RIYADH: The Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the chairman of the National Center of Meteorology, Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, launched a workshop on the mechanism for dealing with weather phenomena today in Riyadh.
The CEO of NCM, Ayman bin Salem Ghulam, confirmed in a speech inaugurating the workshop that the center sought to utilize the best practices and technologies to provide the best possible services.
According to Ghulam, the workshop also aims to increase the educational and awareness role of all members of society regarding weather phenomena, and ways to deal with them before, during, and after their occurrence.
Ghulam told Arab News: “The National Center of Meteorology has capabilities today, with great interest from the country and Vision 2030. There is a major quantum leap in the National Center of Meteorology. We have a high-accuracy Saudi model, and NCM is also in the process of announcing an automated system for forecasting torrential rains.”
He added: “There will be cooperation with the concerned authorities for civil protection, crises and disasters, and dealing with weather conditions. The workshop today is important in bringing together all the concerned authorities and explaining the mechanism, as there will be a smooth process in dealing with reports.”
He said that this national workshop is extremely important for working with sectors related to crisis and emergency management and achieving the aspirations of officials in clarifying the tasks of the authorities, enhancing their performance by clarifying procedures, removing obstacles, and explaining the stages of early warning systems.
The workshop will continue until tomorrow, reviewing several topics related to dealing with weather phenomena.
Saudi Minister of Environment launches workshop to deal with weather phenomena
https://arab.news/vuehw
Saudi Minister of Environment launches workshop to deal with weather phenomena
- The workshop also aims to increase the educational and awareness role of all members of society regarding weather phenomena
- NCM’s CEO told Arab News: “The National Center of Meteorology has capabilities today, with great interest from the country and Vision 2030”
Makkah’s urban shift enhances the city’s quality of life
- By harmonizing its religious heritage with modern urban development, Makkah is proving that a city can honor its past while vigorously embracing the future
MAKKAH: Islam’s holiest city is currently witnessing a qualitative urban shift, one that seamlessly blends its profound spiritual sanctity with a modern, vibrant lifestyle. By integrating cultural, educational, and entertainment initiatives, Makkah is redefining the visitor experience and significantly enhancing the quality of life for its residents, directly supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The city’s transformation was recently highlighted by the success of the Makkah winter season. The event attracted approximately 400,000 visitors — over 60% of whom were locals — demonstrating a strong domestic demand for high-quality public spaces.
The season revitalized community interaction, driving a 35% increase in visits to recreational sites and creating more than 1,200 temporary jobs for the local workforce.
Central to this urban renaissance is the Hira Cultural District. Since opening its doors in January 2023 near the historic Mount Hira, the district has become a definitive landmark that bridges Islamic history with contemporary identity.
Far from being a static monument, the district has cultivated a thriving creative economy. Its craftsmanship program, which features over 100 artisans, has generated up to SAR 3 million in sales and attracted 130,000 visitors to live workshops. These interactive spaces allow visitors to engage directly with the region’s heritage, moving beyond passive observation to active participation.
A living legacy
The shift extends to Makkah’s broader ecosystem of museums and cultural sites, which are now positioned as key pillars of cultural tourism. Facilities like the Revelation Exhibition use cutting-edge technology and multilingual content to narrate the story of the Holy Quran’s revelation, offering an immersive experience that complements the spiritual journey of pilgrims.
These efforts align with the “Makkah: A Living Legacy” campaign, which seeks to document the city’s historical narrative and preserve its collective memory. Recent months have seen a surge in educational workshops for university students and tour guides, ensuring that the human element of Makkah’s history is conveyed with accuracy and depth.
Economic and social impact
The results of this integrated approach are tangible. Specialized museums and restored historic sites now attract up to 1.6 million annual visitors. Crucially, this cultural enrichment is encouraging pilgrims to linger longer, increasing the average duration of stay by 18%.
By harmonizing its religious heritage with modern urban development, Makkah is proving that a city can honor its past while vigorously embracing the future, offering a holistic experience that nourishes both the soul and the community.
