LONDON: The plight of the Palestinians remains the foremost issue of concern to Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva said on Thursday.
Abdul Aziz Al-Wasel added that his country will not hesitate to support the Palestinian people in every way it can in their efforts to restore their legitimate rights and establish an independent state with full sovereignty over the Palestinian territories and East Jerusalem as its capital.
In a speech during a special session of the UN Human Rights Council to discuss recent events in the occupied Palestinian territories, Al-Wasel expressed “deep concern about the accelerating Israeli colonization policy of Palestinian lands, specifically the threat to evacuate hundreds of Palestinian families from their homes in occupied East Jerusalem, by force, by extremist settlers with the support and assistance of Israeli authorities and in cooperation with racist courts.”
He called on the international community to do what it can to put pressure on Israel to adhere to the requirements of the UN Charter, the Fourth Geneva Convention, international human-rights laws and all relevant UN resolutions.
Al-Wasel said the Kingdom strongly condemns and rejects the continuing Israeli violations of the Israeli West Bank barrier, the building of settlements, the destruction of Palestinian property, and forcible displacement of Palestinians from their homes and land.
“The whole world has witnessed during the past few days the unfortunate and painful events in which the lives of children, women, the elderly and youths were disrespected and their vital installations destroyed,” he said.
These Israeli actions require the swift intervention of the Security Council, he added, especially since they represent serious violations of international human-rights and humanitarian laws.
The envoy said he welcomes all constructive efforts to achieve peace and security, and to deliver humanitarian and medical assistance to those who need it in the Palestinian territories, and called on states to support a draft resolution on the human-rights situation in the occupied territories.
Saudi envoy reaffirms Palestinian issue remains a key concern for the Kingdom
https://arab.news/6j4gv
Saudi envoy reaffirms Palestinian issue remains a key concern for the Kingdom
- Al-Wasel said his country will not hesitate to support the Palestinian people in every way
- He said the Kingdom strongly condemns and rejects the continuing Israeli violations
Saudi Arabia witnessing comprehensive cultural development, says expert
- Clotilde Entrecanales of Acciona hails pace of change in Kingdom
JEDDAH: Museums, exhibitions and art centers play a crucial role in the development of free and educated societies such as the one now burgeoning in Saudi Arabia, an expert has told Arab News.
Clotilde Entrecanales, the Spanish art historian and cultural executive who heads Acciona Living & Culture, a leading creator of technology-driven interactive museums, exhibits and events, said the Kingdom is making efforts to expand the role of culture development to show the world the greatest possible cultural offer.
She added that the Kingdom has quickly infused new energy into the region, and is rapidly establishing itself as a global cultural hub through massive investment in world-class museums, public art and international events, aligning with its 2030 vision.
She said: “With around 70 percent of the population under 30, cultural consumption looks very different than in Europe or the US. These spaces can’t feel like quiet, isolated institutions … they need to be fast, dynamic, brave and deeply connected to the city, blending into everyday urban life rather than sitting apart from it.”
Asked about the role of these sites in the evolving global cultural landscape, particularly in emerging cultural hubs like Saudi Arabia, Entrecanales said: “Our vision is to be a purpose-led partner for cultural and entertainment institutions, helping them be more relevant, connected, inclusive and sustainable.”
She added: “In emerging cultural hubs like Saudi Arabia, that approach feels especially relevant. The cultural transformation underway is moving fast — with major heritage and cultural destinations being developed and opened to the world.”
Speaking about her impression of the Kingdom’s approach to blending heritage with modernity face, Entrecanales said: “Others who attempt to achieve this balance often end up turning heritage into a theme, a layer of storytelling or a cultural program. What feels different about Saudi’s approach is how much pressure there is to treat heritage as the foundation, not just the surface.
“When you’re building at this speed and scale, there’s always a risk that history becomes a backdrop instead of a backbone. The projects that work best are the ones that slow down just enough to let the past set the rhythm for the present.”
Regarding opportunities and challenges, she said: “The opportunity is nothing less than positioning Saudi Arabia as a global cultural center. The challenge, as always, lies in balancing the speed and scale of that ambition with long-term sustainability and a sense of authenticity that remains credible and rooted.”
She added: “You can really feel this in places like the Islamic Arts Biennale, which shows hundreds of historical artefacts of the Islamic world, while re-framing them through contemporary scenography and designs by some of the best design studios in the world; or in AlUla, a world-class heritage site that hosts a major contemporary platform like Desert X, allowing ancient context and present-day artistic practice to coexist in a way that feels genuine.”
Under her guidance, ACCIONA Cultura aspires to create museums and cultural experiences that function as landmarks while fostering sustainable, inclusive and immersive interactions.
She elaborated on how the company is integrating technology, culture, and sustainability to preserve and promote the region’s cultural heritage: “We always start with human connection and storytelling: what’s the story, what should people leave with? Tech comes later.”
Recently, ACCIONA Cultura has been involved in significant projects in Saudi Arabia and is looking forward for more.
She said: “Right now, for example, we’re designing and curating a museum gallery where the entire space is shaped by the practice of a Saudi artist. Another example is the Net Zero exhibition at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), where we brought together Saudi and international artists to explore sustainability and our relationship with the planet, including voices like Dina Haddadin, Mohammed Al-Faraj, and Zahrah Al-Ghamdi.”
She added: “One of the projects I’m most proud of isn’t a museum, but our NEXT IN Summit, which we’ve hosted in two editions in our ACCIONA Campus in Madrid, highlighting the Kingdom’s unprecedented cultural momentum as it builds future-facing institutions with a startup mindset.”
About further collaboration with Saudi Arabia, she said: “Let’s just say … something’s definitely simmering in the kitchen.”
Commenting on being recognized among the Blooloop 50 Museum Influencers for 2025, she said: “It means a lot. More than anything, it feels like a nod to the years of teamwork and dedication behind Acciona Cultura, rather than to me personally.”
