Saudi foreign minister arrives in Madrid for meeting of European Council on Foreign Relations
Saudi foreign minister arrives in Madrid for meeting of European Council on Foreign Relations/node/2543086/saudi-arabia
Saudi foreign minister arrives in Madrid for meeting of European Council on Foreign Relations
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, arrived in Madrid on Wednesday ahead of the annual meeting of the European Council on Foreign Relations, which will take place on Thursday and Friday. (File/Getty Images)
Saudi foreign minister arrives in Madrid for meeting of European Council on Foreign Relations
The prince is taking part in the meeting of the pan-European think tank
Updated 04 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, arrived in Madrid on Wednesday ahead of the annual meeting of the European Council on Foreign Relations, which will take place on Thursday and Friday.
He will discuss with the members of the council the latest regional and international developments, sources said, in particular the situation in the Gaza Strip.
The prince is taking part in the meeting of the pan-European think tank at the invitation of the council. Other topics for discussion will include the results of last month’s European elections.
RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 618 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included one anti-personnel mine, 23 anti-tank mines and 594 unexploded ordnances, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 471,034 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.
AlUla community plants 500,000 trees, shrubs in Sharaan Nature Reserve
Updated 42 min 28 sec ago
RIYADH
RIYADH: Sharaan Nature Reserve in AlUla has undergone a significant transformation with the planting of 500,000 trees and shrubs as part of efforts to restore native ecosystems.
Led by the Royal Commission for AlUla, the project supports the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees nationwide.
The initiative engaged AlUla residents, students and the commission’s employees in November to achieve the milestone, according to a press release.
The reforestation project used seeds sourced locally and cultivated at the commission’s native plant nursery, prioritizing species that enhance soil health, water retention and nutrient availability while creating a sustainable food source for herbivores introduced through the commission’s rewilding program.
To date, the rewilding efforts have released more than 1,000 native animals into four protected reserves in AlUla. The project is also part of a broader ecological rehabilitation pilot in partnership with the Saudi Green Initiative, testing restoration techniques for arid regions.
Stephen Browne, the commission’s vice president for wildlife and natural heritage, said that the commission is restoring nature’s balance to safeguard AlUla’s natural and cultural heritage.
“Planting 500,000 trees and shrubs is a significant step toward achieving the Kingdom’s climate goals,” he added.
“The regeneration of AlUla’s natural habitats — its valleys, mountains, oases and its flora and fauna — is one of the main ambitions of the commission, alongside involving, uplifting and upskilling our community,” Browne said.
How French and Saudi architects are redesigning the cities of tomorrow
Riyadh, a city reconciling heritage and modernity, offers a diverse spectrum of opportunities for French architects to share their expertise
French-Saudi partnerships have thrived in AlUla, showcasing successful heritage preservation and architectural innovation
Updated 03 December 2024
Zeina Zbibo
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia today is synonymous with megaprojects. Since the launch of the Vision 2030 reform agenda, the Kingdom has rolled out a range of major infrastructure projects, spanning everything from education and healthcare, to tourism and public transport.
Last week, a new milestone was reached when King Salman inaugurated the Riyadh Metro — just one of the significant projects launched under the Vision 2030 framework.
With demand for public transport on the rise, the new metro, which features six lines and 85 stations spread along 176 kms of track, will boost connectivity. Future extensions are already in the works, as the city builds new economic, tech, and cultural infrastructure.
French companies are part of this expansion. Indeed, French engineering and consulting firm Setec Group is working on the development of metro lines, among other projects, including King Salman Park.
Setec Group has a track record of working on iconic buildings, high-rise tower projects, and light rail transit developments. It is among several companies associated with the non-profit French Architects for Export (AFEX) exploring the potential for strategic partnerships in line with Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia’s investment in megaprojects, infrastructure, urban planning, and landscape design aims to fuel its growth potential and increase its attractiveness in terms of foreign direct investment, tourism, hospitality, recreation, and sports.
Above, a view of the Ras Al-Khair water desalination plant along the Gulf coast in eastern Saudi Arabia. (AFP file photo)
The opportunities for French and Saudi collaborations are immense, as Vision 2030 positions Riyadh as one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world.
The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing (MOMRA) has become an active player in creating vibrant communities that reconcile tradition and modernity, growth, and sustainability.
The objective is to create a space that encourages community living and smart mobility under MOMRA 2.0, preserving the history and identity of the Kingdom’s cities, while working closely with municipalities to ensure implementation.
“The implementation and the concretization of Vision 2030 is striking,” Reda Amalou, AFEX’s president, said during a recent visit to Riyadh along with a delegation of French architects.
French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, center, visits a construction site of the Riyadh Metro under the contract of French company ALSTOM on Jan. 24, 2017. (AFP)
“Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opened the economy to the world while preserving the country’s tradition.”
Amalou said AlUla is a successful example of French-Saudi cooperation, highlighting the necessity for AFEX to continue sharing expertise and contributing to the architecture scene in Saudi Arabia.
In March 2023, a memorandum of understanding was signed between AFEX and the Architecture and Design Commission to provide vocational training opportunities for young Saudi professionals at French firms.
Diriyah is a standout example of how the Kingdom is working to build a “city of the future” while preserving its unique heritage.
Inaugurated in 2019, the Diriyah project is in harmony with its surroundings, and is directly linked to Riyadh city, King Abdullah Financial District, and the new Murabba project, connecting tradition to modernity and the development of the city.
Saudi Arabia is also raising the bar for sustainability, placing it at the center of decision making.
The Green Riyadh project aims to increase the area devoted to green spaces from 1.5 percent to 9.1 percent, thereby improving air quality, enhancing quality of life, reducing energy consumption and, ultimately, making Riyadh one of the 100 most livable cities in the world.
Unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on April 3, the Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives are designed to reduce carbon emissions in the region by 60 percent. (Supplied/Green Riyadh Project)
Across these megaprojects emerges the need to redesign cities with a minimal footprint, with hyper-connectivity and proximity, and invisible infrastructure, enabling access to services for a growing population.
Riyadh, a city reconciling heritage and modernity, offers a diverse spectrum of opportunities for French architects to share their expertise, and contribute to the realization of Vision 2030.
Riyadh to host talks on philosophy, quality of life
Updated 03 December 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission will host the fourth Riyadh International Philosophy Conference from Dec. 5-7, bringing together more than 60 prominent philosophers and thinkers from around the world.
With the theme “Philosophy and quality of life: Existence, truth and goodness,” the event will include keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshops, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Topics will examine the intersections of philosophy and reality, the philosophical dimensions of health and beauty, and ethical issues in society, showcasing how philosophical thought can enhance well-being and foster societal development.
Commission CEO Mohammed Alwan said that the conference serves as a platform reflecting the Kingdom’s leadership in promoting philosophical dialogue at both the local and international levels.
This year’s theme, he added, aligns with Saudi Arabia’s vision to enhance quality of life and encourage intellectual collaboration across borders.
Global institutions such as New Philosopher and The School of Life are taking part in the Saudi-hosted event for the first time.
The conference highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enriching the global cultural and intellectual landscape, attracting researchers, thinkers and students worldwide while reinforcing Riyadh’s status as a hub for philosophical dialogue and intellectual leadership, the SPA reported.
Right on time: Riyadh Metro engineers new era of urban mobility
The capital city’s new public transport system covers 176 kms of track
Updated 03 December 2024
MANAL AL-BARAKATI
RIYADH: In a city where rapid development has outpaced infrastructure, the Riyadh Metro is setting a new benchmark for urban transport in the Kingdom. The $23 billion mega-project, one of the largest metro systems built in a single phase, has six lines, 176 kilometers of track and 85 stations.
Engineering against the odds
Riyadh’s complex geological and urban landscapes posed unique challenges during construction. Beneath the city’s surface is dense limestone and breccia, which required the use of special tunnel boring machines, or TBMs, designed to navigate these demanding conditions.
The metro’s stations are a balance between form and function. (SPA)
“The geological conditions demanded not only technical sophistication but also real-time adaptability to ensure both speed and accuracy,” Roger Cruickshank, senior director at AtkinsRealis, which led the design of Lines 4, 5, and 6, said in an interview with Arab News.
The metro’s 11 underground and 17 at-grade stations were strategically placed to enhance connectivity across the city. Additionally, the integration of underground, at-grade, and elevated tracks required careful consideration of Riyadh’s existing road networks.
FASTFACT
Riyadh Metro’s 11 underground and 17 at-grade stations were strategically placed to enhance connectivity across the city.
“Restructuring road networks and ensuring smooth transitions between modes of transit were integral to minimizing disruption,” Cruickshank said.
Automation at the core
A defining feature of the Riyadh Metro is its Level 4 automation, eliminating the need for onboard operators. Centralized control centers manage operations through advanced algorithms and real-time data, ensuring seamless functionality.
Supporting this system are geotechnical monitoring tools, including fiber optic sensors and automated data acquisition systems, which continuously assess infrastructure health.
The metro connects key urban centers, reducing car dependency in a city notorious for traffic congestion. (SPA)
“These technologies provide real-time insights, allowing us to predict maintenance needs and address them before they escalate,” Cruickshank said.
The trains themselves are equipped with advanced safety features, such as early warning and remote diagnostic systems, enhancing passenger safety and operational reliability.
Predictive analytics further optimize system efficiency, extending the lifespan of critical components while minimizing downtime.
Functionality meets design
The metro’s stations are a balance between form and function. While designed to optimize passenger flow and connectivity, they also reflect Riyadh’s cultural identity through architectural motifs inspired by local heritage.
Roger Cruickshank, AtkinsRealis senior director
“The design integrates contemporary materials with traditional influences, making the infrastructure both practical and a visual complement to the city,” Cruickshank said.
The metro connects key urban centers, reducing car dependency in a city notorious for traffic congestion. The focus on accessibility ensures that the system serves Riyadh’s growing population effectively.
Sustainability
The Riyadh Metro aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by prioritizing sustainability; by promoting public transport, it is projected to significantly cut carbon emissions.
The design integrates contempor- ary materials with traditional influences, making the infrastruc- ture both practical and a visual complement to the city.
Roger Cruickshank, AtkinsRealis senior director
The system also incorporates energy-efficient technologies, such as regenerative braking and automated lighting, to minimize its environmental footprint.
“Noise and vibration mitigation strategies were essential to ensure the system operated harmoniously within the urban environment,” Cruickshank added. These measures, combined with the integration of green building standards, highlight the project’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
The lessons from the project are already informing future initiatives in Saudi Arabia and beyond. “This project demonstrates how collaboration, advanced technology, and strategic planning can produce infrastructure that is both technically brilliant and sustainable,” Cruickshank said.
The Riyadh Metro provides a case study for cities worldwide grappling with urbanization and mobility challenges. By combining engineering excellence, technological innovation, and cultural sensitivity, authorities have created a transit network that not only meets today’s needs but anticipates the demands of tomorrow as well.
