Saudi Arabia set to host International AI Olympiad

RIYADH: Madinah Mayor and CEO of the Madinah Region Development Authority Fahad Albulihshi inaugurated an event at the UN headquarters in New York, emphasizing the critical role of local action in achieving global sustainability goals.

The event, titled “Act Local, Accelerate Global: Advancing Inclusive, Science- and Evidence-Based Solutions for SDG Localization in the Arab Region,” was part of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

It underscored the need for inclusive, data-driven approaches to localize the Sustainable Development Goals effectively and ensure no one is left behind, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

This year’s participation reflects the Kingdom’s alignment of Vision 2030 with the global SDG framework and highlights Madinah’s efforts in localizing the SDGs and adopting the Quality of Life Index initiative.

Albulihshi noted that cities are responsible for implementing 65 percent of the SDGs, adding that the availability and quality of urban data remain major challenges. He stressed the importance of global frameworks in guiding sustainable local development.

The Madinah Region Development Authority showcased its Atlas of Sustainable Development for the city and its neighborhoods, along with a report on building a risk-resilient future — both key tools for informed sustainable development decisions.

Organized by the Madinah Region Development Authority in collaboration with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the World Council on City Data, the event brought together regional and international partners.

On the sidelines, the mayor will meet with local and regional government representatives to discuss cooperation on the UN 2030 Agenda, including governance, inclusive services, and local investment to support regional SDG progress.

The UN forum, running through to July 23, also featured dialogue sessions on global frameworks for resilient urban development and strategies to create value for cities through data-driven trends.

Riyadh: The National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program has partnered with global biotech firm PhageGuard and Saudi poultry producer Tanmiah Food Co. to introduce advanced solutions promoting sustainable livestock production.

The memorandum of understanding, signed in the presence of Vice Minister Mansour Al-Mushaiti, supports Saudi Arabia’s goal to improve product quality and competitiveness locally and globally.

The deal aims to enhance the quality and safety of local products by adopting innovative solutions that reduce health and environmental risks, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Under the MoU, PhageGuard will provide its biotechnology solutions through its local agent, Portalis Capital, to Tanmiah Food Co., which will implement and localize these technologies in the Saudi market.

The deal supports poultry sector development, boosts operational and production efficiency, and fosters a knowledge- and innovation-driven livestock industry, the SPA reported.

It focuses on bacteriophage technology as a biological alternative to traditional antibiotics, addressing concerns over antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These phages target Salmonella bacteria, helping reduce its spread, lower antibiotic use and promote safer food production.

Applying this technology will help mitigate foodborne illness risks from salmonella in poultry and eggs, enhancing product quality and safety and strengthening competitiveness in local and global markets.