7.1 million cases of natural vegetation regeneration have been recorded
Updated 14 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has announced that the government has planted over 95 million trees since the launch of the Saudi Green Initiative in 2021.
These efforts, in partnership with private and nonprofit bodies, have rehabilitated 111,000 hectares of degraded land and are protecting 4.3 million hectares under restoration, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Additionally, 7.1 million cases of natural vegetation regeneration have been recorded, showing progress in expanding the Kingdom’s green cover.
So far, 121 partners from various sectors have contributed to afforestation efforts, supporting national goals aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030.
These initiatives help reduce carbon emissions, improve quality of life, and combat climate change, the SPA reported.
The center also focuses on protecting and rehabilitating vegetation, combating illegal logging, and sustainably managing rangelands, forests, and national parks. These efforts aim to ensure sustainable vegetation cover for future generations.
KKIA to become first Asia-Pacific-Middle East airport to join Net Zero Roadmap
KKIA will become the first international airport in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East to participate in the Net Zero Roadmap program
Updated 4 sec ago
Hebshi Alshammari
RIYADH: Riyadh Airports Co., which manages and operates King Khalid International Airport, has signed an agreement with Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East to strive for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, aiming to promote sustainable aviation.
According to the agreement, KKIA will become the first international airport in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East to participate in the Net Zero Roadmap program.
Net Zero Roadmap is an on-demand service complementing the Airport Carbon Accreditation, creating structured plans, including carbon footprint projections, governance frameworks, and recommendations across areas like assets, fuels, and operations.
The agreement was signed by Ayman bin Abdulaziz AbuAbah, CEO of RAC, and Stefano Baronci, director-general of Airports Council International for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
The agreement highlights KKIA’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and sets new standards for sustainable aviation practices.
This ambitious move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 goals, which emphasize sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
With the launch of the Saudi Green Initiative in 2021, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
He emphasized that this goal will be pursued through a circular carbon economy.
A key aspect of the agreement is the onsite assessment, which focuses on thoroughly evaluating and analyzing the specific site conditions. This process involves data collection, consultations with experts, and a comprehensive understanding of the environment, all aimed at facilitating informed decision-making in the subsequent phases.
Commenting on the agreement AbuAbah said: “It establishes us as the first airport to achieve this milestone, showcasing our progress in carbon accreditation and commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable aviation in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of carbon neutrality by 2060.
“Our efforts reflect a broader commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship, which we believe are crucial for the long-term success and resilience of our industry. We are proud to be at the forefront of this important initiative and look forward to collaborating with our partners to drive meaningful change in reducing the environmental impact of air travel.”
Baronci expressed his enthusiasm about the agreement, saying: “This partnership marks a significant milestone in our collective journey toward sustainable aviation. It not only demonstrates King Khalid International Airport’s leadership in environmental stewardship but also sets a powerful example for airports across Asia and the Middle East. The commitment shown by Riyadh Airports Co. reflects our shared dedication to environmental sustainability, with the ambitious yet crucial goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
Crown prince oversees signing of Saudi-Egypt council during visit to meet with El-Sisi
Prince Mohammed, El-Sisi held discussion session in presence of delegation of both countries
Crown prince sent a cable of thanks to El-Sisi on his departure from Cairo
Updated 16 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi Royal Court announced on Tuesday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Egypt.
During his visit, Prince Mohammed will hold talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who received the crown prince on arrival.
The discussions will center on enhancing bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as addressing key issues of mutual concern.
The crown prince and El-Sisi held a discussion session in the presence of the two countries’ delegations, Saudi Press Agency reported.
They also witnessed the signing of the formation of the Saudi-Egyptian Supreme Coordination Council and the agreement to encourage and protect mutual investments between the Kingdom and Egypt.
The crown prince sent a cable of thanks to El-Sisi on his departure from Cairo.
He expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality and reception he and his delegation received during their visit, SPA reported.
He highlighted that the discussions held with the recipient have reaffirmed the strong ties between their two countries and their mutual desire to enhance cooperation across various fields.
The crown prince also emphasized the commitment to continued coordination on issues of common interest under the leadership of King Salman and El-Sisi and concluded by wishing the Egyptian president good health and success, and the people of Egypt continued prosperity.
Solar companies gather in Riyadh to advance Kingdom’s net zero plan
“This event shone a spotlight on the impressive initiatives driving the Kingdom and the broader MENA region toward net zero, with both private and government sectors playing pivotal roles”
Updated 16 October 2024
Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: Solar power companies from around the world are gathering in Riyadh to cultivate new opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s path to net zero, during the Solar & Storage Live KSA exhibition.
NEOM Green Hydrogen Co. was one of the major organizations that attended the event.
“It’s always inspiring to be surrounded by our industry peers and partners, and I was thrilled to be asked to participate in the keynote interview,” said Wesam Al-Ghamdi, CEO of NEOM Green Hydrogen Co.
Wesam Alghamdi, CEO of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company. (Supplied)
“I was also very happy to see the enthusiasm around NGHC’s project. The excitement about our progress toward becoming fully operational by the end of 2026 was palpable.
“This event shone a spotlight on the impressive initiatives driving the Kingdom and the broader MENA region toward net zero, with both private and government sectors playing pivotal roles.”
Solar power has emerged as a leading contender in the race for sustainable energy solutions, as the world shifts towards renewable energy sources.
Al-Ghamdi elaborated on how the solar energy system works at the company. “NGHC doesn’t produce its own solar panels, those are produced by our partners at Sungrow,” he said.
“Located in NEOM, we benefit from an optimal environment for solar energy generation, with nearly guaranteed sunlight throughout the year.
“Our solar garden will feature an impressive 5.6 million solar panels, generating up to 2.2 GW of solar energy to power our facility.”
He added: “Together with our wind farm, this renewable energy infrastructure will enable us to produce up to 600 tonnes of green hydrogen (daily) by the time we are fully operational at the end of 2026.”
Solar energy is produced through the collection of sunlight using photovoltaic panels. This technology has seen remarkable advancements over the past decade, drastically reducing costs and improving efficiency.
These lower costs make solar power an affordable energy source for many people, thus an excellent option for both developed and developing countries.
One of the biggest players in solar power is China. The country is investing heavily in solar infrastructure not only for its economic benefit but for the environmental impact it provides.
Operating worldwide, BSL BATT is a Chinese company that produces battery storage systems, including storage for solar power.
Although BSL BATT has been operating in various countries within the Middle East, they are aiming to penetrate the Saudi solar market and develop their relations even further in the Kingdom, BSL BATT EMEA’s sales manager, Russel Tong, told Arab News.
Battery storage systems are critical in making solar power a feasible supply of electricity, as stored energy can be released overnight resulting in a round-the-clock supply when solar panels are not harvesting energy from the sun.
The combination of solar power and storage not only supports environmental sustainability but also drives economic growth, as evidenced by Saudi Arabia’s growing solar power industry.
As the Kingdom ramps up its solar power capacity, targeting a total of 130GW of renewable energy by 2030, economic opportunities are also on the rise.
‘Modernity Roots’ art exhibition merges Saudi past and present
Our cultural heritage is our ultimate powerhouse, says Bilory ArtHaus founder
Updated 15 October 2024
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: A new exhibition in Jeddah will “push boundaries” in the world of Saudi art, encouraging artists to challenge stereotypes and explore new horizons, its organizer believes.
Abdulrahman Kamil Mourad, general manager of the Bilory company and founder of Bilory ArtHaus, said the “Modernity Roots” exhibition will merge Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage with contemporary art practices, creating a dynamic platform for both artists and art enthusiasts.
AFM’s camel paintings utilize bold, African-inspired colors and Saudi symbols to explore a modern, progressive identity rooted in tradition. (Supplied)
The exhibition, the gallery’s first, draws inspiration from the Arabic term for origin and centrality, symbolized by the date stone, a revered element in Saudi culture, known for its vitality and unyielding strength.
“Modernity Roots is not just an exhibition, it’s a declaration of our roots and the unyielding power they instill within us as Saudis navigating the modern world,” Mourad said.
HIGHLIGHTS
• ‘Modernity Roots’ showcases the works of AFM and Heba Ismail, two prominent Saudi artists gaining wider recognition in the region.
• Bilory ArtHaus has positioned itself not only as a gallery, but also a creative space that promotes openness and innovation.
• Alongside its commitment to promoting art, Bilory Company also plans to launch an e-commerce jewelry platform.
“In a society eager to progress, this exhibition reminds us that our cultural heritage is our ultimate powerhouse, guiding us forward without losing sight of our origins.”
‘Modernity Roots,’ Bilory ArtHaus’ debut exhibition, is setting out to push boundaries in Saudi art, while also challenging stereotypes. (Supplied)
Mourad said that the exhibition is setting out to push boundaries in Saudi art, while also challenging stereotypes.
“The primary purpose of ‘Modernity Roots’ was to highlight that it is OK and desirable to be courageous and daring in the art production process, pushing boundaries and challenging the stereotypes surrounding Saudi art.
“Each artist embodies strong dedication and resilience, building on their rich Saudi cultural backgrounds, while exploring new horizons and opportunities,” he said.
‘Modernity Roots,’ Bilory ArtHaus’ debut exhibition, is setting out to push boundaries in Saudi art, while also challenging stereotypes. (Supplied)
The exhibition showcases the works of AFM and Heba Ismail, two prominent Saudi artists gaining wider recognition in the region.
AFM’s camel paintings merge pop art with cartoonish abstraction, utilizing bold, African-inspired colors and Saudi symbols to explore a modern, progressive identity rooted in tradition.
Ismail’s “The Holy Grail” series brings a cubist perspective to the theme of cultural identity and self-exploration, using modernist abstraction and striking colors to challenge perceptions and evoke deep emotional responses.
Together, their work creates a dialogue that bridges past and present, inviting viewers to reflect on the power of heritage in shaping the future.
Ismail said: “I’ve been involved with the team from the very beginning, and we spent months preparing for the launch.
“I contributed 23 paintings, all of which are very dear to me. The team was incredible. We became friends along the way, and the launch was a huge success.
“It was wonderful to work alongside AFM for the third time, and I love how our work complements and enhances each other’s.”
Mourad also explained Bilory’s approach to selecting artists for the inaugural exhibition, emphasizing a commitment to Saudi Vision 2030.
“From our perspective, there will never be a solid perfect choice when it comes to selecting art and artists; there are only different tastes and perspectives.
“Our main focus initially was to find creative Saudi artists who work with great passion. The main factor guiding our choice of these two artists was their alignment with our broader vision of participating in Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to create more cultural art spaces and improve the overall quality of life.”
Bilory ArtHaus has positioned itself not only as a gallery, but also a creative space that promotes openness and innovation.
Mourad outlined the gallery’s broader ambitions, saying: “We aim to create a balanced and harmonious gallery that fosters multi-talented artists who challenge themselves and inspire others to do the same.
“This creative space will feature diverse exhibitions, showcasing both well-established and emerging local Saudi artists, as well as hosting international artists.
“We strongly believe that Bilory ArtHaus will play a major role in shaping the local art scene by promoting and exposing outstanding available talents.”
Alongside its commitment to promoting art, Bilory Company also plans to launch an e-commerce jewelry platform.
The exhibition, open daily from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. until Oct. 31, offers visitors an immersive experience that highlights Saudi Arabia’s cultural evolution, and the enduring connection between tradition and modernity.
Crown prince to lead Saudi delegation at GCC-EU summit in Brussels
Senior EU officials held a briefing in Riyadh on Tuesday to discuss “ambitious agenda” of event
Updated 15 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will lead Saudi Arabia’s delegation at the upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council-European Union summit in Brussels on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
His participation follows directives from King Salman, SPA added.
Senior EU officials held a briefing in Riyadh on Tuesday to discuss the “ambitious agenda” of the upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council-EU summit in Brussels on Oct. 16.
GCC and EU leaders will address regional stability, trade, and people-to-people cooperation during the summit.
