JEDDAH: The Saudi Falcons Club opened the first King Abdul Aziz Festival of Falconry in the town of Malham, north of Riyadh, on Friday.
Covering about 650,000 square meters, the festival aims to bring together falcon fans to share experience and knowledge. Besides falcon races in the main festival arena and a falcon beauty contest, there will be exhibitions, theater entertainment and campaigns to raise awareness of the pastime and its importance to Saudi heritage.
The festival’s photographic competition, open to both amateurs and professionals, is offering big prize money. The winner will take home SR50,000, with SR30,000 and SR20,000 being awarded for second and third places respectively.
Another attraction at the festival is the cultural village, inspired by the city of Riyadh in the 1950s.
Saudi Arabia is one of the 11 top countries listed by UNESCO as home to various species of falcon and lying on the migratory route for other species.
The festival builds on the success of last month’s Saudi Falcon and Hunting Show, which attracted much attention both in the Gulf and internationally. That was also organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, which was established by royal order of King Salman and under the direct supervision of the crown prince.
400-meter races
Falconers competed in its Al-Melwah “Da’ao” 400-meter races for a chance to win prizes worth SR17 million.
Hamoud Zuman won the first race in a time of 20.720 seconds, Barghash Al-Mansouri won the second race with a time of 22.174 seconds, while Ramzan Al-Dosari came first in the third race with a time of 21.252 seconds.
The falconry festival features local and international falconers. And with 1,700 falcons registered to compete, it is the largest falconry competition in the world.
In the course of six days, Saudi falconers will go head-to-head in their stages and 240 winners will be identified. In addition, the international stage will have 120 winners over 12 races.
The “Mazayen” beauty competition, which is open to Saudi and international falconers, will be launched on Feb.1-2 in two categories.
Saudi Arabia’s most ancient pursuits in spotlight
Saudi Arabia’s most ancient pursuits in spotlight
- Art of falconry brings enthusiasts to share experience
- In the course of six days, Saudi falconers will go head-to-head in their stages and 240 winners will be identified
Saudi legal center issues key research on e-commerce, tax, sports
- Focus also on regulations for privatization of healthcare sector
- Legal framework for firms listing on stock exchange under study
RIYADH: The Center of Legal Studies and Research has released seven studies covering various sectors of the economy including business, health, e-commerce and sports, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The research is a part of the center’s aim to highlight key developments and challenges within the Kingdom’s legal and legislative framework, the SPA reported.
The studies, which are in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, also focuses on regulations for managing special economic regions and zones.
One study focused on the privatization of the healthcare sector and developing regulations in line with international best practice.
Another paper looked at tax legislation in the Kingdom and made recommendations on insolvency.
There was also research conducted on a suitable legal framework for listing Special Purpose Acquisition Companies on the Saudi Arabia stock exchange.
The center began issuing research for the first time last year on ways to streamline the Kingdom’s legal framework for the economy.
All publications are accessible on the center’s website at www.clsr.gov.sa.
Saudi Fashion Commission launches product-development studio
- The Lab will help develop sustainable, thriving industry
- Assist local designers, firms fulfil ‘Made in Riyadh’ plan
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Fashion Commission recently launched a studio for product development, The Lab, in Riyadh.
The launch was attended by Misk Foundation CEO Badr Al-Badr, Deputy CEO Omar Najjar, industry specialists, and officials from government entities. The headquarters of the project is in Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City, or Misk City.
Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak said The Lab would help develop a sustainable and thriving industry. And assist local designers fulfill their creative visions as a part of the “Made in Riyadh” label.
Misk City CEO David Henry said The Lab would elevate the fashion industry in the Kingdom, and allow domestic businesses to showcase their products in the country and abroad.
Henry highlighted Misk City’s contribution to promoting national retail brands in the fashion sector and supporting small- and medium-sized local companies.
The studio would support education and training programs for young Saudi Arabian designers and open new avenues for investment in the fashion sector.
It would also assist in hosting fashion events and festivals in Misk City.
Saudi, British teams to explore prehistoric sites in Farasan Islands and Jazan
- Saudi Heritage Commission, York University ink pact in Riyadh
- Survey, excavation data will help rehabilitate archeological sites
RIYADH: The Saudi Heritage Commission has signed a scientific cooperation agreement with the University of York in the UK for archaeological surveys at prehistoric sites on the Farasan Islands in the Jazan region, as well as along the Red Sea coast in the southwest of the Kingdom.
Representing the commission at the signing ceremony, held recently at its headquarters in Riyadh, was the general manager of archaeology, Abdullah Al-Zahrani, along with the commission’s CEO, Jasser Al-Harbash. The University of York was represented by the project director at the archaeological site, Prof. Geoff Bailey.
This agreement is part of the commission’s ongoing effort to expand field archaeological surveys and excavation work across the Kingdom. And to prepare and rehabilitate archaeological sites by expanding the base of scientific partnerships with universities and international research centers specializing in heritage.
Through this agreement, the commission aims to gather more scientific data on prehistoric sites and understand patterns of ancient pastoral activity.
Field studies will be conducted, and the publication of the findings from archaeological surveys and excavations will be broadened as a result of this collaboration.
The aim is also to attract top-notch scientific talent to assist with such projects.
The agreement calls for the joint preparation of periodic reports and scientific studies, as well as the exchange of information and expertise in related fields.
Last week, the Heritage Commission signed an agreement with Japan’s Kanazawa University to collaborate on archaeological work at two prehistoric sites in Jouf and Tabuk.
It highlights the commission’s commitment to expanding its field work and archeological surveys across the Kingdom and enhances its scientific partnerships with specialist universities and centers around the world.
Syrian refugees benefit from KSrelief’s volunteer program
- The week-long program involved 23 volunteers who assisted more than 900 Syrian refugees
RIYADH: The 25th volunteer training program organized by Saudi aid agency KSrelief recently concluded at Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The week-long program involved 23 volunteers who assisted more than 900 Syrian refugees.
Run in collaboration with the Technical and Vocational Training Corp. and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, the program offered training courses in areas such as tablet and mobile phone maintenance, sewing and embroidery, ceramics, pottery, and carpentry.
It also included English language courses, interactive science courses in chemistry and physics, and activities to enhance children’s creative and social skills.
Additionally, the program provided medical services at the camp’s clinics in specialties such as ophthalmology, dermatology, diabetic foot care, and physical and occupational therapy.
Workshops for wheelchair maintenance and repair and about medical equipment were also held.
This program was one of KSrelief’s volunteer initiatives and emphasized the importance of volunteer work.
Saudi Arabia and UK conclude talks on development and aid, make recommendations
- The nations agree during 2-day event to establish a framework for cooperation in support of efforts to achieve UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
- They also agree to collaborate on projects in Bangladesh, Ukraine and Sudan, and enhance cooperation between the Saudi Fund for Development and UK authorities
RIYADH: The Second Strategic Dialogue on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance between Saudi Arabia and the UK concluded on Tuesday with a high-level plenary session.
Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, the assistant general supervisor for planning and development at Saudi aid agency KSrelief, reviewed several recommendations by both sides, the Saudi Press Agency reported. They included an agreement to establish a framework for cooperation between the countries in support of efforts to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and to continue discussions of goals on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Al-Ghamdi said both countries also agreed to collaborate on projects in Bangladesh, Ukraine and Sudan, including the exchange of expertise, skills and research, and field visits. They will also work to enhance cooperation between the Saudi Fund for Development and UK authorities, through a memorandum of cooperation signed on the sidelines of the talks.
The two-day event, which began on Monday at the KSrelief headquarters in Riyadh, was chaired by the organization’s general supervisor, Abdullah Al-Rabeeah. The Saudi delegation included the Kingdom’s ambassador to the UK, Prince Khalid bin Bandar, and the CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, Sultan Al-Murshid.
The British delegation was led by Andrew Mitchell, the deputy foreign secretary and minister of state for development and Africa, and included the British ambassador to the Kingdom, Neil Crompton.
Earlier on Tuesday, representatives of the countries took part in two roundtable meetings on “the effectiveness of aid, research and study impact” and “community resilience, results-based management, monitoring and evaluation.”
The former considered ways to: facilitate the exchange of successful strategies and the lessons that can be learned from them; promote effective development practices; develop concrete and implementable recommendations to integrate community resilience; monitor and evaluate future projects; and strengthen the existing partnership between the countries through a shared commitment to the provision of effective aid and sustainable development.
It also discussed opportunities to enhance coordination among donors to improve the effectiveness of aid, and the importance of cooperation in efforts to strengthen the interconnected nature of humanitarian, development and peace-building efforts to help ensure peace and prosperity in fragile and high-risk countries, in addition to the basic principles for enhancing programs in support of an interconnected approach that can ensure sustainability and resilience.
The participants in the latter roundtable exchanged views on the progress made in efforts to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, ways in which this might be accelerated, and the challenges they face. They also agreed on prioritization of Saudi-British efforts to achieve the goals, and explored opportunities for the development of this cooperation.
