GCC and ASEAN nations to hold biennial summit: Saudi FM says

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Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan holds a joint press conference with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi. (SPA)
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Updated 20 October 2023
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GCC and ASEAN nations to hold biennial summit: Saudi FM says

  • Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the GCC and ASEAN are considered among the most important economic groups in the world
  • He stressed the consensus of Gulf states and ASEAN countries on the importance of an immediate cease-fire in Gaza

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced on Friday the establishment of a summit of leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that will be held every two years to strengthen cooperation between the blocs.

In a joint press conference with Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi following the conclusion of a GCC-ASEAN summit in Riyadh, Prince Faisal explained that both groups were keen to increase joint cooperation, given their shared commonalities and the opportunities they provide.

He said that the GCC and ASEAN “are considered among the most important economic groups in the world due to their cooperation, and we look forward to this summit strengthening this cooperation, coordination, economic and development work, and supporting the laying of the foundations for joint multilateral action and economic development.”

Regarding the situation in Gaza, the foreign minister stressed the consensus of Gulf states and ASEAN countries on the importance of an immediate cease-fire, and the need for humanitarian aid to be provided.


Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change

Updated 34 min 55 sec ago
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Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change

  • Cultural objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in focus at three-day event

RIYADH: In recognition of International Museum Day, the National Museum of Riyadh hosted, a cultural event under the theme: “The future of museums in rapidly changing societies.”

The event, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Museums Commission, ran from May 15 to 17 and highlighted the role of museums in social change, innovation and youth engagement.

The program included workshops, debates, performances and interactive activities, all aligned with the cultural goals of Vision 2030.

A special session took place with Princess Haifa bint Mansour bin Bandar, president of the Saudi National Committee of the International Council of Museums.

During this open discussion, Princess Haifa emphasized the importance of considering the specific situation of museums depending on their location and level of development. While some institutions demonstrate real dynamism, others are struggling to keep up.

“The efforts to modernize and renovate certain museums are clear. However, other museums face challenges in trying to catch up,” she said.

She stressed the need to revise the legislative framework and encourage private investment to support growth in the sector:

“Our museum system is currently being reviewed, and legislation is needed that encourages investment. Supporting the creation of museums in smaller buildings helps to facilitate funding.”

Regarding the frequent criticisms of so-called “traditional” museums, she offered a more nuanced view.

“There are traditional museums that are changing and remain popular, which proves they still serve the public. Sometimes, traditional museums fail to attract the public, even more so than innovative museums.”

She also referred to the significant transformations underway in the Kingdom, supported by a government body dedicated to the museum sector.

“We are in the midst of a radical transformation with a body entirely dedicated to museums, that supports positive change and offers opportunities for progress.”

As the longstanding head of the Saudi ICOM committee, Princess Haifa reminded the audience that Saudi Arabia is actively involved in international dialogue and decision-making:

“This year, we participated in the revision of a code of ethics established in previous years to recognize what constitutes a museum. We are currently translating certain museological references into Arabic.”

Human resources were another key focus of her speech. She identified several obstacles, especially language barriers and the lack of specialized training.

“The first challenge is the language factor. Frankly, we must acknowledge these issues, particularly the importance of the English language,

“We absolutely need specialized schools, partnerships with universities, training opportunities in our field, and specializations such as museum management and exhibition security.”

Despite the challenges, she expressed optimism, welcoming ongoing partnerships with Saudi universities — particularly in the Eastern Province — and the creation of new professional qualifications.

“This is a diploma that is about to become a master’s degree. Museums are not merely storage spaces; they were designed to be places of restoration and rehabilitation. Today, they have become vital centers offering programs for all segments of society.”

In the context of cultural and social transformation, the ongoing reflection on the role of museums in Saudi society reflects a clear ambition: to transform museums into vibrant, inclusive and forward-looking institutions.

Reporting to the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Museums Commission is a public body whose mission is to develop, modernize, and supervise museums throughout the Kingdom, whether public or private.

It supports the creation of new museums, promotes heritage, encourages innovation — particularly in the digital space — and fosters cultural education.


Weqaa runs experiments to improve Hajj health measures

National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases perform experiments at holy sites near Makkah
Updated 43 min 41 sec ago
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Weqaa runs experiments to improve Hajj health measures

  • The first experiment focused on the detection of desert locusts in Muzdalifah
  • The second experiment focused on studying the possibility of an outbreak of an animal epidemic during the sacrifice of livestock in Hajj

RIYADH: The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases, Weqaa, performed two experiments at holy sites near Makkah before the start of Hajj season this year.

The first experiment focused on the detection of desert locusts in Muzdalifah, where a group of experts conducted surveillance, control and evaluation of locust populations.

The second experiment focused on studying the possibility of an outbreak of an animal epidemic during the sacrifice of livestock in Hajj.

This involved a team from Weqaa, in collaboration with other agencies, activating an emergency response plan and carrying out investigations and containment measures.

Ghalib Al-Saedi, director of Weqaa in the Makkah region, said that the experiments were carried out to enhance field readiness, improve response efficiency and assess interagency coordination, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Hajj draws millions of pilgrims to Makkah every year, increasing health risks and requiring high-quality public health services to prevent disease outbreaks, manage emergencies and ensure the safety of pilgrims.

The experiments were conducted in partnership with organizations in the Makkah region, including the Makkah branch of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, and the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites.


Canadian expert praises Saudi Arabia’s rapid AI, social progress

Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. (AN photos
Updated 18 May 2025
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Canadian expert praises Saudi Arabia’s rapid AI, social progress

  • ‘I think Canada can learn a lot,’ says Janice Stein in call for partnership, shared learning

RIYADH: Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, has praised the Kingdom’s ongoing transformation and its growing role in artificial intelligence and education.

During a two-day visit, Stein met officials from government, academia, and the private sector, and highlighted Saudi Arabia’s regional role while noting that much can be learned from Saudi Data and AI Authority’s initiatives.

“We went to universities, think tanks, and government ministries that work in education and artificial intelligence,” said Stein, Belzberg professor of conflict management. She added: “I think Canada can learn a lot.”

Stein noted that officials at the SDAIA had explained that the Kingdom will have a K-12 AI education strategy “in which students from grade three onward will start to learn about artificial intelligence and engage with it.”

She told Arab News: “Well, we are not there in Canada, and depending on how SDAIA measures and tracks its results, I think Canada can learn from the experiment SDAIA is running.”

Stein added that the future project led by SDAIA had not yet been implemented in Saudi Arabia, but much could be learned from its research and rollout.

“There is a sense that things are moving quickly and that will be foundational to the role Saudi Arabia will play in the future,” she said.

Stein also discussed the traditional educational cooperation model between Saudi Arabia and Canada, which has mainly involved Saudi students going abroad to study.

She said: “I think that will remain, but that is the old model.”

Looking to the present, Stein said she was interested in sharing and learning from the “very large experiment that Saudi society is now running.”

She stressed that the goal was in partnership and not encouraging Saudis to leave the Kingdom, adding: “Saudi Arabia is playing a leading role in the Gulf; I think all Saudis know that.”

She said that Saudi Arabia had the weight and urgency to lead, and that what it needed was a clear focus and annual measurement to benchmark the country’s progress against others.

“As a long-time student of the Middle East, my strong sense is that the Gulf is growing in strategic importance, things are moving, and the pace of change is accelerating,” she said.

“I thought, what a wonderful time to find an institutional partner here.”

Stein stressed how impressed she was by the “sense of urgency” in Saudi Arabia’s developmental efforts.

She said that in her conversations she had been struck by the strong focus on results and the awareness that time is limited, describing the urgency as “really, really impressive.”

Stein also noted the clear changes that women are undergoing, saying that it was encouraging to see women working at the airport on her arrival.

She underlined that as women’s roles start to change in society, that society itself begins to change.

Stein said that Saudi people understood the “rapid pace of global change and the need to act quickly — something often missing in more established societies.”

She added: “I think we all need that sense of urgency.”


Saudi, Turkish foreign ministers reaffirm cooperation during meeting in Riyadh

Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi, Turkish foreign ministers reaffirm cooperation during meeting in Riyadh

  • Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, Turkiye’s Diplomacy Academy to work together, share knowledge
  • Hakan Fidan praises increasing momentum of Turkiye-Saudi relations

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has met his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Riyadh to discuss recent regional developments.

The ministers co-chaired the second meeting of the Saudi-Turkish Coordination Council on Sunday, a key diplomatic forum aimed at strengthening political, economic, and strategic exchanges between Ankara and Riyadh.

Officials discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and coordination on issues of mutual interest, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji and his Turkish counterpart Nuh Yilmaz signed a memorandum of understanding between diplomatic centers affiliated with their respective ministries.

Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, and Turkiye’s Diplomacy Academy are to work together to improve collaboration and share knowledge, a statement said.

Fidan praised the increasing momentum of Turkish-Saudi relations, attributing it to the “vision put forward by our leaders,” reported the Anadolu Agency.

He added: “Turkish-Saudi relations, shaped by historical and human ties, have proven their strength and resilience in the face of challenges and difficulties.”

The first meeting of the Saudi-Turkish Coordination Council, which was established during the visit of King Salman to Turkiye in 2016, took place in Ankara in February 2017.

Several senior Saudi and Turkish officials attended Sunday’s meeting, including the Saudi Ambassador to Turkiye Fahd bin Asaad Abu Al-Nasr.


Asaan museum breaks ground in Diriyah ceremony

The groundbreaking ceremony took place at Diriyah Sales Center.
Updated 18 May 2025
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Asaan museum breaks ground in Diriyah ceremony

  • New 40,000 sq. meter cultural landmark is backed by Misk Foundation

RIYADH: Construction on Asaan, the Misk Heritage Museum, officially began in Diriyah on Sunday, marking a key milestone in Saudi Arabia’s cultural development and coinciding with the celebration of International Museum Day.

The groundbreaking ceremony at Diriyah Sales Center was attended by senior representatives from the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk), Diriyah Company, and design partners Zaha Hadid Architects.

Cultural institutions were also present in a show of support for the museum’s mission.

Spanning 40,000 sq. meters, the museum is envisioned as a living institution that reflects Saudi identity through immersive exhibitions and cultural experiences.

It will highlight traditional arts, crafts, oral histories, and social customs in a space designed to bring Saudi heritage to life.

In a statement to Arab News, Khaled Al-Saqer, CEO of Asaan, said the architectural vision for the project was rooted in a deep cultural responsibility.

“The vision was to preserve and pass on Saudi heritage from generation to generation,” Al-Saqer said. “With the rapid advancements in technology, we wanted to make sure there is no gap between current and future generations and their connection to their historical roots.

“At Asaan, we are developing heritage in a new way — one that bridges this gap and ensures our cultural legacy is protected and passed forward.”

He emphasized that Asaan is not just about preserving artifacts, but about inspiring deeper engagement with Saudi heritage.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the museum draws inspiration from traditional Najdi design, combining organic forms with modern lines to reflect the authenticity and evolution of Saudi architecture.

The structure itself is intended to be a cultural statement, rooted in local tradition yet open to global dialogue.

The museum will feature a conservation lab to support the restoration and preservation of heritage artifacts.

It will serve as a center for knowledge exchange and training, preparing future generations of Saudi museum professionals.

Asaan is part of the Misk Foundation’s broader mission to promote creativity, heritage appreciation, and knowledge sharing through platforms that empower Saudi youth and cultural institutions.