Saudi Arabia welcomes BIE mission for evaluation of Riyadh's candidacy for Expo 2030

Fahd Al-Rasheed (right), CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, meeting with BIE Enquiry Mission head Patrick Specht in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
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Updated 06 March 2023
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Saudi Arabia welcomes BIE mission for evaluation of Riyadh's candidacy for Expo 2030

  • The Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is the governing body of World Expos
  • Kingdom has made three presentations to BIE General Assembly since announcing bid in Oct 2021

RIYADH: A delegation from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Enquiry Mission arrived in Riyadh on Sunday to start their six-day evaluation process of the Riyadh Candidacy for World Expo 2030.

Saudi Arabia announced its bid to host World Expo 2030 in Riyadh in October 2021 and has made three presentations to the BIE General Assembly since then.

The Enquiry Mission is headed by Patrick Specht, president of the BIE Administration and Budget Committee. He is accompanied by BIE Secretary-General Dimitrios Kerkentzes, Eva Descarrega Garcia (Andorra), Karen-Mae Hill, OBE (Antigua and Barbuda), Aldwin Dekkers (Belgium) and additional members of the BIE Secretariat.

Welcoming the delegation to Riyadh, Fahd Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, said: “The visit will provide a first-hand opportunity for the delegates to witness the support of our leadership, the commitment of our government, and the excitement of the people of Riyadh and Saudi Arabia, to host a World Expo in our capital city in 2030.”

“Riyadh submitted a robust bid dossier last September under the main theme, Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow, and its candidacy is currently enjoying global support,” Al-Rasheed added.

The BIE delegation will engage with ministers, members of government and subject matter experts to evaluate the details of the Riyadh Expo 2030 bid.

The Enquiry Mission is a mandatory prerequisite for a country’s candidature to be considered for election. Its task, when visiting a candidate city, is to assess the feasibility and viability of each one.

This assessment includes detailed presentations of the project and exchanges with officials and key stakeholders involved in the candidature. Using the candidature dossier as a guide, each Enquiry Mission will look into the motivations behind the Expo candidature, the attractiveness of the proposed Expo theme, the proposed site and its planned re-use after the Expo, levels of local and national support for the project, expected participation, and the financial feasibility plan.

The findings of the Enquiry Missions will be discussed by the BIE’s executive committee in May 2023, which will decide which candidatures to retain as being feasible and viable. In November 2023, at the 173rd General Assembly of the BIE, the host country of World Expo 2030 will be elected by BIE Member States, via a secret ballot and based on the principle of “one country, one vote.”

The year 2023 will see key milestones for Riyadh Expo 2030 with the current Enquiry Mission visit, a presentation to the General Assembly in June and the final vote by the General Assembly in November 2023.


KSA, Amazon launch cloud skills accelerator

Updated 9 sec ago
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KSA, Amazon launch cloud skills accelerator

  • Participants will work on real-world cloud computing projects, to gain practical experience and earn accredited certifications

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in partnership with Amazon Web Services, has launched the AWS Builder Accelerator program to develop national expertise in cloud computing and equip participants with advanced AWS skills. 

The initiative offers an intensive four-week training program at the AWS’ headquarters in Virginia, US, combining theoretical learning with hands-on projects under the guidance of AWS experts, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. 

Participants will work on real-world cloud computing projects, to gain practical experience and earn accredited certifications.

These skills will help meet market demands and enhance the readiness of national talent to adapt to technological advancements, the SPA reported.

The program targets graduates in technical fields, particularly those in computer science and IT, with two to three years of experience, to boost their competitiveness in the cloud computing sector. 

Set to begin on June 16, the program requires applicants to be Saudi Arabia citizens employed in the private sector. A letter of employer approval is needed upon final acceptance, according to the ministry’s website. 

For registration or more details, visit futureskills.mcit.gov.sa/ar/form/aws.


KSrelief food parcels aid vulnerable communities

Updated 13 min 28 sec ago
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KSrelief food parcels aid vulnerable communities

Riyadh: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food parcels to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

In South Africa, 400 packages were given to families in need as part of the Etaam Ramadan food distribution project.

In Somalia, 1,390 parcels were handed out across multiple governorates, while in Nigeria, 613 parcels were provided in Adamawa state, benefiting 3,678 people.

In Djibouti, 700 parcels helped 4,200 people in Balbala, while 250 were given out in Bangladesh’s Bagerhat district.

In northern Montenegro, 300 packages were given to help 1,500 vulnerable people that included widows and orphans.

In Romania, 530 parcels were distributed in Bucharest and Constanta, with 379 baskets given to Syrian refugees in the Miniyeh district of Lebanon.

Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute 390,109 food parcels across 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of over SR67 million ($17.8 million).


Program assists female visitors at Grand Mosque

Updated 55 min 18 sec ago
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Program assists female visitors at Grand Mosque

MAKKAH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, through the Women’s Affairs Agency, has launched a program to answer visitors’ questions about rituals during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The “Answering and Guiding Female Inquirers” program at the Grand Mosque in Makkah was introduced to accommodate the expected rise in attendance during the last 10 days of the holy month.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, emphasized the agency’s commitment to the initiative, highlighting its role in providing guidance to female visitors.

The program aims to enrich their experience by promoting authentic Islamic knowledge, offering reliable religious guidance and fostering greater awareness in a supportive environment, the SPA reported.

To facilitate inquiries, two dedicated locations have been designated: Women’s Prayer Area 74 on the ground floor and Women’s Prayer Area 84 on the first floor.


King Salman reserve records Nubian ibex birth

Updated 58 min 43 sec ago
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King Salman reserve records Nubian ibex birth

  • The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve is the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the Middle East

RIYADH: The field team at the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve recorded the birth of a Nubian ibex in March, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The reserve’s development authority said that over time, more than 81 mountain ibexes have been reintroduced across various areas of the reserve.

This effort aligns with its commitment to protecting wildlife, including endangered species, and providing a thriving environment for their growth and reproduction, the SPA reported.

The authority added that the reproduction of animals within the reserve reflects the quality and suitability of its natural habitats for wildlife.

The reserve has recorded over 120 mammal births, including the Arabian oryx, sand gazelle, Nubian ibex, and Arabian gazelle, across its designated areas.

As the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the Middle East, the reserve spans 130,700 sq. km across four administrative regions: Jouf, Hail, Northern Borders, and Tabuk. The reserve features diverse habitats, terrains, and unique geographic formations.


Ramadan iftar in Al-Baha’s heritage homes: A tapestry of tradition and taste

Updated 17 March 2025
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Ramadan iftar in Al-Baha’s heritage homes: A tapestry of tradition and taste

  • These heritage houses, architectural emblems of Al-Baha’s rich cultural identity, are silent witnesses to the region’s history

RIYADH: In Al-Aqiq Governorate, Al-Baha, Ramadan is celebrated with warmth and community spirit. Families gather in beautiful heritage homes for iftar, transforming the breaking of the fast into an experience that weaves together living traditions and authentic regional flavors. This practice imbues Ramadan with a unique character.

These heritage houses, architectural emblems of Al-Baha’s rich cultural identity, are silent witnesses to the region’s history, the Saudi Press Agency reported. At these houses, families and friends convene around iftar tables, enveloped by an atmosphere of ancestral stories, fostering a sense of belonging and connection to the past. More than just a meal, iftar becomes an opportunity to strengthen family and social bonds.

Residents chat and share stories, reminiscing about Ramadans past and reinforcing community solidarity and the bonds of affection that unite them.

Awadah Al-Ghamdi told the SPA that this is the third consecutive year his family are breaking their fast at their traditional home, built in 1386 AH. He fondly recalled the Ramadans of his youth, when a fire was lit in the courtyard before the Maghrib call to prayer to prepare traditional fare: fresh bread, aromatic coffee, and marisa, a refreshing blend of water and dates, often infused with lemon or ginger. He emphasized that iftar is a communal affair, with neighbors joining together to share the meal and pray.

The experience of breaking the fast in Al-Baha’s traditional homes is a powerful symbol of the enduring customs that bridge generations. With each iftar, residents revive these cherished practices, ensuring they resonate with future generations and preserve the authentic spirit of Al-Baha throughout every Ramadan.