French foreign minister travels to Riyadh for ministerial meetings
Le Drian met with Saudi ministers of foreign affairs, culture and energy
GCC chief holds talks with French National Assembly delegation
Updated 03 October 2021
Arab News
RIYADH: The French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, traveled to Riyadh on Sunday to meet with Saudi ministers.
His visit, which saw him meet with the Saudi ministers of culture and energy, comes a day after he attended the Expo 2020 Dubai site in the UAE.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received Le Drian at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh to review aspects of Saudi-French relations and ways to enhance them in various fields to serve the interests of the two friendly countries.
They also exchanged views on regional and international developments of common interest.
Le Drian also met with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir.
Meanwhile, GCC Secretary-General Nayef Al-Hajraf stressed the importance of strengthening Gulf-French relations to serve common interests and enhance security and stability in the region.
His comments came during a meeting with delegations of the French National Assembly (parliament) on Sunday, headed by Jean-Louis Bourlanges, president of the parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and a representative from the Hauts-de-Seine region.
The delegation also included Françoise Dumas, chairwoman of the National Defense and Armed Forces Committee and a representative for the Gare region, and Christian Cambon, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces and senator for Val-de-Marne.
They discussed Gulf-French cooperation and relations and the need to work on strengthening them in various fields, especially security, economy, culture and science.
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
Updated 24 January 2026
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
The sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
