2030 Expo bid puts the making of a green Riyadh in the limelight

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Updated 23 September 2023
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2030 Expo bid puts the making of a green Riyadh in the limelight

  • Green Riyadh Project was launched in 2019 to transform the Saudi capital into a more sustainable and livable metropolis
  • From planting native species of trees to boosting water conservation, urban planners are using every tool in their kit

JEDDAH: For decades, traditional urban planning approaches were applied in major cities across the world, resulting in sprawling forests of concrete devoid of adequate greenery. Riyadh, the Saudi capital, was no exception.

That is why the Green Riyadh Project was launched in 2019 to transform the city into a more sustainable and livable metropolis, by increasing total green space from 1.5 percent to 9 percent and planting some 7.5 million trees, irrigated with recycled water.

By 2030, project developers plan to have greenified some 120 neighborhoods, covered more than 1,000 km of main roads in greenery, and to have developed more than 40 city parks.

Already, one cannot visit Riyadh without noticing the abundance of greenery, with millions of trees having been planted and new parks and green spaces sprouting up all over the city.

The project is having a positive impact on the environment in a city where summer temperatures can rise as high as 55 C.

Extra green spaces are helping to reduce air pollution and mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing average air temperatures in urban areas by 2 C and surface temperatures by up to 15 C.

In addition to its environmental benefits, the urban greening project is also improving the quality of life for Riyadh’s residents, providing much-needed areas for recreation and relaxation, while also helping to reduce noise pollution and heat-island effects.

“With a city that has rapidly grown horizontally for years, it is becoming costly — physically, financially and environmentally — to move around,” Shahad Manea, an urban designer based in Riyadh, told Arab News.

“Green spaces are engines to encourage vertical expansion, making cities more efficient, dense and convenient. This in turn establishes and increases public reliance on the cheapest and healthiest mode of transit — walking.

“Walkable cities are not only healthier but also more human, as the pace becomes slower, interactions become more frequent, encouraging dialogue, strengthening communities and improving quality of life.”

As with other cities around the globe, Riyadh has not escaped the twin pressures of population growth, expected to reach 15 to 20 million by 2030, and hotter summers.

Rising temperatures lead to greater demand for air conditioning, which in turn pushes up energy consumption, jacking up the burning of fossil fuels, increasing pollutants in the air, and contributing to even higher temperatures.

“Looking at the long-term gains, green spaces contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas effects,” said Manea.

“This does not only reduce environmental pollution and ozone threats but also causes temperatures to decline, strong winds to break down, helps minimize sun exposure and dryness, reduces the impact of sandstorms, and regulates CO2 levels.

“This in turn will reduce cooling and irrigation costs, the over-reliance on private transit and its gas consumption.”

One innovative way to maximize green spaces in urban areas is to transform rooftops and other exterior structures like bus shelters into gardens, which can help reduce interior temperatures and collect rainwater — particularly during heavy downpours.

“These roofs and other green areas are great spaces for rainwater collection while minimizing runoff overflowing the streets, which causes costly damage annually,” Manea added.

Indeed, in order for a greening project of this scale to remain sustainable in Saudi Arabia’s desert climate, planners have made water conservation and reuse a top priority.

The city intends to improve its current usage of treated water for irrigation purposes from 11 percent to 100 percent, increase the amount of treated water used for irrigation from 90,000 cubic meters to a million by 2030, and to plant native species that can withstand the dry climate.

About 72 native shade-plant species compatible with Riyadh’s environment will be used for the project.

These include trees and shrubs such as the Acacia nilotica, also known as the gum arabic tree, and other species from the same family, Ziziphus spina-christi, known locally as Al-Sidr, wattle, hollyhock, queen’s wreath, and neem tree.

“Green spaces are always relevant, useful, timeless, and never fall out of style,” said Manea.

“However, to future-proof these spaces, the sole use of native plants should be implemented to make sure these places remain in good condition as these species self-sustain, prevent local ecosystems from going extinct and require minimal irrigation and maintenance.

“The use of native species reduces the chances of infrastructure complications when functions of the green space shift. Additionally, large green spaces should be constructed with differentiation in mind.

“Adaptable spaces are differentiated, meaning they are not rigid and defined enough, which makes them flexible to have room for future functions, public interpretations, and technological advances.”

Once its aims are achieved, the Green Riyadh Project will be a milestone that contributes to fulfilling a key goal of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan to promote the capital’s position among the world’s top 100 most livable cities.


US Chamber of Commerce official discusses US-Saudi collaboration on AI policy

Updated 10 February 2025
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US Chamber of Commerce official discusses US-Saudi collaboration on AI policy

  • Kingdom maintains open-door approach with US business group, says Steve Lutes
  • Strong regulatory framework will inspire investor confidence, promote innovation

RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia accelerates its adoption of artificial intelligence, a strong regulatory framework is emerging as a key driver of US-Saudi collaboration.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the LEAP 2025 technology conference, Steve Lutes, vice president for Middle East affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce, stressed the importance of implementing clear policies that inspire investor confidence.

“One thing that’s always at the core is to have the policy and regulatory environment that is going to give confidence and clarity to investors, risk-takers, and innovators,” Lutes said.

He added that Saudi Arabia maintains an open-door policy in working with the US Chamber and industry leaders to shape its regulatory framework.

“This will catalyze finance and fuel more investment, bring more innovation, and strengthen partnerships between the United States and Saudi Arabia in AI and across the broader economy,” he said.

Saudi Arabia recently announced plans to expand its trade and investment ties with the US to at least $600 billion over the next four years, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman outlined the Kingdom’s strategy during a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump.

Lutes pointed to Saudi Arabia’s young, tech-savvy workforce as a key factor in advancing AI under Vision 2030.

“Saudi is a young country, and you have a young workforce that is embracing technology and wants to be right there, whether in the private sector or government, leading the way on technology innovation and adaptation,” he said.

He underscored that talent development, alongside a robust regulatory framework, will be critical in fostering AI innovation and scaling businesses in Saudi Arabia.

Ensuring Saudi Arabia has access to cutting-edge US technology is also a priority, Lutes noted, emphasizing that this access is essential for the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem.

“It’s one of the things that we would put toward the top of the list,” he said, referring to high-performance AI hardware such as Nvidia’s advanced chips.

While acknowledging the importance of security measures, Lutes emphasized the need to balance protection with cooperation.

“Yes, we want to protect and make sure that the right measures are in place, but it’s absolutely critical that our strategic allies, like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have access to and the ability to tap into US technology.”

He emphasized the broader economic implications of this access, noting that US companies are already playing a significant role in Saudi Arabia’s AI-driven transformation.

“What’s going on here in the Kingdom is very important to our economic relationship in the United States and to the US companies that are already here, doing incredible things,” he said.

“We want to see that only grow, deepen, and create more jobs, more investment, more innovation, and more opportunities to strengthen the US-Saudi relationship.”

Lutes expressed optimism about the future of US-Saudi AI collaboration, highlighting the role of diplomacy in achieving shared goals.

“I’m an optimist, and I believe we will get to a good place in terms of that policy,” he said.

He added that efforts should focus on ensuring everything is fueled and catalyzed to accelerate partnerships between the US and the Kingdom, with the private sector leading the way.


19 arrested after three drug gangs dismantled in Saudi Arabia, interior ministry says

Three criminal networks involved in the smuggling and trafficking of drugs in the regions of Asir, Jazan, and Eastern Province.
Updated 10 February 2025
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19 arrested after three drug gangs dismantled in Saudi Arabia, interior ministry says

  • 15 government employees allegedly involved in the activities of the drug gangs have been arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution

RIYADH: Three criminal networks involved in the smuggling and trafficking of drugs in the regions of Asir, Jazan, and the Eastern Province have been dismantled, an official source at the Saudi Interior Ministry said on Sunday.

The networks were transferring drugs to other parts of the Kingdom and laundered the money they gained, the source said.

19 people involved in the activities of these gangs were arrested, including five Ministry of Interior employees, seven Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority employees, and three Ministry of Defense employees. The necessary legal measures were taken against them and they were referred to the Public Prosecution.

The Ministry of Interior said it announced the arrests to highlight that security authorities are vigilant against all criminal activity targeting the nation and its youth with drugs.


Boston Dynamics founder not concerned about robot takeover, warns against overregulation

Updated 09 February 2025
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Boston Dynamics founder not concerned about robot takeover, warns against overregulation

  • Robots eliminating people is not ‘serious concern’
  • Excessive restrictions could slow progress, says Raibert

RIYADH: The idea that robots could take over the world is not a “serious concern,” said the founder of advanced robotics company Boston Dynamics, as he warned against excessive regulation at a Riyadh technology conference on Sunday.

“There’s some fear that robots are going to somehow get out of hand and take over the world and eliminate people. I don’t really think that’s a serious concern,” Marc Raibert said during the fourth edition of the LEAP summit.

While regulation is necessary, Raibert believes that excessive restrictions could slow progress.

He expressed his concern about “overregulation stopping us from having the benefits of AI and robotics that could develop because robots can solve problems that we face in addition to causing problems.”

He added that while regulating mature applications makes sense, limiting the technology too early could hinder its potential.

His comments were made during a fireside chat titled “The Future of Robotics and AI,” in which he highlighted the role of artificial intelligence-powered robots in elderly care and assistance for people with disabilities.

“We have a couple of teams working on physical designs, but more importantly on the intelligence and perception needed to be able to do those kinds of tasks,” Raibert said.

Beyond industrial use, robotics is expected to play an important role in healthcare, supporting patient care, people with disabilities, and elderly assistance, according to Raibert, who founded the leading robotics company in 1992.

“I think cognitive intelligence, AI, is going to help us make it a lot easier to communicate with the robot, but also for the robot to understand the world, so that they can do things more easily without having everything programmed in detail,” he added.

Raibert also introduced a project at his AI Institute called “Watch, Understand, Do,” which aims to improve robots’ ability to learn tasks by observing human workers.

The initiative focuses on on-the-job training, where a robot can watch a worker perform a task — such as assembling a component in a factory — and gradually replicate it. While this process is intuitive for humans, it remains a technical challenge for robots, requiring advancements in machine perception and task sequencing.

He pointed out that while humanoid robots are gaining attention, true human-like capabilities go beyond having two arms and two legs. He emphasized that intelligence, problem-solving skills, and the ability to interact effectively with the environment will define the next generation of AI-driven robotics.

Raibert discussed the differences between robotics adoption in workplaces and homes, explaining that industrial environments offer a structured setting where robots can operate more efficiently. He noted that robots are likely to become more common in workplaces before being integrated into homes.

However, integrating robots into homes presents additional challenges, including safety, cost, and adaptability to unstructured environments. He said while home robots will eventually become more common, their widespread adoption will likely follow the expansion of industrial and commercial robotics.

As part of LEAP, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority is gathering global AI leaders at its DeepFest platform during the fourth edition of the summit.

With more than 150 speakers, 120 exhibitors, and an expected attendance of over 50,000 people from around the world, DeepFest showcases a range of cutting-edge AI technology.

The event explores emerging technologies, fosters collaboration, exchanges expertise, and builds partnerships, contributing to innovation and strengthening cooperation among experts across diverse industries.
 


Saudi Royal Guards show skills in sports, combat

High-ranking officials, senior Royal Guard officers and members attended the event. (SPA)
Updated 09 February 2025
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Saudi Royal Guards show skills in sports, combat

  • This event comes in the framework of the Royal Guard Presidency’s commitment to developing the combat and athletic skills of its members, enhancing their constant readiness to execute assigned duties with efficiency and professionalism

RIYADH: Under the sponsorship of the chief of the Royal Guard, Lt. Gen. Suhail bin Saqr Al-Mutairi, the Royal Guard Presidency celebrated the graduation of security and protection course participants and the conclusion of the second sports league, the fourth shooting championship and the third infantry competition, the SPA reported on Saturday.

High-ranking officials, senior Royal Guard officers and members attended the event, which featured sports performances and competitions in various disciplines, and demonstrations of shooting and marching, showcasing the participants’ high level of readiness and proficiency.

At the end of the event, Al-Mutairi honored the winning teams in the sports league and shooting championship, as well as the top achievers in the infantry competition.

He also honored the graduates of the security and protection courses who successfully completed their training programs, becoming a valuable addition to the Royal Guard Forces.

He stressed the importance of such events in fostering a spirit of competition, discipline and professionalism among members of the Royal Guard and commended the participants’ level of performance in various competitions and training exercises.

This event comes in the framework of the Royal Guard Presidency’s commitment to developing the combat and athletic skills of its members, enhancing their constant readiness to execute assigned duties with efficiency and professionalism.

 


Klija festival sheds lights on honey

The festival’s pavilion featured 10 sections with displays of beekeeping, honey, and olive oil products. (SPA)
Updated 09 February 2025
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Klija festival sheds lights on honey

  • The 16th edition of the Klija Festival in Buraydah has garnered substantial attention with strong support from the region’s emir

RIYADH: Buraydah hosted the 16th Klija Festival from Jan.31 to Feb.9 at King Khalid Cultural Center, which attracted a large number of visitors.

The festival’s pavilion featured 10 sections with displays of beekeeping, honey, and olive oil products, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Visitors were able to explore a wide range of honey types and select their favorites from the diverse range of offerings.

Beekeeper Walid Al-Faifi said that at a young age he inherited the art of beekeeping from his father.

With more than 30 years’ experience, he presented several honey varieties at the festival, including sidr, samar, majra, and talh.

Beekeeper Abdulsalam Al-Muqbel, who has eight years’ experience, discussed the secrets of the profession that allow him to produce various honey types, such as wild sidr, fennel, arugula, citrus, shaflah (caper), talh, samar, and alfalfa honey, as well as pollen, local propolis, and royal jelly.

Beekeeper Mohammed Al-Muhaimid said that he was participating to be able to introduce visitors to the importance of honey, particularly its health benefits.

He highlighted its use as a natural ingredient in many dishes, including klija, and as a healthier alternative to sugar in tea.

Al-Muhaimid said that honey production demands significant time, effort and careful attention to the right conditions to ensure the best quality.

The 16th edition of the Klija Festival in Buraydah has garnered substantial attention with strong support from the region’s emir.

It promotes financial sustainability as an excellent platform for productive families and owners of small and startup businesses, offering them the opportunity to display their products and engage directly with customers.