Saudi Arabia’s minister of economy and planning promotes investing in youth

Saudi Minister of economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-ibrahim stressed the ministry’s commitment to helping develop future policy planners is continuous. (SPA)
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Updated 12 November 2022
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Saudi Arabia’s minister of economy and planning promotes investing in youth

  • Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim: “Vision 2030 was designed to lay the foundations for growth, bringing the Kingdom together on a journey towards a common, prosperous future”

RIYADH: Saudi minister of economy and planning, Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, discussed the importance of investing in the Saudi youth in an exclusive interview with Arab News.

The minister said young people are “the guardians of tomorrow’s economy” and the key to driving the Kingdom’s economic transformation under Vision 2030.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that young people are equipped with the tools and knowledge to deliver value and impact at the tables of decision-making,” Al-Ibrahim said.

With the youth making up the majority of the Kingdom’s population, the minister highlighted some of the ways he believes Vision 2030 is opening new opportunities for younger generations.

“Vision 2030 was designed to lay the foundations for growth, bringing the Kingdom together on a journey towards a common, prosperous future,” he said.

With their digital-native skills, they can take our economy in exciting new directions, as we continue to accelerate the Kingdom’s diversification, boost the growth of our non- oil sector, and aim to become a top 15 global economy by 2030.

Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, Saudi minister of economy and planning

“The new sectors being created by Vision 2030 provide an unprecedented opportunity for Saudi’s youth to drive the new economy. With their digital-native skills, they can take our economy in exciting new directions, as we continue to accelerate the Kingdom’s diversification, boost the growth of our non-oil sector, and aim to become a top 15 global economy by 2030,” he added.

Al-Ibrahim said that the work the Ministry of Economy and Planning is currently doing contributes to the realization of Vision 2030.

He stressed the ministry’s commitment to helping develop future economists, researchers, and policy planners is continuous, and will carry this work forward into the Kingdom’s future.

“I’m constantly amazed by what our youth can do when they are given the opportunity,” he said.

“Empowering young people to work on, and ultimately invest in themselves, will only serve to strengthen our future labor market, boost productivity and enhance our global economic competitiveness,” he added.

Al-Ibrahim was a speaker on day two of the Misk Global Forum that concluded on Thursday in a session titled “The Generation Remaking the World,” where he discussed the ways of empowering the youth and the Kingdom’s future leaders with the skills to navigate economic transformation inclusively and collaboratively.

“The energy and dynamism that is radiating from our young people today — which was on full display at the Misk Global Forum 2022 — is inspiring. They are our future and the guardians of tomorrow’s economy. And we must invest in them now to unlock the potential of the demographic dividend we have, with one of the world’s largest youth populations,” he said.

The minister discussed the importance of holding open discussions and gatherings to tackle global issues from all perspectives from the youth to older generations, such as the Misk Global Forum.

“There is tremendous value in opening your mind to young energy. Bringing different generational perspectives to any challenge only enhances the solutions we are able to design and execute,” he explained.

“As a nation, we are designing policies that work for all, in a forum that is open to people from across the generational spectrum to contribute to. This sends a very clear message to our youth that there is nothing stopping them from contributing meaningfully to the country’s economic transformation,” he added.

The minister also highlighted his ministry’s role in the Kingdom’s ambitions for sustainability under the UN’s Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, signed in June this year and running until 2026.

“The Ministry of Economy and Planning recently established the Sustainable Development Steering Committee to oversee performance and coordinate efforts toward achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

“It’s led by government experts from the Kingdom who are committed to ensuring the successful implementation of the national SDG agenda,” he added.

“To further enhance our thrust towards SDG realization, we signed the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework in June to accelerate joint efforts to deliver progress on climate and sustainability.”

The framework is one of the main tools to map out cooperation between the UN and the government of Saudi Arabia in sustainability. Some of the 17 goals the Kingdom is working with the UN to achieve include gender equality, education, affordable and clean energy, climate action, and sustainable cities and communities.

The framework is a joint effort between the Ministry of Economy and Planning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the UN.

The minister concluded the interview with advice to the younger generations in their roles in contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

“Developing a problem-solving mindset is crucial in today’s socioeconomic climate. And we’ve already seen clear evidence that they have it,” he said.

“Everyone rallied behind the cause (during the COVID-19 pandemic) and responded to the moment because of this sense of ownership that came with being involved in it. The young people of Saudi Arabia showed themselves to be up for the challenge,” he said.

“They are faced with several major challenges today, and they will have to develop resilience and agility to overcome them.”

 


Photography competition winners celebrate Saudi landscapes and stories

Updated 7 sec ago
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Photography competition winners celebrate Saudi landscapes and stories

  • More than 1,300 people submitted their work to the Kingdom Photography Awards
  • Total of SR400,000 given to winners of the competition

JEDDAH: Two new photography exhibitions in Jeddah are celebrating the work of the winners of a competition that awarded a total of SR400,000 in prize money to participants.

“Hayy Aynak — In a New Light” and “When the Fog Whispers” were opened by the Visual Arts Commission at Hayy Jameel on Wednesday.

The exhibitions will run until May 25 in conjunction with the third Kingdom Photography Award, which began earlier this year.

The award has become a prominent platform for capturing the spirit of Saudi Arabia through the lens of its creative talents.

This exhibition celebrates the Kingdom’s natural beauty, cultural richness and artistic innovation through photography.

The competition invites artists to explore a specific region of the Kingdom through their work.

Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Commission, told Arab News: “The idea is to start to create through the lens of different photographers and their creative process, a body of work that captures the richness of the landscapes of Saudi Arabia through different languages of expression, different creative processes, different types of photography and storytelling to really create a visual odyssey almost through the landscape, the people and the environment of Saudi Arabia today.”

She added: “If you look in today’s exhibition, you’ll see some of the photographers have chosen to look at natural environment, landscape. Others have chosen to look at population and populated environments, so to speak, whereas others are really looking at tradition and history. So, with each engagement, we start to have this beautiful journey.”

The “Hayy Aynak” exhibition presents the winning works from the third running of the award, which received more than 1,300 submissions and awarded a total of SR400,000 in prizes.

The exhibition celebrates the aesthetics and diverse landscapes of the Kingdom — from the buzz of urban life to the stillness of the desert.

An international jury evaluated the submissions and selected the most compelling and meaningful stories based on creativity, technical proficiency and the narrative power of visual storytelling.

The second exhibition, “When the Fog Whispers,” takes visitors on a personal and emotional journey to the Asir region, long a source of artistic inspiration thanks to its mist-covered mountains and deep-rooted cultural heritage.

Five artists were selected to create special photography projects that reflected their relationships with the Asir landscape. The resulting works are visually captivating and rich in reflection, documentation and human connection.

Mohammed Sumji, the curator of the third outing of the award, told Arab News about the experience of bringing photographers together to explore the distinctive landscape of Asir.

“We selected the region of Asir, and the five photographers that we selected were known to me, and I basically selected them based on their potential to make works especially around Asir because they practice dealing with either stories of people’s lived experiences or landscapes. I’m very happy with how it’s come out.”

Saudi photographer, Abdulmajeed Al-Ruwaidan, chose the theme “Roadside Stations” for his submission, documenting the architecture of old Saudi gas stations before they disappeared under modern development.

Elham Al-Dossary, also from Saudi Arabia, chose the theme “Crossing Asir,” blending her late father’s archive as a photographer with contemporary images to create a visual narrative that meditates on memory and transformation.

For the past two years, Ilham has been helping her father archive his work, and a small part of that archive is dedicated to his time in Asir.

“He has an archive at home that dates back to the 1960s and ’70s,” she told Arab News.

She continued: “The archive became a way to view Asir through a personal and familial lens.

“There’s a connection between me and my father — through the land, through the people — and I also wanted to explore more stories, not just about him, but about life there and the areas we photographed, like Al-Habla and others.”

Mohamed Mahdy, from Egypt, titled his collection “When the Land Loves You.” It is a poignant portrayal of the emotional connection between the people of Asir and their land, captured through nostalgic and heartfelt imagery.

Lina Geoushy, also from Egypt, called her collection “Daughters of Al-Qatt.” Hers is a colorful celebration of the women who sustain the traditional Al-Qatt Al-Asiri artform, recognized by UNESCO. Her photographs honor this living tradition.

She told Arab News: “This photo is especially important to me because it’s in this very rich village, Rijal Almaa … it plays on the idea of the inside and the outside, the internal spaces or imaginaries and the landscape; the lady in the photo is Sharifa Mahdy, who’s been practicing this art for 25 years, and she learnt it from the famous Fatima Abou Gahas.

“Apart from it being a life tradition, Qatt art has healing powers … it gives them confidence and positivity and it’s sort of like a refuge for them.”

Hicham Gardaf, from Morocco, created a collection titled “The Road to the Juniper.” It is a meticulously crafted visual journey through juniper forests, where nature becomes a silent cultural archive filled with untold stories.

He told Arab News: “I imagined this massive juniper tree with roots spreading across Asir — like routes we travel, all leading back to this one tree that connects the land, the people and their stories.”

Throughout the exhibition period, the Visual Arts Commission will also host a series of interactive workshops and panel discussions featuring local and international experts.

These sessions aim to create space for dialogue, skill development and knowledge exchange, enriching visitors’ experience and fostering artistic and professional growth across various fields of the visual arts.


City Walk Jeddah reopens with new attractions until June 14

Updated 12 min 15 sec ago
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City Walk Jeddah reopens with new attractions until June 14

  • Seven sections spanning 281,000 sq. m offer a range of activities
  • Rides, theatrical performances and dining options on offer

JEDDAH: City Walk, part of Jeddah Season, officially reopened on Wednesday with a range of new attractions.

Running until June 14, this year’s event features seven themed zones spanning 281,000 sq. m. — Wonder Wall, Tomorrow Land, Fantasy Land, Cairo Nights, Black Forest, Adventure Land and The Garden.

Each section features games, rides and other family-friendly activities.

Salma Al-Harbi, a visitor from Makkah, told Arab News: “We’ve been visiting City Walk for the past three years, but this year truly stands out.

“There are so many new attractions, the experience is more affordable, and the waiting times are much shorter.

“My kids especially loved Luca Land where they got to play with different dog breeds. And for the whole family, the horror zone was definitely the highlight.”

Another, visitor Yazeed Al-Harbi, said: “There’s a great mix of thrills and relaxation. I didn’t expect to enjoy the painting area as much as I did. It’s really inclusive and well thought-out.”

For those seeking light-hearted fun, Joy Plex offers activities for children with characters such as Shaun the Sheep, Masha and the Bear, and Bluey leading interactive adventures.

The nearby Joy Plex-X expands on this with activities such as the Slime Festival, Stumble Guys, and Jelly Zone.

“City Walk is amazing this year, my kids loved the Slime Fest and meeting their favorite cartoon characters in the air-conditioned space, which was a great relief from the hot weather outside,” said Rana Khalid, who came with her children.

“There’s so much to do for everyone in the family.”

Beyond the rides and characters, the 2025 event includes a number of creative and educational activities.

Splash Studio invites guests to paint on the walls, while Navigation Land has air rifle shooting, archery and remote-controlled vehicles.

The Birds & Reptiles Cave gives nature lovers a chance to interact with and learn about exotic species through guided tours.

City Walk also hosts theatrical shows such as A Thousand and One Nights, Pasha, and Broken World.

Beyond the attractions, the event features 77 retail outlets and 65 restaurants and cafes.

Oat Chayanin, from Thailand, who is showcasing handmade cotton owls and other products, said: “I brought a selection of handmade owls from Thailand, along with some medicinal products.

“It’s been wonderful to see how excited people in Saudi Arabia are to learn about Thai culture and show such respect for the products.

“I’m looking forward to engaging with customers and learning more about Saudi culture so I can better understand what to bring for future events.”

Project manager, Mohammed Fahad, said: “The horror-themed attractions are a major highlight this year.”

“Experiences like Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach plunge visitors into a chilling maze of terrifying challenges, while Music Hell offers ghostly concerts brought to life by a skeleton band.

“Le Grand Hotel takes guests on a suspense-filled journey through a haunted building, testing their nerves at every turn.”


KSrelief completes volunteer medical project for pediatric open-heart surgery in Yemen

Updated 01 May 2025
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KSrelief completes volunteer medical project for pediatric open-heart surgery in Yemen

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief has completed a medical service offering open-heart surgery and cardiac catheterization for children in Aden, Yemen, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The initiative ran from April 19-26. Ten volunteers from various medical backgrounds were on-site.

The team performed 24 open-heart operations and 98 cardiac catheterization procedures.


Japan’s foreign minister, GCC’s secretary-general discuss partnership

Updated 01 May 2025
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Japan’s foreign minister, GCC’s secretary-general discuss partnership

  • Officials meet in Riyadh to discuss energy security

RIYADH: Japan’s Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi has told Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi that Japan “attaches importance to its partnership with the GCC.”

The two officials met in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss the Gulf region’s partnership with Japan in energy security.

Iwaya added that the GCC region was playing an “increasingly important role in achieving peace and stability amid the current turbulent regional and international situation.”

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Albudaiwi had said that the relationship between Japan and the GCC member states was of “strategic importance,” and that the GCC also hoped to further strengthen its relationship with Japan.

The two officials welcomed the first round of negotiations on the Japan-GCC Economic Partnership Agreement, which resumed in December 2024.

They also agreed to cooperate in a wide range of areas, including politics and security, trade and investment, based on the Japan-GCC Action Plan adopted during the first Japan-GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in September 2023.

Iwaya and Albudaiwi exchanged views on Gaza, the Syrian Arab Republic, Iran, the Red Sea, and East Asia.

They both stressed their intention to further strengthen Japan-GCC relations and to maintain close cooperation through the implementation of the action plan.

This article also appears on Arab News Japan


LCGPA honors 26 winners at third Local Content Awards in Riyadh

Updated 01 May 2025
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LCGPA honors 26 winners at third Local Content Awards in Riyadh

  • The theme of the event was “Applauding Your Impact”

RIYADH: The Local Content and Government Procurement Authority recognized 26 public, private, nonprofit and individual contributors at its third Local Content Award ceremony on Wednesday in Riyadh.

The theme of the event was “Applauding Your Impact.”

Organized under the patronage of Bandar Al-Khorayef, Saudi Arabia’s minister of industry and mineral resources, the event celebrated efforts to advance local content development — a pillar of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030.

This aims to strengthen the economy by boosting domestic industries, reducing reliance on imports and empowering national talent.

The awards highlight achievements in meeting Local Content Requirements, or LCRs, which have raised government procurement spending on domestic goods and services from 28 percent in 2018 to 47 percent.

During his keynote speech, Al-Khorayef said that 396 Local Content Development Teams operated across government entities, while 270 state-owned firms had embedded LCRs into policies, driving their local spending to 50.7 percent in 2023.

In the government entities category, awards were distributed across two main paths and three subcategories.

In the path for Excellence in Local Content for Medium and Low-Spending Entities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed first place, the Roads General Authority ranked second, and the Digital Government Authority, or DGA, came in third.

Abdulaziz Al-Bader, general manager of procurement at the DGA, told Arab News: “We have focused on localizing industries through technology-related agreements, such as those for digital circuits, where we have achieved impressive results.”

He said that advances in cloud computing and the unification of technical specifications for government technology purchases had further streamlined procurement.

Al-Bader said that “our investment colleagues have made significant efforts, and the entity managing these investments has begun to see tangible outcomes.”

These measures, he explained, directly contributed to “a reduction in government spending on such procurements and accelerated the purchasing process” — an outcome he attributed to rigorous standardization and localized industry partnerships.

STC Group secured the top award for Local Content Preference, while the National Water Company was among other notable honorees.

In the private sector, telecom company TAWAL and manufacturing firm FIPCO stood out among large enterprises. Small and medium enterprises such as Suwar Technology and Intra Defense Technologies were recognized for driving innovation in niche markets.

Reef National Foundation became the first nonprofit to be awarded for advancing local content goals. Individuals Lama Al-Hussein (first) and Abdulmajeed Marzouq (second) earned top honors for raising awareness of local content’s economic impact.