KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities
Updated 11 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: KSrelief continues implementing several projects in Yemen, including the distribution of dates across the country to neediest groups.
The agency distributed 6,000 cartons of dates in the districts of Al-Houta and Al-Melah in Yemen’s Lahj Governorate, benefiting 36,000 individuals, state news agency SPA reported.
It also delivered 3,187 cartons of dates to vulnerable groups in the Midi district of Yemen’s Hajjah governorate.
This aid, benefiting 18,000 individuals, is part of the date assistance distribution project in Yemen for 2024.
How Saudi Arabia’s investment in blue ammonia is helping the global clean energy transition
The Kingdom’s strategic push for blue ammonia under Vision 2030 has positioned it as a leader in clean energy alternatives
Adoption of the circular carbon economy, carbon capture, and pioneering regulatory frameworks deemed key to the transition
Updated 14 September 2024
SULAFA ALKHUNAIZI & HAJAR ALQUSAYER
RIYADH: As the world accelerates its shift toward cleaner energy sources, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself at the forefront of blue ammonia production, which is emerging as a key component in the global effort to combat carbon emissions and climate change.
Long a global leader in oil and gas, the Kingdom is now using its technological and economic prowess to lead in alternative energy, particularly blue ammonia, which has the potential to drive the global hydrogen economy and decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors.
Blue ammonia, or NH3, is a versatile chemical compound traditionally used in agriculture as fertilizer, as well as in various industrial processes. However, its appeal as a clean energy source is gaining momentum.
The production of blue ammonia involves capturing up to 90 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions generated during its manufacture, thereby significantly reducing its environmental impact. This makes it an attractive alternative to conventional fossil fuels, especially in industries that are difficult to decarbonize, such as shipping, aviation, and heavy manufacturing.
Saudi Arabia’s pivot to blue ammonia is part of its broader Vision 2030 reform agenda to reduce the Kingdom’s reliance on fossil fuels and expand its renewable energy capacity. This transition is also critical to its commitment to combat climate change and contribute to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
The blue ammonia injection point compressor at the Hawiyah Natural Gas Liquids Recovery Plant, operated by Saudi Aramco, in Hawiyah, Makkah province. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to generate half of its energy needs from renewables and alternative sources, including hydrogen and blue ammonia, by the end of the decade.
The Kingdom will transition to natural gas and renewable energy sources in equal parts by 2030, Abdulaziz Almizani, head of sustainability in renewable energy and circular economy at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, told Arab News.
“Fifty percent should be by natural gas and the other 50 percent should be with renewables and alternative energy sources, hydrogen, and blue ammonia,” he said.
DID YOUKNOW?
Saudi Arabia is leading the clean energy transition through large-scale investment in blue ammonia, crucial for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like shipping and aviation.
The Kingdom aims for 50 percent of its energy to come from natural gas and 50 percent from clean sources, including blue ammonia, by 2030.
Saudi Aramco and Ma’aden have already pioneered carbon-neutral ammonia exports, making significant strides in supporting the global hydrogen economy.
In addition to embracing blue ammonia production, Saudi Arabia is adopting the circular carbon economy model to manage and reduce emissions, incorporating what are known as the “4Rs” — reduce, reuse, recycle, and remove.
As part of this effort, the Kingdom is investing in carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies to remove CO2 and convert it into useful products. Almizani highlighted Saudi Aramco’s role in pioneering these technologies, including the launch of a project that transforms CO2 into methanol.
Illustration courtesy of Aramco
Saudi Aramco has already become a key player in promoting the hydrogen economy, having shipped the world’s first carbon-neutral ammonia to Japan in 2020. This was a significant milestone for the global adoption of clean energy, marking Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a leader in blue ammonia production and export.
Furthermore, the Saudi Arabian Mining Co., or Ma’aden, is playing a pivotal role in these efforts, recently exporting 138,000 tons of blue ammonia to South Korea — one of the largest quantities approved globally.
Opinion
This section contains relevant reference points, placed in (Opinion field)
Despite the high cost of production and the need for technological adaptation, Almizani is optimistic that the costs associated with blue ammonia will eventually decrease, making it more accessible and scalable.
The Kingdom’s investment in clean energy is also reflected in its new developments, such as its smart city NEOM, which is set to host the world’s largest green ammonia plant by 2025, further solidifying Saudi Arabia’s commitment to becoming a global leader in both green and blue ammonia production.
Illustration courtesy of NEOM
Saudi Arabia’s efforts are also supported by a strong regulatory framework aimed at promoting clean energy. Almizani emphasized the importance of establishing regulations in the energy industry to encourage private sector participation.
The Kingdom’s adoption of blue ammonia as part of its energy mix not only aligns with its domestic goals but also contributes significantly to the global fight against climate change.
As blue ammonia production scales up and technological advancements make it more cost-effective, Saudi Arabia is well-positioned to emerge as a world leader in this critical area of clean energy, offering a blueprint for other nations seeking to transition away from fossil fuels.
Bon voyage: Retired airplanes take Jeddah to Riyadh road trip
850 km journey sparked social media campaign to capture the unusual sight
Updated 14 September 2024
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: Stunning images of three retired airplanes mounted atop trailer trucks being transported from Jeddah to Riyadh has created a buzz on social media.
From a man enjoying gahwa on a traditional carpet on the side of the road to a group of young children giving the aircraft a salute on its final journey, the images are capturing a new turn in the life of the aircraft.
People have captured some memorable moments on camera as they observed the unusual motorcade while ferrying the aircraft. (Supplied)
The airplanes, which were retired from Saudia Airlines between 2016 and 2017, were transported under tight security, covering a distance of more than 850 km from Jeddah to Madinah, then to Qassim, and ultimately to Riyadh.
Large crowds of locals gathered to witness the unusual sight. During their former service with Saudia, the Boeing 777-200ER models carried 341 passengers in three-class cabins.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Saudi General Entertainment Authority’s chairman, Turki Alalshik, launched a campaign, ‘Where Are They? ... Please Let Me Know,’ to document and follow the planes on the way to Riyadh.
• They covered a distance of more than 850 km from Jeddah to Madinah, then to Qassim, and ultimately to Riyadh.
According to the General Entertainment Authority, five retired aircraft in total will be converted into shops and restaurants and used for staging interactive experiences for adults and children as part of the Boulevard Runway project, which is being carried out in collaboration with Saudia Airlines.
The authority’s chairman, Turki Alalshik, launched a campaign, “Where Are They? ... Please Let Me Know,” to document and follow the planes on the way to Riyadh.
People have captured some memorable moments on camera as they observed the unusual motorcade while ferrying the aircraft. (Supplied)
The campaign encourages locals to share images of the aircraft throughout the road trip.
Alalshik also launched a competition, with a luxury car as the prize, for the best photograph of the planes.
Many people who learned about the final voyage gathered on the side of the highway to Riyadh.
“We have seen large airplanes transporting trucks and vehicles from one place to another, but here we have videos and photos where a truck is actually carrying airplanes. It is not something that we normally see on our roads,” said Ahmed Al-Shalaan from Riyadh on X.
The ferrying of the aircraft has led to some memorable moments caught on camera as people documented their encounters with the unusual motorcade. It also created traffic jams as motorists driving down the highways were awestruck at the sight of the planes.
Many slowed down and some stopped to take photographs and selfies with the aircraft in the background.
“This is quite a unique experience, which we rarely see in our lifetime. I think that is why people are crowding to see it,” said Abdulsalam Al-Ahmad from Madinah on X.
On Thursday, residents in Umm Aldome in Taif were treated to an unusual sight as the aircraft arrived in their small town and a special breakfast was organized for the drivers in celebration of their arrival.
Abdullah Al-Omair, a local, said on X: “It is a historical day here in Umm Aldome and we are so happy to see the giant aircraft passing by our town.”
Hajjaj Al-Zahrani, head of the transporting team, spoke to media in the town and said: “This journey has been amazing and what we have witnessed on the road was incredibly amazing.
“Residents of all cities we have been through have been very generous with us and they did everything to make the journey easy for us.”
Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani considers it an honor and responsibility to represent nation’s tourism program
Updated 13 September 2024
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia actor Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani, 10, who has been an ambassador for the Saudi Summer Program 2024, has brought an intense passion and energy to the role.
With a career marked by appearances in commercials and TV series, Al-Qahtani’s journey from actor to ambassador highlights a deep connection to his cultural roots and commitment to promoting the country globally.
Al-Qahtani told Arab News: “I’ve always loved performing. I started by acting in ads for big brands like Infiniti Cars, Al-Rajhi Bank and Aramco. These opportunities allowed me to explore different facets of acting and build a solid foundation in the industry.”
Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani, Saudi actor
His experience includes campaigns for the ministries of health and environment, water and agriculture, as well as the Misk Foundation.
His acting career has been marked by outstanding performances in series including “Al-Deek Al-Azraq” and “Orim.”
Al-Qahtani’s upcoming film, “Shahd,” has also generated considerable excitement among his fans. “Acting is my real passion … Growing up, my culture deeply influenced the roles I chose. I feel fortunate to work on projects that resonate with my heritage and bring our stories to life.”
It’s a special chance to share the beauty and diversity of our country’s summer experiences with the world. I take this role very seriously and am dedicated to making the most of it.
Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani, Saudi actor
Transitioning to his role as the ambassador for the Saudi Summer Program, Al-Qahtani considers it an honor and responsibility.
“I’m thrilled … it’s a special chance to share the beauty and diversity of our country’s summer experiences with the world. I take this role very seriously and am dedicated to making the most of it,” he said.
As part of his duties, Al-Qahtani has been touring Saudi Arabia, exploring various summer destinations and participating in local events.
Al-Qahtani said: “Every place I visit has its own unique charm. Boulevard City in Riyadh is incredibly dynamic, while Jeddah Corniche offers a beautiful blend of sea and city. Abha, where I grew up, holds a special place in my heart, and I’m always excited to share its beauty with others.”
One of the standout moments of his tour was attending the King Cup final in Jeddah. “It was a significant event, and representing the summer program there was a source of immense pride for me. It felt like a perfect blend of sports and cultural celebration.”
A particularly memorable experience for him was meeting Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb in Asir. The meeting offered Al-Qahtani insights into the ongoing efforts to boost the Kingdom’s tourism sector.
“Meeting the minister was an invaluable experience,” he said. “I learned a lot about the strategies and initiatives aimed at promoting tourism in Saudi Arabia. It was inspiring to see the commitment and vision behind these efforts.”
During the interaction, Al-Qahtani held a kite adorned with the program’s logo and Al-Khateeb drew a picture symbolizing summer on it. “(It) was a special moment for me. It felt like a meaningful connection to the program and underscored the collaborative spirit of this initiative.”
Looking ahead, Al-Qahtani is enthusiastic about continuing his acting career while remaining committed to his ambassadorial role.
“I’m excited to keep working as an actor and take on new challenges,” he added. “I’m also dedicated to promoting Saudi Arabia’s cultural and artistic scene. Football is another passion of mine, and I hope to explore opportunities in that area as well.”
The four-month Saudi Summer Program runs until the end of September and includes Asir, Baha, Taif, Jeddah, Riyadh, the Red Sea and AlUla. There have been hundreds of events offered with more than 100 partners.
The Balsam index, developed in partnership with the Saudi Data & AI Authority and international collaborators, aims to “set global benchmarks for assessing AI models in Arabic language tasks”
Updated 13 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has launched the Balsam index, a tool for evaluating and measuring Arabic large language models. The launch took place on Friday during the 3rd Global AI Summit (GAIN) in Riyadh.
The Balsam index, developed in partnership with the Saudi Data & AI Authority and international collaborators, aims to “set global benchmarks for assessing AI models in Arabic language tasks,” according to a press release. It will “help assess the latest models being developed to add new features and capabilities.”
During a key session on AI models for Arabic, Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, the academy’s secretary-general, discussed language evolution. He said that while written languages have historically endured, future linguistic survival will “depend on effective AI integration.”
Al-Washmi commended the support of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, chairman of the academy’s board of trustees, in aligning the academy’s efforts with Saudi Vision 2030’s human-development goals.
Saudi Arabia to join regional nations in celebrating Arab Meteorological Day
Updated 14 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Sunday will join other nations in the region in celebrating Arab Meteorological Day, which falls on Sept. 15 every year, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The slogan of the day is “Climate Impact and Adaptation Programs,” and looks to seek solutions to the challenges facing Arab countries in addressing the effects of climate change and related environmental and economic issues.
This year’s celebration aims to shed light on joint Arab efforts to enhance the ability to confront climate change and ensure a sustainable future for future generations.
It also seeks to raise awareness about the effects of climate change, enhance adaptation programs to ensure the sustainability of natural resources and infrastructure, raise the level of regional cooperation between Arab countries in exchanging knowledge and expertise, and support research and development in the fields of weather and climate forecasting, SPA added.
The Kingdom’s National Center of Meteorology organizes various events in various regions of the Kingdom, with the aim of highlighting the importance of the Arab Meteorological Day, and reviewing the Kingdom’s role in confronting climate change.