A Formula E event in the historic town of Ad-Diriyah is expected to attract around 40,000 people, including visitors from the Americas and Europe.
The E-Prix, held in the UNESCO World Heritage Site outside the capital Riyadh, is the first event of its kind in the Middle East and also boasts a glittering lineup of musical talent including David Guetta, Jason Derulo and Amr Diab.
Formula E, officially the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, is a class of auto racing that uses only electric-powered cars.
“The Kingdom is preparing to host the Formula E race a week from now,” Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, vice president of the General Authority for Sport, said on Thursday. “We are confident that a fruitful partnership agreement with the Formula E World Championship is an ambitious and inspiring step to organize the grand and anticipated Formula E race.
“I would like to emphasize that the tickets will not only be dedicated to race events, But also to attend the largest-ever festival in the Kingdom for motor racing, music, entertainment and cultural activities, which will include the organization of six major international art exhibitions for the first time in the Kingdom.”
The biggest number of registered visitors were coming from Europe and North America, the prince said, but people were
also coming from Russia and Australia.
“The fact is that we are hosting one of the biggest races in the world even though we don’t have an official racetrack. We are racing in the streets, just like how it started in the past, yet in a historical place which is the fatherland of the first Saudi state. To merge the past and future and enjoy the present will only add to Ad-Diriyah, Riyadh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Nobody will be excluded from the event, he added, because it also has attractions for women and children.
Prince Abdul Aziz, himself a famed racing driver, told media at Thursday’s press conference that two Saudi nationals would be taking part in the E-Prix but that he would not be on the track at Ad Diriyah.
“I still race, but in other forms. If I got a chance I would go for it but my turn today is bigger than participating and it is to organize this worldwide event in which we hope everyone will enjoy.”
Prince Khalid bin Talal Al-Faisal, president of the Saudi Federation of Motor Sports and Motorcycles, called the E-Prix a dream come true.
Prince Khalid, who retired from racing in 2011, said: “It is a dream for me, as a race car lover, to see Formula E in Saudi. It’s a day that will go down in history, and I am honored to be working on it.”
He revealed there was a surprise in store for drivers as spectators will be able to vote on who will get an extra boost of 25 kilowatts to their vehicle.
40,000 expected to attend Saudi E-Prix in Riyadh
40,000 expected to attend Saudi E-Prix in Riyadh
- Formula E is a class of auto racing that uses only electric-powered cars
Riyadh to host Global AI Summit in September
- The summit will bring together international ministers, organization heads, CEOs of major tech companies, and AI experts to discuss global AI developments and announce initiatives and agreements
RIYADH: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority will host the third Global AI Summit from Sept. 10 to 12 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, president of SDAIA, highlighted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s dedication to advancing the national data and artificial intelligence agenda, aiming to bolster the Kingdom’s global presence in these fields.
The summit will bring together international ministers, organization heads, CEOs of major tech companies, and AI experts to discuss global AI developments and announce initiatives and agreements, advancing international efforts in data and AI under the Kingdom’s banner.
Topics at the conference include AI innovation, industry trends, shaping a better future with AI, fostering human talent in the field, and other key areas.
This summit, under the crown prince’s leadership, is a testament to the successes of Vision 2030, which position Riyadh as a global hub for cutting-edge AI developments, the SPA said.
Saudi artist wins Japan manga contest
- Manga Arabia’s Samah Kamel recognized for ‘Taif’ which addresses issues surrounding autism
- Kamel’s win marks the first time a Saudi manga artist has triumphed in the Japan International Manga Award
RIYADH: The Japanese Ambassador to the Kingdom Fumio Iwai awarded Saudi manga artist Samah Kamel with the 17th Japan International Manga Award’s Special Encouragement Award at a ceremony held at the Japanese Embassy in Riyadh.
Kamel, a regular creator for Manga Arabia, expressed her joy at winning the prize for her work “Taif” about the challenges facing parents of children on the autism spectrum, and the various ways autistic people can be accommodated and integrated into society.
“I was shocked to win because I had entered a few times before without ever winning. This taught me that persistence pays off, and my daughter, who is here with me today, inspired the manga. I would like to encourage any mother raising a child with a disability to know that she is a powerful and inspirational person,” Kamel told Arab News.
Issam Bukhari, editor-in-chief of Manga Arabia, said Kamel’s achievement is a historic milestone in exporting Saudi and Arab creativity to the world as the first Saudi work to win the Japan International Manga Award, presented by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Iwai told Arab News: “What Manga Arabia is doing is great. I’m very happy today to commend one of their talents for being awarded the International Manga Award, the 17th edition.
“Manga is one of the most popular cultural fields in Japan. So again, I’m very happy to see the spread of Manga culture, not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the Arab world, and what is quite impressive is that Manga Arabia produces so many companies and is providing Saudi kids, Saudi juniors, with their Arabic version of Japan.
“To use manga as well as their original works, and I know Saudi authorities are also trying to make use of manga … in various fields, teaching, like history … environmental protection, and so on,” he added.
“Taif” can be downloaded on the Manga Arabia for Kids app.
Saudi AI authority enhances Makkah route for 7 nations
RIYADH: The Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence is participating in providing technical and digital services for the Makkah Route Initiative, a program under the Ministry of Interior’s Pilgrim Experience Program which aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives.
Engineers and technicians are operating across Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, and Ivory Coast, integrating them with the authority’s systems, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Its tasks include developing highly private technical systems that meet service requirements, such as border systems, Hajj systems, traveler registration systems, and mobile bags equipped with biometric registration devices, all aimed at streamlining procedures.
The efforts of the authority are part of the extensive support provided by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to enhance the fields of data and AI, stimulating their growth and maximizing their benefits.
Launched in 2019 in Muslim-majority countries, the scheme allows pilgrims to fulfill all visa, customs and health requirements at their airport of origin, saving hours of waiting before and on arrival in the Kingdom.
The process begins with the issue of electronic visas and individual information collection, followed by streamlined passport procedures before departure.
Stickers are placed on luggage and passports containing information on the flight data and place of residence of each pilgrim. The tagging service is carried out by a specialized team working under the supervision of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Teams at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah receive the luggage, which is then delivered to accommodation of the pilgrims.
The Ministry of Interior is implementing the Makkah Route initiative with several agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence, the Pilgrim Experience Program, and the General Directorate of Passports.
This year’s pilgrimage is expected to begin on or around June 14 and conclude on June 19.
Jeddah governor launches initiative for a more balanced life
- The campaign aims to raise parents’ awareness of the importance of work-family balance
- It also aims to honor employers from various sectors who adopt sustainable practices reflecting their interest in the family and society
RIYADH: Jeddah Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi inaugurated the work-family balance initiative on Sunday, organized by the Al-Mawaddah Association for Family Development under the slogan “Balance Your Life.”
The initiative began in the presence of Mohammed Al-Radi, the association’s general manager, along with several of the organization’s members, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The campaign aims to raise parents’ awareness of the importance of work-family balance, and enhance interaction and cooperation among employers to promote family-supportive work environments.
It also aims to honor employers from various sectors who adopt sustainable practices reflecting their interest in the family and society, such as providing educational and welfare programs for children and the elderly.
The initiative also includes knowledge seminars to raise employees’ awareness of the importance of work-family balance and organizations’ awareness of creating a family-supportive work environment and adopting policies and programs that promote a balance between work and family life.
Al-Radi said: “This awareness initiative is one of several social initiatives and programs offered by the association to improve the quality of family life.”
Saudi forces participate in Eager Lion military drill in Jordan
RIYADH: Units from the Saudi Armed Forces are participating in the Eager Lion military drill, held in Jordan from May 12-23, with the involvement of the armies of 31 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The head of the Saudi Armed Forces Education and Training Authority, Maj. Gen. Adel Al-Balawi, explained that the exercise aims to exchange expertise and train on planning and implementing joint operations and missile air defense operations, as well as implementing counter-terrorism and maritime security operations to confront regional threats.
The Armed Forces, represented by the General Staff, the Joint Forces Command, and the land, air, sea, and air defense branches, are participating in the exercise.
Recently, the Royal Saudi Air Force concluded its participation in the mixed air exercise Desert Flag, conducted at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, alongside forces from several friendly countries.
The commander of the forces involved, Lt. Col. Adel bin Saeed Abu Malhah, said that the exercise, which lasts for three weeks, included the implementation of offensive and defensive air counter-operations and support for surface forces within new and complex scenarios under various threats.
He noted that the RSAF participated with six fighter jets from the F-15SA system with full air, technical, and support crews, conducting 80 daytime and night sorties and aerial refueling.
