Saudi envoy holds luncheon for UN chief in New York
Saudi envoy holds luncheon for UN chief in New York/node/1531901/saudi-arabia
Saudi envoy holds luncheon for UN chief in New York
1 / 3
Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Saudi UN mission in New York.
2 / 3
Saudi Ambassador Abdallah Al-Mouallimi welcoming UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Saudi UN mission in New York. (SPA)
3 / 3
Photo session at the Saudi UN mission in New York after the luncheon. (SPA)
Saudi envoy holds luncheon for UN chief in New York
Updated 28 July 2019
SPA
NEW YORK: Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, organized a luncheon at his home in New York in honor of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The luncheon was attended by representatives and ambassadors of Arab states, regional organizations of the UN, the deputy secretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs, and the assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, Asia and Pacific.
Al-Mouallimi welcomed Guterres and thanked him for his positive positions regarding many Arab causes, primarily the Palestinian cause.
معالي المندوب الدائم السفير عبدالله بن يحيى #المعلمي يقيم حفل غداء على شرف معالي أمين عام #الأمم_المتحدة أنطونيو غوتيريش @UNarabic
Al-Mouallimi said he hopes to increase cooperation between Arab states and the UN so as to serve common interests and achieve regional security and stability.
Guterres thanked Al-Mouallimi for the invitation, and praised the UN’s friendly ties with Arab states in general, and with Saudi Arabia in particular.
Guterres expressed his appreciation for the Kingdom’s important role in the UN, his aspiration to consolidate relations with all Arab states, and his eagerness to maintain security and peace regionally and internationally.
Arab states’ representatives and ambassadors conversed with Guterres and listened to his views on various Arab causes, the UN’s efforts to address them, and ways to strengthen the Arab League’s role in the UN. SPA New York
Saudi Film Festival to return in April with focus on Korean cinema
Ahmed Al-Mulla, founder and director of the Saudi Film Festival, said in a statement: “We’re excited to welcome filmmakers to our annual gathering. Our doors are open to all creators, and filmmakers remain at the heart of everything we do
Updated 15 February 2026
Arab News
DHAHRAN: The Saudi Film Festival, organized by the Cinema Association in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture and supported by the Saudi Film Commission, has announced that it will launch at Ithra in Dhahran between April 23-29.
This year’s festival explores the theme of “Cinema of the Journey,” presenting a selection of Arab and international films, both short and feature-length, that center on journeys and movement as essential storytelling elements.
Since its launch in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has played a central role in nurturing local and Gulf cinema. (Supplied)
The program includes road movies, travel narratives and films where physical or emotional journeys drive the narrative.
The theme encourages Saudi filmmakers to explore this subject through their own perspectives. It positions cinema itself as an act of continuous transition, where identity, place, and time converge to shape the human experience.
FASTFACTS
• This year’s Saudi Film Festival will explore the theme of ‘Cinema of the Journey,’ presenting a selection of Arab and international films that center on journeys and movement as essential storytelling elements.
• The program includes road movies, travel narratives and films where physical or emotional journeys drive the narrative.
Following last year’s focus on Japanese cinema, the festival will present a special “Spotlight on Korean Cinema” this year.
Ahmed Al-Mulla, founder and director of the Saudi Film Festival, said in a statement: “We’re excited to welcome filmmakers to our annual gathering. Our doors are open to all creators, and filmmakers remain at the heart of everything we do. This year’s festival creates an atmosphere filled with inspiration, idea exchange, and shared learning. It’s a celebration of cinematic creativity for everyone.”
Tariq Al-Khawaji, deputy director of the festival, added: “At Ithra, we’re proud of our longstanding partnership with the Cinema Association. It has enabled the festival’s growth and thematic diversity year after year, which we see clearly in how we empower filmmakers and create opportunities to engage with global cinema.
“The festival continues to grow across all areas, from preparations and participation to industry expectations locally and regionally. That makes attention to every detail essential.”
Since its launch in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has played a central role in nurturing local and Gulf cinema. After intermittent early editions, it has now established itself as an annual platform for narrative and documentary competitions, industry programs and project markets.
By bringing together emerging and established filmmakers in Dhahran each year, the festival strengthens Saudi Arabia’s growing presence on the global film stage.
