Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council meeting held in Riyadh
Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council meeting held in Riyadh/node/2569698/saudi-arabia
Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council meeting held in Riyadh
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Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan chairs a Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council meeting in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani attend a Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council meeting in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council meeting held in Riyadh
Updated 01 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani chaired a Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council meeting in Riyadh on Sunday.
Prince Faisal said the meeting would strengthen relations between the Kingdom and Qatar in a way that achieves the aspirations of both countries.
The Kingdom’s foreign minster added that the leaderships of the two countries view the council as a platform that works to shape work in all fields and consolidate relations in a way that achieves both the Saudi and Qatari Vision 2030.
Italian and Saudi flavors blend in embassy dinner and cooking competition
Highlighting similarities between Italian and Saudi cultures that can be sensed in their cuisines, Chiari said: “Both Italy and Saudi Arabia place great importance on hospitality, family, and the tradition of sharing meals
Updated 11 min ago
Tamara Aboalsaud and Sulafa Alkhunaizi
RIYADH: A group of 15 Saudi and Italian chefs created a seven-course dinner titled “Italy meets KSA,” combining both cuisines at Ritz Carlton’s Azzuro Restaurant.
Daniele Chiari, Italian chef and head of Dinner Incredible, the hosts of the event, told Arab News: “Tonight’s event in Riyadh is inspired by the shared love for storytelling and culture through cuisine. As a chef, I see food as a universal language that connects people, and Saudi Arabia’s culinary traditions are incredibly rich and diverse, just like Italy’s.”
Mozzarella demonstration at the "Italy meets KSA" dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. (AN photo)
The event featured a culinary risotto competition between top Saudi chefs, which was won by Omar AlKhaldi, who received a scholarship fund from ALMA, the School of Italian Culinary Arts.
The event also had a display of fresh mozzarella cheese for tasting, made in the Kingdom by Sana cheese company, which specializes in Italian cheeses.
Risotto competition at the "Italy meets KSA" dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. (AN photo)
“This evening, we aim to create a bridge between these two cultures, highlighting how local Saudi ingredients and techniques can harmonize beautifully with Italian culinary artistry,” Chiari said.
The evening concluded with a seven-course tasting dinner highlighting Italian and Saudi flavors. The menu included a pumpkin tart, cream of beans soup with shredded camel meat, a Red Sea grouper served with truffle, and a Saudi-coffee twist on the famous tiramisu.
Red Sea grouper at the "Italy meets KSA" dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. (AN photo)
Highlighting similarities between Italian and Saudi cultures that can be sensed in their cuisines, Chiari said: “Both Italy and Saudi Arabia place great importance on hospitality, family, and the tradition of sharing meals. In terms of food, there’s a deep respect for natural, high-quality ingredients in both cuisines. Just as Italians value simplicity and the authentic taste of their produce, Saudis take pride in the purity and flavor of their spices, grains, and meats.”
Chiari spoke about the ability of food to cross international borders and connect communities.
Rosewater-glazed lamb at the "Italy meets KSA" dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. (AN photo)
“Food is one of the most powerful ways to build connections and foster understanding between cultures. It transcends language, politics, and borders, allowing people to experience something deeply personal yet universally relatable. By crossing international borders through food, we’re not just sharing recipes — we’re sharing history, values, and creativity.”
The competition was organized by the Italian Embassy in Riyadh, the Italian Trade Agency, and ALMA, the School of Italian Culinary Arts, in collaboration with Sitaf and the Royal Protocol.
Saudi Artisanal Co. showcases artisanry at Banan 2024 exhibition
The Saudi Artisanal Co. will display diverse collections of handicrafts reflecting national heritage
Updated 47 sec ago
SPA
RIYADH: The Saudi Artisanal Co. is showcasing a variety of handicrafts that reflect authentic Saudi heritage in an effort to support artisans during the Saudi International Handicrafts Week Exhibition, or Banan, taking place in Riyadh from Nov. 23 to 29.
The exhibition, organized by the Heritage Commission and in its second edition, brings together more than 500 local and international artisans from over 20 countries.
It offers a distinctive cultural experience through interactive events that promote handicrafts and cultural heritage, focusing on supporting artisans locally and internationally.
The Saudi Artisanal Co. will display diverse collections of handicrafts reflecting national heritage with the aim of fostering innovation and expanding the reach of Saudi artisanry in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.
Saudi and Japanese culture ministers discuss ways to strengthen cooperation
Ministers sign MoU to enhance cultural exchange between the two countries
Updated 22 November 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan met with his Japanese counterpart Toshiko Abe on Friday, Nov. 22. The two discussed various ways to enhance cultural cooperation between the two countries, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency.
Prince Badr met with Abe as part of his official visit to Japan to attend the “Marvels of Saudi Orchestra” show in Tokyo, which took place on Thursday.
The Saudi minister noted that the Kingdom’s upcoming participation at Expo 2025 in Osaka highlights the strong relations between the two countries, and wished Japan success in hosting the event.
In their meeting, the ministers addressed the importance of “strengthening cultural relations between the Kingdom and Japan,” the SPA reported, and of “enhancing existing cooperation between the Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission and the Japanese to train Saudi students in the art of creating manga comics.”
Prince Badr and his Japanese counterpart signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at “enhancing cooperation and cultural exchange between the two countries through the exchange of knowledge in systems and regulations related to cultural affairs, in the field of animation, and projects related to preserving heritage of all kinds, in addition to digital preservation technologies for heritage, and developing artistic residency programs between the two countries.”
The MoU is part of the Ministry of Culture’s efforts to enhance international cultural exchange, one of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
26 endangered animals return home — Al-Souda release marks conservation milestone
The initiative is part of NCW’s broader program to resettle and grow the numbers of endangered species
NCW CEO Mohammed Qurban explained the release location was carefully selected
Updated 22 November 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife has successfully reintroduced 26 endangered animals to their natural habitat in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Souda region.
Thursday’s ceremony was attended by Souda Development Company CEO Saleh Al-Arini and National Center for Wildlife Development General Supervisor of Planning and Empowerment Abdulmohsen Al-Shanif.
The initiative is part of NCW’s broader program to resettle and grow the numbers of endangered species while enhancing biodiversity and ensuring ecosystems thrive throughout the Kingdom. The project also aims to boost the region’s tourism appeal while supporting environmental sustainability.
NCW CEO Mohammed Qurban explained the release location was carefully selected following comprehensive biodiversity studies to assess both current conditions and potential future impacts.
“This project not only enhances our ecosystems but also strengthens ecotourism opportunities and creates new economic channels for the Kingdom,” he said, adding NCW’s breeding centers ranked among the world’s leading facilities for endangered species propagation. The centers maintain the highest international standards while conducting vital research on species’ living conditions.
The organization employs cutting-edge technology to monitor wildlife populations, collect data and assess potential risks to biodiversity in protected areas.
The initiative represents a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to preserve its natural heritage and promote sustainable development in the region.
Saudi Arabia advocates for quality of life during COP29
One of the key initiatives driving this change is Saudi Vision 2030, a strategic framework aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on oil and fostering economic diversification
This vision places significant emphasis on green development, which is essential for enhancing the overall quality of life for residents and citizens in the Kingdom
Updated 22 November 2024
Haifa Alshammari
BAKU: While COP29, the 29th climate change conference, continues discussions for a 12th day in the capital city of Azerbaijan to elevate health and well-being for people all over the world, sustaining the level of quality of life after the implementation of policies is important.
Sustainability, in general, has emerged as a critical focal point for countries worldwide, and Saudi Arabia is no exception. As the Kingdom moves from a predominantly oil-based economy to a more diverse and sustainable model, the implications for quality of life are profound.
One of the key initiatives driving this change is Saudi Vision 2030, a strategic framework aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on oil and fostering economic diversification.
This vision places significant emphasis on green development, which is essential for enhancing the overall quality of life for residents and citizens in the Kingdom.
The Saudi government is working to create a more resilient and prosperous future through various investments in sustainable urban planning and eco-friendly technologies and projects.
Sustainable urban development is central to enhancing the quality of life. Projects such as NEOM, a futuristic city planned to integrate smart technology and sustainable living, show how urban environments can be designed while keeping growth sustainable even after the completion of the city.
Such projects aim to provide residents with green spaces, efficient public transport and smart infrastructure, all contributing to a higher standard of living.
Aeon Collective is another example that shows the Kingdom’s commitment to raising living standards for people.
The company is an interdisciplinary, non-profit organization based in Riyadh, committed to advancing the concept of sustainability and development in Saudi Arabia, while at the same time focusing on the intersection of social, economic, and ecological well-being.
Aeon Collective is considered a Waqf, which is an Arabic word meaning assets that are donated, bequeathed, or purchased to be held in perpetual trust for general or specific charitable causes that are socially beneficial.
Princess Mashael Saud Al-Shalan, co-founder of Aeon Collective, explained to Arab News during COP29 the concept and objective of the organization.
“As you know, Waqf is one of the oldest legal Islamic structures, (established) almost 1400 years ago,” she said. “The intention was to reorient this legal structure (Waqf) into a space that allowed us to focus on sustainability in the longer run, but in the shorter run try to answer one key basic question, ‘what would it take to align opportunities for socio-economic mobility for individuals through the active action of repairing our planet?’”
Princess Mashael spoke further of the need to reclaim the Islamic framework Amarat Alardh, which, according to her, means “custodianship of the land.”
“It is within our own heritage, our culture, Islamic, Arabic, Saudi, that we have to be there to take care of our fellow citizens, our fellow humans, but importantly, every other being, plant, animal, that we share this planet with,” she said.
Moreover, public awareness and engagement in sustainability practices are being fostered through educational campaigns and community initiatives. By encouraging citizens to adopt sustainable habits, such as recycling and energy conservation, the government aims to create a culture of sustainability that enhances community well-being.
Throughout the conversation, Princess Mashael praised the perspectives Saudi Arabia is bringing to the table of negotiations during this event, yet stressed also the responsibility of individuals to raise the bar of ambition on a national level to ensure that those goals and ambitions are translated on the ground.
In addition, Princess Mashael was a speaker at one of the panels on Wednesday, regarding sustainability in cities.
“Cities tend to not only be the biggest congregators of carbon but also where most of the brains we are trying to attract, who solve these issues, live ... So it is having a mentality that goes beyond scarcity, beyond fear-mongering and eco-anxiety; to a mentality of growth, to a mentality of being able to do.”
Sustainability in Saudi Arabia is not merely a response to environmental concerns; it is a holistic approach to improving quality of life through strategic initiatives in numerous sectors, including urban planning and community engagement; the country is laying the groundwork for a healthier, more sustainable future for its people.
