Richard Mille’s inaugural Rally A’Shira held from Oct. 16 to 21, amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Saudi Arabia was an incredible success for the brand. Inaugurated by Amanda Mille, global brand and partnership director, Richard Mille, and Tilly Harrison, managing director of Richard Mille Middle East and Turkiye, the event celebrated the guiding light of the A’Shira star — a powerful symbol of discovery and empowerment. 

This groundbreaking all-female three-day regularity rally brought together 40 competitors, driving 850 kilometers in 20 4x4 cars, representing a range of nationalities from the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Starting in the historic city of Madinah and culminating on the shores of the Red Sea, the competitors navigated their journey using a roadbook and a mileage tracker, requiring excellent concentration and a keen sense of precision, fully immersing themselves in the spirit of exploration and collaboration that defines Rally A’Shira. The RM 07-04 Automatic Sport, the brand’s first female-focused sports watch, was the official timepiece of the rally, embodying the spirit of drive and determination. 

Women in motorsport has been a crucial pillar for the Richard Mille brand; in the last decade it yielded the creation of the Richard Mille Racing Team from 2020 to 2022, the Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille, since 2015, the support of drivers like Aurora Straus, the professional race car driver in the US, or Lilou Wadoux, who is the first official female Ferrari Competizioni GT driver. The Rally A’Shira was a logical continuation, the first event of its kind in the MENA region, aligning with the brand’s desire to create opportunities and experiences for passionate women. 

“Rally A’Shira represents a natural extension of Richard Mille’s dedication to supporting women in motorsport. It’s about creating a platform where women can challenge themselves and forge new paths. We thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this opportunity and their belief in this project. This all-female rally is all about determination, passion and human encounter,” Mille said.

Harrison added: “Rally A’Shira is not just a rally; it’s a celebration of empowerment and a testament to Richard Mille’s commitment to creating extraordinary experiences that resonate with our community. We are proud to have launched this pivotal initiative and look forward to building on its success in the years to come.” 

Throughout the rally, participants formed lasting connections, shared inspiring stories, and embraced the adventurous spirit that Rally A’Shira represents. The stunning accommodations at Edition Jeddah, Habitas AlUla, and The Red Sea’s Shebara Resort provided a serene retreat, blending nature, wellness, and world-class luxury. 

The Rally A’Shira will become an annual event, further solidifying the brand’s dedication to celebrating women in motorsport and beyond. 

In a statement, the Richard Mille brand thanked the Saudi Motorsport and Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation for their invaluable support, as well as BeOnd Jet for delivering an unparalleled luxury travel experience. The rally concluded along the picturesque shores of The Red Sea destination, a fitting finale to an event that began as a dream and was brought to life with the vision of The Red Sea, a key partner of the rally. Their invitation to explore the exceptional, unopened Shebara Resort added another layer of exclusivity to this landmark event in the MENA region, creating many unforgettable memories. 

ACWA Power, the world’s largest private water desalination company, leader in energy transition and first mover into green hydrogen, announced two environmental and community development initiatives during COP16. These include a donation to the Global Coral R&D Accelerator Platform Foundation, and a project to provide water access to more than 1,500 households in Wadi Hajar, Makkah region.

Coral reef program

The CORDAP collaboration encompasses key verticals to advance coral conservation efforts globally:

• Research and knowledge enhancement: CORDAP is committed to supporting two significant research projects and two comprehensive scoping review studies.

• Coral Academy establishment: The collaboration will establish the Coral Academy, which aims to enhance learning and training programs for practitioners and ambassadors. This program will be implemented in partnership with the Energy and Water Academy and will include the development of an interactive roadshow across various cities in Saudi Arabia to elevate public understanding of the importance of coral reefs and the challenges they face.

This collaboration will support, complement, and scale up existing and new initiatives working on coral conservation, resilience, adaptation, and restoration.

Sekaya initiative

The second initiative focuses on fostering participation in a critical project designed to ensure sustainable access to water in a water stressed area for more than 1,500 households in Wadi Hajar, situated in the Makkah region. This initiative is undertaken in collaboration with Sekaya Foundation, an organization enabling local communities to contribute to water supply projects in villages, rural areas and remote regions, strengthening the ministry’s role in promoting community participation.

Commenting on the announcement, Rusha Alrawaf, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer at ACWA Power, said: “As a leader in sustainable water and power solutions, ACWA Power recognizes the critical importance of preserving our planet’s ecosystems and supporting our local communities.”

These two initiatives align perfectly with our broader mission of sustainable development and showcase how private sector engagement can drive positive environmental and social change on multiple scales.”

These partnerships underscore ACWA Power’s dedication to environmental sustainability, carbon reduction, and community development, highlighting its role in addressing critical global and local challenges beyond its core business operations.