to perform Hajj with ease and tranquility.

Pilgrims from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka said the program had a significant humanitarian impact and reflected the Kingdom’s global outreach.

They lauded Saudi Arabia’s rapid infrastructure development, particularly in Makkah and Madinah, which has substantially increased capacity for pilgrims.

The guests commended the exceptional services, meticulous organization and high-quality infrastructure in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.

This year, the program is hosting 2,443 pilgrims from 100 countries, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s legacy of service to the global Muslim community.


Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani PM in Mina

Updated 06 June 2025
Follow

Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani PM in Mina

  • The two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings
  • They also reviewed regional developments and the efforts being made to enhance security and stability

MINA: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday at Mina Palace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed the longstanding ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, with a focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors, SPA added. 

They also reviewed regional developments and the efforts being made to enhance security and stability.

The reception was attended by several senior Saudi officials, including Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, Minister of Interior; Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense; and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Also in attendance were Adel Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy; Minister of Information Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari; Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan; and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki.

On the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar joined the meeting along with Field Marshal Hafiz Syed Asim, Chief of Army Staff and ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq.