RIYADH: Riyadh is the third-smartest city among the capitals of G20 states, jumping 23 ranks from last year on the Institute for Management Development Smart Cities Index for 2021. It was the 30th smartest city at global level.
The Saudi capital outperformed major cities such as Los Angeles, Madrid, Hong Kong and Paris. The progress by Riyadh makes it the second of its kind among the G20 countries after the South Korean capital, Seoul, and the third largest in the world. It is a result of improvements by the Kingdom’s capital according to 34 indicators.
Madinah has been included on the index as the second Saudi city after Riyadh, ranked 73rd in the world and fourth in the Arab world.
The joint efforts of all sectors in providing advanced infrastructure and smart applications and implementing development projects have allowed the two cities to outrank others to become places that offer a high degree of luxury and quality of life.
The IMD index focuses on how residents perceive the scope and impact of efforts to make their cities smart, the balance between economic and technical aspects, taking into account human elements and the extent to which they contribute to bridging the gap between the population’s aspirations and needs, as well as political trends in how smart cities are built.
Smart cities improve many vital sectors such as the transport sector, through trip-planning software and public transport reservations. Innovative economies are based on advanced software that contributes to upgrading sections such as logistics, delivery and joint support services, building interactive platforms with the public to identify their needs and aspirations, and developing and facilitating access services.
IMD is one of the most prestigious business administration institutes globally, measuring the impact of national strategies in enhancing levels of well-being, achieving progress and improving quality of life for citizens.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, the Madinah Development Authority, and the Quality of Life Program expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support in the digital sector. Leaps in digital transformation and data and artificial intelligence in Riyadh and Madinah,achieved the well-being of residents and visitors by adopting the latest technologies and digital solutions.
The organizations also praised speed and flexibility in processing digital government transactions and digital identity services, the ease of starting new businesses and reducing waiting times, in addition to government platforms’ contribution to making it easier to access information and carry out transactions, and the role they played in raising health and safety indicators, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Riyadh third-smartest capital among G20 states on IMD index
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Riyadh third-smartest capital among G20 states on IMD index
- The IMD index focuses on how residents perceive the scope and impact of efforts to make their cities smart
Hira Cultural District: A diverse legacy of Makkah
RIYADH: Makkah’s Hira Cultural District, with its pavilions and cultural history, is serving as a tourist hotspot and a hub for knowledge.
Nestled near Jabal Al-Noor, the project spans 67,000 sq meters and includes a visitors’ center, offering insights into the history and services of the district, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The neighborhood provides diverse cultural services and activities for all.
The district’s Revelation Exhibition outlines the story of the revelation bestowed upon prophets up to the last Prophet. Within a special pavilion, the story of the Prophet Muhammad’s revelation and his biography are presented, along with aspects related to the story of the revelation through Gabriel and the roles of Khadija. It is delivered through a technical presentation, taking viewers on an enriching audio and visual journey.
The project also includes the Holy Qur’an Museum. Through modern technology and unique collections, the museum highlights the greatness and universality of the Qur’an, emphasizing its preservation. The neighborhood also includes a cultural library and a garden for relaxation.
The district contains restaurants and cafes, as well as the Saudi Coffee Museum. Visitors can savor Saudi coffee while exploring the tools, ingredients and preparation methods used across the Kingdom in the coffee trade, the SPA reported.
The project is overseen by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites in collaboration with the Emirate of Makkah, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism, the Municipality of the Holy Capital, the Guests of God Service Program and the General Authority of Endowments.
Officials from countries around the world have recently visited the district, including Indonesian First Lady Iriana, Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer, President of the Directorate of Religious Affairs of Turkiye Dr. Ali Erbas and Tunisian Minister of Religious Affairs Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Shaibi. They commended Saudi Arabia’s role in enriching the cultural and religious experiences of visitors and Umrah performers.
Saudi authorities arrest 19,710 illegals in one week
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 19,710 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
According to an official report, a total of 12,961 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,177 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,572 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 979 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 54 percent were Ethiopian, 43 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 46 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 12 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Saudi envoy inspects Makkah Route facility in Pakistan
RiYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki conducted an inspection of the Makkah Route Initiative facility at Islamabad International Airport on Friday, accompanied by Pakistan’s Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Zulfiqar Haider, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Malki underscored the commitment of the Saudi government to allocate both human and financial resources to serve all visitors to the Kingdom and said that the Makkah Route Initiative represents an extension of that commitment.
During his visit, Al-Malki observed operations at the initiative’s facility and reviewed the procedures carried out by Pakistani and Saudi authorities to facilitate and streamline the Hajj journey for the program’s beneficiaries.
The Makkah Route Initiative, a part of the Ministry of Interior’s Guests of God Service Program, aims to provide top-tier services to Hajj pilgrims from beneficiary countries to the Kingdom.
The services include issuing e-visas, biometric verification, facilitating entry procedures at departure airports, ensuring compliance with health requirements, managing baggage logistics, arranging transportation and accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, and facilitating direct transfers to designated residences.
Over 65,000 Pakistani pilgrims are set to benefit from the initiative during this year’s Hajj — a significant increase from the 26,000 last year.
Pakistan launched Hajj operations at eight airports across the country on Thursday. The operations will continue until June 9. This year’s pilgrimage is scheduled to take place from June 14 to 19.
Saudi Arabia welcomes UN vote backing Palestinian bid for full membership
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday welcomed the adoption by the UN General Assembly of a resolution recognizing that the State of Palestine, currently an observer state, qualifies for full membership of the organization.
The 193-member assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of the resolution, which also recommended that the Security Council reconsider the matter “favorably” and grant Palestine most of the rights and benefits that come with full membership.
The Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision clearly expressed the international consensus on the inherent rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to establish an independent state within the framework of a two-state solution.
It added: “While the Kingdom appreciates the positive position of the countries that voted in favor of the resolution, it calls on the member states of the Security Council to assume their historical responsibility and not oppose the international consensus and stand up to the moral and legal right of the Palestinian people.”
In the vote on the resolution by the General Assembly, 143 members voted in favor, nine against, including US and Israel, and 25 abstained.
Royal Saudi Air Force concludes participation in ‘Desert Flag’ drill in UAE
RIYADH: The Royal Saudi Air Force on Friday ended its participation in the “Desert Flag” multinational air exercise at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, the Kingdom’s defense ministry said.
The RSAF took part alongside forces from a number of friendly countries.
Lt. Col. Adel Abu Malha, commander of the air force group participating in the exercise, said that the drill achieved its objectives — the exchange of military experience, boosting readiness and combat efficiency, and strengthening relations with the participating forces.
He said it also highlighted the professionalism of RSAF personnel.
The three-week drill included offensive, defensive and strategic counterair operations, as well as supporting ground forces within new and complex scenarios.
The Saudi air force participated with six F-15SA fighter aircraft, along with air, technical and support crews, while carrying out 80 day and night sorties and aerial refueling.
