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