Saudi princess honored for UN-Habitat support

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The princess has supported UN-Habitat achieve a number of milestones. (Supplied)
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The princess has supported UN-Habitat achieve a number of milestones. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 June 2023
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Saudi princess honored for UN-Habitat support

  • UN-Habitat celebrated the reappointment of Princess Lamia bint Majed Al-Saud as its goodwill ambassador for the Arab region for a second term earlier this year

NAIROBI: The UN Human Settlements Programme, known as UN-Habitat, commemorated four years of cooperation with Princess Lamia bint Majed Al-Saud on Thursday.

It came at a discussion on advancing sustainable urbanization regionally, and on successful resource mobilization.

Earlier this year the UN-Habitat celebrated the reappointment of the princess as its goodwill ambassador for the Arab region for a second term.

The ceremony took place during the second session of the UN-Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, where the princess participated in a side event discussing peace, development and humanitarian action in Yemen. The princess also engaged in a number of bilateral meetings, discussing future areas of cooperation.

“Being here today with our partner UN-Habitat will support our efforts to address issues around urbanization and its implications on societies, economies and environments,” the princess said. “We promise to continue building bridges for a more compassionate, tolerant and accepting future along with our key partners.”

The princess has supported UN-Habitat achieve a number of milestones, specifically through advocating for key urban areas through attending high-level events and highlighting key topics relevant to urbanization. She aims to mobilize resources and has supported important projects in the region, spanning Iraq, Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, Syria and Tunisia.

Princess Lamia “has successfully contributed to the resource mobilization and support, through AlWaleed Philanthropies, of crucial projects in the region, targeting COVID-19 response, housing for the most vulnerable groups and waste management,” Rania Hedeya, UN-Habitat regional representative for the Arab Region, said. “Her support enables UN-Habitat to reach various audiences and bring attention to urbanization topics in the regional and international agendas.”

The UN Habitat Assembly is the UN’s highest-level legislative body on sustainable urbanization and human settlements, comprised of 193 member states. The assembly convenes every four years by UN-Habitat and provides a platform for member states and stakeholders to share their views and adopt guidelines and recommendations to progress toward achieving sustainable urban development.


France, Saudi collaborate on space for artists in Riyadh

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France, Saudi collaborate on space for artists in Riyadh

  • L’Institut francais, Riyadh Art will open La Fabrique on Feb. 22
  • ‘New cultural chapter’ between the nations, says France envoy

RIYADH: L’Institut francais in Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Art, an initiative of the city’s royal commission, have announced the opening of La Fabrique, a space for artists, on Jan. 22.

The project is based in the Riyadh Art Hub in JAX District and will enable Saudi and French artists to create, experiment, and bring their visions to life, according to a press release from the organizers.

La Fabrique also offers the public a rare opportunity to witness creative production including movement performances, digital and immersive arts, photography, music, cinema, cuisine and poetry.

At its core, La Fabrique fosters artistic exchange between French and Saudi artists, fostering new encounters, shared practices, and co-creation.

The initiative is aligned with the vision shared by French President Emmanuel Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who have placed cultural cooperation at the heart of the renewed Saudi-French strategic partnership.

Anchored in the ambitions of Vision 2030, La Fabrique is a part of Riyadh’s transformation into a major international cultural hub.

Developed in cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, the project strengthens the long-standing cultural dialogue between the two nations, the press release stated.

Patrick Maisonnave, ambassador of France to Saudi Arabia, said: “La Fabrique embodies the spirit of a new cultural chapter between France and Saudi Arabia.

“By bringing our artists together, we are not only sharing techniques and traditions, we are opening a space where imaginations meet, new forms emerge, and creativity becomes a bridge between our two societies.

“This initiative reflects our belief that artistic dialogue is one of the most powerful ways to build understanding, trust, and a shared future. It stands as a concrete example of France’s contribution to the ambitions of Vision 2030.”