Saudi crown prince, Jordan’s King Abdullah discuss tamping down regional tensions

Update Saudi crown prince, Jordan’s King Abdullah discuss tamping down regional tensions
1 / 3
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein in Riyadh. (SPA)
Update Saudi crown prince, Jordan’s King Abdullah discuss tamping down regional tensions
2 / 3
A handout picture provided by the Saudi Royal Palace on October 22, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcoming Jordan's King Abdullah II upon his arrival in Riyadh. (AFP/SPA)
Update Saudi crown prince, Jordan’s King Abdullah discuss tamping down regional tensions
3 / 3
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Jordan's King Abdullah II at Al Yamamah Palace. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 25 sec ago
Follow

Saudi crown prince, Jordan’s King Abdullah discuss tamping down regional tensions

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jordan’s King Abdullah II discussed the latest regional developments, focusing on efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.  

Both leaders have also stressed the need for continued aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the people of Lebanon as well as the necessity of finding a solution to the crisis. 

The crown prince received King Abdullah and Crown Prince Hussein at Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi state news agency SPA reported. 

During the reception, they discussed bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and opportunities for developing them in various fields, SPA added. 

 

Jordan’s King Abdullah departed on Tuesday for Saudi Arabia on an official visit. Prince Ali bin Al Hussein was sworn in as Regent in the presence of Cabinet members.


Saudi Arabia zone welcomes visitors to Boulevard World

Saudi Arabia zone welcomes visitors to Boulevard World
Updated 12 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Arabia zone welcomes visitors to Boulevard World

Saudi Arabia zone welcomes visitors to Boulevard World

RIYADH: The newly opened Saudi Arabia zone in Boulevard World at Riyadh Season 2024 offers visitors warm hospitality, Saudi coffee, popular dishes, perfumes, incense, handicrafts, fashion shows and various entertainment experiences.

Since the launch of the season, the zone has attracted large crowds eager to learn about Saudi Arabia’s regions, heritage, handicrafts, cultures and history through presentations by young Saudis.

The zone also features attractive buildings that reflect the beauty and history of the Kingdom’s regions.

Boulevard World is open daily from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. This season, the area has expanded by 30 percent with the addition of five new zones: Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Iran, Africa and Courchevel, bringing the total number of zones to 22, representing diverse global cultures.

There are also 300 restaurants and cafes, more than 800 shops, and new events in the Egypt, Spain and Italy zones.

Theatrical performances from various countries further enhance the appeal of Boulevard World as a distinctive entertainment destination.

Meanwhile, Riyadh Season is offering free entry to its entertainment areas to senior citizens aged 60 and older in a move aimed at enhancing inclusivity.

Seniors can enter select areas by showing their Tawakkalna app at designated gates. The areas included in the offer are Boulevard World, Boulevard Runway and Wonder Garden, along with the standard free-entry areas such as Riyadh Zoo, Al-Suwaidi Park and Souq Al-Awaleen. They will also have access to Boulevard City and VIA Riyadh without the need for prior tickets.

The offer does not cover events with reserved seating, such as concerts, plays, boxing matches or special experiences, as these require separate ticketing arrangements.


Saudi expo highlights AlUla’s cultural richness to Chinese audience

Saudi expo highlights AlUla’s cultural richness to Chinese audience
Updated 24 min 50 sec ago
Follow

Saudi expo highlights AlUla’s cultural richness to Chinese audience

Saudi expo highlights AlUla’s cultural richness to Chinese audience

RIYADH: An overview of AlUla’s cultural and national heritage is on display in Beijing, helping strengthen the relationship between Saudi Arabia and China.

The Saudi Travel Expo is taking place at Tiantan Park until Oct. 26. The Royal Commission for AlUla is taking part following an agreement between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

AlUla is one of the Kingdom’s leading tourist destinations, with increasing numbers of Chinese people wanting to visit. The number of international tourists to AlUla in 2023 was 44 percent more than previously recorded, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The Saudi Travel Expo is a prominent platform for the diverse cultural and heritage experiences offered by AlUla, highlighted by photographs and videos.

AlUla and Diriyah are home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the Hegra (Mada’in Saleh) archaeological site and At-Turaif District.


AlUla, Italy’s food movement to promote sustainable agriculture, culinary heritage

AlUla, Italy’s food movement to promote sustainable agriculture, culinary heritage
Updated 26 min 27 sec ago
Follow

AlUla, Italy’s food movement to promote sustainable agriculture, culinary heritage

AlUla, Italy’s food movement to promote sustainable agriculture, culinary heritage

RIYADH: The Royal Commission for AlUla has partnered with Slow Food, a global movement based in Italy, to boost sustainable agriculture and promote AlUla’s culinary heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The agreement aims to showcase the economic, social and health benefits of AlUla’s products, promote the region’s food culture and support sustainable agriculture.

This collaboration follows two years of successful food events in AlUla, positioning the region as a destination for food enthusiasts and tourists, while linking northwest Arabia with Slow Food’s global network in 150 countries.

The partnership coincides with the fifth AlUla Dates Season, offering significant economic opportunities for local farmers, families involved in cottage industries and entrepreneurs, celebrating the region’s cultural heritage.

As part of the season, Slow Food is hosting culinary demonstrations by chef Hooryah Abdulqader and chef Serhan Hasdemir, who presented dishes using AlUla dates last weekend and will continue this weekend on Oct. 25-26 at the farmers’ market in Al-Manshiyah Plaza.

Slow Food’s philosophy emphasizes agroecology, natural resource conservation and biodiversity preservation, aligning with the commission’s agricultural goals of supporting farmers and opening new markets for their products.

The establishment of a culinary arts center within AlUla’s cultural oasis will also enhance the partnership’s long-term objectives.

It will act as a hub for knowledge sharing, cooking and organizing activities related to sustainable agriculture and culinary traditions, encouraging AlUla residents and visitors to embrace traditional practices.

By promoting cultural education and sustainable agricultural practices within food sectors, the collaboration between RCU and Slow Food will bolster AlUla’s economy diversification and attract tourists.


Saudi National Guard minister receives Uzbek envoy to Riyadh

Saudi National Guard minister receives Uzbek envoy to Riyadh
Updated 22 October 2024
Follow

Saudi National Guard minister receives Uzbek envoy to Riyadh

Saudi National Guard minister receives Uzbek envoy to Riyadh

RIYADH: Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi minister of National Guard, received Nodirjon Turgunov, the Uzbek Ambassador to the Kingdom, at the ministry’s headquarters, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The pair discussed issues of mutual interest between their nations.
Several senior officials also joined the meeting.


Saudi drugs watchdog boosts domestic and international collaborations

Saudi drugs watchdog boosts domestic and international collaborations
Updated 21 October 2024
Follow

Saudi drugs watchdog boosts domestic and international collaborations

Saudi drugs watchdog boosts domestic and international collaborations
  • Kingdom’s Food and Drug Authority signs collaboration deal with King Abdulaziz University on opening day of Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh
  • Authority’s CEO also led Saudi delegation at 19th annual International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities in New Delhi last week

RIYADH: Officials from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority are this week participating in a second event in the space of two weeks at which they will work to enhance local and international collaborations in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors.

The authority signed a memorandum of understanding with King Abdulaziz University on the opening day of the Global Health Exhibition 2024 in Riyadh, which began on Monday and continues until Wednesday.

The agreement, signed by the authority’s CEO, Hisham Aljadhey, and the university’s president, Tareef Alaama, is designed to encourage collaboration in rehabilitation services, training, consulting, studies and research, officials said. Key areas for cooperation include the designation of university labs as reference laboratories, the development of educational programs about legislation related to medical devices, and the use of artificial intelligence in the pharmaceutical industry.

Agreement was signed by the authority’s CEO, Hisham Aljadhey, and the university’s president, Tareef Alaama. (Supplied)

The aim is to advance innovation in healthcare in the Kingdom while improving levels of medical and regulatory expertise, the agency said. It added that both organizations want to help build a healthier future for the Kingdom through empowerment of young people by providing training and jobs in the medical field.

Aljadhey also led a delegation from the Kingdom at the 19th annual meeting of the International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities in New Delhi last week. The five-day event was hosted by the Indian government in collaboration with the World Health Organization.

“The international presence of member states is a testament to the shared goals we seek to achieve in ensuring the safety, efficacy and quality of medical products worldwide,” Aljadhey said.

Emphasizing the importance of international cooperation, he added that he is confident collective efforts will help to develop innovative solutions and strengthen regulatory frameworks in the sector, thereby enhancing global healthcare outcomes.