Saudi-US forum in Riyadh spotlights the projects transforming the Kingdom

At Tuesday’s Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, a panel moderated by Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas (far left), discussed how giga-projects are reshaping the Kingdom’s global image. (AN Photo/Basheer Saleh)
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Updated 14 May 2025
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Saudi-US forum in Riyadh spotlights the projects transforming the Kingdom

  • From driverless cars to giga-projects, US and Saudi CEOs and ministers unpacked on Tuesday the ideas powering Vision 2030
  • Milestones in innovation, culture, infrastructure, tourism and tech celebrated at conference attended by President Trump

RIYADH: It is just over 10 years since the Uber smartphone-based car-hailing service launched in Riyadh. Since then, it has expanded to other cities in the Kingdom and, as Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told a panel at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is now one of the company’s fastest growing markets.

There are now 140,000 Saudi nationals driving on the platform, serving 4 million riders in 20 cities across the Kingdom.  

Now, said Khosrowshahi, the company was poised to take the next technological step — and, he predicted, autonomous vehicles will soon be seen on the streets of the Kingdom.

“You will see autonomous vehicles in Saudi Arabia this year,” Khosrowshahi told the panel on Tuesday. “It's something that we are very focused on.”




US President Donald Trump views plans for Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah during his state visit. (AFP)

He said the vehicles would be much safer for both passengers and other road users.

“Autonomous (technology) holds incredible potential for us,” he added. “First of all, it represents a safer street, as the autonomous driver isn’t distracted, isn’t going be texting while they’re driving, etc. And it’s a driver that continues to learn from all the experience of all the miles driven all over the world.”

Ultimately, he added, “autonomous will not only be safer, but will also be a cheaper form of transportation.” Uber is “now working with 18 autonomous partners … to make sure that autonomous technology is introduced in a safe manner.”

Another session at the forum, moderated by Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas, focused on the giga-projects that are raising the Kingdom’s profile around the world and writing the next chapter in the story of national transformation.




The Mukaab, a cubed skyscraper being develop in downtown Riyadh. (New Murabba)

The transformation of Diriyah, the birthplace of Saudi Arabia, into a globally important cultural, historical and leisure destination, is one of the projects that is helping to drive the modernization and diversification envisaged by Vision 2030.

Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Company, spoke about the importance of preserving the Kingdom’s history and the ancestral home of Al-Saud, including the royal At-Turaif district, considered the birthplace of the First Saudi State in 1727 and which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010.

Today, Diriyah is the scene of one of Saudi Arabia’s largest giga-projects, a $63.2 billion transformation of the 14-square-kilometer site of the historic town into a global heritage, cultural and lifestyle destination.

Stating that the project is running on schedule and within budget, Inzerillo added: “We just welcomed to the UNESCO World Heritage site this week our three millionth visitor. We have 45,000 workers currently working in the project. We are very honored and pleased to say that right now we’re doing business with 83 American companies.”

Michael Dyke, CEO of the New Murabba development in Riyadh, said the Mukaab, the vast cube-shaped building at its heart, would be one of the world’s top iconic buildings.




Saudi Housing Minister Majed Al-Hogail, left, and Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, centre, talk with Arab News Editor in Chief Faisal J. Abbas. (AN Photo/Basheer Saleh)

“It is one of the greatest, largest structures ever known,” Dyke said, comparing it to the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas. That, said Dyke, seats almost 18,000 people; the Mukaab will be 22 times larger.

“When people enter the Mukaab, they will enter another world, there will be holograms and there will be strong AI driving through the whole of the facility.”

The Mukaab will come online from 2030 onward, and “when people come to Riyadh they will see something new, something different. It will be another fantastic place that will complement the amazing projects already happening in the Kingdom.”

FASTFACTS

• Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said autonomous vehicles would be much safer both for the passengers and other road users. 

• New Murabba CEO Michael Dyke said the Mukaab would be one of the world’s iconic buildings.

Another massive project being created as part of the Kingdom’s development is NEOM — the vast city on the Red Sea coast that has already fired imaginations around the world.

Rayan Fayez, Deputy CEO of NEOM, said the 26,500 square kilometer project would be the size of Massachusetts.

“Building a city and a region of this scale, requires significant infrastructure,” Fayez said.




Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk with Saudi Minister of Communications & IT Abdullah Alswaha. (AN Photo/Basheer Saleh)

“When we talk about some of the themes that we are spending our time and effort on, infrastructure is a big one. So, whether it is digital infrastructure, 500 kilometers of fiber has already been laid, a data center being built, power and utility infrastructure already has solar, and wind farms up.

“In addition to 194 kilometers of water pipeline, food infrastructure (such as) greenhouses are being developed, because NEOM is not just a real-estate development initiative, it’s an economy building.”

NEOM is, he added, “a joint venture between Neom Aqua Power and Air products, which is, of course, a US company with a significant investment coming into Neom, developing what will become the Green Hydrogen Project.”




US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visit Diriyah. (AFP)

When Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 comes to fruition, in just five years from now, tourism will be as important for the Kingdom’s economy as oil is today.

That was the prediction of Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the minister of tourism, during a panel at the Saudi–US Investment Forum.

It was, Al-Khateeb added, a measure of how far the country’s tourism sector has come since the launch in 2016 of Vision 2030, the blueprint for reducing the dependence on oil and diversifying the economy, that Saudi Arabia is increasingly seen around the world as a land of green mountains, stunning Red Sea islands and a welcoming, hospitable culture.

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The tourism and hospitality sectors have experienced a significant increase in visitors, rising from 50 million domestic and international tourists in 2019 to 115 million in 2024, surpassing the ambitious target of 100 million tourists that was set for the industry under Vision 2030.

In 2024, Al-Khateeb added, with 30 million international visitors among its 115 million tourists, Saudi Arabia was one of the 10 most visited countries in the world.




The Line, a new mega city currently under construction in Neom. (Neom)

"I’m excited,” Al-Khateeb said. “We are full of energy to build this new sector to unlock the potential we have in our great country and to share the beautiful culture with the visitors coming from all around the world.

"By 2030, the tourism sector will be next to the oil as the highest contributor to our economy," he added.

For decades, oil production accounted for 85 to 90 percent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP, but since 2016 significant changes have occurred and oil now accounts for less than 55 percent of GDP.

Since 2019, the Kingdom has opened its borders to nearly 65 countries, issuing electronic visas for those visiting its natural and manmade tourist attractions, from the spectacular mountains of Asir in southern Saudi Arabia to the ancient mysteries of AlUla in the north.




Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas moderated a session on the giga-projects in the Kingdom. (AFP)

In Riyadh, he added, tourists can find a wide choice of sports, cultural and adventure attractions, and there is still more to see in the Red Sea and experience in the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

Al-Khateeb emphasized that a well-educated, vibrant young Saudi population is essential for the growth of the tourism sector, which has increased its workforce share from 2 percent to 7 percent in less than a decade.

The ministry aims to welcome 50 million international tourists by 2030, placing the Kingdom among the top five most visited countries, he said. It also plans to increase the sector's GDP contribution from the current 5 percent to 10 percent by that same year.

"We have created (a tourism) sector that will satisfy the different travelers from different segments who are coming for business or leisure and entertainment, or people who are coming for religious purposes to visit the two holy cities," Al-Khateeb said.




Business leaders gathered in the Saudi capital on Tuesday for the Saudi-US Investment Forum. (AN Photo/Basheer Saleh)

In discussing the US-Saudi partnership, the minister noted that the tourism sector had adopted best practices from the US, a leading global country in the industry, including conferences, entertainment and air-travel services.

"We are working closely with our friends and partners in the US. We are sending young Saudis to get the best education in the US and the best vocational training (in tourism)," he added.

 


Saudi team joins training on rainwater harvesting in China

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Saudi team joins training on rainwater harvesting in China

RIYADH: A Saudi team from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is taking part in a training program organized by the Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences in cooperation with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

The team includes 12 specialists from the ministry’s water agency, the Saudi Irrigation Organization, and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The course, being held in Lanzhou, China, from July 3-22, focuses on rainwater harvesting technologies and their applications. It is attended by representatives from China’s Ministry of Water Resources, along with several water experts and specialists.

The ministry said its participation aligns with efforts to implement international agreements and memoranda of understanding with partner countries. The course provides a unique platform for exchanging expertise in water-related fields, particularly rainwater harvesting, it added.

The course also covers the design of harvesting systems in rural and urban areas, improvement of collected water quality management and advanced purification technologies, the SPA added.

Supplementary irrigation techniques, economic evaluation of harvesting projects, concepts of sponge cities, water reuse, and the role of harvesting technologies in combating desertification and promoting sustainability are also explored.

The ministry said that the training features scientific lectures, practical workshops and field visits to innovative projects in several Chinese provinces.

The visits showcase systems for securing drinking water from rain, irrigated agriculture projects, sponge city initiatives, and integrated environmental models linking water technologies with urban and rural sustainability.

The ministry highlighted the importance of strengthening international cooperation and building national capacity in water management, according to the SPA.

This reflects its integrated approach to developing technical competencies, exchanging expertise with leading countries, advancing the water system and promoting sustainable, innovative solutions to water challenges in line with Vision 2030 goals.


Saudi students compete in global chemistry contest

Updated 55 min 48 sec ago
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Saudi students compete in global chemistry contest

  • The event is being held in Dubai until July 14, with more than 300 students from around the world competing for awards

RIYADH: Saudi students are taking part in the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad, the world’s largest high school chemistry competition.

The event is being held in Dubai until July 14, with more than 300 students from around the world competing for awards.

The scientific team has completed the review and translation of the practical exam for the Saudi students, who are preparing to take their first test, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

This year, the Kingdom is represented by four students who have undergone thousands of hours of intensive training under the supervision of the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

The students are Rand Al-Hassan Awadhah (Riyadh), Haider Yasser Al-Dubaissi (Eastern Province), Ammar Mohammed Al-Turkistani (Jeddah) and Ali Ahmed Baouzir (Riyadh).

Saudi Arabia has earned 45 awards in past International Chemistry Olympiads, held annually since 1968 in different countries. These include 15 silver medals, 28 bronze medals and two certificates of appreciation.

The olympiad promotes international collaboration in chemistry and encourages young talent to solve complex scientific problems through innovative thinking.

It also serves as a platform for cultural exchange and academic excellence, and supports the development of future leaders in science and technology.


Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for Afghanistan’s security, stability 

Updated 08 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for Afghanistan’s security, stability 

  • Envoy highlights Saudi humanitarian aid, calls for global cooperation at UN session in New York

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, has reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for Afghanistan’s security and stability, emphasizing the importance of respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Speaking during a UN General Assembly session in New York on the situation in Afghanistan, Al-Wasil expressed the Kingdom’s concern over the humanitarian and economic challenges facing the Afghan people.

He called for intensified international efforts to provide urgent relief and essential support to ease their suffering, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The envoy highlighted the Kingdom’s humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people through its aid agency, KSrelief. He underscored the importance of empowering Afghan women by promoting their rights in education, employment, and public life. 

Al-Wasil also emphasized the critical need to prevent Afghan territory from being used as a base for terrorist activities or drug trafficking, warning of the threats these pose to regional and global security.

He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to continuing its support for political, humanitarian, and development initiatives aimed at stabilizing Afghanistan. 

So far, KSrelief has implemented 57 projects worth almost $54 million in Afghanistan, according to the agency’s website. 

The projects cover food security, health, education, water and sanitation, as well as humanitarian emergency relief coordination.


Ithra Children’s Festival inspires creativity, curiosity

Updated 08 July 2025
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Ithra Children’s Festival inspires creativity, curiosity

  • The festival combines creativity, learning, play, and exploration in an interactive setting

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Ithra, on Monday launched its inaugural Children’s Festival, themed “What If?”, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The festival combines creativity, learning, play, and exploration in an interactive setting to foster critical thinking, nurture imagination, and develop essential skills.

Running until July 26 at Ithra’s headquarters in Dhahran, the festival offers 50 activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire creative thinking.

These include hands-on workshops, live performances, water and family challenges, art spaces that encourage exploration and questioning, and a book exchange where children can swap books.

An interactive exhibition allows children to transform large white models into colorful artworks using foam tubes, the SPA reported.

The festival will also host the fifth Children’s Book Fair from July 14-19, featuring 20 local and international publishers specializing in children’s and young adult literature.

This year’s fair highlights South Korea as the guest of honor, with book signings, panel discussions, workshops, and opportunities to meet experts.


Riyadh to host major airshow in November

The exhibition will include live day and night airshows, youth and children’s zones, and innovation pavilions. (Supplied)
Updated 08 July 2025
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Riyadh to host major airshow in November

  • Prince Sultan said the Sand & Fun exhibition is a national platform combining aerial entertainment, education, and interactive experiences

RIYADH: Prince Sultan bin Salman, founder and chairman of the Saudi Aviation Club, chaired a meeting attended by Ahmed Al-Fahaid, the club’s general supervisor, where the executive plans and airshow programs for the Sand & Fun exhibition were approved.

Prince Sultan said the Sand & Fun exhibition is a national platform combining aerial entertainment, education, and interactive experiences.

The event supports the Kingdom’s role as a regional and global hub for general aviation, aligned with Vision 2030 goals in tourism, education, and local content development, he added. 

This year’s edition is special as it marks the 25th anniversary of the Saudi Aviation Club, highlighting the sector’s growth since its founding.

The exhibition will be held from Nov. 25 to 29 at Al-Thumamah Airport in Riyadh. It will include live day and night airshows, youth and children’s zones, innovation pavilions, and investor platforms, aiming to boost local and international aviation collaboration. 

Prince Sultan called for stronger national partnerships and engagement with education, training, entertainment, and technology sectors to ensure the event’s success.

The exhibition demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s organizational capabilities and opens new opportunities for future generations in aviation. 

Founded in 2000 following a Cabinet decision, the Saudi Aviation Club leads the Kingdom’s general aviation sector, promoting its culture, supporting talent, and organizing educational and entertainment initiatives.