Team evaluating Saudi bid to host Expo 2030 hears about ideas behind its proposed theme

1 / 3
The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Enquiry Mission’s members met with top Saudi ministers and experts on their second day’s agenda to evaluate the Riyadh candidacy for Expo 2030. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 08 March 2023
Follow

Team evaluating Saudi bid to host Expo 2030 hears about ideas behind its proposed theme

  • Officials and experts from the Kingdom told members of the expo Enquiry Mission about their aims in adopting the theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow”
  • Within that main theme, they heard, there are three sub-themes: “A Different Tomorrow,” “Climate Action” and “Prosperity for All”

RIYADH: Delegates from the supervisory body in charge of overseeing and regulating global expos met Saudi ministers and other experts in Riyadh on Tuesday on the second day of their ongoing visit to evaluate the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030.
During the meeting, the Bureau International des Expositions’ Enquiry Mission learned more about the ideas and meaning behind the proposed Saudi theme for the event: “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow.”
“The choice of theme reflects Saudi Arabia’s depth of aspiration, authenticity of intent and willingness to play an active role on the global stage, to solve the most pressing challenges of our era,” Abdullah Al-Swaha, the minister of communications and information technology, told the mission team.
“Our vision is to make Riyadh Expo 2030 a collaborative platform to design and share the tools to create the blueprints for a better tomorrow. We also aspire for Expo 2030 to enable foresight-led action by countries with impact at a global scale, and to offer the greatest impact and biggest possibilities to co-create the future.”
The theme aims to inspire participants to develop their own individual and diverse interpretations and perspectives on this central premise, officials said, and to help bring them alive at the expo through original and innovative exhibitions and pavilions, along with cultural, business and scientific programs.
Within the main theme there are three sub-themes to the Saudi bid: “A Different Tomorrow,” “Climate Action” and “Prosperity for All.” These were explained and explored on Tuesday through a series of presentations and discussions, including the sharing of information about national initiatives and innovation projects led by Saudi businesses and other organizations.
Central to these discussions were details of the Kingdom’s achievements in the development of future cities, energy transition, climate action, and the digital economy, officials said, all under the transformative umbrella of Saudi Vision 2030.
The Bureau International des Expositions delegation also met senior officials from the Public Investment Fund and NEOM, the massive smart city development in northwestern Saudi Arabia, to gain a better understanding of the ways in which such major projects in the Kingdom demonstrate the country’s foresight about the future of urban living, sources said. They also visited NEOM’s The Line Exhibition, which provided an immersive, multimedia experience showcasing the Saudi vision for the sustainable urban communities of tomorrow.
The day ended with a reception and dinner in the presence of Princess Haifa Al-Mogrin, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to UNESCO, Hala Al-Tuwaijri, president of the Saudi Human Rights Commission, and Iman Al-Mutairi, the deputy minister of trade.
Discussions during the reception revolved around Saudi Arabia’s advances in the realm of human rights and how these achievements have influenced the “Prosperity for all” expo sub-theme.
 


Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement

Updated 18 March 2025
Follow

Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement

  • Initiative part of government’s efforts to improve quality of life, enhance standard of living

RIYADH: The Saudi leadership has approved the disbursement of over SR3 billion ($800 million) to social security beneficiaries as part of an aid initiative during the holy month of Ramadan.

Under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the scheme will address the needs of beneficiary families and fulfill their requirements during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Over SR3 billion will be given as follows: each breadwinner will receive SR1,000, and each dependent in the household will receive SR500. The funds will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries on Tuesday, March 18, the SPA said.

Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for helping to provide citizens with a decent livelihood.

The initiative is part of the Saudi government’s efforts to improve the quality of life and enhance the standard of living for social security beneficiaries, especially during Ramadan, the SPA added.


Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan

Updated 18 March 2025
Follow

Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan

  • Number iftar meals provided during Ramadan to has increased this year due to growth in the number of Umrah pilgrims at Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, officials say

MAKKAH: Saudi authorities provided almost 11 million iftar meals to Umrah pilgrims and other worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina during the first half of Ramadan.

The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said on Monday, the 17th day of Ramadan, it has provided 10,822,999 iftar meals and 10,290,000 packets of dates so far during the holy month, which is a time of worship for Muslims during which they fast from sunrise to sunset.

The authority said the number of iftar meals it provides during Ramadan to pilgrims performing Umrah, and other visitors to the mosques, has increased this year due to growth in the number of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The food is served in designated iftar areas at the mosques, in adherence with strict health standards to ensure the safety of worshippers, it added.

In the run-up to the holy month, the authority introduced an online service through which individuals, charitable organizations and endowments could submit requests to donate iftar meals at the Grand Mosque, the SPA added.


Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class

Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia are awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. SPA
Updated 17 March 2025
Follow

Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class

  • Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom

RIYADH: The Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia were awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. 

Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji awarded the sashes on the directive of King Salman, SPA added. 


Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation

Updated 17 March 2025
Follow

Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation

  • The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission

RIYADH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Academy (ZADC) was awarded a full institutional accreditation certificate on Sunday, with the support of Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province.

The recognition was granted during the inauguration ceremony of the academy’s new building on March 16.

The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to implement institutional accreditation processes.

The achievement underscored ZADC’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence in culinary education and training.

By equipping national talents with specialized skills, the academy aims to contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sector.

The achievement also aligns with the broader efforts of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to ensure quality and excellence in education and training institutions across the Kingdom.


Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations

Updated 17 March 2025
Follow

Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations

  • Several senior ministry officials attended

RIYADH: Under the patronage of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the Foreign Ministry hosted a gathering of the heads of diplomatic missions, regional offices, and international organizations accredited to the Kingdom to mark the holy month of Ramadan.

The ministry hosted an iftar reception at its headquarters in Riyadh, and those attending, which included several senior ministry officials, exchanged Ramadan greetings and engaged in cordial discussions, enhancing communication with diplomatic missions in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.