The Garden brings adventure to Jeddah Season

The Garden brings adventure to Jeddah Season
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Each interactive space reflects modern entertainment trends, engaging visitors from the moment they arrive. (SPA)
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Updated 17 May 2025
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The Garden brings adventure to Jeddah Season

The Garden brings adventure to Jeddah Season

JEDDAH: The Garden, a dynamic zone within City Walk, invites visitors of Jeddah Season on a journey where fun meets adventure.

This area features three vibrant activity stations — archery, car racing, and remote-controlled watercraft — set against a picturesque backdrop, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Blending the thrill of competition with the charm of the outdoors, The Garden offers an exciting atmosphere for residents and visitors alike until June 14.

Each interactive space reflects modern entertainment trends, engaging visitors from the moment they arrive, the SPA reported.

Reimagined as a haven for family fun, The Garden delivers world-class entertainment tailored to visitors’ aspirations, with attention to detail enhancing the experience.

It boasts lush landscaping, flowing artificial rivers, and comfortable seating under tree-lined pathways, offering moments of tranquility amid the lively environment, according to the SPA.

Spanning more than 281,000 sq. meters, City Walk includes several themed areas, such as Cairo Nights, Wonder Wall, Adventure Land, and Horror Village.

It features 77 retail outlets, 65 restaurants and cafes, 81 games, 10 immersive experiences, and a lineup of theatrical and musical performances.

City Walk aims to showcase Jeddah’s cultural vibrancy through its culinary and entertainment offerings, reflecting the zone’s evolving identity as a leading destination for regional tourism.


Saudi Arabia launches trial of autonomous vehicles in the capital 

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser launches a trial of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser launches a trial of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh.
Updated 17 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia launches trial of autonomous vehicles in the capital 

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser launches a trial of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh.
  • Driverless cars to operate at King Khalid airport and key Riyadh locations in real-world test

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Transport General Authority Saleh Al-Jasser launched a trial of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh on Wednesday. 

It marks a major step toward enabling advanced technology and developing a smart and safe transportation ecosystem in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The initiative supports the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Vision 2030 goals by adopting sustainable mobility solutions powered by artificial intelligence.

In this phase, autonomous vehicles will operate in real-world conditions, covering King Khalid International Airport and key locations across Riyadh, including major highways and selected city-center destinations. 

The Transport General Authority is supervising the project. During this stage, vehicles will carry passengers with a safety officer onboard to monitor systems.

Al-Jasser said the launch reflects the Kingdom’s ambitious vision to build a smart, integrated transport system that supports economic growth and improves quality of life.

He added that enabling modern technologies and developing regulatory and operational frameworks are essential to transforming the transport sector. 

The project stems from a partnership between the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Data and AI Authority, and the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information.

Other key participants include the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, along with private-sector partners Uber, WeRide, and AiDriver. 

Al-Jasser emphasized said the project showcases pioneering public-private partnerships, paving the way for safer and smarter mobility.


Saudi foreign minister receives written message from Russian counterpart

Saudi foreign minister receives written message from Russian counterpart
Updated 23 July 2025
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Saudi foreign minister receives written message from Russian counterpart

Saudi foreign minister receives written message from Russian counterpart
  • Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sergey Kozlov delivered the message to Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji in Riyadh

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji received a written message on behalf of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan from his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, addressing strengthening ties between Riyadh and Moscow.

Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sergey Kozlov delivered to Al-Khuraiji the written message, which discussed ways to strengthen ties in various fields, at the ministry’s headquarters on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Al-Khuraiji and Kozlov reviewed bilateral relations and discussed topics of common interest between the two countries.


Kingdom opens first public arts and culture school

Kingdom opens first public arts and culture school
Updated 23 July 2025
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Kingdom opens first public arts and culture school

Kingdom opens first public arts and culture school

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ministries of culture and education have launched an Arts and Culture Academy, the first government-run school of its kind in the Kingdom. 

The initiative aims to identify and develop talented young people, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently. 

In its inaugural year, the academy will operate in Riyadh and Jeddah, admitting students in the fourth grade of primary school and first grade of intermediate school.

The academy combines accredited academic curricula with specialized cultural programs in a stimulating and enriching learning environment, the SPA added. 

Initially, it will target students with talent in drawing, acting, music and singing. The plan is to expand to all educational levels and regions of the Kingdom. 

Students will follow the standard Ministry of Education curriculum alongside intensive cultural programs in a balanced daily schedule. 

The school day is divided into two sessions: morning for academic work and afternoon for cultural activities, according to the SPA. 

The academy will open in the 2025/2026 academic year at Al-Nakheel district in Riyadh for boys, and Al-Sheraa district in Jeddah for girls.

Admission has three stages: online registration, performance evaluation and interview, and admission notification. Students are admitted based on seat availability.

Students can apply at: engage.moc.gov.sa/cultural-talents-schools/#faq.


Program connects youth to Saudi heritage in Abha

Program connects youth to Saudi heritage in Abha
Updated 23 July 2025
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Program connects youth to Saudi heritage in Abha

Program connects youth to Saudi heritage in Abha
  • The program emphasizes the preservation of artifacts and responsible engagement with cultural heritage

RIYADH: The Heritage Commission launched the Little Explorer program in Abha, aiming to connect younger generations with the Kingdom’s heritage and introduce them to elements of national cultural identity.

Running until July 26 at Al-Muftaha Village, the event encourages curiosity and appreciation for heritage among children through interactive educational activities. It includes cultural, artistic, sports, and adventure events, as well as workshops.

The program emphasizes the preservation of artifacts and responsible engagement with cultural heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Little Explorer is one of the commission’s key initiatives to promote national identity and build a generation that values heritage. It is designed for young audiences, combining scientific knowledge with interactive learning.

Participants learn the basics of archeology, artifact handling, and excavation through practical tools and realistic simulations, allowing creative and hands-on interaction with heritage.


UN report praises Kingdom’s achievements in integrated water resources management

UN report praises Kingdom’s achievements in integrated water resources management
Updated 23 July 2025
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UN report praises Kingdom’s achievements in integrated water resources management

UN report praises Kingdom’s achievements in integrated water resources management

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia shared its experience of advancing water security and sustainability in a region of extreme water scarcity during the SDG 6 Water Action Agenda Special Event in New York.

The event was held on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the UN’s headquarters, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

It followed UN-Water’s recognition of Saudi Arabia as one of the countries showing clear and measurable progress in integrated water resources management under SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) 6.

The Kingdom’s delegation, led by Abdulaziz Al-Shaibani, the deputy minister for water at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, presented Saudi Arabia’s approach to accelerating the progress of SDG 6.

The event spotlighted successes in the sector and countries making significant strides. Saudi Arabia was highlighted in the report as a success story for its rapid progress in integrated water resources management, the SPA added.

Al-Shaibani said that the Kingdom’s efforts had brought notable improvements in efficiency, coordination, and service quality between 2017 and 2023.

The Kingdom’s integrated water resources management indicator rose from 57 percent to 83 percent during this period, marking one of the fastest global increases under SDG indicator 6.5.1, he said.

Al-Shaibani stressed that strong support from the Kingdom’s leadership had enabled significant structural and organizational reforms to aid sustainable water management.

With substantial investments to expand and modernize water infrastructure, these efforts had raised the Kingdom’s “enabling environment” score from 42 percent in 2017 to 87 percent in 2023, he added.