Saudi Museums Commission, German Heritage Foundation launch program to deepen collaboration

Saudi Arabia's culture. (File/AFP)
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Updated 07 May 2025
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Saudi Museums Commission, German Heritage Foundation launch program to deepen collaboration

RIYADH: The Saudi Museums Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, and the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation of Germany have taken a step forward in their cultural partnership by activating an executive program focused on long-term collaboration in the museum sector.

Central to this initiative is the development of a loan index, outlining a selection of artworks and artefacts from the foundation’s various Berlin-based museums to be shared with the Museums Commission over a five-year period.

This loan program forms part of the broader executive program signed by both parties.

The agreement outlines key areas of cooperation, including joint exhibitions in art and archaeology, long-term loans, strategic cultural projects, and capacity-building through training and residencies.

Two dedicated training programs have been agreed upon as part of this collaboration, said the Ministry of Culture in a press release.

One of the flagship initiatives, Museums in Motion, will bring together up to 80 cultural and museum professionals from both countries over five years through four interdisciplinary training sessions. 

Participants will engage in joint learning activities in both countries, fostering sustained dialogue, professional exchange, deeper cross-cultural understanding, and long-term institutional partnerships.

In a parallel initiative with the Hamburger Bahnhof — Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart (National Gallery of Contemporary Art) in Berlin, a professional program will support talent development in the museum field. 

Over the next five years, experts from Hamburger Bahnhof will contribute to training and mentorship, fostering the exchange of knowledge and best practices in museum management and curation.

This executive program reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening international cultural dialogue and advancing professional exchange in the global museum community.


Saudi students compete in global chemistry contest

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Saudi students compete in global chemistry contest

  • The event is being held in Dubai until July 14, with more than 300 students from around the world competing for awards

RIYADH: Saudi students are taking part in the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad, the world’s largest high school chemistry competition.

The event is being held in Dubai until July 14, with more than 300 students from around the world competing for awards.

The scientific team has completed the review and translation of the practical exam for the Saudi students, who are preparing to take their first test, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

This year, the Kingdom is represented by four students who have undergone thousands of hours of intensive training under the supervision of the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

The students are Rand Al-Hassan Awadhah (Riyadh), Haider Yasser Al-Dubaissi (Eastern Province), Ammar Mohammed Al-Turkistani (Jeddah) and Ali Ahmed Baouzir (Riyadh).

Saudi Arabia has earned 45 awards in past International Chemistry Olympiads, held annually since 1968 in different countries. These include 15 silver medals, 28 bronze medals and two certificates of appreciation.

The olympiad promotes international collaboration in chemistry and encourages young talent to solve complex scientific problems through innovative thinking.

It also serves as a platform for cultural exchange and academic excellence, and supports the development of future leaders in science and technology.


Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for Afghanistan’s security, stability 

Updated 30 min 56 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for Afghanistan’s security, stability 

  • Envoy highlights Saudi humanitarian aid, calls for global cooperation at UN session in New York

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, has reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for Afghanistan’s security and stability, emphasizing the importance of respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Speaking during a UN General Assembly session in New York on the situation in Afghanistan, Al-Wasil expressed the Kingdom’s concern over the humanitarian and economic challenges facing the Afghan people.

He called for intensified international efforts to provide urgent relief and essential support to ease their suffering, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The envoy highlighted the Kingdom’s humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people through its aid agency, KSrelief. He underscored the importance of empowering Afghan women by promoting their rights in education, employment, and public life. 

Al-Wasil also emphasized the critical need to prevent Afghan territory from being used as a base for terrorist activities or drug trafficking, warning of the threats these pose to regional and global security.

He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to continuing its support for political, humanitarian, and development initiatives aimed at stabilizing Afghanistan. 

So far, KSrelief has implemented 57 projects worth almost $54 million in Afghanistan, according to the agency’s website. 

The projects cover food security, health, education, water and sanitation, as well as humanitarian emergency relief coordination.


Ithra Children’s Festival inspires creativity, curiosity

Updated 08 July 2025
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Ithra Children’s Festival inspires creativity, curiosity

  • The festival combines creativity, learning, play, and exploration in an interactive setting

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Ithra, on Monday launched its inaugural Children’s Festival, themed “What If?”, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The festival combines creativity, learning, play, and exploration in an interactive setting to foster critical thinking, nurture imagination, and develop essential skills.

Running until July 26 at Ithra’s headquarters in Dhahran, the festival offers 50 activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire creative thinking.

These include hands-on workshops, live performances, water and family challenges, art spaces that encourage exploration and questioning, and a book exchange where children can swap books.

An interactive exhibition allows children to transform large white models into colorful artworks using foam tubes, the SPA reported.

The festival will also host the fifth Children’s Book Fair from July 14-19, featuring 20 local and international publishers specializing in children’s and young adult literature.

This year’s fair highlights South Korea as the guest of honor, with book signings, panel discussions, workshops, and opportunities to meet experts.


Riyadh to host major airshow in November

The exhibition will include live day and night airshows, youth and children’s zones, and innovation pavilions. (Supplied)
Updated 08 July 2025
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Riyadh to host major airshow in November

  • Prince Sultan said the Sand & Fun exhibition is a national platform combining aerial entertainment, education, and interactive experiences

RIYADH: Prince Sultan bin Salman, founder and chairman of the Saudi Aviation Club, chaired a meeting attended by Ahmed Al-Fahaid, the club’s general supervisor, where the executive plans and airshow programs for the Sand & Fun exhibition were approved.

Prince Sultan said the Sand & Fun exhibition is a national platform combining aerial entertainment, education, and interactive experiences.

The event supports the Kingdom’s role as a regional and global hub for general aviation, aligned with Vision 2030 goals in tourism, education, and local content development, he added. 

This year’s edition is special as it marks the 25th anniversary of the Saudi Aviation Club, highlighting the sector’s growth since its founding.

The exhibition will be held from Nov. 25 to 29 at Al-Thumamah Airport in Riyadh. It will include live day and night airshows, youth and children’s zones, innovation pavilions, and investor platforms, aiming to boost local and international aviation collaboration. 

Prince Sultan called for stronger national partnerships and engagement with education, training, entertainment, and technology sectors to ensure the event’s success.

The exhibition demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s organizational capabilities and opens new opportunities for future generations in aviation. 

Founded in 2000 following a Cabinet decision, the Saudi Aviation Club leads the Kingdom’s general aviation sector, promoting its culture, supporting talent, and organizing educational and entertainment initiatives.


Saudi Arabia retains top spot in global cybersecurity rankings for 2025

Updated 07 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia retains top spot in global cybersecurity rankings for 2025

  • National digital transformation strategy helps propel Kingdom to forefront of international standards, officials say
  • Saudi Arabia cited as Tier 1 ‘role-modeling’ nation by UN specialist agency, further underlining its world standing

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has maintained 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.

The cybersecurity indicator ranking reflects what officials describe as continued support from the country’s leadership, including King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Officials added the leadership’s national digital transformation strategy has helped propel the Kingdom to the forefront of international benchmarks.

They also said the Kingdom’s achievements in cybersecurity stem from a comprehensive, long-term strategy that balances national security with economic and technological development.

Saudi Arabia was also designated a Tier 1 “role-modeling” nation in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 published by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union, further underlining its international standing.

Central to this model is the National Cybersecurity Authority, the country’s primary body for overseeing cybersecurity affairs, and the Saudi Information Technology Company, which serves as its technical and strategic partner.

Together, these institutions have helped strengthen national cyber defenses, localize key technologies, and expand collaboration both domestically and internationally.

The NCA, which acts as the national reference point for all matters relating to cybersecurity, is tasked with enhancing the Kingdom’s digital resilience by safeguarding critical infrastructure, key sectors, and government services.

It is also responsible for setting policies, frameworks, and standards while encouraging innovation, investment, and growth within the Kingdom’s cybersecurity sector.

These initiatives form part of Saudi Arabia’s wider efforts to build a secure and trusted digital environment that supports economic growth and global cooperation.