Sustainability at heart of Saudi Green Building Forum
Two-day construction industry event opens on Monday in Riyadh
Updated 08 October 2023
Hebshi Alshammari
RIYADH: The 13th Saudi Green Building Forum opens in Riyadh on Monday at the King Abdullah Financial Center.
The two-day event, whose theme is “Localization of Sustainable Development Goals,” seeks to promote a sustainable future for the construction industry by eliminating carbon emissions and promoting the use of eco-friendly materials.
It will cover such areas as energy, water, green cities, partnerships and technology.
Aligned with the UN’s sustainable development goals and Saudi Vision 2030, the forum underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainability and a diversified non-oil economy.
It is also integrated with the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, which have the shared goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Faisal Al-Fadhl, secretary-general of the Saudi Green Building Forum, said the comprehensive strategy was tailored to the country’s unique geographical landscape and Arab heritage.
Abdulaziz Al-Turki, chairman of Rawabi Holding Group and Magnom Properties, which are taking part in the event, said: “Our involvement in the forum aligns with our commitment to drive sustainability in the real estate sector and demonstrates our leadership in providing long-term solutions for the Saudi real estate market.”
14 sculptures go on display at public spaces in Riyadh
The works were chosen by Riyadh Art from its international Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium to reflect its ‘vision of weaving beauty and intellect into the city’s fabric’
Initiative aligns with efforts to make art a key part of city’s identity that improves quality of life and promotes the cultural economy, says Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s Khalid Al-Hazani
Updated 11 December 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Fourteen sculptures selected from the annual international Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium, a Riyadh Art program, went on display on Wednesday at three prominent public spaces across the Saudi capital: ROSHN Front, the SEDRA residential community, and Sports Boulevard.
The project is part of Riyad Art’s efforts to showcase artworks in public spaces, and the addition of more works in other places is expected later.
Khalid Al-Hazani, the executive vice president of the lifestyle sector at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, said: “This step reflects (Riyadh Art’s) vision of weaving beauty and intellect into the city’s fabric, and creating vibrant and culturally rich public spaces, allowing art to become an integral part of people’s daily lives.”
It is also in line with Riyadh Art’s broader strategy for transforming the city into an open-air art gallery, he added, thereby “turning art into a central element of the city’s identity and a key contributor to improving quality of life and promoting the cultural economy.”
The Riyadh Art Program installed on Wednesday 14 sculptures selected from the Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium at prominent locations in Riyadh, including the ROSHN Front, SEDRA Residential Community, and Sports Boulevard. (Supplied)
The three chosen locations were considered perfect places to host the artworks because of their vibrancy, strong community connections and accessibility, Al-Hazani noted.
“This provides residents and visitors with the opportunity to engage with the sculptures in their everyday lives,” he said.
Seven of the sculptures have been installed at ROSHN Front, considered a key urban hub. The artworks on display there form a thought-provoking artistic landscape that encourages interaction, organizers said, and explores a number of themes including the values of urban transformation, community spirit, and creative curiosity.
Three sculptures are on display at the SEDRA residential community. Chosen to complement its serene character and nature-integrated urban planning, they blend in with their surroundings to reflect the values of environmental harmony, contemplation and renewal, organizers explained.
The remaining four sculptures are at Sports Boulevard, known for its open, green spaces. These works reflect several concepts, in particular ideas of nature, balance and public health.
All of the sculptures are part of Riyadh Art’s permanent collection, which includes works created by local and international artists during the Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium.
