DCO launches tool to bridge digital economy gap

DCO launches tool to bridge digital economy gap
Deemah Al-Yahya, the DCO’s secretary-general, said that the navigator aims to enhance accessibility, sustainability, and economic prosperity. (SPA)
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Updated 22 September 2024
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DCO launches tool to bridge digital economy gap

DCO launches tool to bridge digital economy gap
  • The DEN was unveiled at SDG Digital during the 79th UN General Assembly in New York

RIYADH: The Riyadh-based Digital Cooperation Organization, a global body focused on digital prosperity, has launched its Digital Economy Navigator. This tool helps countries navigate digital economy maturity, identify growth opportunities, benchmark progress, and address economy gaps.

The DEN was unveiled at SDG Digital during the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, which is taking place until Sept. 27, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Using official statistics, secondary data, and DCO’s proprietary survey data, the DEN assesses digital economy maturity across 50 countries, including DCO’s members.

It provides a unified framework to promote a global digital economy, fostering accessibility, sustainability, and shared prosperity, the SPA reported.

The DEN evaluates factors contributing to economic prosperity, sustainability, and quality of life, offering a common understanding for stakeholders to collaborate on digital economy strategies.

Deemah Al-Yahya, the DCO’s secretary-general, said that the navigator aims to enhance accessibility, sustainability, and economic prosperity, ensuring that countries lead in the digital era.

She added that it offers reliable data, insights into trends, and strategic foresight for future challenges, helping nations achieve higher levels of prosperity and sustainability.

The DEN is relevant for policymakers, business leaders, and experts. It offers data and analysis to promote an inclusive digital economy, encourage innovation, create jobs, boost growth of gross domestic product, and enhance sustainability.

The DEN uniquely assesses the digital economy via three intersecting dimensions: digital enablers, digital business, and digital society, using 102 indicators across 50 countries. It introduces a five-category maturity classification system to guide stakeholders in driving digital advancement and innovation.


Saudi students win 7 awards at STEM contests

Mawhiba, together with Ministry of Education and national partners, continues to develop initiatives that equip Saudi students.
Mawhiba, together with Ministry of Education and national partners, continues to develop initiatives that equip Saudi students.
Updated 10 sec ago
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Saudi students win 7 awards at STEM contests

Mawhiba, together with Ministry of Education and national partners, continues to develop initiatives that equip Saudi students.
  • Mawhiba, together with the Ministry of Education and national partners, continues to develop initiatives that equip Saudi students with world-class skills

JEDDAH: Saudi students secured seven international awards at the International Mathematical Olympiad on the Sunshine Coast, Australia, and the European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics in Bonn, Germany.

Their participation was overseen by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, known as Mawhiba, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They won six awards at the maths contest — three bronze medals and three honorable mentions — competing against 630 students from 110 countries.

Bronze medals were awarded to students from the Royal Commission for Yanbu, Madinah, and the Eastern Province education directorates. Honorable mentions went to participants from Jeddah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.

Since joining the competition, Saudi Arabia’s tally has grown to 12 silver medals, 48 bronze medals, and 22 honorable mentions.

At the informatics event, Saudi student Riefal Khaled Al-Hazmi, from Tabuk, won a bronze medal in a field with 226 participants from 60.

Mawhiba, together with the Ministry of Education and national partners, continues to develop initiatives that equip Saudi students with world-class skills, enhancing the Kingdom’s position in science and technology worldwide.


Saudi citizen turns farm into rural attraction in Jouf

West of Sakaka, Yousef Al-Haizan has turned his farm into a summer family destination. (SPA)
West of Sakaka, Yousef Al-Haizan has turned his farm into a summer family destination. (SPA)
Updated 14 min 55 sec ago
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Saudi citizen turns farm into rural attraction in Jouf

West of Sakaka, Yousef Al-Haizan has turned his farm into a summer family destination. (SPA)
  • Evening temperatures in Sakaka average around 27 degrees Celsius, providing a pleasant setting for family outings
  • Driven by his interest in agriculture and attachment to his land, Al-Haizan has added modern amenities while preserving the farm’s local character

RIYADH: The agricultural areas of Jouf are a popular summer evening destination during the school break. The region’s mild evening weather in July makes its farms, resorts, and parks especially appealing.

Evening temperatures in Sakaka average around 27 degrees Celsius, providing a pleasant setting for family outings, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

West of Sakaka, Yousef Al-Haizan has turned his farm into a summer family destination, combining leisure and hospitality with agricultural heritage.

Driven by his interest in agriculture and attachment to his land, Al-Haizan has added modern amenities while preserving the farm’s local character.

The site offers open-air seating under trees, areas for activities like horseback riding and motorbiking, and traditional spaces serving Saudi coffee and dates.

The effort is part of a wider initiative to promote rural tourism and engage residents in regional development, the SPA reported.

Covering about 70,000 sq. meters, the farm also includes an equestrian area boasting lessons for all ages; rural-style settings reflecting Jouf’s heritage; a Bedouin tent; and other basic visitor amenities.


Baha Craftsmen Forum empowers local artisans

Baha Craftsmen Forum empowers local artisans
Updated 20 July 2025
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Baha Craftsmen Forum empowers local artisans

Baha Craftsmen Forum empowers local artisans
  • Workshops, live demonstrations revive traditional arts like sadu weaving, palm crafts, stone carving

RIYADH: The Baha Craftsmen Forum, organized by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, is empowering local artisans in the region.

Free five-day craft training courses are being offered during the second week of the forum as part of the Baha Summer Festival.

Supervised by specialized trainers, they run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The courses focus on skills such as palm crafts (wickerwork), sadu weaving, crochet doll making, and stone and marble carving.

The month-long forum, which is held in partnership with governmental and private entities, continues to strengthen Baha’s cultural identity.

Celebrating local heritage, the forum has attracted large crowds. A standout attraction is the sadu weaving corner, which is valued for its deep cultural significance and artistic elegance.

One participant, craftswoman Salha Al-Ghamdi, captivated visitors with a live demonstration of traditional weaving, showcasing over 20 years of experience and dedication to the heritage-rich craft.

She introduced audiences to the intricate techniques of sadu weaving, the materials used, and how the resulting products are transformed into various functional and decorative items.

Sadu is a time-honored handicraft practiced by women in desert communities and involves weaving wool with colorful threads into patterns inspired by the environment.

Renowned for its geometric precision and distinct aesthetic, the art highlights the skill and creativity of the craftswomen.

The forum aims to showcase the region’s traditional crafts and cultural heritage while fostering interaction between the artisans and the public.


Saudi aid agency helps crisis-hit people worldwide 

KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact by providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable.
KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact by providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable.
Updated 20 July 2025
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Saudi aid agency helps crisis-hit people worldwide 

KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact by providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable.
  • The agency distributed 500 food baskets to families returning from displacement in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah state
  • In Pakistan, the agency distributed 2,167 food baskets in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bhimber in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in Rajanpur in the Punjab province

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact by providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

The agency distributed 500 food baskets to families returning from displacement in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah state, benefiting 3,999 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

In Afghanistan, KSrelief distributed 100 food baskets at the Omari camp near the Torkham border crossing to Afghan citizens returning from Pakistan.

In Lebanon, 569 food baskets were distributed to Syrian refugees and vulnerable host families in the Koura district of North Lebanon, benefiting 2,845 people.

In Pakistan, the agency distributed 2,167 food baskets in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bhimber in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in Rajanpur in the Punjab province, reaching 18,210 people in flood-affected areas.

Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,588 projects worth more than $8.1 billion across 108 countries, in partnership with more than 321 organizations.


Jeddah’s newest indoor jungle brings nature to the city this summer

From flamingos and reptiles to cats and birds, the experience blends wildlife interaction with environmental education. (AN phot
From flamingos and reptiles to cats and birds, the experience blends wildlife interaction with environmental education. (AN phot
Updated 19 July 2025
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Jeddah’s newest indoor jungle brings nature to the city this summer

From flamingos and reptiles to cats and birds, the experience blends wildlife interaction with environmental education. (AN phot
  • The 45-day Forest Wonders is a part of the broader Jeddah Season push to offer diverse, family-oriented entertainment

JEDDAH: Families in Jeddah are skipping summertime’s typical indoor mall circuit and heading somewhere … wilder.

The newly opened Forest Wonders indoor jungle is offering a nature-inspired escape in the heart of the coastal city, including turtles to pat, goats to feed and lemurs to meet.

From flamingos and reptiles to cats and birds, the experience blends wildlife interaction with environmental education. (AN photo)

“As far as I know, such animal jungles don’t just offer fun experiences but also educate the public about wildlife conservation,” 36-year-old Abdullah Al-Hashmi told Arab News while waiting in line with his family on opening day.

“It is a new experience for (the kids) and they are excited about it,” he said.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The newly opened Forest Wonders indoor jungle is offering a nature-inspired escape.

• It features more than 200 animals in themed zones such as the Meercat Zone, Raccoon Enclosure, and the Secret Garden.

• Young visitors can color, plant or play skill games between feeding stations and animal encounters.

Located on King Abdulaziz Road, the jungle-like venue opened on July 16 as part of this year’s Jeddah Season.

From flamingos and reptiles to cats and birds, the experience blends wildlife interaction with environmental education. (AN photo)

The air-conditioned space, covering 7,500 sq. m, features more than 200 animals in themed zones such as the Meercat Zone, Raccoon Enclosure, Bird Park and the Secret Garden, where rare animals are hidden among the foliage.

“It was fun and we enjoyed every zone or area,” said Jameel Al-Shikhi, visiting with his wife and two children.

Young visitors can color, plant or play skill games between feeding stations and animal encounters. (AN photo)

“The kids had fun with the most of the animals and they still want to see more.”

From flamingos and reptiles to cats and birds, the experience blends wildlife interaction with environmental education, including on topics such as sustainability, farming and animal care.

From flamingos and reptiles to cats and birds, the experience blends wildlife interaction with environmental education. (AN photo)

Young visitors can color, plant or play skill games between feeding stations and animal encounters.

“It is really connecting people with animals and the kids enjoyed many activities such playing, feeding, planting, drawing and watching the diverse animals closely,” Al-Shikhi said.

From flamingos and reptiles to cats and birds, the experience blends wildlife interaction with environmental education. (AN photo)

According to officials of the National Events Center, the 45-day Forest Wonders is a part of the broader Jeddah Season push to offer diverse, family-oriented entertainment.

Whether it is snapping a photo with a raccoon, learning about farming or simply watching a lemur, Forest Wonders offers a breath of fresh, leafy air in the middle of Jeddah’s urban summer.