MoU advances climate studies for heritage sites

The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in exchanging climate-related knowledge and studies. (X: @MOCHeritage)
Short Url
Updated 14 December 2025
Follow

MoU advances climate studies for heritage sites

RIYADH: The Heritage Commission has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Center for Meteorology to enhance integration in climate and environmental studies related to heritage sites, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in exchanging climate-related knowledge and studies, supporting risk assessment standards, and advancing joint workshops and research programs to improve heritage site management.

The collaboration aligns with the commission’s approach to adopting research and technological tools to better understand environmental dynamics around heritage sites and deliver sustainable solutions that support documentation, restoration, and preservation efforts.

Recently, the commission also signed an MoU with the Saudi Data and AI Authority to advance data- and AI-driven solutions in the cultural heritage sector.

The agreement enables technologies that showcase, document, and strengthen the digital presence of national heritage, the SPA reported.

It reflects both sides’ keenness to employ data and analytical technologies in the inventory, documentation, and relational analysis of cultural heritage.

The MoU aims to support decision-making and build a knowledge ecosystem grounded in accurate, measurable data. It also paves the way for joint projects to enhance digital heritage content and apply AI-based tools to interpret heritage and make it more accessible to the public.


Saudi-Yemen program provides $81.2m to operate more than 70 power plants

Updated 21 January 2026
Follow

Saudi-Yemen program provides $81.2m to operate more than 70 power plants

  • Grant will improve reliability of electrical power to critical facilities, including hospitals, medical centers, roads, schools, airports and ports
  • Move follows last week’s announcement by the SDRPY of a larger aid package totaling $506 million to support Yemen

LONDON: A tripartite agreement was signed on Wednesday between the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, the oil company Petromasila, and Yemen’s Ministry of Energy and Electricity to supply petroleum derivatives for the country’s power plants.

SDRPY is supporting the Yemeni government with an $81.2 million grant to purchase 339 million liters of diesel and mazut from Petromasila to operate more than 70 power plants across various Yemeni governorates.

The grant follows last week’s announcement by the SDRPY of a $506 million aid package to support Yemen’s education, health, government and infrastructure sectors.

The SDRPY highlighted that the grant will improve the reliability of electrical power to critical facilities, including hospitals, medical centers, roads, schools, airports and ports. Additionally, the funding will stimulate the Yemeni economy and support the Central Bank of Yemen by easing the pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

It reduces the Ministry of Finance’s fuel-related financial burden and supports the Ministry of Electricity and Energy in improving the efficiency of power plants in Yemen, the SDRPY said.

In 2018, the SDRPY provided $180 million, in addition to $422 million in 2021 and another $200 million in 2022, as grants to Yemen to purchase oil derivatives and operate vital sectors of the country.