JEDDAH: Foundations are being laid to increase levels of awareness and responsibility among Saudi children about caring for the planet and nurturing the environment.
Achieving environmental sustainability is one of the Saudi Vision 2030 reform plan’s key goals.
Many environmental awareness groups are emerging in the Kingdom, and there are also books that teach the younger generation how to use resources wisely in the future.
Raising awareness starts from a young age, however, as children are inheriting a planet that is not fighting fit.
Former early childhood educator Nourah Feteih wrote a children’s book called “Adam and The Giant.”
She spoke about her story, why she chose the topics of pollution and global warming, and presenting these issues for Saudi children.
The book, which was inspired by her son Abduljalil, was published five years ago and aims to teach children from a very young age how they can be productive members of society by caring about Earth and how to keep it clean and safe.
“He always liked to help from an early age,” she told Arab News. “He was interested in everything with regards to the environment. Whenever he saw smoke rising from car exhausts or litter anywhere in the streets, he used to make it a point that he does not like pollution and wants it to stop.”
Feteih started educating her son from home and helped instill in him the importance of preserving the environment.
“I thought what if other kids at a young age would learn about this and become productive members of society and grow with this wonderful value, to actually make a great difference for your environment and your planet.”
Philanthropy is a cause very close to Feteih’s heart, and publishing “Adam and The Giant” was a way to give back to her community. She stressed that it was important to teach children about the environment at a young age, and highlighted how they loved to help out and feel included.
“I strongly believe that it’s in children’s nature to help in any way they can, and (they) have the drive of curiosity and learning innately. So, teaching them the value of caring about their environment and teaching them how it affects the planet they live on is a significant added value that they will grow up learning and will carry with them as adults.”
Saudi Arabia has made a number of efforts to protect its environment and resources, while also promoting environmental awareness through various initiatives.
Community groups have been actively engaging with the public and focusing their activities to include families and children.
Environmental awareness groups such as Hejaz Ploggers — jogging while picking up litter — have caught the attention of Saudi youth for their combination of sports and an environmental cause.
There is also a rising number of sustainability solution providers in Saudi Arabia such as Naqaa Sustainability Solutions, which is one of the Kingdom’s first social enterprises.
It was established in 2011 and has been providing waste management programs and community engagement initiatives as well as other services. Some of the activities include collecting waste, talking about environmental problems, separating waste in malls and children’s play areas, and also visiting farms and garden centers.
These two groups are among those that have taken the initiative to play a helping hand in advising children and families alike about the importance of keeping the environment clean, preserving it and ensuring that solutions can one day replace problems.
Raising environmental awareness in Saudi children
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Raising environmental awareness in Saudi children
- Raising awareness starts from a young age, however, as children are inheriting a planet that is not fighting fit
Al-Rabeeah underlines mine clearance role
- KSrelief’s efforts aim to improve the environment
- He highlighted the $2.5 billion Middle East Green Initiative
BAKU: Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser at the Royal Court and general supervisor of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, has affirmed the Kingdom’s role in mine removal as part of its humanitarian initiatives.
KSrelief’s efforts aim to improve the environment, protect civilians — especially women and children — and build skills, ensure safety, preserve public health, and reduce the hazardous impacts of mines on individuals and communities.
He highlighted the $2.5 billion Middle East Green Initiative, which aims to guide the Kingdom and the region in safeguarding the environment while addressing challenges.
Al-Rabeeah made the remarks during his participation in the Third International Humanitarian Demining Conference in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
The conference, called “Mitigating Environmental Impact of Landmines: Resource Mobilization for a Safe and Green Future,” took place from May 30-31 and was attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Azerbaijan Essam bin Saleh Al-Jutaili.
Badael launches anti-smoking initiative
- Badael was established to help reduce the number of smokers in the Kingdom
- It aims to help 1 million individuals quit smoking by 2028
RIYADH: Badael, a Public Investment Fund company, has announced the launch of its “Let’s Clear the Air” anti-smoking campaign on the occasion of the company’s one-year anniversary, which coincides with World No Tobacco Day on May 31.
Badael was established to help reduce the number of smokers in the Kingdom by providing safer alternatives in line with the Quality of Life Program, one of the initiatives included in Saudi Vision 2030. It aims to help 1 million individuals quit smoking by 2028 through the use of DZRT nicotine pouches, the first Saudi-made product designed to help people stop smoking, and, the company claims, the first of its kind in the Middle East.
Badael announced that, in its first year of operations, it has expanded its production capacity and invested heavily in research and development. It also “diversified distribution channels in major cities, fulfilling more than 1 million orders” through its website, demonstrating the company’s “commitment to its vision and focus on innovation and future expansion.”
As part of the “Let’s Clear the Air” campaign, Badael has called on individuals, companies and government bodies to join in and commit to achieving the initiative’s targets.
45 Saudis train in traditional crafts at the House of Artisans in Qatif
- Program aims to preserve heritage
- The initiative seeks to enhance the skills of Saudi artisans
RIYADH: A total of 45 young men and women have enrolled in the Heritage Commission’s training and development program to be conducted over 12 months at the House of Artisans at the Al-Ramis project in Qatif, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The program aims to preserve heritage and equip young individuals with the skills to work in traditional handicrafts.
Ibrahim Alsghan, regional manager of the Heritage Commission in the Eastern Province, said that the programs and training courses aimed at preserving cultural heritage while highlighting the beauty of ancient and authentic handicrafts.
The initiative seeks to enhance the skills of Saudi artisans, promote innovative craft designs, and encourage participation in festivals and events that attract tourists and visitors from both within and outside the region.
The project in Qatif is one of the training development programs aimed at enabling young men and women to effectively work independently in the tourism and retail sectors.
The idea is that Qatif Governorate will be developed as a tourist attraction. Supported by the Heritage Commission, the project embraces a variety of traditional crafts, including woodwork, weaving fishing nets, and the naqda craft, which uses gold and silver to embroider traditional costumes.
The project also offers workshops in entrepreneurship, cost accounting, marketing, and packaging solutions.
Saudi foreign minister meets Iraqi counterpart
- The two sides affirmed their strong fraternal relations
BEIJING: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan met Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Fuad Hussein in Beijing on Friday.
The two sides affirmed their strong fraternal relations and discussed ways to enhance and develop them across various fields.
They also exchanged views on recent regional and international developments, foremostly the situation in Gaza and the continuing efforts to address it.
Smart Cities Expo empowers cognitive living in KSA amid urbanization wave
- Exhibitors from 25 countries will showcase systems, solutions, products and services at Riyadh Exhibition Center from Sept. 24-26
- The Kingdom’s infrastructure ecosystem is rapidly evolving with the increasing population
RIYADH: Smart cities have become an essential part of Saudi Arabia’s urban development priorities, reflecting the Kingdom’s dedication to using technology for sustainable urban growth.
As part of the Kingdom’s strategic vision for digital transformation and urban development, Smart Cities Saudi Expo is set to take place from Sept. 24-26 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.
Saudi Arabia, as the fastest growing G20 economy according to the IMF, is experiencing a rapid surge in its urban population, with about 85 percent of its population living in metropolitan areas.
The Kingdom’s infrastructure ecosystem is rapidly evolving with the increasing population, and the need for smarter, more sustainable and technologically enabled cities has grown rapidly, resulting in significant shifts in demographics, infrastructure demands and urban planning strategies.
Smart Cities Saudi Expo will play an important role in advancing the Kingdom’s journey toward intelligent smart city development. It will create avenues for business engagement and facilitate networking with those at the cutting-edge of smart city delivery.
“The inaugural Smart Cities Saudi Expo will empower cognitive living in Saudi Arabia by showcasing innovative and intelligent solutions tailored for cognitive environments,” Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president of dmg events, which is the organizer of the expo, told Arab News.
“With a growing demand for urban living in the Kingdom, the event aligns with the nation’s commitment to advancing smart city initiatives and propelling urban transformation with the seamless integration of human, robotic and citizen solutions,” he said.
The integration of digital solutions into infrastructure development is vital for building smart cities, with smart infrastructure encompassing intelligent transportation systems, energy-efficient buildings, smart grids and sustainable waste management.
These advances improve resource management, reduce environmental impact and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.
At Smart Cities Saudi Expo, local and international exhibitors from 25 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Greece, India, Poland and UAE, will showcase products and services supporting the Kingdom’s smart city ambition.
Saudi-based Meter, a digital platform providing innovative surveying and engineering solutions through modern technologies and artificial intelligence, has joined the event as the Silver Sponsor.
Participating exhibitors will showcase systems, solutions, products and services under dedicated product sectors such as digital economy, urban mobility and transport, smart building and infrastructure, smart governance, IT and telecoms, sustainability and environment and safety and security.
The event will spotlight intelligent traffic management, public transportation systems, electric and autonomous vehicles, smart parking solutions, building automation systems, smart lighting and energy management, building security and access control, video surveillance and analytics, emergency response systems, public safety sensors and alarms, e-government services, citizen engagement platforms and open data initiatives.
Saudi Arabia’s vision for future cities is taking shape through several giga projects such as NEOM, spearheaded by the Public Investment Fund, which is making significant advancements with the integration of AI, robotics and human intelligence to develop cutting-edge, digitally sustainable and cognitive cities.
“This progress has positioned the Kingdom as a hub for smart city innovations and technologies, further strengthening the need for Smart Cities Saudi Expo to empower cognitive living,” Kazi said.
The Smart Cities Expo is strategically timed amid substantial urban transformation under Saudi Vision 2030, prioritizing the development of smart, sustainable cities to enhance quality of life.
