Turki Al-Shuwaier is the deputy sherpa of Think 20 (T20), the G20’s engagement group for researchers and think tanks. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree, with honors, from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan.
He was certified with “developing leader building on talent” from the International Institute for Management Development, a business school in Lausanne, Switzerland. He was also certified with “International change manager”, with distinguished competence in embarking on the organization transformation journey by applying solid knowledge of change management principles, methodologies and tools in devising and implementing an innovative transformation strategy.
Al-Shuwaier has a decade of experience in leadership projects and ensuring excellence in change management in the banking industry. He contributed to the establishment of Alinma Bank, one of the biggest financial institutions in Saudi Arabia, where he focused on the customer experience.
He was appointed deputy secretary-general of King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in 2017, and works now on evaluating the strategic fit of opportunities, business plans, technology strategies, organizational design, and operational and functional turnaround.
The T20, which was established in 2012, is the G20’s policy-recommendation engagement group responsible for connecting and collaborating with regional and international think tanks.
With Saudi Arabia holding the 2020 presidency of the G20, the T20 has hosted a series of events and webinars in the Kingdom throughout the year, ahead of the main G20 Summit in November. The participants have discussed and debated issues such as cybersecurity, web safety, climate change, environmental safety and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Turki Al-Shuwaier, deputy sherpa of Think 20
https://arab.news/2tp6p
Turki Al-Shuwaier, deputy sherpa of Think 20
Carved by time: Saudi Arabia's hidden geotourism gem of Razan
- Long before modern engineering, the geology of Razan functioned as effective natural infrastructure, sustaining life in an arid environment
- This utility made Razan a strategic landmark, playing a vital role in the ancient Yemeni Hajj Road
AL-LITH: Sixty kilometers north of Al-Lith governorate in the Kingdom's west, rising above the shifting sands and valleys of the Makkah region, lies a place where the earth itself tells a story. This is Razan, a geological wonder where history is not written in ink, but etched into the stone by the patient hands of wind, water, and time.
Perched atop a high rocky mass and flanked by valleys to the northwest and southeast, Razan stands in natural isolation. This geographic solitude has acted as a guardian, preserving a landscape that feels almost otherworldly — a pristine stage set by nature over millennia.
The place is defined by its striking rock formations: dense clusters of stone, stepped ridges that resemble ancient staircases, and natural ceilings sculpted by the relentless flow of seasonal torrents.
The visual impact is one of dramatic contrast — the heaviness of solid rock balanced against open, airy spaces carved by erosion. Fine channels and intricate flow patterns mark the stone, serving as fossilized evidence of the water that once rushed through these corridors, shaping the land into a rugged work of art.
Nature’s infrastructure
But Razan is more than just a scenic marvel; for centuries, it served as a lifeline. The same forces that sculpted the cliffs also hollowed out natural rock basins. These geological depressions acted as seasonal reservoirs, catching rainwater and supplementing nearby wells. Long before modern engineering, the geology of Razan functioned as effective natural infrastructure, sustaining life in an arid environment.
This utility made Razan a strategic landmark, playing a vital role in the ancient Yemeni Hajj Road. The sturdy, elevated terrain provided a natural pathway for pilgrims, offering stability and protection on their spiritual journey toward Makkah.
Today, Razan stands at the intersection of heritage and opportunity. No longer just a passage for pilgrims, it is emerging as a valuable asset for geotourism. Its unique topography offers a visual feast for travelers and a treasure trove for scientists studying geological history.
As Saudi Arabia moves toward the goals of Vision 2030, sites like Razan are finding new purpose. By transforming this geological narrative into a tourism destination, the region aims to preserve its natural heritage while breathing new life into the local economy.
