JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission will hold a Scientific Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage in Jeddah on Monday, with the participation of researchers from several countries.
The conference aims to discuss studies on research projects and the importance of preserving the features of underwater heritage. The event will also honor pioneers and researchers in the field.
The commission hopes to preserve underwater cultural heritage, prioritize survey and excavation projects for underwater heritage sites, and promote the exchange of expertise and experiences in the field.
This aligns with the objectives of the National Strategy for Culture within the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The conference will announce the establishment of a specialized center to protect underwater cultural heritage in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. Sessions will be broadcast on the Heritage Commission’s YouTube channel.
The conference will feature four panel discussions, each addressing key aspects of underwater cultural heritage.
The first will delve into “Survey Projects for Submerged Heritage in Saudi Arabia,” showcasing ongoing efforts within the Kingdom.
The second will explore “Results of Submerged Heritage Survey Projects Worldwide,” providing a global perspective on underwater cultural heritage.
The third will focus on “Archaeological Research Sources and Modern Techniques in Surveying and Excavating Submerged Heritage,” highlighting innovative approaches employed in the field.
The fourth will address “Capacity Building and Management of Submerged Cultural Heritage,” emphasizing the importance of developing expertise and sustainable management practices.
Participants from various Arab and international countries will be hosted during the event, including the US, Spain, the UK, Argentina, Italy, Slovenia, Mexico, South Korea, Egypt, Algeria, Lebanon, Bulgaria and Australia.
The commission’s commitment to organizing this conference stems from its belief in the integral role of submerged cultural heritage in shaping national culture and heritage.
Submerged heritage serves as a living testament to the historical relationships between the Kingdom and ancient civilizations.
In addition to the conference sessions, the commission has planned a historical tour and special activities to engage and educate attendees about the significance of submerged cultural heritage.
This interactive approach aims to foster a deeper understanding of the historical narratives embedded in the underwater heritage of Saudi Arabia.
Jeddah forum to discuss underwater heritage preservation
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Jeddah forum to discuss underwater heritage preservation
- Saudi commission leads global discussion on protecting underwater cultural heritage
- The conference will announce the establishment of a specialized center to protect underwater cultural heritage in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Saudi Arabia makes space for freelancers to thrive in culinary sector
- Culinary Commission’s latest move is ‘a dream come true’ for chefs
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission has launched a freelance license for chefs via the Abde’a Cultural Licenses Platform.
The commission’s CEO, Mayada Badr, told Arab News: “The freelance chef license is a major milestone in empowering Saudi culinary talent, as it is opening the door for chefs to innovate and succeed independently while contributing to the Kingdom’s culinary sector.”
Abde’a, an e-platform developed to strengthen partnerships with the private sector, is operated under the umbrella of the Ministry of Culture.
The newly introduced license will enable Saudi nationals aged 18 and above — and who hold certified culinary training and valid food safety or health certifications — to legally provide freelance culinary services, paving the way for wider freelance opportunities in diverse venues and events across the Kingdom.
The freelance chef license is a major milestone in empowering Saudi culinary talent, as it is opening the door for chefs to innovate and succeed independently while contributing to the Kingdom’s culinary sector.
Mayada Badr, Saudi Culinary Arts Commission CEO
The initiative will “support skill development and career growth in the sector, as well as recognition and credibility by reinforcing adherence to professional standards in the culinary field,” according to a statement.
Chef Rawan Al-Harthi, a Jeddah-based pastry chef, said: “This license gives us the freedom to showcase our culinary identity while working independently and legally. It’s a dream come true for chefs who want to grow their brand without being tied to a restaurant.”
Another chef, Faisal Al-Malki, echoed Al-Harthi’s sentiments. “Being recognized as a licensed freelance chef adds value to our profession and pushes us to raise the bar in terms of quality and creativity,” he said.
The launch of this initiative “underscores the commission’s commitment to expanding opportunities for local culinary talent, while fostering a culture of creativity and professionalism,” a press release stated.
Croatian PM receives GCC chief in Dubrovnik
- They reviewed relations between the GCC and Croatia, and discussed ways to develop and strengthen ties to serve mutual interests
DUBROVNIK: Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi was received by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic at the Dubrovnik Forum in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on Saturday.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the “latest developments in free trade agreement negotiations and a proposal to hold a joint Gulf-European conference on energy security,” the General Secretariat said in a report.
They also reviewed relations between the GCC and Croatia, and discussed ways to develop and strengthen ties to serve mutual interests.
Sports ministry organizes hiking event in Baha
- Bandar Al-Ghamdi, director of the ministry’s branch in Baha, said the program included 120 people
RIYADH: The Baha branch of the Ministry of Sports, together with the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation, organized a hiking program as part of the “Color Your Summer with Sports” campaign.
The event was held in cooperation with the region’s municipality and health cluster as part of the Baha Summer Season, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Bandar Al-Ghamdi, director of the ministry’s branch in Baha, said the program included 120 people. The event took place in natural locations that reflect the region’s landscape, he added.
Baha’s mountains, valleys and dams offer suitable areas for various sports, including mountain and water activities, he said. These features support the region’s role in sports tourism in the Kingdom.
Al-Ghamdi added that the program is part of a plan to develop the sports sector in Baha and build partnerships with sports federations.
The initiative aims to support the local economy and attract sports and tourism visitors, from the Kingdom and beyond, Al-Ghamdi said.
Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition
- Event highlights smart projects, training initiatives, and global partnerships in the sector
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, represented by the Transport General Authority, held an international exhibition in London to showcase its key initiatives and achievements in supporting the maritime transport industry.
The event was attended by senior officials and saw broad participation from International Maritime Organization member states, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Saudi Ambassador to the UK Prince Khalid bin Bandar and Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser, along with government officials, embassy representatives, and maritime attaches.
The event highlighted the Kingdom’s role as an active partner in the international maritime system and a key contributor to developing global maritime regulations and practices, the SPA added.
It also reflected Saudi Arabia’s continued influence within the International Maritime Organization and its efforts to promote sustainability and improve the efficiency of maritime supply chains.
The exhibition showcased the academies and specialized centers established by the Kingdom, as well as initiatives to localize talent and train seafarers, officers, and marine engineers.
It also featured smart projects that support automation in the sector, enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, according to the SPA.
Prince Khalid said that the exhibition reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international cooperation, highlighting the Kingdom’s hospitality and pursuit of sustainable, collaborative maritime partnerships.
Al-Jasser said that the Kingdom is steadily moving toward leadership in maritime transport, driven by Vision 2030 and investments in talent and technology to strengthen its position as a global logistics hub.
In recent years, the Saudi maritime sector has grown rapidly, with the number of Saudi-flagged vessels reaching 409, totaling more than 100,000 gross tons and more than 16.5 million deadweight tons.
The number of registered Saudi seafarers has risen to 3,000, supported by specialized programs and regulatory initiatives that empower national maritime capabilities, the SPA reported.
These efforts build on Saudi Arabia’s active role in the International Maritime Organization, advancing the maritime transport industry through a vision that goes beyond fleet development or regulatory modernization.
It includes creating an advanced global maritime system based on operational excellence, human capital investment, and cutting-edge technology for a promising, sustainable future.
Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors
RIYADH: A heritage festival in Hail has attracted more than 27,000 visitors from the city, across the Kingdom, and from Gulf and international destinations.
Running from 6 p.m. till 1 a.m. each evening, the 30-day Beit Hail Festival offers a rich blend of cultural, artistic, and heritage experiences, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Visitors can enjoy a diverse array of live performances and interactive heritage displays, recreating scenes from the past and presented by skilled male and female artisans.
Exhibits give younger generations a glimpse of how their ancestors transformed natural materials into functional items, showcasing the ingenuity and authenticity of Saudi heritage.
More than 40 activities allow visitors to explore traditional crafts such as wickerwork, sadu weaving, crochet, hand-woven textiles, and distinctive Najdi and Hail door making.
Other highlights include traditional clothing, Thamudic embroidery, wood and leather beading, fiber arts, resin art, and soap making, the SPA added.
Visitors can also savor a variety of traditional folk foods. At the heart of the festival, an artistic theater hosts performances, including the Hail Samri and Saudi Ardah.
The festival also provides a platform for local craftspeople to showcase their work directly to the public.
