Saudi Cabinet welcomes leaders ahead of GCC—Central Asia summit

The photo collage shows presidents of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan arrive in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 18, 2023. (SPA)
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Updated 19 July 2023
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Saudi Cabinet welcomes leaders ahead of GCC—Central Asia summit

  • The meeting and the 18th GCC Supreme Council consultative meeting is scheduled to take place today
  • The cabinet also commended the signing of agreements between the Kingdom and Turkiye in various fields

RIYADH: The presidents of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Emomali Rahmon and Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday.

The presidents are visiting the Kingdom to participate in a summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Central Asian countries that will take place on Wednesday.

They were both received on arrival by the deputy governor of the Makkah region Prince Badr bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz.

Meanwhile, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited Madinah where he prayed in the Prophet’s Mosque ahead of the summit. He then traveled to Jeddah.

The President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedow and the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday night.

From the GCC side, the special representative of the sultan of Oman Sayyid Asaad bin Tariq Al-Said was received on arrival in the port city.

 


Citrus festival highlights AlUla’s heritage, economy

Updated 10 January 2026
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Citrus festival highlights AlUla’s heritage, economy

  • The rise in visitor numbers reflects the festival’s prominence as a major agricultural and community event. It runs until Jan. 16

ALULA: The AlUla Citrus Festival has seen a remarkable turnout of residents and visitors as it has coincided with the mid-year school break, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The festival is being held at the farmers’ market in the cultural oasis, amid an environment that blends stunning natural beauty with the governorate's rich agricultural heritage.

The rise in visitor numbers reflects the festival’s prominence as a major agricultural and community event. It runs until Jan. 16.

It allows visitors to explore local products and purchase citrus fruits directly from farmers, highlighting the deep connection between the people, their land, and agricultural legacy.

The festival showcases a diverse selection of AlUla’s finest citrus fruits, alongside platforms for local producers, the SPA added.

The event also features interactive family-friendly activities and live cooking demonstrations.

It contributes to revitalizing agricultural economic activity and reinforces agricultural seasons as a pillar of sustainable development in the governorate.

The AlUla Citrus Festival is a key social and economic event and gives local farmers a vital platform to showcase and sell their produce, supporting the agricultural economy of a governorate home to nearly 5,000 productive farms.