RIYADH: Iran has failed to fulfill the aspirations of its people, a Saudi think tank said on Sunday ahead of the 40th anniversary of the 1979 revolution.
Speakers at a conference organized by the Riyadh-based International Institute for Iranian Studies (Rasanah) said citizens had been ignored in favor of foreign militias and ideology, leading to protests and unrest in the country.
Iranians were happy after the revolution as they thought the Shah of Iran’s political dictatorship and the repression of his secret security forces had ended, said the president and founder of Rasanah, Dr. Mohammed Al-Sulami.
“They aspired to see a better socioeconomic and political life, given the ambitious promises by the new political system including free water, electricity, and gas to people, and those who did not have a home would be able to buy a new one in a brief period,” he told the conference. “However, as days and years passed, these promises evaporated … things began to deteriorate with poverty, unemployment, and inflation rising.”
Iran fared better with its military ambitions, said Al-Sulami, developing homegrown weapons or working in cooperation with Russia, China and North Korea.
It stepped up efforts to develop a nuclear and missile program but failed to upgrade its air fleet, he said, adding that Iranians saw the country’s resources were not being used to improve living standards.
There was also an impact on Iran’s relations with its Arab neighbors because of regional developments and Tehran’s tendency to create new militias and support old ones, the conference heard.
Al-Sulami accused Iran of planting spies overseas and focusing on nonstate actors from Lebanon in the north to Yemen in the south and recruiting mercenaries from South Asian countries to fight on the side of the Syrian regime.
There were now external pressures, economic hardships and sanctions, he told the conference, in addition to domestic unrest among a middle class that wanted political reforms and freedom. This discontent could also be found in small towns and rural areas, he added.
Protests have been raging since December 2017 and there was growing anger toward Tehran, including against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, he said.
Sunday’s conference was divided into three sessions.
The first session discussed views from inside Iran, successes and failures. The second was about Iran and the international community, while the third was about Iran's future amid external pressures and internal challenges.
Mohammed Al-Remaihi, a professor of political sociology at Kuwait University, said the very idea of an Islamic republic was questionable.
There was a nonelected supreme leader who did not care about the will of the people, there were restrictions on freedom and the regime was busy playing a destructive role in the region, he told the conference.
There were forces working for regime change, he added, and they were backed by people who were unhappy with the high unemployment rate. Fawaz Al-Fawaz, an economic adviser, highlighted the impact of sanctions, corruption, demographic challenges and economic complexities in Iran in the last four decades.
He said there were several issues — such as national debt, high inflation and the falling value of the Iranian riyal — that were worrying Iranians. Conference speakers also talked about Iran’s nuclear program, its ideological propaganda and its interventions into the domestic matters of Arab countries.
Iran has failed its people, say experts
Iran has failed its people, say experts
- Iran fared better with its military ambitions, said Al-Sulami, developing homegrown weapons or working in cooperation with Russia, China and North Korea
- Tehran’s regional role, nuclear program discussed
AI heralds new era for art, music, Riyadh summit told
- Forum explored innovations linked with Web3, a new stage of the internet driven by the cryptocurrency-related technology blockchain
- Web3 is expected to provide greater security, and give users more control over their data, opening new horizons for musicians and artists
RIYADH: Music has always been at the cutting edge when it comes to utilizing technological innovation, Paul Pacifico, CEO of the Saudi Music Commission, told a forum in Riyadh.
Experts discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on the creative industries during the Outer Edge summit held at The Garage in the Saudi capital on Tuesday.
The forum explored innovations linked with Web3, a new stage of the internet driven by the cryptocurrency-related technology blockchain.
Web3 is expected to provide greater security, and give users more control over their data, opening new horizons for musicians and artists, among others.
“Musicians have always experimented with every tool they could get their hands on,” Pacifico said during a panel titled “The Future of Creativity, including Music and Art.”
He cited the invention of the piano as an example, and said that artists would explore any medium or utilize any tool to convey their message.
“AI is everywhere, and is somewhat of a catch-all term for several technologies that converge around machines,” he said.
Pacifico encouraged artists to explore AI, adding that it is already integrated into many areas of their working life.
“We’ve already experienced AI in the creative space through algorithmic playlists on streaming platforms, backend processing, digital music production, and editing with software programs.”
The discussion also explored the intersection of technology and art, with speakers highlighting the potential for immersive experiences that merge the physical and digital worlds.
Saudi artist Khaled Makshoush, who works with digital pixel designs, is optimistic about AI applications in the creative realm, saying that that he sometimes uses the technology as a source of inspiration and a tool to enhance his artistic processes.
He said that some people view AI negatively because it can generate art based on the work of other artists.
“I would generate an image with AI to be inspired by what elements or colors to incorporate into a painting.”
Makshoush said that because he is quite indecisive, “an AI assistant who can advise me based on my previous artworks would be very beneficial.”
Melissa Wiederrecht writes JavaScript code to generate her artwork, and uploads her creations on web3.
The algorithmic and generative artist said that one exciting aspect of Web3 is its potential to showcase artwork in new and innovative ways. Artists can use blockchain technology to create unique digital pieces, secure ownership rights, and sell their work to collectors.
“For example, I’ll have AI pick five random colors; then maybe I’ll say pick a random sample of points, then throw some color around, and choose a style of mine,” she said.
Wiederrecht said that she can write an algorithm that generates infinitely different pieces of art from the same code.
“They all look similar, like they belong to the same collection, but they’re all completely unique,” she added.
Pacifico concluded by saying: “I want to see that bedrock that we’re putting in place enable generations after us to have much greater access to the freedom of expression and circular economy required to enable access for more expression for all.”
Saudi Environment Ministry launches first urban farm inside stores
- Initiative allows customers to obtain fresh food products grown in the Kingdom.
- The ministry aims to launch about 600 to 1,000 farms in the retail system across all markets in the Kingdom over the next five years
Riyadh: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched an urban vertical farm project for food markets and stores, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative, the first of its kind in the region, allows customers to obtain fresh food products grown in the Kingdom.
The ministry’s undersecretary, Ahmed Al-Eyada, attended the launch of the project, which was implemented by a leading bioagriculture company.
Danube markets in Riyadh is hosting the first vertical farm in the project. Commercial display units in the market contain a variety of plants and agricultural products, such as lettuce, coriander, parsley and broccoli — many of which were previously sourced from abroad.
The ministry aims to launch about 600 to 1,000 farms in the retail system across all markets in the Kingdom over the next five years. These farms are intended to meet 20 to 40 percent of domestic demand for agricultural products and vegetables.
Vertical urban farms in stores aim to preserve natural resources, maintain ecosystem balance and promote sustainable productivity. By shortening supply chains, they also reduce loss and waste, and introduce a new farming model suited to local farmers and businesses in the Kingdom.
The initiative offers multiple benefits for consumers by providing high-quality vegetables and fruits that retain their freshness and nutritional value for up to five times longer than traditional methods, the SPA reported.
Urban farms also promote job localization and greater income potential. Furthermore, they help overcome logistical challenges associated with transporting agricultural products to consumers.
Vertical farming not only conserves agricultural land but also reduces labor and water usage by 80 to 90 percent compared to traditional farming, providing a year-round high-yield agricultural environment.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman admitted to hospital for routine checkup
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has been admitted to King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah for routine check up, state news agency (SPA) reported.
The tests were expected to last “a few hours”, the Royal Court said, as cited by SPA.
King Salman attended on Tuesday the weekly cabinet meeting.
King Khalid Foundation, TATA sign pact to promote sustainable digital practices
- University students urged to present proposals for ‘Sustainathon’ contest
RIYADH: The King Khalid Foundation has signed a cooperation agreement with TATA Consultancy Services to promote sustainable digital practices among university students in Saudi Arabia.
The initiative is called “Sustainathon” and aims to help students design projects that would assist in this field, according to a statement released by the foundation on Monday.
For three months, the King Khalid Foundation and the TCS will be running online seminars to help “Sustainathon” competitors with their proposals.
At the end of the period, the students will be required to present their ideas to a panel of judges.
Prizes will be awarded based on adherence to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as practical applications.
During the signing ceremony, the King Khalid Foundation was represented by its CEO Princess Nouf bint Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Saud. The TCS was represented by its President and Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa Sumanta Roy.
The King Khalid Foundation and the TCS aim to develop cooperation between stakeholders in the private and not-for-profit sectors through information exchange and the sharing of expertise.
The King Khalid Foundation was established in 2001 as an independent national non-profit body. Its vision is to develop a prosperous society rooted in equality and sustainability.
World needs rewilding experiments, Riyadh forum told
- Kingdom ‘dedicated to restoring endangered species to natural habitats,’ expert says
RIYADH: The Kingdom is taking promising steps to balance its ecosystem by expanding rewilding efforts.
Rewilding is a method used to restore and sustain biodiversity by reintroducing wild animals, restoring wilderness areas and promoting natural processes.
During a discussion panel titled “Rewilding, Restoration and Reintroducing” at the inaugural Hima protected areas forum, held in Riyadh from April 21-24, Paul Marshall, head of NEOM Nature Reserve, along with other panelists such as Prof. Philip Seddon from the department of zoology at the University of Otago and Tim Coulson, head of biology at the University of Oxford, shared insights on the topic.
Ahmad Al-Boug, general manager of terrestrial habitat conservation at the National Center for Wildlife, said: “Our focus goes beyond reintroducing wildlife to protected areas. We’re dedicated to restoring native, endangered species to their natural habitats across the Kingdom, within their geographical range.”
Marshall explained some of the steps NEOM is taking to ensure the success of its program, adding: “Rewilding brings many things to our arid ecosystems … the first is ecological benefits. We restore natural dynamics and we rebuild populations.”
However, Marshall argued that rewilding can pose some ecological risks, including the potential for mismatches between reintroduced and existing species.
“I like to think of rewilding as an experiment … an experiment the world needs,” he said.
Another panelist, Robert Muir, technical adviser for the operationalization of protected areas at the National Center for Wildlife, shared steps for success in rewilding: “One is animal protection — making sure that the areas into which wildlife is being brought are sufficiently well protected. Drivers of threat and threats themselves that led to the degradation of habitat and wildlife should be sufficiently addressed.”
Speaking about the Kingdom’s efforts, Marshall said: “What’s remarkable about Saudi Arabia is its forward-thinking approach. It’s leading the way in economic development and social transformation. Equally inspiring is its commitment to conservation, making it a beacon for future generations.”
NEOM bred four Arabian oryx by late 2022. The species had not walked on Saudi sands during the previous century after being driven to near extinction in the wild.
The Kingdom is improving environmental protection programs throughout its reserves, ensuring sustainable practices.
The National Center for Wildlife organized the Hima forum to discuss conservation efforts for natural habitats and wildlife in Saudi Arabia.
It was inaugurated on Sunday by the minister of environment, water, and agriculture and chairman of the board of the center, Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli.
Since launching in 2019, the center has addressed challenges facing wildlife and marine ecosystems, aiming to protect the environment for future generations.
