Young falconers embrace heritage, tradition at King Abdulaziz festival

Some falconers bring their children to introduce them to falconry competitions. (SPA)
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Updated 11 December 2024
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Young falconers embrace heritage, tradition at King Abdulaziz festival

RIYADH: Falconers are competing in the Al-Mellwah racing qualifiers to advance to the King Abdulaziz Cup, aiming for a spot and a win in the finals, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The competitions are part of the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, hosted by the Saudi Falcons Club at its Malham headquarters, north of Riyadh, and running until Dec. 19.

Some falconers bring their children to introduce them to falconry competitions, familiarize them with the racetrack and teach them race preparation, falcon handling at the starting point, and signaling the falcon at the end of the track. They also explain how winners are determined based on the final results.

Participant Turki Al-Otaibi, who inherited a love of falconry from his father and ancestors, is committed to passing down the tradition to his children. He has brought some family members to share the experience and explore the young falconers’ pavilion.




Some falconers bring their children to introduce them to falconry competitions. (SPA)

Omar Al-Otaibi, 16, expressed excitement while at the falcon release stage with his uncle, who began teaching him falconry and hunting three years ago.

He said that his 15-year-old cousin, Abdullah Al-Otaibi, is also on this journey, eager to explore this heritage, deepen his interest in falconry and invest in falcon breeding under their fathers’ guidance.

The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival offers prizes totaling more than SR36 million ($9.6 million) for both the Al-Mellwah racing and Mazayen (falcon beauty pageant) competitions, with 138 rounds of competition.

Through attractions such as the young falconers’ pavilion, a falconry history museum and other exhibits, the Saudi Falcons Club aims to promote falconry, preserve breeding and training traditions for future generations, share cultural heritage, celebrate common traditions, attract visitors to experience Saudi culture and ensure the continuity of this cherished hobby.




The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival offers prizes totaling more than SR36 million ($9.6 million) for both the Al-Mellwah racing and Mazayen (falcon beauty pageant) competitions, with 138 rounds of competition. (SPA)

The festival is a three-time Guinness World Record holder for hosting the world’s largest gathering of falcons. It brings together top falconers from around the world to celebrate the cultural heritage of falconry, encourage competition and ensure its sustainability for future generations.

The club’s CEO, Talal Al-Shamaisi, said that the festival’s primary aim was “to advance falconry as a cultural hobby while preserving and promoting this Arab tradition.”

He said that the club hopes to position falconry as a “major heritage tourism attraction, fostering national pride and engaging younger generations in a competitive yet spirited environment.”


AlUla celebrated on UN International Mountain Day

Updated 18 min 30 sec ago
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AlUla celebrated on UN International Mountain Day

  • Event focuses on importance of terrain for biodiversity, cultural heritage

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s majestic mountain ranges in the historic AlUla Governorate are being celebrated on Wednesday’s International Mountain Day.

Nestled in northwest Saudi Arabia’s Hijaz region, AlUla is home to breathtaking mountain summits that stand as a testament to the wonders of nature and the rich tapestry of history in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Set up by the UN in 2003, International Mountain Day aims to underline the importance of mountainous terrain as a stunning natural landscape and a vital source of biodiversity and cultural heritage.

AlUla has become a must-see site for world leaders visiting Saudi Arabia. It is also an attractive destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts looking to explore its wind-sculpted sandstone mountains, and mausoleums.

AlUla’s mountains boast distinctive geological formations that hold past mysteries and promise rich visual and cultural experiences, the SPA added.

Attracting tourists forms an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, along with preserving the region that tells the stories of the ancient civilizations that once thrived there.


Aviation chief highlights youth’s role in security

Updated 11 December 2024
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Aviation chief highlights youth’s role in security

RIYADH: The president of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, has said young people play a vital role in enhancing civil aviation security.

Al-Duailej was speaking during a youth session on the sidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Security Week in Oman, reported the Saudi Press Agency. The event runs until Dec. 12.

He said aviation security was not just about systems and procedures, but a shared responsibility that depended on modern technologies and creative vision.

Al-Duailej added the International Civil Aviation Organization had precise aviation security standards. Through initiatives such as “Next Generation of Aviation Professionals” it aimed to empower young people through training programs and professional opportunities.

He said the younger generation could leverage technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data to develop more efficient and effective security systems. He also highlighted the importance of promoting gender balance in the aviation sector.


Saudi Arabia is an ‘indispensable partner,’ says British ambassador

Updated 11 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia is an ‘indispensable partner,’ says British ambassador

  • UK prime minister says clean energy projects will create more jobs in both Kingdoms

RIYADH: “It is a historical relationship,” said British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Neil Crompton, describing Saudi-UK ties in a new interview with Arab News.

British Prime Minster Keir Starmer made his first visit to Saudi Arabia this week to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discuss areas of cooperation with some of the Kingdom’s industry leaders.

Both the prime minister and the crown prince want to modernize the relationship, Crompton said.

“I have been here nearly five years, and I have just seen the areas of cooperation expand, in part because there is so much happening in the Kingdom … All the different things (Saudi Arabia is) trying to do — tourism, innovation, artificial intelligence, sport — these are all natural areas where the UK can work with you.”

The prime minister’s top priority is encouraging economic growth in the UK, Crompton added, a goal that is reflected in the Saudi government’s own aspirations to grow its economy and improve the quality of life of its citizens.

“Like Saudi Arabia, we are free traders,” he said. “The more UK investment there is in Saudi Arabia, the better it is for Saudi and our investors, and the more Saudi investment there is in the UK, the better is for our economies.”

Crompton said that both leaders are pursuing a UK-Gulf Cooperation Council free trade agreement and hoping to get it finalized as soon as possible.

“The Gulf countries are on the move; they’re all booming,” he added. “Saudi (gross domestic product) has grown 70 percent since Vision 2030 was launched in 2016. That’s impressive.”

Major talking points of discussions with Starmer included partnerships in clean energy and moving his Plan for Change forward.

Green energy projects in both countries have created over 4,000 additional jobs, the UK government reported.

In partnership with NEOM, Graphene Innovation Manchester has announced the launch of the world’s first commercial production of graphene-enriched carbon fiber.

The project strives to generate £250 million ($318 million) in investment in research and innovation in the Greater Manchester region and create more than 1,000 skilled jobs.

Further uplifting the green energy partnerships between the two Kingdoms, Starmer said: “Oxford-based private equity fund HYCAP is supporting Saudi Arabia’s plans to reach net zero emissions by 2060 by investing £785 million to develop hydrogen mobility clusters in Northern Ireland and across the UK, creating more than 1,000 jobs.”

The project will deliver critical elements of hydrogen production and distribution while removing 25 million tonnes of transport-related CO2 over its duration.

The UK and Saudi Arabia are also working to create a new Joint International Institute for Clean Hydrogen, backed by several Saudi and British universities, with Newcastle University playing a leading role.

UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Edward Miliband said: “This is the government’s Plan for Change in action, to make us a clean energy superpower and deliver a decade of renewal.”

In early December, UK leading carbon capture technology company Carbon Clean signed a collaboration deal with Saudi Aramco for innovation in modular carbon capture technology, hoping to create 2,000 jobs in the UK.

Additionally, UK-based sustainable cement company Next Generation SCM and Saudi Arabia-based company City Cement partnered to produce and supply 2.5 million tonnes of sustainable cement and concrete a year. Over the next five years, this partnership is expected to drive £200 million in investment and create over 200 jobs in both Saudi and the UK.

“Saudis historically like to invest, but a lot of the investment went into London, which is good. But I think, when we invest in different parts of Saudi Arabia, and when Saudi Arabia invests in different parts of the UK, that’s good for both countries and good for both peoples,” Crompton said.

“It shows in the sense that the economic relationship extends beyond the two capitals.”

Another highlight of the British prime minister’s visit was the promotion of cultural heritage for both nations.

The Saudi Heritage Commission is in the middle of finalizing a new deal with Historic England, a public body of the British government, for cooperation and knowledge-sharing between experts from both countries on preserving cultural landmarks.

The Royal Commission for AlUla will also collaborate with UK entities — the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport and the Department for Business and Trade — to increase visitor numbers to 2 million tourists per year by 2035 and upskill the local people through training programs.

Starmer said in a statement: “I’m pleased the UK is forging new partnerships with Saudi Arabia to protect the cultural heritage of AlUla by harnessing British expertise. Through deeper economic ties with key partners such as Saudi Arabia, we can unlock growth and new opportunities both at home and abroad to deliver change that is felt by working people in the UK.”

Cooperation in defense and security was also strongly emphasized by Starmer during his visit to the Kingdom.

“We have a shared history, and part of our shared history is recognition that Saudi Arabia is a key diplomatic partner, not just in the Arab world, but in the Islamic world. I think it has a neutral ability to bridge gaps both between East and West and North and South,” Crompton said.

Crompton explained that Saudi Arabia is an “indispensable partner” for discussing international issues and a “key partner” in de-escalating conflicts in the Middle East and getting to a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel.

Starmer said the UK will play a more active role in the region and work to strengthen defense cooperation across land, sea, space, air, and cyber threats.

He has also announced £11 million in funding for humanitarian aid in Syria, hoping to meet the needs of the 370,000 people estimated to have been recently displaced.

Starmer said: “From cutting the cost of living for hardworking British people to building resilient supply chains or supporting communities in Britain, what happens in the Middle East matters at home.

“That is why we are strengthening our defense partnership with Saudi Arabia, protecting the most vulnerable in Syria, supporting our partners in Lebanon and working with the international community to push for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza, secure the return of all hostages and accelerate aid into Gaza.”

It was recently revealed by the British Chamber of Commerce that Israel’s war on Gaza has impacted 50 percent of UK businesses.

The UK will also provide the Lebanese Armed Forces with a large assistance package in the form of training and equipment in support of the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

On furthering international cooperation, Crompton said that KSrelief, the Saudi Fund for Development, and the UK pledge to spend $100 million between them each year on joint development projects in Africa.


Saudi UN envoy, KSrelief official discuss aid efforts

Updated 11 December 2024
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Saudi UN envoy, KSrelief official discuss aid efforts

  • Since its launch in 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,135 projects worth over $7.1 billion across 105 countries

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, met with Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, assistant supervisor-general for planning and development affairs at Saudi aid agency KSrelief, in New York.

During the meeting, they discussed the most pressing international humanitarian issues, along with ways to enhance cooperation to support relief work worldwide, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Al-Wasil commended the significant humanitarian initiatives undertaken by KSrelief, emphasizing that these efforts reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to serving people in need around the globe.

Meanwhile, Al-Ghamdi lauded the active participation of Saudi Arabia’s mission to the UN in various international events, highlighting its pivotal role in enhancing the Kingdom’s global standing.

Since its launch in 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,135 projects worth over $7.1 billion across 105 countries, in cooperation with 458 local, regional, and international partners.

The agency’s programs cover food security, water, sanitation and hygiene, health, education, emergency aid, nutrition, protection, early recovery, logistics, and telecommunications.


Saudi-UK military cooperation committee holds fourth meeting

Updated 11 December 2024
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Saudi-UK military cooperation committee holds fourth meeting

RIYADH: The Saudi-UK Bilateral Military Cooperation Committee held its fourth meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The meeting discussed bilateral relations, defense and military cooperation, and a number of topics of common interest.

Saudi Arabia’s Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili, and the Chief of the UK Defense Staff, Admiral Sir Antony Radakin, co-chaired the meeting.

Senior Saudi and British officers attended the meeting.