Ludovic Pouille’s career involved significant roles in shaping his country’s foreign policy
He was appointed in 2020 following diplomatic term in UAE
Updated 07 August 2024
Zeina Zbibo
RIYADH: France’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia has bid farewell to the Kingdom after completing his diplomatic term.
Ludovic Pouille held various positions in diplomatic service, and his career involved significant roles in shaping French foreign policy.
He began his career at the Foreign Ministry in 1997, and his career would take him to New York, North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf.
Appointed French ambassador to Saudi Arabia in 2020 following his diplomatic term in the UAE from 2017, Pouille witnessed the development of French-Saudi relations, including ministerial and parliamentary visits, as well as the visit by President Emmanuel Macron in December 2021.
Setting the pace for continued dialogue and reinforced cooperation, Macron’s visit was followed by that of Mohammed bin Salman to France in July 2022 and June 2023, during which the crown prince led the Saudi delegation at the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact in Paris.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais Brogniart for the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact in Paris in 2023. (AFP/File Photo)
According to Pouille, in 2023 bilateral trade reached €9.5 billion ($10.2 billion), an increase of 18 percent compared to 2016, when Saudi Vision 2030 was launched.
French exports to Saudi Arabia have continued to rise since 2019, reaching €4.2 billion in 2023.
Recognition of French expertise has enabled exports in the French aeronautics sector to double in 2023 compared to 2021.
French direct investment in Saudi Arabia is estimated at almost $5 billion, concentrated in the energy and industrial sectors, with the involvement of French giants such as EDF, Engie and TotalEnergies.
During his term in Riyadh, Pouille put French expertise at the forefront of projects shaping the Kingdom by bringing together French professionals and Saudi stakeholders to explore the potential for strategic partnerships in line with Vision 2030.
Ludovic Pouille at a symposium to explore the potential of strategic partnerships organized by AFEX and Business France. (Arab News FR)
For Pouille, Vision 2030 positions Riyadh as one of the most attractive cities on the world map and for megaprojects, saying: “No one does it better than Saudi companies.”
The launch of the French edition of Arab News coincided with his appointment in Riyadh, during which he embraced Saudi culture.
Dr. Ghazi Binzagr, the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Japan, visited the Shizuoka Futaba Junior and Senior High School on Sept. 3, where he discussed the Kingdom’s culture with the pupils as part of the school’s cultural exchange event.
There were 230 pupils at Binzagr’s session, where he gave a speech about bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan and encouraged the students to visit the Kingdom.
Saudi ambassdor participated in the school’s tea ceremony activities. (@KSAembassyJP)
Additionally, he discussed Saudi Arabia’s culture and introduced dates and lambs as dishes that represent the Kingdom. He said the two countries have similarities in culture, such as respecting and appreciating elderly people.
“I want two countries with similar values to deepen intergenerational ties in the fields of culture and economy and convey the charm of Asia to the world,” Binzagr said.
The ambassador engaged with the students as he answered their questions about the Kingdom and shared memories from his childhood. He also participated in the school’s tea ceremony activities.
The speech had a positive effect on the students, reflecting their curiosity about different cultures. “The words ‘cherish encounters’ were impressive. I wanted to know more about Saudi Arabia,” one of the pupils said.
KSrelief delivers critical aid across Yemen, Sudan, and Lebanon
Updated 08 September 2024
Arab News
KSrelief continues its wide-reaching humanitarian efforts, providing crucial aid and healthcare services to various regions affected by crises.
In Yemen's Waalan Camp, located in the Harad District of Hajjah Governorate, mobile medical clinics operated by KSrelief delivered essential healthcare services from August 14 to 20, 2024. During this period, 98 individuals benefited from treatment, including 42 patients in the epidemic control clinic, 26 in the emergency clinic, 18 in internal medicine, and 10 in reproductive health.
At least 34 patients visited the nursing services department, 98 individuals received medication, and 7 beneficiaries were cared for in the surgery and dressing clinic.
In Al-Soum District, Hadhramaut Governorate, Yemen, 195 shelter bags and 195 food baskets were distributed, benefiting 2,505 people.
Meanwhile, in Kassala State, Sudan, 480 food baskets were provided to displaced families and those in need, assisting 2,871 individuals. Further support was offered to the River Nile State in Sudan, where 1,164 shelter bags were distributed to 6,693 people affected by heavy rains and flash floods.
In northern Lebanon, KSrelief funded the ambulance services of the Subul Al Salam Social Association, which conducted 61 ambulance missions in the Miniyeh district.
Saudi Arabia’s completed Qunfudhah-Sabt Al-Jarah road project expected to improve traffic safety
Updated 18 min 48 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The road development project connecting Saudi Arabia’s western regions of Makkah and Asir is now complete, the General Authority for Roads said in a report carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.
The two-lane Qunfudhah-Sabt Al-Jarah road is 8 kilometers long and has three bridges, according to the report.
The new concrete road is expected to reduce accidents caused by vehicles sidding into valleys during torrents, as well as increase road capacity and cut travel time between the two regions.
Engineers modified the path of the old Sabt Al-Jarah road to bypass flood channels, installed 100 guidance panels, 2,000 ground reflectors, 97,000 meters of painted road markings and vibration warning areas to improve safety, SPA reported.
Saudi interior minister arrives in Egypt on official visit
Updated 07 September 2024
Arab News
CAIRO: Saudi Arabia’s interior minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif arrived in Egypt on Saturday evening on an official visit.
His trip is being made on the directives of the Kingdom’s leadership, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Abdulaziz was received at Cairo International Airport by his Egyptian counterpart Major General Mahmoud Tawfiq and the Saudi ambassador to Egypt Saleh bin Eid Al-Hussaini.
Young Saudi paves way in tech, artificial intelligence
Abdullah Hakeem is pursuing his dream to advance AI in the Kingdom
His journey has led to his involvement in the upcoming Global AI Summit
Updated 07 September 2024
Waad Hussain
RIYADH: As the Kingdom forges ahead in the tech industry, young Saudis like Abdullah Hakeem are playing a crucial role in shaping its future while inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals graduate, 25, is tapping into the power of technology to bridge gaps, enhance communication, and empower communities.
Hakeem’s story began during his studies at KFUPM, where he quickly became a well-known figure among students for his inventive spirit. His first major project was a WhatsApp bot designed to enhance the platform’s functionality.
Abdullah Hakeem, SDAIA strategic competitiveness specialist
“It was a learning tool for me,” Hakeem told Arab News. “I applied new skills and implemented user-suggested features, evolving it based on feedback.”
The bot garnered over 1,000 users, primarily students at the university.
One notable challenge was maintaining the bot’s efficiency amid numerous simultaneous requests. “I overcame this by employing various technical solutions and continuously refining them over time,” he explained.
Understanding the value of community-building, he founded around 30 WhatsApp groups that fostered connections among students interested in development and skill enhancement.
Contributing to the success of my country is a key goal for me.
Abdullah Hakeem, SDAIA strategic competitiveness specialist
Hakeem also organized competitions to encourage peers to challenge themselves and learn. “Bringing people together to learn and grow has always been my passion,” he added.
This commitment to community engagement facilitated a collaborative environment in which students could share knowledge and support one another.
His internship at Takamul Technologies in 2022 marked a pivotal moment in his career. Tasked with resolving a critical issue on the company’s website, he reduced the load time of the 3D section from a cumbersome 70MB to a lightning-fast 100KB.
“This impressive feat earned me a part-time job offer from the CEO, a rare opportunity for an intern,” he said. “It was a confidence boost (to have) my abilities recognized in a professional setting.”
This experience fueled his desire to tackle complex challenges in the tech industry. His innovative spirit culminated in a series of competitions, notably the KFUPM Innovation Hackathon last year, in which he led his team to victory in both web and mobile development tracks.
The hackathon provided a platform for students to showcase their skills and creativity. It honed Hakeem’s leadership skills and also reinforced the importance of collaboration in achieving common goals.
“I adapted my approach to motivate each team member according to their needs,” he said. “Being closely involved in every task allowed me to guide the project effectively.”
Hakeem’s graduation project won first place at the KFUPM Graduation Expo in May last year. The project involved integrating with Foodics, the largest point-of-sale system in the Middle East.
He said: “One of our major challenges was securing a partnership with a restaurant to facilitate the integration process. We designated one team member to manage communications with Foodics and the sponsorship, allowing the rest of us to focus on development.”
This strategic division of responsibilities proved crucial in overcoming obstacles and delivering the project.
Recognition followed, especially through social media. Hakeem and his team shared their journey on X, attracting almost 400,000 views. This exposure led to an invitation from the MISK Foundation to join the prestigious MISK Launchpad program in 2023, where they secured a grant to bring their product to market.
“The experience taught me to build real products, not just software solutions,” he said.
The program provided valuable insights into the product development process, shaping Hakeem’s perspective on the importance of creating meaningful solutions that address real-world problems.
His talents caught the eye of major players in the tech industry. During the Metathon competition toward the end of 2023, he impressed judges, including Rehab Alarfaj from the Saudi Data and AI Authority, who offered him a position on her team.
“Joining SDAIA (this year) was a dream come true,” he added. “It’s a sought-after opportunity in the tech community … my goal is to secure recognition for Saudi Arabia in global AI rankings.”
In his current role within the General Management of Partnership and Competitiveness, Hakeem is committed to advancing artificial intelligence in the Kingdom.
He is currently involved in organizing the Global AI Summit, which is set to take place between Sept. 10-12. This event will showcase the Kingdom’s advances in AI and foster collaboration among international experts.
“Contributing to the success of my country is a key goal for me,” Hakeem said.
As Hakeem continues to contribute and innovate, he embodies the spirit of a new generation of young Saudis supported by the nurturing ecosystem of Vision 2030, and dedicated to paving the way and leaving a mark on the tech industry and beyond.
