Saudi Arabia zone welcomes visitors to Boulevard World

Saudi Arabia zone welcomes visitors to Boulevard World
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There are also 300 restaurants and cafes, more than 800 shops, and new events in the Egypt, Spain and Italy zones. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia zone welcomes visitors to Boulevard World
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There are also 300 restaurants and cafes, more than 800 shops, and new events in the Egypt, Spain and Italy zones. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia zone welcomes visitors to Boulevard World
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There are also 300 restaurants and cafes, more than 800 shops, and new events in the Egypt, Spain and Italy zones. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia zone welcomes visitors to Boulevard World
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There are also 300 restaurants and cafes, more than 800 shops, and new events in the Egypt, Spain and Italy zones. (SPA)
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Updated 22 October 2024
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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 minister of interior meets Pakistani counterpart in Riyadh

Saudi minister of interior meets Pakistani counterpart in Riyadh
Updated 25 sec ago
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Saudi minister of interior meets Pakistani counterpart in Riyadh

Saudi minister of interior meets Pakistani counterpart in Riyadh
  • Prince Abdulaziz, Naqvi discuss security cooperation between Kingdom, Pakistan
  • Naqvi congratulates Saudi leadership on hosting 2034 World Cup

RIYADH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi minister of interior, met his Pakistani counterpart Mohsin Naqvi at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh on Monday.

Prince Abdulaziz and Naqvi discussed security cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, focusing on efforts to combat drug trafficking and other matters of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Naqvi congratulated the Saudi leadership on Sunday for the Kingdom becoming the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, and expressed his best wishes for the country.

The two countries signed several memorandums of understanding in October, worth $2.8 billion, which Islamabad believes will bring much-needed foreign investment into the financially struggling nation.

The Kingdom’s Deputy Minister of Interior Nasser Al-Daoud, the Undersecretary of Interior Khalid Al-Battal, and the Director General of Drug Control Mohammed Al-Qarni were among the officials who attended the meeting on Monday.

Ahmed Farouk, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, was also present.


Saudi Heritage Commission registers 13,040 new sites of historical importance

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has registered 13,040 new urban sites. (@MOCHeritage)
Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has registered 13,040 new urban sites. (@MOCHeritage)
Updated 16 December 2024
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Saudi Heritage Commission registers 13,040 new sites of historical importance

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has registered 13,040 new urban sites. (@MOCHeritage)
  • Sites manifest a lasting testament to the Kingdom's historical narratives for future generations
  • The number of heritage sites increased to 17,495 in various regions

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission has registered 13,040 new urban sites, increasing the total number of documented sites with cultural and historical importance to 17,495 in various regions.

The commission's National Urban Heritage Register includes a list of urban sites that manifest a "lasting testament to the Kingdom's historical narratives for future generations," the Saudi Press Agency reported.

According to SPA, the most recent registered sites are 1,950 in Riyadh, 3,273 in Madinah, 1,531 in Al-Baha, 1,525 in Hail, 1,400 in Qassim, 972 in Aseer, 571 in Makkah, 363 in Al-Jouf, 351 in Jazan, 200 in Najran, 107 in Tabuk, 35 in the Northern Borders, and 762 in the Eastern Region.

The Heritage Commission is dedicated to preserving and managing Saudi Arabia's urban heritage for future generations and raising public awareness about its cultural importance, SPA added.

The commission conducts research to identify new heritage sites using technologies and modern practices to preserve, document, and create a comprehensive database of these sites.

The commission said the community is vital in preserving heritage sites. It encourages Saudi citizens to report any sites and buildings of cultural or historical importance for documentation on its online service portal, https://contactcenter.moc.gov.sa.


Experts call for urgent fire-safety measures at historic Saudi sites

Experts call for urgent fire-safety measures at historic Saudi sites
Updated 16 December 2024
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Experts call for urgent fire-safety measures at historic Saudi sites

Experts call for urgent fire-safety measures at historic Saudi sites
  • AlUla symposium outlines steps to protect Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage
  • Case studies presented at the event included the 2019 Notre Dame fire

RIYADH: The Royal Commission for AlUla and its strategic partner, the Saudi International Council on Monuments and Sites, have issued recommendations for protecting people and preserving the nation’s cultural heritage sites. 

These recommendations were made during the AlUla Symposium on Fire Risk Management at Historic and Heritage Sites, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. 

Recently hosted in AlUla, the symposium had 80 national and international experts in fire management and heritage conservation participating. It provided a platform for discussions on fire prevention, mitigation, and response strategies for historic and cultural sites.

These discussions will help guide the development of policies and procedures for AlUla’s cultural landmarks, the SPA reported.

The experts shared best practices, case studies, and technologies, emphasizing an approach that prioritizes the safety of occupants, visitors, surrounding communities, and the sites.

Discussions covered the implementation of fire codes, such as the Saudi Historical Building Code, while respecting the unique character of old buildings and maintaining their structural integrity. 

Case studies presented at the event included the 2019 Notre Dame fire, which emphasized the need for comprehensive safety planning and collaboration. 

Experts shared practical strategies, including fire risk assessments, community training, and tailored roadmaps for specific locations.

Princess Nouf bint Mohammed bin Fahad, president of the Saudi International Council on Monuments and Sites, emphasized the need for preventative measures. 

“Fires pose a serious threat to priceless historical and heritage sites, endangering their authenticity, integrity and the values they represent. The negative effects of fires on these sites remind us of the need to prevent such disasters.” 

The recommendations from the symposium will guide the commission’s ongoing efforts to improve fire safety at AlUla’s heritage sites. This supports the broader goals of Vision 2030, and establishing AlUla as a global leader in heritage conservation, the SPA reported.


UN chief opens Riyadh tech conference with virtual speech

UN chief opens Riyadh tech conference with virtual speech
Updated 16 December 2024
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UN chief opens Riyadh tech conference with virtual speech

UN chief opens Riyadh tech conference with virtual speech
  • 19th IGF tackles cybersecurity, data privacy, and AI
  • More than 10,000 expected to attend

RIYADH: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered the opening remarks in a virtual speech at the 19th edition of the organization’s Internet Governance Forum, held in Riyadh on Sunday.

Over 10,000 people from 160 countries are expected to attend the conference, which runs from Dec. 15 to 19, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The forum covers a range of topics from cybersecurity and data privacy to artificial intelligence in more than 300 sessions and workshops.

Other notable speakers included Saudi Communication Minister Abdullah Alswaha and UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua.

Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, moderator of the forum, told Arab News: “Definitely, IGF 2024 came at a very critical time in the global digital world.”

He went on to say: “This year is the first year that we dedicate a full track for businesses. So, IGF has a history of being developed in different countries with tracks for government, academia, and parliaments, but for business; it was missing.

The forum covers a range of topics from cybersecurity and data privacy to artificial intelligence in more than 300 sessions and workshops.
(AN/Jaafar Alsaleh)

“We know now that the private sector and technology play a major role in the governance of IT and AI. This is the first time that we invite many private sector players to IGF, and we hope this plan will continue in the upcoming IGFs.”

Discussing the different offerings at the forum, Al-Mutairi said: “For this year, we expanded IGF Village to provide a lot of exhibitions and active workshops.

“Many organizations are presenting their work in IGF, allowing the community to collaborate and interact. This is a tradition of IGF, but this year it has expanded, making it more interactive for all participants in Riyadh.”

One of the participating organizations is the Digital Cooperation Organization, which offered a session on the ethical uses of AI as part of a series of roundtables.

The forum covers a range of topics from cybersecurity and data privacy to artificial intelligence in more than 300 sessions and workshops.
(AN/Jaafar Alsaleh)

Alaa Abdulaal, chief of digital economy foresight at DCO, told Arab News: “We have something we call the digital space accelerator. It is a working group we created to focus on specific topics, one of which is the ethical use of AI.

“We have conducted many roundtables globally, including one in Singapore and another during GAIN (Global AI Summit). Today, during IGF, the aim is to gather perspectives from different AI experts on the policy tools we are creating regarding the ethical use of AI.”

The forum also saw awards distributed to prominent individuals, celebrating their achievements in the field. Arwa Al-Duwaish, winner of the IGF award for the Most Promising Employee at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, told Arab News that she received an award recognizing her contributions to digital transformation in the Kingdom.

The conference is being held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh until Thursday.


5 arrested for smuggling drugs using beehives

5 arrested for smuggling drugs using beehives
Updated 16 December 2024
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5 arrested for smuggling drugs using beehives

5 arrested for smuggling drugs using beehives

RIYADH: Authorities have arrested members of criminal drug network who posed as a local bee import business.

A Ministry of Interior source said that five people from the network were arrested: Four Egyptian expatriates and one Saudi citizen, according to the Saudi Press Agency report on Monday.

The network’s activities included smuggling drugs by importing beehives through a beekeeping business, concealing amphetamine tablets in the hives, shipping them to the Kingdom, and transporting them in a refrigerated vehicle to Al-Darb governorate in the Jazan region, where the drugs were distributed and sold.

Legal action has been taken against the suspects, who were referred to the Public Prosecution, the SPA reported.

The ministry reiterated its commitment to counter all attempts to disrupt the security and stability of the Kingdom, or endanger its citizens and residents, highlighting its vigilance against criminal schemes targeting the nation with drugs.