Social media, e-governance and cyber ambitions dominated the agenda at the second day of the 3rd Annual Kingdom e-Government Summit in Riyadh.
The day comprised of workshops, addresses, panel discussions and a keynote address from Suhail Al-Almaee, director of strategic planning and support initiatives at Yesser, the Kingdom’s e-Government program.
After reviewing the achievements of the First National Action Plan, Al-Amaee presented details of the Second National Action Plan’s initiatives, displaying a particular focus on staff development.
“We are working with Boston University to train CIOs within the government — already 62 individuals have gone to the university and are undergoing training,” he said.
Understanding the ever-changing role of social networking outlets, Fadi Salem, director of Governance and Innovation Program at Dubai School of Government, explored the various ways governments can use social media to help increase knowledge sharing and innovation between and among government entities, citizens and the private sector.
He said: “There is a shift of the way social media used — in 2010 people were used to make social connections, 2011 it had to do with political activism and journalism, and in 2012 it was increasingly concerned about the development of society and institutionalyzing the civil works.”
Salem’s address was followed by an interactive panel discussion during which participants examined just how the government can implement social media use to communicate with citizens and still maintain the culture of Saudi Arabia.
Hosted by French business information group naseba, the 3rd Annual e-Government Summit closed with a workshop led by Mohammed Aal Salem, dean of e-Learning and Distance Learning at Jazan University.
Social media, e-governance take center stage at summit
Social media, e-governance take center stage at summit
ALJ Motors champions Toyota SUVs’ off-road legacy
Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, the authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia since 1955, has launched the second edition of its off-road initiative — an immersive driving experience designed to engage guests and showcase the real-world capabilities of Toyota’s SUV lineup in the Kingdom’s desert terrains. The activation takes place on weekends, starting initially in Riyadh and continuing through Jeddah, before concluding in Dammam on Jan. 24.
The multi-city activation is designed to engage guests through Toyota’s SUV lineup in fun and exciting ways, offering a hands-on opportunity to experience vehicle performance, control, and versatility. The lineup features a wide range of Toyota SUV models, including the Land Cruiser HEV Max, a hybrid vehicle built for performance. Beyond the off-road drives, the activation offers a welcoming weekend setting with supporting activities suitable for families and younger guests, creating a well-rounded experience for visitors of all ages.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, which welcomed more than 4,500 participants and attracted over 10,000 attendees, the second edition continues to focus on meaningful guest engagement through interactive and experiential driving activities while emphasizing safety, trust, and enjoyment. Through this approach, ALJ Motors champions Toyota’s off-road legacy while creating an experience that further connects guests with Toyota’s renowned SUV lineup.
Shahad Nassier, managing director of marketing communications at ALJ Motors, said: “Following the strong response to the inaugural season, the return of this off-road experience allows us to continue engaging our guests in an authentic and exciting way. In this second edition, we have further refined the driving routes and elevated the overall experience to better serve our guests and their families. By bringing Toyota’s SUV lineup into real desert environments, we provide an opportunity for guests to experience vehicle performance firsthand, while reinforcing the values of reliability and capability that have long defined Toyota’s presence in the Kingdom.”
The experiential initiative deepens guest relationships, supports informed vehicle choice, and reflects ALJ Motors’ ongoing role in delivering reliable and diversified mobility solutions across the Kingdom, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Guests interested in participating in the off-road experience can register for the upcoming activations in Jeddah on Jan. 9-10, followed by Dammam on Jan. 16-17 and 23-24, through ALJ Motors’ official social channels.
