Riyadh will welcome world to Expo 2030 with a renaissance in digital innovation, says Saudi minister

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha speaks at a Saudi Green Initiative Forum. (File/SPA)
Short Url
Updated 06 January 2024
Follow

Riyadh will welcome world to Expo 2030 with a renaissance in digital innovation, says Saudi minister

  • Minister of Communications and IT Abdullah Al-Swaha said the event will serve as a bridge to connect the world through science, innovation and culture

RIYADH: The Saudi minister of communications and information technology, Abdullah Al-Swaha, said on Saturday the Kingdom’s commitment to hosting Expo 2030 reflects its desire to be a global leader in efforts to empower people, protect the planet and help shape new horizons.

The event will serve as a bridge to connect the world through science, innovation and culture, he added, with the full support of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who have been instrumental in driving the country’s growth and prosperity.

“Saudi Arabia’s hosting of this important event is the result of the crown prince’s support for this file to enable the Kingdom to be the focus of the world’s attention, and serve as a unique platform that opens horizons for the future and welcomes the world with its solid heritage, digital and innovative renaissance, and diverse culture,” Al-Swaha told the Saudi Press Agency.

He added that initiatives by the Kingdom in the fields of technology, innovation, space and sustainability have put Riyadh in a pioneering position to help achieve a better future for all.

He emphasized the importance of international connections and cooperation in efforts to find solutions to the most pressing challenges the world faces, in particular those related to sustainable development, climate action, and growth, and said Riyadh Expo 2030 aims to address them comprehensively.

Al-Swaha also highlighted the leadership role the Kingdom has taken in the field of artificial intelligence through the establishment of the region’s first Generative Artificial Intelligence Accelerator, and the deep technology business incubator The Garage, the largest of its kind in the region.

“Today, we have an opportunity to lay the foundation for our global future economy, as we enter the era of generative artificial intelligence at a time when the Kingdom has distinguished itself among the G20 countries by adopting an ecosystem-based approach,” he said.

The minister added that several significant digital accomplishments by the Kingdom have garnered global recognition in the past year. For example, it ranked third in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index, and took fourth place globally in terms of readiness for digital regulations according to an International Telecommunication Union report titled “Global Digital Regulatory Outlook 2023.”

RIYADH: The Saudi minister of communications and information technology, Abdullah Al-Swaha, said on Saturday the Kingdom’s commitment to hosting Expo 2030 reflects its desire to be a global leader in efforts to empower people, protect the planet and help shape new horizons.

The event will serve as a bridge to connect the world through science, innovation and culture, he added, with the full support of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who have been instrumental in driving the country’s growth and prosperity.

“Saudi Arabia’s hosting of this important event is the result of the crown prince’s support for this file to enable the Kingdom to be the focus of the world’s attention, and serve as a unique platform that opens horizons for the future and welcomes the world with its solid heritage, digital and innovative renaissance, and diverse culture,” Al-Swaha told the Saudi Press Agency.

He added that initiatives by the Kingdom in the fields of technology, innovation, space and sustainability have put Riyadh in a pioneering position to help achieve a better future for all.

He emphasized the importance of international connections and cooperation in efforts to find solutions to the most pressing challenges the world faces, in particular those related to sustainable development, climate action, and growth, and said Riyadh Expo 2030 aims to address them comprehensively.

Al-Swaha also highlighted the leadership role the Kingdom has taken in the field of artificial intelligence through the establishment of the region’s first Generative Artificial Intelligence Accelerator, and the deep technology business incubator The Garage, the largest of its kind in the region.

“Today, we have an opportunity to lay the foundation for our global future economy, as we enter the era of generative artificial intelligence at a time when the Kingdom has distinguished itself among the G20 countries by adopting an ecosystem-based approach,” he said.

The minister added that several significant digital accomplishments by the Kingdom have garnered global recognition in the past year. For example, it ranked third in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index, and took fourth place globally in terms of readiness for digital regulations according to an International Telecommunication Union report titled “Global Digital Regulatory Outlook 2023.”


Closing Bell: Saudi Arabia’s main index closes in red at 10,364 

Updated 9 sec ago
Follow

Closing Bell: Saudi Arabia’s main index closes in red at 10,364 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed lower on Sunday, shedding 185.05 points, or 1.75 percent, to end the session at 10,364.03. 

Total trading turnover on the benchmark index stood at SR2.55 billion ($680 million), with 20 stocks advancing and 237 declining. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also retreated, falling 0.63 percent, or 147.19 points, to close at 23,371.82. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index slipped 1.71 percent to 1,369.56. 

Saudi Industrial Export Co. was the top gainer on the main market, with its share price jumping 9.87 percent to SR2.56. 

Shares of Naqi Water Co. rose 2.53 percent to SR58.80, while Shatirah House Restaurant Co. advanced 2.18 percent to SR9.39. 

On the downside, Gulf Union Alahlia Cooperative Insurance Co. posted the steepest decline, with its share price falling 4.61 percent to SR10.14. 

On the announcements front, Scientific & Medical Equipment House Co. said it had been awarded a contract valued at SR260.98 million by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to supply uncooked food materials and catering items to beneficiaries at the ministry’s residential branches across the Kingdom.  

The project scope also includes providing cooked meals to selected anti-begging offices over a 24-month period, according to a Tadawul statement. The company added that the financial impact of the contract will begin in the fourth quarter of this year. 

It said further developments would be disclosed in due course after all relevant parties sign the final contract and a copy is received. 

Shares of Scientific & Medical Equipment House Co. edged up 0.31 percent to SR32.44. 

Separately, Dr. Soliman Abdel Kader Fakeeh Hospital Co. and its subsidiaries signed an agreement with Oloof Development Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Jazan Municipality, to lease a strategic land plot in Jazan City for SR217.99 million. 

According to a Tadawul statement, the land, which spans 34,581 sq. meters, will be used to develop an integrated healthcare facility under a 50-year lease. 

The company said the financial impact of the agreement is expected to begin once the medical facility is completed and becomes operational. 

Shares of Dr. Soliman Abdel Kader Fakeeh Hospital Co. fell 1.92 percent to SR33.74.