Saudi foreign minister praises China’s support for Gaza ceasefire efforts

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Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attended the China-Arab States Summit in Beijing. (SPA)
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Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attended the China-Arab States Summit in Beijing along with heads of state from Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain and Tunisia among others. (SPA)
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Updated 30 May 2024
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Saudi foreign minister praises China’s support for Gaza ceasefire efforts

  • Prince Faisal reiterated calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an uninterrupted flow of aid into the enclave

BEIJING: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Thursday praised China’s support for efforts to end the war on Gaza and push for the two-state solution.

In his address at the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing, Prince Faisal reiterated calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an uninterrupted flow of aid into the enclave.

He called for deeper cooperation to establish a reliable and irreversible path to the two-state solution, noting that constant dialogue is crucial for achieving regional peace.

He rejected foreign interference in the Middle East and called for efforts to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction in the region.

China hosted a summit on Thursday focusing on the Israel-Hamas war in which Chinese President Xi Jinping promised more humanitarian aid in Gaza and called for an international peace conference.

The summit, attended by heads of state from Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain and Tunisia among others, was set to address China’s expanding trade ties and security concerns related to the Israel-Hamas war.


Riyadh mayor, South Korean officials discuss infrastructure, urban planning

Updated 57 min 58 sec ago
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Riyadh mayor, South Korean officials discuss infrastructure, urban planning

  • Visit has aimed to strengthen ties between Riyadh and South Korean cities

RIYADH: Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf concluded his visit to South Korea to establish international partnerships, gain insights into urban development, and enhance quality of life through technology.

The visit included meetings to strengthen ties between Riyadh and South Korean cities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

A memorandum of understanding was signed with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to enhance cooperation in smart city management, sustainable urban planning, and infrastructure development.

This agreement follows a Saudi Cabinet decision authorizing Prince Faisal to negotiate a draft MoU with the Seoul Metropolitan Government regarding urban management and operations.

The visit began with a meeting between Prince Faisal and South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, followed by discussions with Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Sangwoo Park on infrastructure development, urban planning, and expertise exchange.

Prince Faisal also met with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to sign the MoU and with Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Dong-yeon to discuss sustainable urban development and municipal services.

At the global Mayors Forum during Smart Life Week in Seoul, the mayor highlighted Riyadh’s future initiatives. He attended the opening ceremony and visited an exhibition showcasing digital transformation and intelligent cities.

Prince Faisal toured the Seoul Transport Operation and Information Service to learn about intelligent transportation systems. He also met with leading Korean companies, including Naver and Samsung, and visited the Samsung museum.

During his visit, the mayor met with Saudi students in South Korea, encouraging them to excel academically to support Saudi Vision 2030.


Riyadh forum concludes with more than 290 schools honored

Updated 14 October 2024
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Riyadh forum concludes with more than 290 schools honored

  • Misk Schools first to receive accreditation at National Forum for School Excellence

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Education and Training Evaluation Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, concluded the National Forum for School Excellence, also known as Excellence 2024, in Riyadh on Monday.

The forum, which celebrated over 290 schools for their achievements, highlighted Misk Schools as the first to receive accreditation under new national evaluation standards.

The event, which was held under the patronage of the Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan and commission chairman Khalid Al-Sabti, showcased the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education as part of Saudi Vision 2030.

Participants included educational leaders, university deans, and company representatives, as well as principals and directors of schools from across Saudi Arabia.

At the forefront of the event was Misk Schools, which became the first institution in the country to receive accreditation from the commission.

Steffen Sommer, director general of the academic institute, told Arab News: “This accreditation reflects the dedication and hard work of our staff and students.

“We are proud to set a new standard for educational excellence and look forward to continuing our journey of growth and innovation.”

Nada Al-Hegali, girls’ school principal at Misk, spoke to Arab News about the challenges faced during the process, saying: “The challenge was relocating to a new campus amid the accreditation process.”

Al-Hegali went on to describe how the team provided invaluable support, and the students showed their resilience during the move.  

The Excellence 2024 forum recognized schools based on results from external evaluations. Public, private, and international schools were all recognized for their contributions to raising educational standards.

The event also saw the signing of accreditation agreements between the commission, through its excellence center, and 18 schools, further cementing the importance of collaboration in driving the Kingdom’s educational reform.

Al-Benyan spoke of his optimism about the future of Saudi education, noting that the forum would serve as a catalyst for schools to embrace competition and excellence.

He added: “These recognitions are not just an acknowledgment of past achievements but a push for continued improvement in our education system.”

Al-Sabti echoed his sentiments, emphasizing the importance of external evaluation in fostering a culture of quality.

He added: “The Excellence 2024 forum provides a national platform to strengthen the principles of educational excellence, ensuring that Saudi schools continue to align with international standards.”

As Saudi Arabia continues its journey toward fulfilling Vision 2030, the recognition of over 290 schools not only highlights the progress made so far, but also sets the stage for future improvements.

Schools like Misk, with its focus on innovation, are paving the way for others to follow.


Saudi foreign minister meets with WEF chief Klaus Schwab

Updated 14 October 2024
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Saudi foreign minister meets with WEF chief Klaus Schwab

RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Monday received Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab in Riyadh, state news agency SPA reported.

The officials discussed opportunities to boost cooperation and topics of common interest.


Experience global cultures as Riyadh Season launches 3 zones with exciting events

Updated 14 October 2024
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Experience global cultures as Riyadh Season launches 3 zones with exciting events

  • Boulevard World expands with new cultural zones, while Boulevard City introduces thrilling interactive adventures
  • Al-Suwaidi Park launches with a community spotlight, starting with Indian Week

RIYADH: Riyadh Season 2024 has announced the opening of three zones for the public: Boulevard World, Boulevard City, and Al-Suwaidi Park. These zones will host a series of weeks dedicated to communities.

Boulevard World will open its doors to the public daily from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. This season has seen several updates, including a 30 percent increase in zone size and the addition of five new zones: Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Iran, Africa, and Courchevel.

With 22 zones representing various cultures worldwide, it boasts 300 restaurants and cafes and more than 890 shops, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The zones representing Egypt, Spain and Italy in Boulevard World have also been upgraded with 21 new activities suitable for different age groups, including theatrical performances and showcases from several countries, enhancing their appeal as an entertainment destination.

On Saturday night, the season’s opening was held at the Kingdom Arena with boxing matches, musical performances by hip-hop moguls Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, and Ciara. A member of the audience was selected to win a Mercedes-Benz G-Class, presented by General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Al-Sheikh.

This year, Boulevard City at Riyadh Season introduces new entertainment experiences, such as PUBG Mobile, where visitors can join a team and engage in immersive laser battles, competing to be the last one standing.

Visitors can also dive into the mysterious and exciting world of Detective Conan, where they become detectives in an effort to solve puzzles, uncover crime secrets, and find hidden treasures. This experience includes multiple stages filled with interactive challenges that require critical thinking and analysis.

Fans of family adventures and fantasy can embark on imaginative journeys with Bluey and Bingo World.

The Five Nights at Freddy’s experience returns for horror enthusiasts with a new, more thrilling, and challenging version. Visitors will confront high levels of fear as they attempt to survive the dangers surrounding them within the eerie shopping center.

These new experiences make Boulevard City an unmissable destination within the Riyadh Season events this year, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in exceptional adventures that blend excitement, fantasy, and horror.

Al-Suwaidi Park, one of Riyadh Season 2024’s most attractive destinations, spans 140,000 sq m and will host events from 4 p.m. to midnight. The series of community-dedicated weeks starts with Indian Week.

Indian Week will feature performances by renowned artists, impressive shows, traditional Indian cuisine, and opportunities to purchase clothing reflecting India’s rich cultural diversity. 
 


Foreign Ministry hosts cybersecurity awareness event

Updated 14 October 2024
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Foreign Ministry hosts cybersecurity awareness event

  • The event featured six interactive stations educating visitors on cybersecurity threats and safety tips

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the National Cybersecurity Authority, held an exhibition in Riyadh to promote cybersecurity awareness.

Under the patronage of Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the event featured six interactive stations educating visitors on cybersecurity threats and safety tips.

Visitors could test their cybersecurity knowledge and learn about safe online practices, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently signed strategic agreements with the Saudi Information Technology Co. to enhance its cybersecurity.

Abdulhadi Al-Mansouri, assistant minister for executive affairs, and Majed Al-Mazyad, governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority, attended the signing.

Three contracts were signed in Riyadh, with Saad Al-Aboudi, CEO of the Saudi Information Technology Co., in attendance.

This collaboration aims to strengthen the ministry’s cybersecurity system, aligning with the Kingdom’s goals in this sector.