LONDON: The speaker of the UK’s House of Lords, Lord Norman Fowler, hosted a reception for a visiting delegation from the Consultative Assembly (also known as the Shoura Council) of Saudi Arabia on Friday.
During the reception, Fowler praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts — led by King Salman — to ensure international peace and security, as well as its cooperation in the global fight against terrorism.
He also mentioned the UK’s interest in “Saudi Vision 2030” and welcomed the delegation’s visit, stressing the importance of such exchanges in raising relationships to new levels.
Mohammed Al-Jefri, the deputy speaker of the council, and leader of the delegation, pointed out that many of the groundbreaking and ambitious projects featured in “Saudi Vision 2030” and the National Transformation Program (NTP) 2020 would provide opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
Al-Jefri highlighted the efforts the Kingdom has made to aid the fight against terrorism, citing the establishment of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (GCCEI) in Riyadh as just one example. He also took the opportunity to condemn Iran’s “flagrant interference in the affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)” and what he described as Iran’s support for many terrorist militias and organizations.
During its UK visit, the Shoura delegation also met the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Commons, the International Relations Committee in the House of Lords, the Saudi-British Society, and a number of prominent UK government officials.
Speaker of UK’s House of Lords praises Saudi Arabia’s anti-terrorism efforts
Speaker of UK’s House of Lords praises Saudi Arabia’s anti-terrorism efforts
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
- A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
