The traffic department in Riyadh announced it has provided alternative routes for commuters and motorists who use the three main roads in the capital, for the duration of the third Arab leaders summit taking place this week.
“In anticipation of the heavy traffic concurrent with hosting the Third Arab Economic and Social Development Summit that will kick off here on Monday, the traffic management has put an alternative plan for the three vital roads in the capital, namely, King Fahd Road, Khurais, and Makkah Highway starting from tomorrow until Tuesday,” according to a statement by the Riyadh traffic control department.
Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Abu Heimid, director of the Riyadh traffic department, said patrol police will be present on the roadsides to guide commuters to the alternative routes in case of any emergency. Traffic signals have also been programmed according to site congestion and to allow pedestrians more time to walk among the high density of cars.
Abu Heimid has requested citizens and residents to use the designated routes in order to facilitate commuting by citizens and avoid traffic congestion.
Lt. Col. Hasan Hassan, head of the command and control center and spokesman of the Riyadh traffic department, stressed the need to follow the instructions published in all media outlets regarding the notification that King Fahd Road, Khurais and Makkah roads will be used to receive state guests. He also referred to the alternative routes like Takhasussi, Olaya, King Abdul Aziz, Turkish and University Avenue, Al-Washim Street and King Abdullah Road via Imam Saud bin Abdul Aziz.
Al-Hassan added: “All ring roads, including the north, south and east will be operating at full capacity and can serve as alternative roads.” The spokesman said the Riyadh traffic department has been sending out text messages as well as awareness broadcasts through the media to ensure that the message reaches the largest segment of the population in the capital.
Furthermore, the traffic department has said it will not allow any excesses or irregularities to impede the traffic flow and called on citizens to comply with traffic regulations. It also stressed the need to monitor adolescents during this period and ensure they do not go to drifting sites or cause needless crowding in commercial centers.
Riyadh traffic diverted for Arab economic summit
Riyadh traffic diverted for Arab economic summit
Al-Jouf olive festival boosts economy, tourism
- Event showcases Al-Jouf region’s olive production, which includes over 23 million trees yielding more than 150,000 tonnes of table olives annually
RIYADH: The 18th Al-Jouf International Olive Festival offers an engaging experience, highlighting the journey of olives from cultivation to the final product.
Held at the Prince Abdullah Cultural Center in Sakaka until Jan. 12, the event showcases the Al-Jouf region’s olive production, which includes over 23 million trees yielding more than 150,000 tonnes of table olives annually.
The festival features 43 local farmers and five agricultural companies offering high-quality olive oil, table olives, and related products, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In addition to competitive pricing, all products meet strict food safety standards, having undergone rigorous testing at Al-Jouf’s municipal laboratory.
Seven analyses — acidity, rancidity, moisture, chemical content, oil blending, taste, and authenticity — ensure the products’ quality. Those that pass receive a certification label for consumer confidence, the SPA added.
The festival has also become a key tourism and economic event for both the Kingdom and Al-Jouf region, attracting significant interest, visitors, and investment.
It also supports families in cottage industries, entrepreneurs, and small businesses by offering spaces to showcase their products, fostering growth and expanding their consumer reach.
Additionally, the festival celebrates Saudi heritage through folk art performances, the Saudi Ardah, traditional fashion, Sadu weaving, plastic arts, poetry, and cultural evenings.
Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains
JEDDAH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority’s Makkah branch has increased its readiness in response to warnings of heavy rain issued by the National Center for Meteorology.
On Monday, several regions of the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah, experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms, with the Civil Defense expecting the weather to continue until Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The authority stated that its command-and-control room, ambulance stations, rapid response teams, and volunteer ambulance units in Makkah are fully operational.
The Makkah region has on standby teams of doctors, specialists, and emergency medical technicians, the authority said.
A total of 1,420 staff members are ready to respond, supported by 149 vehicles. This includes advanced ambulances, disaster response vehicles, and an air ambulance for critical situations, the SPA added.
The authority urged citizens and residents to follow official instructions, exercise caution, and prioritize road safety during heavy rainfall.
The public was also asked to cooperate with ambulance teams by clearing the way for them on the roads, the SPA reported.
The authority operates 24/7, and individuals can request ambulance services by calling 997 or through the Asefne app in emergencies.
Saudi program empowers youth as global ambassadors
- New graduates set to advance Saudi Arabia’s global diplomacy, Vision 2030
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Youth Leaders Program welcomed its latest group of graduates on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The new graduates are the seventh group to complete the initiative, run by the Salam Project for Cultural Communication under the patronage of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji attended the event, expressing gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support of Saudi citizens.
He emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to equipping youth with the skills needed to effectively represent the nation internationally.
Elkhereiji noted that the program aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 by empowering young people to become influential global ambassadors.
Launched in 2018, the program has seen 432 young men and women graduate across seven cohorts, the SPA reported.
Notably, 240 graduates have participated in over 120 international conferences both within and outside the Kingdom, leveraging the program’s comprehensive curriculum, which covers key areas such as Saudi Vision 2030, intercultural communication, global issues, international representation, media engagement, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and international diplomacy.
Mohammed Al-Sayed, executive director of the project, said it aims to support efforts to build bridges of cultural communication with diverse peoples and cultures.
Japan hopes to attract more Saudi travelers through exhibitions in Kingdom
DUBAI: As Japan and Saudi Arabia approach their 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Japan National Tourism Office is planning more exhibitions to attract Saudi travelers, the organization’s Dubai executive director Daisuke Kobayashi said.
Kobayashi told Arab News Japan that JNTO hopes to maintain “strong partnerships” with local travel agencies and related organizations.
“Through these collaborations, we aim to deliver more comprehensive and engaging information to Saudi travelers, encouraging them to discover the unique experiences Japan has to offer,” he said.
There are as yet no plans to open a JNTO office in Saudi Arabia, Kobayashi said. However, he confirmed that the organization will continue its promotional activities in the Kingdom to meet the growing interest in Japan from Saudi travelers.
In December 2024, JNTO held its first event in Riyadh, titled “Feel Your Four Seasons.”
The exhibition provided visitors with an introduction to Japan’s diverse seasonal attractions, including luxury travel experiences.
Kobayashi told Arab News Japan that since the event, JNTO had observed a “significant increase in Saudi travelers’ interest in visiting Japan.”
“During the event, we noted a strong desire among attendees to travel to Japan, particularly in the spring to experience cherry blossoms,” he said. “We also noticed growing curiosity about Japan’s summer and winter offerings. Visitors showed interest in natural landscapes, summer festivals, and winter activities such as enjoying snow-covered scenery.”
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai in April is also a big tourist attraction for Saudi and GCC travelers.
According to Kobayashi, travelers from the region are usually most interested in traditional Japanese accommodations such as ryokan (Japanese-style inns), which often include onsen (hot spring) experiences and authentic Japanese cuisine.
Anime and manga’s popularity in the Middle East is also a key reason why Arab travelers choose Japan for a vacation.
From a cultural aspect, Kobayashi said that Japanese and Arab cultures share similar values, which can help to put Saudi travelers at ease.
“The cultural parallels create a sense of familiarity and comfort for travelers from Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC region when visiting Japan,” he said. “Whether it’s exploring Japan’s traditional tea ceremonies, staying in ryokan, or simply interacting with the warm and respectful Japanese hospitality, these experiences resonate deeply with visitors from Saudi Arabia.”
According to Kobayashi, in the first half of 2024, there was a 72.2 percent increase in visitors from Saudi Arabia to Japan, compared with the same period in 2023.
Saudi FM meets US envoy to discuss developments in Lebanon
- Explored collaborative efforts to address challenges facing Lebanese people and in broader region
RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Amos Hochstein, the US Special Envoy to Lebanon, on Sunday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Riyadh.
The meeting focused on regional issues, with particular attention given to the situation in Lebanon, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Both sides exchanged views on recent developments and explored collaborative efforts to address the challenges facing the Lebanese people and the broader region, SPA added.
Also in attendance was Prince Yazid bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Farhan, advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Lebanese Affairs, who contributed to the discussions.
