Saudi, Spanish foreign ministers discuss joint cooperation

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Spain’s Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya meets with Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih in Riyadh on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. (Twitter/@Khalid_AlFalih)
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Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Spanish counterpart, Arancha González Laya, in his office at the ministry in Riyadh on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. (Twitter/@AranchaGlezLaya)
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Spain’s Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya meets with Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb in Riyadh on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. (Twitter/@AhmedAlkhateeb)
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Spain’s Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya meets with Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih in Riyadh on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. (Twitter/@Khalid_AlFalih)
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Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Spanish counterpart, Arancha González Laya, in his office at the ministry in Riyadh on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Spanish counterpart, Arancha González Laya, in his office at the ministry in Riyadh on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. (SPA)
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Updated 10 February 2021
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Saudi, Spanish foreign ministers discuss joint cooperation

  • They discussed bilateral relations and reviewed regional developments

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a meeting with his Spanish counterpart Arancha González Laya in the capital Riyadh on Tuesday.
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and areas of joint cooperation, in addition to reviewing developments in the region and issues of mutual concern.

González said following the meeting that both sides had “agreed to promote economic and commercial relations as well as to cooperate in matters related to the region, as well as in the Sahel.”
Prince Faisal also held a lunch in honor of the visiting minister and her accompanying delegation in the Al-Turaif district in Diriyah, with the attendance of Saudi Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb.
During her visit, she also toured the Riyadh Metro project and the Al-Turaif district and held meetings with the tourism minister and Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih.

 


Diriyah in 2025 — A year of exceptional achievement

Updated 12 sec ago
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Diriyah in 2025 — A year of exceptional achievement

  • Jerry Inzerillo: In 2025, the project reached a pivotal stage, transitioning from laying foundations to large-scale delivery, marking a clear shift from vision to execution
  • Partnerships with The Helicopter Co. and Kakao Mobility advanced smart aerial and ground transportation solutions

JEDDAH: Under the theme “Vision to Reality,” Diriyah has moved beyond aspiration in 2025, translating long-held plans into a tangible, lived experience, according to Jerry Inzerillo, group chief executive officer of Diriyah Co.

Throughout the year, Diriyah Company, the Saudi Public Investment Fund entity developing the Diriyah giga-project, advanced from planning and preparation into delivery. Contracts and agreements exceeding SR24 billion ($6.4 billion) marked a pivotal transition from the establishment phase to early operations. 

Inzerillo told Arab News: “At Diriyah, progress is measured by what is delivered on the ground against the plans we set. In 2025, the project reached a pivotal stage, transitioning from laying foundations to large-scale delivery, marking a clear shift from vision to execution. 

“Together, these achievements reinforce Diriyah’s role as one of the Kingdom’s most important national transformation projects, with growing impact locally and internationally. We remain committed to advancing with responsibility and purpose, transforming ambition into reality and creating a destination that honors history while shaping the future.”

In 2025, Diriyah Co. signed eight major contracts, alongside 16 agreements, reinforcing delivery momentum across multiple development streams. International recognition also continued to grow, with Diriyah earning prestigious global awards and securing positions in influential international rankings, Inzerillo said.

Infrastructure development played a central role in shaping the visitor experience. New road networks were delivered to ensure smooth connectivity between historic districts and contemporary developments.

The company also inaugurated two high-capacity electricity transmission substations, securing the power required to support residents, visitors and a growing portfolio of residential, hospitality, educational and cultural assets. 

Collaboration with Majid Al-Futtaim Group introduced a portfolio of global brands, positioning Diriyah Square as a distinctive shopping and entertainment destination, Inzerillo said. At the same time, Diriyah’s partnerships with the Saudi Contractors Authority and the Saudi Tennis Federation embedded sports, events and professional initiatives into the fabric of urban life. 

Diriyah’s vision extended into the future of mobility and design, Inzerillo said. Partnerships with The Helicopter Co. and Kakao Mobility advanced smart aerial and ground transportation solutions, designed to make movement across the city faster, more efficient and integrated.

Diriyah Company, in collaboration with Pantone, unveiled “Diriyah Tan,” a custom color inspired by the city’s historic mud architecture. More than a visual signature, the color captures Diriyah’s identity, bridging its origins with its contemporary expression.

Diriyah’s excellence was also recognized at the highest international level, Inzerillo said. In 2025, TIME magazine named Diriyah Company among the World’s 100 Most Influential Companies, acknowledging the project’s cultural, economic and urban impact.