King Salman receives letter from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed

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Updated 04 April 2023
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King Salman receives letter from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed

  • The message was received by Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan

RIYADH: King Salman received a written message from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Tuesday, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The message addressed the strong relations between the two countries and their people, and ways to support and enhance them in various domains, SPA added.

The message was received by Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi foreign minister, during his meeting at the Ministry's headquarters in Riyadh with the ambassador of the UAE to the Kingdom, Sheikh Nahyan bin Saif Al Nahyan.

The meeting covered discussions on relations between the two countries, ways to enhance them in various fields, and exchanging views on issues of common concern.


Japan’s crown prince visits Saudi pavilion at Osaka Expo

Updated 04 July 2025
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Japan’s crown prince visits Saudi pavilion at Osaka Expo

  • Visited in the company of Saudi Ambassador to Japan Ghazi Faisal Binzagr.

TOKYO: Japan’s Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Akishino visited Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo on Thursday, in the company of Saudi Ambassador to Japan Ghazi Faisal Binzagr.

“We were deeply honored by the visit of their Imperial Highnesses,” Binzagr told Arab News Japan. “It was a beautiful visit.”

He noted how much the pair had enjoyed the music of the oud, which was being played as the imperial guests entered the courtyard of the pavilion and which echoed throughout the building owing to the design of the walls and corridors to amplify the sound.

“The imperial couple also enjoyed Saudi coffee and (a selection of various) dates,” Binzagr said, adding that the variety and color of Saudi dates is influenced by the minerals in the soil of each region where they are grown in the Kingdom.

Binzagr said they had discussed the similarities in the cultures of Saudi Arabia and Japan, adding that despite appearing different, they shared a deep pride in their heritage and history, and both countries' ability to link the East and West.

He added that Japan is authentic with what it has but is also able to blend it with foriegn best practices with its great openness. Binzagr said that he believes this makes for something very special that Saudi Arabia also shares with Japan.

“We both value our roots and connectivity, and we both seek to celebrate balance in everything we do,” he said.

At the pavilion, the imperial couple viewed the plan for Riyadh Expo 2030 and indicated they were keen to visit at that time or even before, Binzagr said.

“We are keenly looking forward to more visits between members of Japan’s Imperial Family and members of our Royal Family of Saudi Arabia,” Binzagr added.

”Such visits add a special dimension to an already special relationship.”


Buraidah’s blossoming farm scene offers a cool summer alternative

Updated 04 July 2025
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Buraidah’s blossoming farm scene offers a cool summer alternative

BURAIDAH: Those hoping to escape the scorching Saudi summer heat can head to Buraidah, where its farms have become a favored summer destination.

Buraidah, about 360 kilometers northwest of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia’s Qassim region, is a place for those seeking calm, comfort and a distinctive leisure experience.

“This rising popularity stems from ongoing efforts to transform these farms into integrated tourist attractions that cater both to families and individuals, offering an authentic experience with a modern touch,” according to the Saudi Press Agency.

These farms stand out for their natural beauty and the balance they strike between simplicity and contemporary features.

Visitors can step away from the pace of city life and enjoy peaceful moments surrounded by lush greenery. The experience is supported by restaurants serving traditional and international dishes, cafes with authentic design and stalls selling local produce. There are family seating areas aplenty, children’s play zones and a variety of nature-based activities.

Ali Mohammed Al-Waili, who is from the Najran region, expressed his admiration of the unique tourism diversity found in the Qassim region. He praised the rural farms that have become an attractive, offering a fully immersive natural experience that reflects the authenticity and agricultural richness of the area.

He pointed out that the farms spread across the region’s governorates provide a well-rounded family tourism experience, featuring traditional seating areas, authentic local cuisine, and a variety of agricultural and recreational activities suited for all age groups.

Another visitor, Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi, noted that rural farms have become a top family destination during the summer holiday because they meet visitors’ needs and offer a range of services that ensure an enjoyable time in a natural and safe environment.

The rising interest in this form of domestic tourism points to a clear shift in public preference toward nature and stillness. Better infrastructure and improved service quality are reinforcing the role of rural farms as a top option for day trips and short breaks.

According to the SPA, the growing interest in domestic tourism and nature helps to support the local economy and achieve sustainable development — aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to improve quality of life, diversify income sources, and enhance the balance between people and the environment.


Saudi, Russian foreign ministers meet in Moscow

Updated 04 July 2025
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Saudi, Russian foreign ministers meet in Moscow

  • Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing relations and building on existing strategic partnerships

MOSCOW: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Friday, as part of an official visit aimed at strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the meeting, the two ministers reviewed Saudi-Russian ties and ongoing cooperation between the Kingdom and the Russian Federation, and discussed avenues for further collaboration across a range of fields, SPA added. 

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing relations and building on existing strategic partnerships.

The talks were followed by an official session, in which Prince Faisal and Lavrov underscored the depth of friendship between the Kingdom and Russia. It also included a wide-ranging discussion on key regional developments and joint efforts to support stability and security in the Middle East, including the crisis in the Gaza Strip.

The visit comes amid ongoing diplomatic engagement between Riyadh and Moscow on regional issues and shared interests in global energy markets and political coordination.

Prince Faisal reiterated, in a press conference during his visit, that the Kingdom rejected military solutions and consistently advocated for resolving all conflicts, regardless of their nature, through negotiation.


Justice Ministry Training Center boosts legal expertise

Updated 04 July 2025
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Justice Ministry Training Center boosts legal expertise

  • More than 8,000 people trained by the center in Q2 2025

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice has enhanced the competency of legal professionals through its Judicial Training Center, focusing on improving training quality and professional reliability in line with best practices.

“In Q2 2025, the Judicial Training Center at the Ministry of Justice trained over 8,000 individuals through 107 courses. Beneficiaries included judges from the Ministry of Justice and the Board of Grievances, lawyers, notaries, marriage registrars, legal researchers, Judicial Support Center for Enforcement staff, and enforcement service providers,” said the ministry.

The center delivered programs such as lawyer qualifications, judicial assistant training, notary certification, lawyer development, internal conciliator training, marriage registrar training, and enforcement service provider training.

These align with the ministry’s goals to enhance training quality and efficiency.

“The MOJ’s training center plays an important role in qualifying individuals to work in judicial services roles such as qualifying individuals to become licensed attorneys and qualify other individuals to play important roles such as becoming judges and marriage registrars,” Dr Osama Ghanem Alobaidy, adviser and professor of law at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, told Arab News.

“It employs best methods to do that including teachers who are well qualified to instill legal skills and knowledge in order to do their jobs,” he added.

The center’s training plan focuses on specialized qualification, continuous professional development, and addressing trainees’ needs, said the ministry.

It incorporates diverse digital training tools and supports research to advance judicial and legal personnel development.

The Judicial Training Center adheres to rigorous standards to deliver specialized qualification programs, continuous professional development, targeted training needs assessments, and a diverse range of digital training tools, reinforcing its role in advancing judicial and legal expertise.

In 2024, the center introduced over 14 new certification and training diplomas. It also developed more than 74 training modules with innovative educational approaches and added over 13 new services to its online platform.


Silver jewelry exhibition draws crowds at Abha Festival

Updated 04 July 2025
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Silver jewelry exhibition draws crowds at Abha Festival

ABHA: A silver jewelry exhibition staged as part of the 26th Abha Shopping Festival has proven very popular with visitors, according to a report published by the Saudi Press Agency on Friday.

Highlights from the exhibition included rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches, intricately adorned with silver and agate, long favored in local markets.

Ali Basha, an investor in the silver and agate trade, told the SPA that visitors had been drawn to a wide variety of precious stones and jewelry, with particular interest in Yemeni agate, Turkish and Italian rings, liver agate, and natural agate.  He also highlighted the appeal of prayer beads made from yusr, amber, amber dust, and bakelite, along with pure silver pieces plated in rhodium to achieve a brilliant, diamond-like shine.

Basha noted that products were available across a wide range of prices to suit most budgets, with silver rings priced between SR100 and SR1,000 ($27 to $270), and handcrafted silver jewelry pieces ranging from SR100 to SR2,500.

He added that he had witnessed a growing demand for antique silver, particularly pieces inlaid with amber and coral, which remain especially popular among collectors and enthusiasts.

“The silver and agate jewelry market continues to evolve, marked by the rise of contemporary designs crafted entirely by hand, without the use of machinery,” Basha told the SPA. “This careful craftsmanship endows each piece with a distinctive artistic character, deeply appealing to those who value originality and sophisticated elegance.”

He concluded by suggesting that the pieces’ beauty, rich colors, natural luster, and varied designs make them an ideal choice for gifts for both men and women, which he believed contributed to the strong turnout at the exhibition.