TOKYO: Riyadh and Tokyo signed a defense agreement during a meeting between Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada on Friday.
During the meeting, they reviewed opportunities of enhancing cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of defense and military. They also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East.
Officials from both the countries were present at the high-level meeting, during which issues of mutual interest and ways to increase bilateral relations were also discussed.
The deputy crown prince, who is second deputy premier and minister of defense, is currently visiting Japan as part of his three-country tour of the Asian region.
Prince Mohammed held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Emperor Akihito in Tokyo on Thursday and discussed bilateral cooperation and latest developments. Saudi Arabia and Japan also signed seven memorandums of understanding in a number of areas on Thursday. Bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan have experienced a quantum leap and are growing steadily in all spheres of life including economy, culture, military, education and health fields. Minister of Culture and Information Adel Al-Toraifi met his Japanese counterpart, Hiroshi Hase, on the sidelines of the official visit of Prince Mohammed and discussed boosting Saudi-Japanese cultural relations within the framework of Vision 2030.
With defense pact, Saudi-Japan strategic ties cemented further
With defense pact, Saudi-Japan strategic ties cemented further
Saudi Arabia’s Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah nature reserves win Dark Sky recognition
- The two reserves in AlUla join more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution
- AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve, also both in AlUla, received Dark Sky Park designations last year
ALULA: Two more nature reserves in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla have won recognition as Dark Sky Places, joining more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution.
The official accreditation of Sharaan National Park and Wadi Nakhlah reserves from the DarkSky International builds on AlUla’s 2024 achievement, when AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve became the first sites in the Kingdom and the Gulf region to receive Dark Sky Park designations.
The latest recognition further strengthens AlUla’s position as a leading global destination for night sky protection and astronomical tourism, said the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Dark Sky International also announced the recognition in an earlier report, noting that the Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah’s combined area of 6,146 square kilometers reflects the “expanded scope of environmental protection efforts aimed at preserving AlUla’s pristine night skies and reducing light pollution across a vast geographical area.”
DarkSky International works to reduce light pollution in both urban and rural areas and to raise global awareness of the importance of protecting the night sky.
AlUla’s protected areas are located in the heart of northwest Arabia, near the ancient oasis city of AlUla in Madinah Province.
“Towering sandstone cliffs, labyrinthine canyons, tranquil basins, and volcanic formations create a dramatic setting where geological diversity, cultural heritage, and thriving biodiversity converge beneath exceptionally dark, open skies,” Dark Sky said.
Scientists have noted that AlUla’s natural isolation from urban light sources, combined with ideal atmospheric conditions, makes it a world-class destination for stargazing, astronomy education, and immersive dark-sky experiences.
With the phased development of its reserves, AlUla is now ranked 3rd globally in the Dark Sky Park category, solidifying its status as one of the world’s premier destinations for astronomical discovery.
The RCU reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the natural environment, preserving the night sky, and promoting sustainable tourism, further positioning AlUla as a leading global destination for astronomy, scientific research, and advanced environmental experiences, in line with AlUla Vision and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
