Deal includes equestrian club, polo grounds, luxury resorts
Jerry Inzerillo: Wadi Safar will be one of the most beautiful residential developments in the world
Updated 24 July 2024
Lama Alhamawi
RIYADH: Diriyah Co. has signed a $2 billion contract with Urbacon Saudi Co. and Al-Bawani Group to develop the Wadi Safar project, including the Royal Diriyah Equestrian and Polo Club and several luxury hotels.
“Today is a very big day,” Diriyah Co. Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo told Arab News. “It is unusual for development companies worldwide to sign $2 billion contracts, but this is a giant construction package for our Wadi Safar, which will be one of the most beautiful residential developments in the world,” he said.
The MoU was signed on Wednesday at the DGDA headquarters in Riyadh by Inzerillo, Urbacon Trading & Contracting President Ramez Al-Khayyat, and Al-Bawani Group CEO Fakher Al Shawaf.
“Wadi Safar will be home to the Royal Diriyah Equestrian and Polo Club, a Greg Norman-designed 27-hole golf course, and 10 spectacular resorts,” Inzerillo said. “Four of these resorts are included in this package: Aman, which will be one of the most beautiful Amans in the world, Oberoi, a spectacular hotel operator from India, Faena from Argentina and Miami, and Chedi from the Far East. These four resorts are beautiful.”
The CEO said that Wadi Safar “will be one of the greatest luxury residential high-end developments in the world, with a $2 billion package.”
Inzerillo said that last week they signed another $2 billion package for their multi-use northern district, which will include King Salman Library, King Salman University, and Diriyah Square.
“And before December, we will be issuing additional contracts with big numbers close to this as well,” he said.
“This indicates that Diriyah is moving full speed ahead to realize Vision 2030. Diriyah will be finished in time for Expo 2030 Riyadh, which will be the greatest expo in the world.”
Located west of Diriyah, Wadi Safar aims to be a residential cultural hub offering the world’s finest experiences in polo, luxury hotels, and golf courses.
Mohamed Saad, president of Diriyah Co., highlighted the significance of the new partnership: “This is the main construction of many assets in Wadi Safar, including the Royal Diriyah Equestrian and Polo Club, which will be the largest equestrian polo club in the region. This will also include a range of hotels: Amaala Resort, Six Senses, and Chedi.
“Everything we do has to go back to the roots and culture of Diriyah. We are designing all of our buildings and assets to present and celebrate the legacy, culture and heritage of Diriyah,” he said.
Saad highlighted that assets would open gradually each year, and by 2030, all of Diriyah’s assets would be operational.
“We have already delivered the golf course at Wadi Safar and will soon invite people to play on it,” he said.
He said that the Wadi Safar hotels would gradually begin opening in 2026.
Saudi Arabia to host Chinese contemporary art exhibition
Updated 06 September 2024
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: The Saudi Museums Commission is set to launch “The Writings of Today Are a Promise for Tomorrow,” an exhibition of Chinese contemporary art in Saudi Arabia, at the Saudi Arabian Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax in Diriyah.
The exhibition will feature works from more than 30 Chinese artists, showcasing over 50 artworks that delve into the transformative nature of contemporary society.
According to a statement, the event will explore a wide range of cultural and societal themes, emphasizing the significance of writing in both Arabic and Chinese traditions. It also addresses universal concepts such as nostalgia, memory and modernism. One of the key themes is the role of the garden in Chinese culture, alongside an exploration of commodification and capital in contemporary Chinese society.
Set to run from the end of September to January, the exhibition will display a curated selection of artworks, some loaned from private collections and others created specifically for the exhibition in Saudi Arabia. Visitors can engage with large sculptures, immersive installations, videos, paintings and photography, all of which offer a fresh perspective on Chinese contemporary art.
Ibrahim Al-Sanousi, acting CEO of the Museums Commission, said: “Visitors will encounter a wide range of works across different mediums, presenting a non-traditional view of Chinese contemporary art. The exhibition highlights universal themes of memory, nostalgia, progress and modernism, while exploring the balance between individual and collective identity.
“It presents works from an important period in Chinese contemporary art, from the late 90s to early 2000s, along with several site-specific pieces. The curatorial narrative draws on the shared cultural values of calligraphy and gardens in both Arab and Chinese traditions, with the Literati garden as a central theme, inviting visitors to slow down and fully immerse themselves in the experience,” he told Arab News.
SAMOCA @ Jax, inaugurated in 2023, is part of Saudi Arabia’s cultural program under Vision 2030. It serves as a dynamic platform for both local and international artists to collaborate, exchange ideas and contribute to the evolving landscape of contemporary art in the Kingdom.
Tickets for the exhibition will soon be available on the Discover Culture platform.
Rare Griffon vulture breeding colonies discovered at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve
Updated 06 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Three rare breeding colonies of the Eurasian Griffon vultures have been discovered at the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, the royal reserve’s authority has announced.
The Griffon vultures, listed as Endangered in the Middle East, and other vulture species globally are facing a serious conservation crisis and the discovery was welcomed in time for the World Vulture Awareness Day being celebrated during first Saturday in September each year.
“The endangered Griffon vulture is an uncommon breeding resident in Saudi Arabia. Using drones four active nests with adults incubating eggs and raising chicks have been discovered by Reserve scientists and are being closely monitored,” Andrew Zaloumis, CEO at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, said in a statement.
“Griffon vultures are a significant indicator of the Reserve’s improving environmental health. These breeding colonies are a testament to the Reserve’s conservation work and role as a sanctuary for Saudi Arabia’s natural heritage.”
The 24,500-square kilometer Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve stretches from the lava plains of the Harrats to the deep Red Sea in the west, and is home to 15 distinct ecosystems and over 50 percent of the Kingdom’s species, making it one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East.
Griffon vulture individuals have previously been recorded roosting throughout the Reserve’s mountain ranges. However, this was the first time breeding colonies with nesting sites have been confirmed.
Four active nests in three separate breeding colonies with adults incubating eggs and chicks approximately two – three months of age were discovered in the sand-stone mountains of the Jabel Qaraqir section of the Reserve. A further 37 potential nesting sites are also being monitored, the authority said.
In 2023, two Griffon vultures were tagged and released into the Reserve in a joint initiative with the National Centre for Wildlife.
KSrelief continues medical projects in Turkiye and Yemen
Updated 06 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief launched a volunteer medical program in Turkiye and Yemen reported state news agency SPA on Thursday.
In Turkiye, the program was for adult and pediatric orthopedic surgery in the provinces of Gaziantep and Hatay which ran from Aug. 24 until Aug. 31. It involved 28 volunteers as part of the Saudi Volunteer Life program for the earthquakes in Syria and Turkiye.
Saudi Arabia’s aid agency examined 538 patients and performed 87 surgeries.
Meanwhile in Yemen, KSrelief initiated a volunteer program for open heart surgery, diseases and catheterization in Hadhramaut.
The program is set to run from Sept. 1 until Sept. 9 and has already conducted 9 successful open heart surgeries and 28 heart catheterization procedures.
How a Saudi university’s AI solution is revolutionizing Red Sea coral conservation
Coral-AI uses sensors and algorithms to monitor and protect coral reefs, offering a blueprint for global conservation efforts
Developed by KAUST, the system monitors the ocean environment in real-time and delivers nutrients autonomously
Updated 06 September 2024
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: Facing the global challenge of coral bleaching due to rising ocean temperatures, scientists at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have pioneered an innovative AI-driven solution to monitor and protect these fragile ecosystems.
The groundbreaking technology, Coral-AI, combines real-time environmental monitoring with automated delivery of beneficial microorganisms, offering a proactive approach to preserving coral health not just in the Red Sea, but potentially across the world’s oceans.
The Red Sea, the world’s northernmost tropical sea, is a semi-enclosed body of water connected to the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Sea through the narrow Suez Canal and Bab Al-Mandab Strait.
Shutterstock map showing the Red Sea.
While widely celebrated for its stunning coral reefs and tourism appeal, the Red Sea is also gaining recognition as a vital area for the study of coral ecosystems.
Home to more than 265 species of coral, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba provide food and shelter to hundreds of vertebrate and invertebrate species, including many endemic and endangered species.
The coral reefs of the Red Sea are unique, serving as an open-air laboratory for studying coral resilience in the face of climate change. (KAUST photo)
This distinctive biodiversity underscores the growing need for conservation efforts in the region.
The coral reefs of the Red Sea are unique, serving as an open-air laboratory for studying coral resilience in the face of climate change. Due to rising ocean temperatures, coral reefs around the world have experienced significant bleaching in recent years.
That is why scientists at KAUST have developed Coral-AI, which combines automated beneficial microorganisms for corals (BMCs) delivery with on-site coral bleach detection.
This innovative system marks a significant advancement in coral reef health management, offering a comprehensive solution through the integration of image processing, AI, and advanced sensor technologies.
Coral-AI’s system introduces a novel approach by autonomously delivering BMCs to coral reefs, streamlining the process and reducing manual labor and costs. The device delivers probiotics to coral reefs and can identify when a coral is dying and deploy medicine.
Coral-AI is “equipped with sensors that monitor environmental conditions directly at the coral site, allowing for real-time adjustments in BMC dispensation,” Khaled Nabil Salama, project supervisor and professor of electrical and computer engineering at KAUST, told Arab News.
KAUST scientists testing the Coral-AI in the Red Sea. (KAUST photo)
“This dual capability of monitoring and proactive intervention makes the system particularly innovative, as it not only assesses but also responds to signs of coral stress, such as elevated temperatures that can lead to bleaching.”
Using an ESP32 microcontroller for optimal performance in the underwater environment, Coral-AI employs algorithms to precisely control the BMC dispensation based on sensor inputs.
DID YOUKNOW?
• The Red Sea is home to more than 265 species of coral and serves as a natural laboratory for the study of climate resilience.
• KAUST developed Coral-AI to automate the delivery of beneficial microorganisms to coral reefs and detect bleaching in real-time.
• Initially tested in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea, Coral-AI’s success indicates its potential for adoption in other regions.
• While Coral-AI automates many processes, human expertise remains essential for setting up, calibrating and analyzing data.
“Algorithms play a key role in the system’s functionality by precisely controlling the pumps based on sensor inputs,” Salama said.
“These algorithms allow for the adjustment of BMC dispensation in response to detected environmental changes, ensuring that the corals receive optimal treatment based on current conditions.”
Integrated sensors continuously monitor critical factors such as temperature that impact coral health. By detecting variations, the system can adapt the BMC dispensation to address specific requirements, whether for preventive care or active treatment of bleaching events.
“This proactive approach to environmental monitoring enhances the system’s ability to safeguard coral reefs,” Salama said.
KAUST scientist testing the Coral-AI in the Red Sea. (KAUST photo)
Coral-AI’s system analyzes sensor data to evaluate coral health status and BMC treatment efficacy. By comparing real-time data against established thresholds indicative of coral stress, the system can optimize BMC dispensation to mitigate adverse conditions efficiently.
This data-driven approach provides valuable insights for informed decision-making in coral health management.
The system addresses challenges such as biofouling and variable underwater conditions by incorporating features such as extra pumps and hydraulic dampers to ensure consistent BMC delivery.
Rigorous calibration and testing under controlled conditions enhance the system’s accuracy and reliability, critical for maintaining coral health effectively.
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Humans are not entirely redundant in the process, however.
“While the system automates many processes, human experts are essential for setting up the system, calibrating sensors, analyzing long-term data trends, and making strategic decisions about coral health management,” Salama said.
“Their expertise ensures that the automated system functions as intended and that the interventions are scientifically sound.”
Although Coral-AI has so far only been tested in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea, its success paves the way for potential adoption in other regions facing similar threats to coral reefs.
AI plays a bihg role in protecting the coral reefs of the Red Sea by making monitoring work easier. (KAUST photo)
“The system’s scalability and effectiveness make it a valuable tool for global conservation initiatives, potentially revolutionizing coral reef management practices worldwide,” Salama said.
Protecting the coral reefs of the Red Sea is crucial for advancing scientific understanding of coral resistance to climate change, which will be invaluable in developing conservation strategies.
This effort could also support the preservation and restoration of these remarkable ecosystems and their associated marine life in the region.
Commemorative passport stamp unveiled to mark Global AI Summit in Riyadh
Updated 05 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Passports Directorate and the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence unveiled a commemorative passport stamp to mark the Global AI Summit to be held in Riyadh.
Travelers at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam will get their passports stamped with the commemorative mark throughout the summit’s duration from September 10-12, 2024.
The Kingdom will welcome economic policymakers, major technology and artificial intelligence companies, international thought leaders, and heads of international organizations to the summit’s third edition.
The event will take place amid increasing concerns about the impact of AI technologies and will reaffirm the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at enhancing human welfare in the face of the challenges associated with developing technology.
