Architecture and Design Commission hosts open meeting on interior design
The organization talked about its role, strategic objectives and initiatives
Participants shared with each other their experiences, projects and aspirations
Updated 20 December 2022
SPA
RIYADH: The Saudi Architecture and Design Commission hosted a virtual meeting on Thursday for people with an interest in interior design, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event, in which commission CEO Sumaya Suleiman took part, began with a discussion of the commission’s role in regulating the Kingdom’s architecture and design sector. Participants heard that architecture, urban design and planning, and landscape architecture are among the sub-sectors that the work of the organization takes in, along with a number of design fields including interior design, graphic design and industrial design.
The meeting also highlighted the commission’s “Al-Murabba” strategy, the aim of which is to establish a renewed and modernized starting point for the Saudi urban and design scenes that transcends traditional boundaries and serves those involved in the sector through the provision of a range of initiatives and programs. The strategy was named after Murabba Palace, which was built by King Abdulaziz in 1937 outside the walls of Riyadh’s old city.
Officials also outlined the six strategic objectives of the commission: sector development, increased contributions to gross domestic product, global recognition, sustainability, promoting innovation, and nurturing talent. Efforts to achieve these aims have resulted in the launch of 33 initiatives.
The participants were also given an opportunity to share with each other their experiences, projects and aspirations. They talked about the importance of relating each design project they work on to the setting, location and meaning behind it, and about the role of modern technologies in interior design.
Saudi minister highlights ‘unprecedented’ environmental progess at Riyadh forum
We are working to achieve equilibrium in nature, says CEO of National Center for Wildlife
Updated 5 sec ago
Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli highlighted the Kingdom’s unprecedented environmental progress during the 10th Regional Forum of the International Union for Conservation of Nature for West Asia, held in Riyadh.
The event, hosted by Saudi Arabia through the National Center for Wildlife from Sept. 9-11, brought together more than 200 experts from West Asia and regional authorities.
During a panel discussion, Al-Fadhli highlighted the Kingdom’s environmental milestones, both locally and globally, driven by a national vision that positions the environmental sector as key to sustainable development.
Mohammad Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife. (AN photo by Jafer Alsaleh)
He noted the adoption of the National Environment Strategy as a guiding framework and highlighted various initiatives, including those launched during the G20 Riyadh Summit, aimed at conserving biodiversity, preventing land degradation and advancing global coral reef research.
The minister also spotlighted the Saudi Green Initiative, the Middle East Green Initiative and efforts to combat overgrazing, aiming to protect 30 percent of the Kingdom’s land and marine areas by 2030.
He emphasized the integrated institutional framework, which includes a national strategy, specialized centers for wildlife, meteorology, desertification control, waste management and vegetation cover, as well as an environmental fund.
Razan Al-Mubarak, president of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. (AN photo by Jafer Alsaleh)
Al-Fadhli concluded by underscoring the significance of hosting the IUCN forum and the upcoming COP16 in December, which aims to enhance international cooperation to combat land degradation and drought, providing environmental, economic and social benefits worldwide.
In an interview with Arab News, Mohammad Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, discussed the significant role the Kingdom is playing in environmental health and pioneering green initiatives through sustainable strategies, both regionally and internationally.
“The collaboration between NCW and IUCN was not spontaneous. We have been planning for this conference for a long time. This is one of the major initiatives with various objectives. It brings us closer to other entities, offers an exchange of information and builds partnerships.”
Qurban highlighted the importance of global collaborations to reach a shared goal of restoring and protecting the environment in Saudi Arabia. “We are working to achieve equilibrium in nature.”
One of the outcomes Qurban hopes to achieve through the conference is to succeed in joint efforts with IUCN to protect the environment.
Additionally, one of the panelists in the discussions was Razan Al-Mubarak, president of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, who explained one of IUCN’s strategies to address rising temperatures by transitioning from traditional to renewable energy.
From her perspective, the transition to renewable energy has been slower than expected. Therefore, to accelerate the process, officials in the UAE announced that 60 percent of their energy mix will come from renewable sources by 2025.
The forum, held every four years, promotes communication and collaboration among West Asia members, providing a platform for exchanging ideas, addressing environmental challenges and developing conservation strategies.
The forum hosts workshops and seminars to enhance environmental awareness and train individuals on best practices, aiming to establish effective environmental policies.
Patrick Maisonnave, France’s new ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Paris’s former envoy to Greece presented his credentials to Saudi Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs Abdulmajeed Al-Smari on Sept. 1
Updated 34 min 24 sec ago
Arlette Khouri
PARIS: Patrick Maisonnave took up his post as the new French ambassador to Saudi Arabia last week.
Paris’s former envoy to Greece presented his credentials to Saudi Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs Abdulmajeed Al-Smari on Sept. 1.
Born in September 1963, Maisonnave is a graduate of the prestigious National School of Administration. Prior to his posting to Riyadh he held a number of prominent diplomatic positions, as French ambassador to Israel from 2013 to 2016, then envoy for counter-terrorism at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs until 2019.
Then from 2019 to 2023, he was France’s ambassador in Athens.
In his new role, Maisonnave will hope to coordinate French and Saudi efforts in a regional context weakened by Israel’s war in Gaza, which will enter its second year in October. Maisonnave will bring his considerable experience, as a former ambassador in Tel Aviv, to his new role in Riyadh.
He will also seek to strengthen economic cooperation and contribute to the pursuit of cultural partnerships between France and Saudi Arabia, notably within the framework of the major development of the AlUla archaeological site, which has been entrusted to France.
Maisonnave’s wife, Nadia Al-Sartawi, also works as a diplomat. In Athens she held the position of cultural attache at the French Embassy, where she made a major contribution to the promotion of French culture and language.
Al-Sartawi is the daughter of a leading member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Issam Al-Sartawi, who was engaged in dialogue with Israel in the years prior to the signing of the 1993 Oslo Peace Accords.
Saudi-Egyptian cooperation continues to maintain stability in the region, FM says
“We anticipate the launch of the Saudi-Egyptian Coordination Council in the coming days,” Prince Faisal said
He said the Kingdom appreciated Egyptian efforts to bring humanitarian aid into Gaza and that the continued obstruction of aid by Israel is a war crime
Updated 35 min 11 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi-Egyptian cooperation continues to maintain stability in the region and the world, the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Tuesday.
Speaking during a press conference in Cairo, Prince Faisal said a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty on Tuesday confirmed the Kingdom’s sincere desire to deepen its bonds with Egypt.
“We anticipate the launch of the Saudi-Egyptian Coordination Council in the coming days,” Prince Faisal added according to Al-Ekhbariya.
He said the Kingdom appreciated Egyptian efforts to bring humanitarian aid into Gaza and that the continued obstruction of aid by Israel is a war crime.
“The delay in reaching a ceasefire in Gaza is repeated evidence of the failure of the international security system,” Prince Faisal said.
“We are not asking for the impossible… We are only asking for the implementation of international law,” the Kingdom’s foreign minister added.
Speaking about the war in Sudan, Prince Faisal said that it had “gone on for too long and we must double our efforts.”
During a meeting with Abdelatty, Prince Faisal discussed intensifying work on regional and international issues of common interest, most notably the crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to coral reef protection at Red Sea forum
Forum coincides with the 38th International Coral Reef Initiative meeting
SHAMS CEO Khaled Asfahani said that the Kingdom has the capability to drive initiatives that bolster the protection of the Red Sea
Updated 43 min 12 sec ago
Arab News
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has reiterated its firm dedication to protecting coral reefs and marine environments at the Red Sea Coral Reef Forum, held by the General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea, known as SHAMS, in Jeddah from Sept. 9 to 13.
The Kingdom’s position is consistent with sustainable development objectives and is bound to solidify its global leadership in environmental conservation and natural resource preservation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The forum coincides with the 38th International Coral Reef Initiative meeting, which gathers a diverse group of experts, environmental scientists, decision-makers, university students, and marine environment enthusiasts.
SHAMS CEO Khaled Asfahani said that the forum is part of ongoing efforts to preserve marine environments, address the problems Red Sea coral reefs face, and discuss effective protection strategies.
He added that the forum also focuses on the need to develop joint projects to ensure environmental sustainability, promote the blue economy, and increase awareness about the importance of preserving marine environments to protect coral reefs in the Red Sea and beyond.
Asfahani said that the Kingdom has the capability to drive initiatives that bolster the protection of the Red Sea, making it a global example in marine environment conservation due to visionary leadership focused on environmental protection.
“SHAMS is dedicated to safeguarding the marine environment in the Kingdom, but its ambitions extend beyond borders,” said Asfahani.
He urged increased cooperation to protect marine ecosystems, both in the Red Sea and worldwide, with the aim of protecting natural heritage.
Asfahani stressed that the Red Sea holds vast potential and is a model of biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods for millions of people.
Saudi Cabinet reviews efforts by Muslim, Arab countries toward establishing Palestinian state
Updated 10 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi Cabinet reviewed efforts by Muslim and Arab countries to support the establishment of a Palestinian state, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
It also reviewed efforts to restore the Palestinians’ legitimate rights and and halt Israeli violations of international and humanitarian laws.
The Cabinet also praised the efforts of the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan Group to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people, expand the delivery of humanitarian aid, and work toward a ceasefire agreement.
The group is made up of countries mediating between the warring parties in Sudan and include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and the US.
At talks held in August in Switzerland, ALPS said it had secured promises to let aid flow through the Adre border crossing from Chad into the Darfur region and along the Dabbah Road from Port Sudan on the Red Sea.
Between August 20 and 30, 59 aid trucks carrying medical, food, nutrition, emergency shelter and essential household items crossed from Chad to Darfur via the Adre border crossing point, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has said.
The Cabinet also welcomed Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the UN World Data Forum 2026 in Riyadh, granted in recognition of the Kingdom’s achievements in the statistical sector and its track record in hosting successful international events.
