At least 120,000 Saudis benefited from social training programs in 2024, says vice minister

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Abdullah Abuthnain affirmed that the ministry supports low-income groups through integration and empowerment, at the Regional Social Security Forum for the Asia and the Pacific in Riyadh. (Supplied/GOSI)
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Updated 05 December 2024
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At least 120,000 Saudis benefited from social training programs in 2024, says vice minister

  • Abdullah Abuthnain: We introduced new reforms such as launching the professional accreditation program to verify the capabilities of expatriate workers in all categories
  • Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development aims to upskill and reskill more than 320,000 workers in seven sectors in cooperation with the human capacity development program

RIYADH: At least 120,000 people this year have benefited from government training programs and skill development initiatives aimed at achieving financial independence, a Saudi vice minister told Arab News.

Abdullah Abuthnain, vice minister of human resources and social development for labor at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, spoke to Arab News about some of the ministry’s recent initiatives that were discussed at the Regional Social Security Forum for Asia and the Pacific, organized by the General Organization for Social Insurance, or GOSI, in Riyadh.

“We introduced new reforms such as launching the professional accreditation program to verify the capabilities of expatriate workers in all categories. In partnership with employers, we launched the national training campaign, Waad, to provide about 3 million training opportunities,” he said.

The ministry aims to upskill and reskill more than 320,000 workers in seven sectors in cooperation with the human capacity development program, Abuthnain added.

It has also established 12 councils to improve the skills of the Saudi workforce, he said.

One notable initiative was the launching of the “Qiwa” platform, which provides more than 130 basic services to regulate the market, Abuthnain said.

The ministry has encouraged the digitization of contracts and has set regulations to support new forms of work, such as adopting freelance work, flexible work and remote work, he added.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development aims to support low-income groups in society by promoting their integration and empowerment.

To achieve this, the ministry established “empowerment clinics,” which serve as community centers connecting government entities with the private and non-profit sectors to meet the diverse needs of individuals and families receiving social security.

A session at the forum, “Practical Approaches to Excellence in Social Security Administration,” demonstrated the importance of enhancing efficient and effective social security laws.

The session also addressed several key topics, including ways to improve productivity, protect workers and ensure unemployment insurance coverage.

The forum provides an exclusive framework for professionals to exchange experiences, strategies and best practices, to enhance administrative efficiency and supporting innovation methods, said Ammar Nagadi, vice minister of economy and planning.

Participants agreed on the need to develop effective training and professional programs to support the unemployed in returning to the labor market, along with improving compensation disbursement mechanisms.

They discussed investing social security funds in long-term investment projects that ensure substantial returns and enhance the financial sustainability of social security systems, with a focus on transformation and innovation in this field.

In the plenary session titled “Transformation and Innovation — Key Success Factors,” speakers emphasized digital transformation and innovation in addressing the growing challenges facing social security systems.

GOSI also received 10 international certificates of excellence in the field of social security best practices, presented by Dr. Mohamed Azman, president of the International Social Security Association, during the forum.

The certificates recognized the authority’s success in the digital transformation of insurance protection and detecting insurance fraud.


Saudi pavilion at Expo 2025 highlights nation’s culture and artists

Updated 09 July 2025
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Saudi pavilion at Expo 2025 highlights nation’s culture and artists

  • Since opening in April, the studios have hosted more than 115 events

OSAKA: The Kingdom’s pavilion at Expo 2025 is showcasing contemporary Saudi Arabia artworks tailored for a Japanese audience, which is aimed at promoting cultural ties between the two countries.

The artworks are on show within two cultural studios that are also used to host workshops and exhibitions.

Since opening in April, the studios have hosted more than 115 events, including exhibitions and live performances, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The events in the cultural spaces feature Saudi Arabia artists who showcase the Kingdom’s heritage.

Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at Expo 2025 is the second-largest after Japan. It has registered more than 1 million visits.

Expo 2025 Osaka began in April and will conclude in October.


Saudi Arabia to host cultural week in Osaka

Updated 09 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia to host cultural week in Osaka

  • Calligraphy, art and Japanese-Saudi photographic show from July 12-15

OSAKA: The Kingdom’s Ministry of Culture will host a Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka from July 12 to 15, which will highlight the nation’s rich heritage and showcase handmade products.

Taking place at the Expo Gallery EAST, the event coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Saudi Arabia.

It will feature the Heritage Commission, the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy.

Additionally, the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives will present a series of photographs highlighting the cultural relations between the two nations.

Saudi Arabia’s Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka will feature more than 700 immersive cultural activities, showcasing the Kingdom’s innovation and heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The cultural week is a part of the Kingdom’s broader initiative to strengthen ties between Saudi Arabia, Japan and other nations.


Saudi crown prince meets Iranian foreign minister amid regional diplomacy push

Updated 08 July 2025
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Saudi crown prince meets Iranian foreign minister amid regional diplomacy push

  • Leaders discuss ties and regional stability
  • Prince Mohammed urges dialogue and diplomacy as means of resolving disputes

JEDDAH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Their meeting came as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries and navigate a turbulent regional landscape.

 

 

During the meeting, Prince Mohammed and Araghchi reviewed the state of Saudi-Iranian relations and exchanged views on recent developments across the region.

The crown prince underscored the Kingdom’s hope that the current ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel would help lay the groundwork for enhanced regional security and stability.

Reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s longstanding support for diplomatic solutions, the crown prince stressed the importance of dialogue in resolving regional disputes and reducing tensions.

For his part, Araghchi expressed gratitude for the Kingdom’s stance in condemning Israeli aggression, and praised Prince Mohammed’s personal commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

The meeting was attended by several senior Saudi officials, including Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and National Security Advisor Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.

Earlier in the day, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Iranian counterpart in Makkah, where the two officials also discussed bilateral relations and explored ways to foster regional cooperation.

Their talks focused on the evolving situation in the region and mutual efforts to safeguard security and stability.


Cabinet commends HRC adoption of resolution to protect children in cyberspace

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet held a session on Tuesday. (SPA)
Updated 08 July 2025
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Cabinet commends HRC adoption of resolution to protect children in cyberspace

  • Crown prince briefed the Cabinet on the contents of his discussions with Indonesian president and phone call he received from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

RIYADH: The Cabinet commended on Tuesday the Human Rights Council’s unanimous adoption of a resolution submitted by the Kingdom to protect children in cyberspace.

The resolution, submitted by Saudi Arabia, aims to protect children in cyberspace and is rooted in the global initiative “Child Protection in Cyberspace” launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in October 2024.

The Cabinet said that Saudi Arabia maintaining its position as the top-ranked country in global cybersecurity according to this year’s edition of the International Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook adds to a series of achievements made by this sector in record time.

Saudi Minister of State and Cabinet member Issam bin Saad bin Saeed said the Kingdom’s first-place ranking globally in the ICT Development Index 2025 issued by the International Telecommunication Union is a confirmation of the strength of the its digital infrastructure.

It was also testament to the attractiveness of its investment environment and the development of the local digital economy, which has reached SR 495 billion ($132 billion) in size, he added.

The Cabinet also discussed the Kingdom’s efforts and contributions at the international level to support multilateral action and enhance global economic growth rates, including continued cooperation with OPEC+ producers to maintain stability in oil markets.

The crown prince also briefed the Cabinet on the contents of his discussions with the President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto and a phone call he received from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

 


Reimagining the road ahead in Saudi Arabia

As Saudi Arabia rethinks how cities function, the role of local digital infrastructure is becoming more central. (Supplied/SPA)
Updated 08 July 2025
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Reimagining the road ahead in Saudi Arabia

  • A Saudi-developed navigation platform signals a deeper shift in how smart cities are designed

JEDDAH: As cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah grow at an unprecedented pace, they face mounting pressures that come with rapid urban expansion: increased traffic, infrastructure demands, and changing mobility patterns.

These challenges have sparked new conversations — and innovations — to support evolving everyday life.

Among the latest digital tools to emerge is Balady+, a Saudi Arabia-developed navigation app that is gaining traction with more than 1 million downloads on Google Play according to the app’s listing.

As the country continues its digital transformation, mobility solutions such as Balady+ are becoming a part of the conversation on how to make urban environments more efficient, accessible and responsive. (Supplied)

Launched in May, the app offers a locally tailored alternative to global platforms such as Google Maps and Waze to address navigation needs across Saudi cities.

Developed by Balady, a subsidiary of NHC Innovation, the app’s features include real-time traffic updates, indoor navigation in malls and multistory buildings, and alerts for roadworks and speed bumps with accurate spatial and timing information.

FASTFACT

Balady+, a Saudi-developed navigation app, is gaining traction with more than 1 million downloads on Google Play.

A notable moment for the platform came during this year’s Hajj season, when Balady+ collaborated with the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites to support pilgrims with an interactive mapping system.

Yasser Alobaidan, CEO of Balady+

Over 11,000 key landmarks — including mosque entrances and exits, surrounding streets, hospitals, Red Crescent stations, restrooms, fountains, and more than 160 critical facilities — were updated in real time to ease the flow of people through dense and high-pressure areas.

“Navigation apps aren’t just tools anymore; they’re daily essentials,” said Abdulrahman Al-Babtain, a Riyadh-based commuter who has been using Balady+ for the past two months.

“What makes this app more useful for me is how it reflects the real condition of roads, especially when it comes to closures or construction zones.”

“Navigation apps aren’t just tools anymore; they’re daily essentials,” said Abdulrahman Al-Babtain, a Riyadh-based commuter who has been using Balady+ for the past two months. (SPA)

Built with an artificial intelligence-powered search engine, the app has generated a mix of enthusiasm and thoughtful critique from users on app stores.

Many have praised its realistic 3D mapping, with comments including “extraordinary” and “custom made” to better visualize surroundings.

Some reviews highlight standout features such as the “snap and send” municipal reporting tool, with one user noting that a damaged road was fixed within 12 hours of being reported.

Adel Alzahrani, ROSHN executive director of community development charters

While one review described the app as a “decent alternative to Google Maps,” others note a learning curve for new users and hope for future updates that make the interface more user-friendly and inclusive.

According to Al-Babtain, speed-bump alerts and government data integrations are particularly helpful in avoiding unexpected delays during his daily commute.

“The GPS is smart, but what really matters is having the most current local info — and that’s where Balady+ wins,” he said.

If we design cities for cars, we get traffic. If we design cities for people, we get life.

Adel Alzahrani, ROSHN executive director of community development charters

For Adel Alzahrani, executive director of community development charters at ROSHN, the app is part of a larger conversation about urban design and mobility.

“We’re not just developing real estate — we’re influencing how people move, live, and interact. Mobility behavior starts with design. I often say the cities of the future won’t be shaped by concrete alone — they’ll be sculpted by intelligence, data, and empathy,” he said.

While international apps dominate global markets, Alzahrani — who has used them all — sees Balady+ as an attempt to address local needs through an initiative that is “culturally aware, government-backed, and citizen-focused.”

“If we design cities for cars, we get traffic. If we design cities for people, we get life,” he said.

As Saudi cities are increasingly digitized, apps such as Balady+ represent a broader shift in how people interact with their surroundings, not just as commuters but also data contributors and active participants in shaping smart urban systems.

Yasser Alobaidan, CEO of the app, told Arab News it was built on a combination of local and global technologies.

It was “created through 3D modelling programs for areas like Hajj camps, the Grand Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque, and key landmarks across cities — and global technologies that convert residential and commercial buildings into 3D visualizations.”

“Work is currently underway to render the main roads across Saudi cities in 3D to provide drivers with a more realistic navigation experience,” he added.

Available on Android, iOS, and Huawei Store, it supports both Arabic and English, and features a voice assistant that guides users in both languages.

Alobaidan explained the technical challenges of rendering 3D environments, such the Grand Mosque and Hajj camps, on users’ mobile devices.

“Managing and optimizing the processing power and battery usage on users’ mobile devices when rendering 3D models was not easy.”

As the country continues its digital transformation, mobility solutions such as Balady+ are becoming a part of the conversation on how to make urban environments more efficient, accessible and responsive.

“Saudi Arabia stands at a unique moment. We have the chance to leapfrog the mistakes of car-first urbanism and become a global model of people-centered innovation — where design, policy, and technology converge to create cities that breathe, move, and serve with grace,” Alzahrani explained.

“It’s not just a digital tool, it’s a statement of intent. It tells us that Saudi Arabia isn’t just building smart cities — we’re designing smarter ways to live in them.”

Looking ahead, he said: “I’d love to see Balady+ connect with multimodal platforms, so users can seamlessly move between metro, bus, walking, or even autonomous shuttles.

“I’d also advocate for opening up APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), so urban developers and municipal agencies can build on top of the platform, creating custom layers for districts or temporary events.”

As the Kingdom rethinks how cities function, the role of local digital infrastructure is becoming more central.

Balady+ may not be the only tool in that transition, but it points to a growing appetite for locally developed, tech-driven solutions to urban challenges.

“It’s not following global models. It’s redefining them through a uniquely Saudi lens. And I think that’s something worth celebrating,” Alzahrani said.