Saudi-French relations are experiencing a ‘quantum leap,’ Adel Al-Jubeir tells Arab News en Francais

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Updated 20 June 2023
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Saudi-French relations are experiencing a ‘quantum leap,’ Adel Al-Jubeir tells Arab News en Francais

  • Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs says both nations have “young leaders who have visions, ambitions and courage to move their countries to a better level”
  • Kingdom is “well placed” to secure World Expo 2030, boosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Paris visit, he adds
  • Climate envoy lauds Kingdom’s moves toward supplying Europe with clean, renewable energy, and partnerships on hydrogen power

PARIS: The relationship between Saudi Arabia and France is going through a “quantum leap,” Adel Al-Jubeir, the Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs, told Arab News en Francais in Paris, as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman continues his official visit to the French capital this week.

“We’re witnessing a quantum leap in Saudi-French relations,” said Al-Jubeir. “Saudi Arabia and France have been strategic partners and allies for many, many decades. We have commonality of outlook with regards to international relations, with regards to the sovereignty of nations, the principle of non-interference, respect for international law.

“We both believe in our people. We both believe in empowering youth and women. We both believe in providing opportunity. We both believe in connecting with the world. And we both are working to connect with the world and be connected with the world.

“The relationship between our two countries is very strong, has been very strong. And we’re looking forward to elevating the relationship on a personal level between our leaders. It is a very strong personal relationship.”

The crown prince arrived in Paris for an official visit at the end of last week, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on Friday to discuss bilateral, regional and international affairs.

In Al-Jubeir’s view, the strength of the Saudi-French relationship is owed, to a great extent, to the shared values of the two leaders, who are of a similar age and outlook.

“We have young leaders who have visions and ambitions and courage to move their countries to a better level. And this is all the coming together of all of these different elements,” he said.

“We have tremendous opportunities to further our trade and investment relationship. We have tremendous opportunities to further our cultural and educational relationships. We have tremendous opportunities to further our people-to-people relationships, and nothing comes better, more clearly, than when you have a summit.




Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended the Kingdom’s official reception for Expo 2030 bid on Monday. (SPA) 

“And this is what we have during this visit: His royal highness’s meeting at the Elysee with the president of France, the Saudi business and investment delegation in France with the accompanying events, the meeting of the Bureau of International Exhibitions, and the bid announcement for Saudi Arabia to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh.”

One issue on which France seeks Saudi support is Ukraine. French media outlets recently indicated that Paris wants Riyadh to leverage its relationship with Russia to help find a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Asked by Arab News en Francais whether there was any basis to these reports, or any progress on the issue, Al-Jubeir highlighted the Kingdom’s proactive role in prisoner exchanges, the facilitation of grain exports from Ukrainian ports, and engagement with the international community to try and bring a negotiated end to the conflict.

“There is a dialogue and an exchange of views on how to deal with any challenges and how to overcome obstacles. And we do this through a serious and intensive consultation mechanism. The objective of both countries is to bring peace and stability to the Middle East region and to the world,” he said.

Saudi Arabia’s relationship with France and other European nations goes beyond strategic partnerships. Energy security, particularly as the world makes the transition to cleaner sources of energy, has become a significant area of cooperation.

Long a major supplier of hydrocarbons, Saudi Arabia is now moving to supply Europe and its neighbors in the Middle East with clean and renewable sources of energy.

“We are one of the largest investors in the world in renewable energy, whether it’s solar energy, whether it’s wind, whether it’s hydro,” said Al-Jubeir.

“We are working on building, as we speak, transmission lines into neighboring countries so we can more efficiently distribute the energy to other countries. We are working with Europe to see how we can provide Europe’s requirements for green hydrogen.

“We are, in particular, working with Germany and with the Netherlands, because of the Port of Rotterdam, and Germany is a strategic partner in technologies for green hydrogen. We are building the largest green hydrogen plant in the world in NEOM.

“We are also working on providing Europe with electricity generated from renewable energy because Europe requires up to 30 percent of its electricity (to come from renewables) in the coming decades. They may require that that be important and we want to be the supplier of that energy.

“And we have agreements with, or understandings with, Cyprus and Greece with regards to energy cooperation and with regards to transmission lines, so we can deliver this energy efficiently to Europe.”




Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir being interviewed by Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas in Paris on Monday. (AN photo )      

Saudi Arabia’s investment in renewables is part of a wider environmental strategy, implemented through the Vision 2030 social reform and economic diversification agenda, the Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives, and the Kingdom’s embrace of the circular carbon economy.

“Saudi Arabia’s climate agenda is very clear and very, very ambitious,” said Al-Jubeir. “The issue is really to employ what we call the circular carbon economy approach, where we look at environmental and climate issues in a holistic manner and we seek a solution to it in a holistic manner, rather than in a one-size-fits-all approach.

“The approach we take is producing energy more efficiently and more cleanly, capturing carbon, sequestering carbon, working on redesigning our cities to make them more efficient so we reduce the amount of time that people drive … We work on better standards for energy consumption in all aspects, whether it’s household appliances, whether it’s public buildings.

“The other part of the circular carbon economy is also to use nature in order to capture carbon more effectively. We have designated 30 percent of Saudi Arabia as protected areas and we’re working on making sure that that’s in place.




The NEOM Green Hydrogen plant is expected to begin green hydrogen production using 100 percent renewables in 2026. (NEOM)

“We have committed to designating 30 percent of our oceans as designated protected areas. We are now at about 22 percent. We will be reaching 30 percent in the next very few years.

“We are part of the global methane pledge and we doubled our commitment to reducing methane; that was announced last year, where we doubled our goal because we were able to acquire the technology and the ability to do more. We were one of only three G20 countries to do so.”

Given the breadth of achievements that Saudi Arabia has to share, it is perhaps no surprise that the Kingdom has made its bid to host World Expo 2030 such a high priority. Indeed, the event would coincide with the completion of the Vision 2030 reform drive.

The crown prince himself is presenting the Saudi bid during the International Bureau of Exhibitions meeting in Paris this week, and on Monday night he participated in an official reception for 179 countries as part of the Kingdom’s bid.

Asked by Arab News en Francais whether the crown prince’s personal presence in Paris to promote Riyadh’s bid is a signal that Saudi Arabia feels it has already secured the nomination, Al-Jubeir said: “The vote will be in November. We are in a good position. We will be in a much, much better position thanks to the presence of his royal highness here in Paris to talk to delegates and to oversee the opening of the Saudi bid for hosting Expo 2030.




The crown prince met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on Friday to discuss bilateral, regional and international affairs. (AP)

“Having his royal highness the crown prince here at the presentation of our bid is very significant because he is the driving force behind Vision 2030 … I have no doubt that his presence here, during the launch of Saudi Arabia’s bid, is going to have a huge impact on signaling the commitment of Saudi Arabia to this expo, signaling the commitment of his royal highness to this expo and to his Vision 2030.”

If Riyadh secures the nomination, Al-Jubeir said the World Expo venue would become a permanent part of the city’s cultural fabric and a monument to its achievements.

“The exhibition that Saudi Arabia has in mind, and that his royal highness charted out, is that this is going to be an unprecedented exhibition,” he said.

“It will be an exhibition like no other. We are allocating tremendous resources to this exhibition. We want this exhibit to be a permanent exhibit, not a temporary exhibit. We want it to become part of the cultural scene of Riyadh.”

He added: “I have no doubt that the world will be positively stunned by what the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is able to do, should we have the honor of receiving the votes to be able to host this important event in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the city of Riyadh, in 2030.”


Riyadh Zoo returns with new interactive experiences as part of Riyadh Season

Updated 15 November 2024
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Riyadh Zoo returns with new interactive experiences as part of Riyadh Season

  • Entry is free for all, visitors can book tickets through the webook platform

RIYADH: Home to more than 1,400 animals from 190 species, Riyadh Zoo is back for its third year as part of Riyadh Season, offering visitors of all ages new interactive and educational experiences.

Beginning Oct. 30, the zoo opened its doors to the public free of charge. Visitors can book tickets through the webook platform and explore a variety of animals in natural habitats that mimic their original environments.

Riyadh Zoo operate daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and spans 161,000 square meters. (Supplied)

Among the new experiences is “Croc Cave,” where guests can safely observe crocodiles from secure platforms. The “Bird Zone” features a range of exotic birds, allowing visitors to engage with them up close and even feed them. Another highlight is the “Kangaroo Yard,” where guests can interact with and take photos of the famous Australian animals.

A new bird show has also been introduced, where trained birds perform entertaining and skilful tricks and routines, delighting the audience. The zoo’s educational offerings have been enhanced with an interactive farm experience, allowing visitors to learn more about nature and animal life through hands-on activities.

Riyadh Zoo operate daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and spans 161,000 square meters. The venue also includes food stalls and mobile food trucks to cater to visitors throughout the day.

Several rare and endangered animals have been born so far at the site, and the zoo also witnessed the Gulf’s first animal birth by cesarean section. (Supplied)

Located in Al-Malaz neighborhood, it is one of the key attractions of Riyadh Season.

Seung-Min shin, a frequent visitor at the zoo, told Arab News she had taken her son who was deeply interested in the animals’ various behaviors.

“The flying birds and the absence of cages for each animal — where we can go inside and touch them — that’s the beauty here,” she added.

Visitor Fatima Hashim, emphasized the educational value for young visitors on offer, saying: “Seeing animals in real life helps children learn about animals, their nature, habitats, and the different types of mammals and birds. The experience was wonderful … the staff at the zoo focused on teaching children how to feed the animals, helping them have the full experience.”

According to Riyadh Zoo’s website, several rare and endangered animals have been born so far at the site, and the zoo also witnessed the Gulf’s first animal birth by cesarean section.

Riyadh Zoo’s layout includes zones designed to accommodate visitors with disabilities, with fewer stairs and more flat surfaces, allowing everyone to explore the park with ease and enjoy a complete experience.

Riyadh Zoo was originally established in 1957 as a private menagerie for King Saud and the Saudi royal family. It opened to the public in 1987.

 


How Saudi Arabia is helping to drive equitable energy transitions in Africa

Updated 16 November 2024
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How Saudi Arabia is helping to drive equitable energy transitions in Africa

  • Saudi ‘Empowering Africa’ initiative bridges energy inequality through leveraging the continent’s untapped solar, wind, and hydropower
  • The initiative aims to uplift communities and foster sustainable growth by reducing reliance on imported fuels and building local infrastructure

BAKU: As world leaders at this year’s UN Climate Change Conference, COP29, discuss the responsibility of developed nations to finance climate action in vulnerable regions, South-South cooperation is emerging as a transformative force driving equitable energy transitions.

Saudi Arabia has established itself as a leader in this collaboration between countries in the Global South, leveraging its resources, expertise, and strategic partnerships to unlock Africa’s renewable energy potential and shape a more sustainable future.

In November last year, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed groundbreaking memorandums of understanding with five African nations — Ethiopia, Senegal, Chad, Nigeria, and Rwanda.

The agreements, finalized during the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Conference in Riyadh, aim to strengthen collaboration in oil, gas, and renewables, representing a holistic approach to energy development.

“These partnerships symbolize more than economic exchanges; they represent our shared commitment to sustainable growth,” Prince Abdulaziz said at the event. “Africa’s energy potential is vast, and Saudi Arabia is committed to supporting its development for mutual prosperity.”

The five agreements align with Africa’s distinct energy opportunities. For instance, Ethiopia seeks to bolster its hydropower infrastructure, while Rwanda is focused on advancing innovation in oil demand management and integrating renewable energy.

By leveraging Africa’s untapped solar, wind, and hydropower resources, “Empowering Africa Initiative,” seeks to provide clean and reliable electricity to underserved regions. (Supplied)

These MoUs also emphasize Saudi Arabia’s role in supporting localized solutions in line with global climate goals.

To bridge the energy equity gap on the African continent, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy last year introduced the Empowering Africa initiative. The project leverages Africa’s untapped solar, wind, and hydropower resources to provide clean and reliable electricity to underserved regions.

This effort plays a key role in improving energy access in areas where electricity deficits hinder economic development and quality of life.

DID YOUKNOW?

• Africa has 10 TW of untapped solar energy and 350 GW of hydroelectric power.

• Continent posses more than 70 percent of the world’s cobalt, a vital mineral for green technologies.

According to a 2022 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 75 percent of the world’s population without access to electricity, making it the most energy-deficient continent.

The African Development Bank recently noted that Africa needs $130-170 billion annually to close its infrastructure gap, facing a financing shortfall of up to $108 billion.

Abid Malik, the geo head for Central Asia at the Saudi energy leader ACWA Power, said the projects associated with the Empowering Africa initiative “aren’t just about power” but also focus on “community upliftment and sustainable growth.”

On the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Malik told Arab News: “By reducing dependency on imported fuels and creating local infrastructure, these efforts provide resilience against global energy volatility.”

African countries also have more than a fifth of the world’s reserves in minerals critical for the energy transition, according to the UN Trade and Development.

Abdul Malik of Acwa Power. (Supplied)

These minerals, including cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements, make the continent crucial to the global renewable energy supply chain. Such resources are foundational to technologies like electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines.

Despite this, much of Africa’s value-added manufacturing in green technology occurs elsewhere, and the continent captures less than half of its potential revenue from minerals.

Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of UNCTAD, has warned that critical minerals could create a “development trap” for resource-rich, vulnerable countries due to commodity dependence.

She stressed the urgent need for these nations, which rely on raw materials for most of their export revenue, to move up global value chains.

Saudi Arabia has therefore prioritized partnerships that tap into Africa’s rich mineral resources while fostering localized value creation.

“These collaborations are about ensuring Africa benefits from its own resources,” said Malik of ACWA Power. “The focus is not just on extraction but on building industries that create jobs, generate revenue, and drive technological innovation.”

One such cooperation with Chad aims to integrate solar technology into existing energy frameworks while developing mining infrastructure to support critical mineral extraction. These efforts reflect a forward-looking strategy that aligns African nations with the Paris Agreement while driving economic growth.

Opinion

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Indeed, Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change focuses on the development of carbon markets, which are carbon pricing mechanisms allowing governments as well as non-state actors to trade greenhouse gas emission credits.

Under this article, parties can voluntarily cooperate to meet emission reduction targets outlined in their nationally determined contributions. This allows a party to transfer carbon credits earned through emissions reductions to help others achieve their climate goals.

And as financing gaps remain a key challenge hampering progress in the Global South, Saudi Arabia is leading efforts to deploy innovative mechanisms, including voluntary carbon markets.

Riham El-Gizy, the CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Voluntary Carbon Markets Company, stressed the significance of directing climate finance to Africa.

“Only 2 percent of global climate finance reaches the Global South. This needs to change,” El-Gizy told Arab News at COP29.

Riham El-Gizy. (Supplied)

Although Africa accounts for nine of the world’s 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, the continent receives a mere 3-4 percent of global climate finance, according to the African Development Bank.

To boost funding for local African communities, Saudi-backed initiatives, through voluntary carbon markets, are enabling the continent’s countries to monetize their carbon reduction efforts.

“By providing a platform for rural renewable energy projects, we’re creating a pipeline for funding that directly benefits local communities,” said El-Gizy.

This approach not only reduces emissions but also empowers rural areas with much-needed resources, bridging gaps in both finance and energy access.

At the heart of Saudi Arabia’s engagement in Africa is the “Empowering Africa Initiative,” a Ministry of Energy project designed to bridge the continent’s energy equity gap. (Supplied)

Saudi Arabia’s leadership in South-South cooperation offers a roadmap for inclusive energy transitions. Its strategy, spanning renewable energy, critical minerals, and carbon markets, underscores the power of equitable partnerships in addressing the climate crisis.

As COP29 unfolds, the emphasis on South-South collaboration reaffirms that Africa’s potential as a renewable energy leader can only be realized through partnerships that prioritize shared growth.

Saudi Arabia’s investments in Africa showcase how collaboration can drive sustainable development, paving the way for a cleaner, more inclusive global energy future.
 

 


Saudi aid agency expands orphan support in Jordan

Updated 15 November 2024
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Saudi aid agency expands orphan support in Jordan

  • The program exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian mission in the region through its relief arm, KSrelief

AMMAN: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has distributed its latest round of monthly stipends to orphaned children from underprivileged Jordanian and Syrian refugee families across Jordan’s regions of Karak, Tafila, Maan and Aqaba.

Working with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, the Saudi aid agency provided year-long support covering basic living expenses, educational materials, Eid clothing and recreational activities. The program aims to eventually support 1,000 orphans across Jordan.

Beneficiaries are selected from both local Jordanian communities and Syrian refugee populations, ensuring aid reaches those most in need.

The program exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian mission in the region through its relief arm, KSrelief.

 


40 scouts finish the Wood Badge advanced course

Updated 15 November 2024
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40 scouts finish the Wood Badge advanced course

  • The course also included how to plan and execute outdoor trips

RIYADH: Forty scouts from various sectors of the Saudi Arabian Boy Scout Association completed the Wood Badge advanced course, with an average of 27 hours of training in theoretical and practical aspects.
The course, organized by Masar Development Association in Al-Ahsa, included working on the role, responsibilities, duties and needs of the scout unit leader and methods and means for training boys, as well as leadership concepts, patterns and theories.
It also covered public relations, scouting and boys’ development, problem-solving methods, youth participation in decision-making, planning methods, tools and techniques, the concept, styles and theories of scouting, protection from harm, and resource development.
The course also included how to plan and execute outdoor trips, including methods for navigation, setting up tents, secret signs, codes, map drawing, estimations, outdoor cooking, organized hiking, and report writing.


Umm Al-Qura University clinches top award

Updated 15 November 2024
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Umm Al-Qura University clinches top award

  • The recognition aligns with the university’s Strategic Plan 2027 objectives
  • The project aims to revolutionize education for faculty, students and administrative staff

MAKKAH: Umm Al-Qura University won the Best Educational Experience prize at the 2025 Saudi Customer Experience Awards.
Presented through a collaboration between the CX Forum, the Saudi CX Association and Awards International, the award recognizes the university’s excellence in enhancing the student experience and fostering an exceptional learning environment that adheres to global quality benchmarks.
The recognition aligns with the university’s Strategic Plan 2027 objectives, particularly in advancing teaching and learning initiatives. Central to the success is the Comprehensive Experience Project inaugurated by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of Makkah Region. The project aims to revolutionize education for faculty, students and administrative staff.
The Saudi Customer Experience Awards stand as a premier platform for recognizing excellence in customer-centric innovations across the Kingdom’s various sectors.