Al-Aan Palace: a lofty landmark of Najran’s heritage
Constructed in 1688 using traditional practices that incorporated the use of mud and natural resources
Updated 01 June 2024
Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: Najran’s ancient citadel, Al-Aan Palace, is a landmark of Najrani architecture and heritage. With its unique design, the structure has become a magnet for tourists visiting the southern region to explore its history and culture.
Najran, in the southwest of Saudi Arabia, is a region known for its vibrant culture and rich history. Surrounded by the Sarawat Mountains, it stands out for its mudbrick architecture, winding streets and bustling souks.
Al-Aan Palace — also known as Saadan Palace, because it is situated in the village of Saadan — was built in the 1600s on top of Al-Aan Mountain, and its inhabitants would have enjoyed a mesmerizing view of the surrounding landscape.
Saudi architect Khalid Al-Ojyan, from the Royal Commission of Riyadh City, told Arab News about the concept behind the palace and how it was built.
“Al-Aan Palace is a heritage landmark in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “(It) was built in 1100 AH (1688) by Shaikh Mohammad Ismail and HibatuAllah Al-Makrami, the governors of the region.”
Najani architecture was heavily influenced by the natural materials available, Al-Ojyan said. The mixture of rocks and mud created mudbricks, which have been commonly used in the region for centuries.
The palace was largely constructed using these mudbricks, although other natural materials also feature. For example, the ceilings showcase the intricate use of natural materials such as wood from palm tree trunks as well as tamarisk and sidr trees, along with palm fronds, highlighting the region’s reliance on its natural resources and the craftsmanship of its builders.
The circular and rectangular towers surrounding the palace were likely added for strategic defense purposes, Al-Ojyan said.
He highlighted the shape and size of the palace windows, which were also designed to provide protection. On each of the palace’s four stories, the window size increases. The lower levels of the building were designed with smaller windows to protect against intruders.
The palace was renovated by the Saudi Heritage Commission five years ago, both externally and internally, the architect added.
The palace’s architectural features — the mudbrick construction, the use of other natural materials, and its defensive features — all contribute to the experience that Al-Aan Palace provides for visitors while showcasing the culture, heritage, and ingenious building practices of Najran.
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
Updated 15 November 2024
Hajar AlQusayer
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
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
Updated 26 min 40 sec ago
Manal Albarakati
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
This section contains relevant reference points, placed in (Opinion field)
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.
The program exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian mission in the region through its relief arm, KSrelief
Updated 15 November 2024
SPA
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.
The course also included how to plan and execute outdoor trips
Updated 15 November 2024
SPA
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.
The recognition aligns with the university’s Strategic Plan 2027 objectives
The project aims to revolutionize education for faculty, students and administrative staff
Updated 15 November 2024
SPA
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.
