Al Riyadh Newspaper August 26, 2025: Saudi Ambition: Global Impact and Local Development

The provided sources discuss Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives, highlighting various aspects of its economic diversification, cultural development, and international collaborations. This includes the growth of its esports industry and hosting global tournaments, efforts to boost non-oil exports, and investments in infrastructure and technology, particularly in sustainable smart cities. The texts also touch upon humanitarian aid efforts by the Kingdom, its strategic partnerships with countries like the US and China in sectors such as mining and energy, and the advancement of educational and cultural institutions aimed at fostering innovation and preserving heritage. Finally, there’s a look at global economic trends, including fluctuations in oil and gold prices, and discussions surrounding international relations and technological advancements like 6G and humanoid robotics.

Podcast

Sports Diplomacy: Bridging Cultures and Economies

Sports diplomacy leverages athletic events and exchanges to foster international relations, promote cultural understanding, and achieve broader strategic goals, as illustrated by initiatives in Saudi Arabia and within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Key aspects and examples of sports diplomacy include:

• Promoting Cultural Rapprochement and Dialogue:
• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Electronic Sports World Cup (2025) serves as a prime example, translating the country’s leading role in promoting human dialogue and cultural rapprochement through sports. The event brought together players and fans from dozens of cultures and languages on Riyadh’s soil, forming a unified cultural tableau that embodies the Saudi vision of building bridges of understanding.
• This global event showcased Saudi Arabia’s cultural diversity through over 32 accompanying entertainment and cultural activities, offering an experience that blended modern attractions with traditional arts.
• Within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), youth interactions, particularly people-to-people exchanges, play a crucial role in cooperation. Activities like the “SCO Youth Meeting in Qingdao,” which included international students from 30 countries, deepened their understanding of China’s cultural heritage and technological advancements, fostering global friendships.
• The increased number of students from SCO countries studying in China expands their horizons and positions them as “ambassadors of friendly exchange”.
• Economic and Strategic Positioning:
• Saudi Arabia is confidently stepping towards a new future, making innovation, the digital economy, and interactive sports key drivers of its developmental vision. Hosting the second edition of the Electronic Sports World Cup in 2025 solidified the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for innovation and creative industries.
• The tournament, with record prizes exceeding $70 million, provided an advanced model for the added value electronic sports can generate. This sector, globally valued at over $200 billion with a 9% annual growth rate, found fertile ground for growth in the Kingdom.
• The event attracted significant investments and global companies, viewing Saudi Arabia as an attractive environment where economic potential aligns with strategic vision.
• It also boosted tourism, attracting thousands of visitors and increasing hotel occupancy rates by over 29% compared to the previous year.
• The success of the tournament proved that Saudi Arabia does not merely host global events but uses them as launchpads for broader horizons, by investing in talent and strengthening the knowledge economy.
• The announcement of the “Esports Nations Cup” as the first national team e-sports championship underscores the Kingdom’s role in pioneering and shaping the future of the e-sports industry.
• Youth Empowerment and Global Influence:
• The Electronic Sports World Cup fostered a unique global experience that combined diverse games, strong competition, and innovation, enhancing the Saudi entertainment experience and raising the Kingdom’s flag high in international forums. The triumph of the Saudi team “Falcons” for the second time highlighted a continuous stream of achievements, projecting Riyadh’s ambitions to the world.
• Youth are identified as primary beneficiaries and supporters of cooperation within the SCO framework. The SCO Deputy Secretary-General emphasized that youth are the future of the organization and that youth interactions play a pivotal role in cooperation.
• The SCO has established cooperation mechanisms, such as the Youth Committee, and signed agreements to provide institutional guarantees and political guidance for youth work, furthering cooperation in various fields including sports, education, and culture.

Saudi Vision 2030: Diversifying the Kingdom’s Economy

Economic diversification is a core strategic objective for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as highlighted by its Vision 2030, and is being pursued through various initiatives focusing on innovation, digital transformation, and the development of new and existing industries.

Key aspects of economic diversification include:

• Vision 2030 as a Catalyst:
• The Kingdom is confidently moving towards shaping a new future, making innovation, the digital economy, and interactive sports primary levers for its developmental vision. This grand transformation is re-drawing Saudi Arabia’s position on the international map, moving Riyadh beyond being merely a political and economic capital to a global platform.
• These efforts are integral to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a leading industrial power and solidify its position as a global center for mining and minerals.
• The overarching aim is to build a vibrant society whose members enjoy comprehensive healthcare.
• Focus on New and Creative Industries:
• Electronic Sports: Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a global hub for innovation and creative industries by hosting major events like the Electronic Sports World Cup in 2025. This event demonstrated an advanced model for the added value that electronic sports can generate. This sector, globally valued over $200 billion with a 9% annual growth rate, has found fertile ground for expansion in the Kingdom, attracting significant investments and global companies. It has also boosted tourism, with hotel occupancy rates increasing by over 29%. The Kingdom’s investment in talent and strengthening the knowledge economy through these events serves as a launchpad for broader horizons. The National Strategy for Games and Electronic Sports is crucial for achieving Vision 2030 goals, aiming to create innovative generations, promote Saudi Arabia internationally, and support the national economy. The sector is projected to create 39,000 new jobs and contribute 50 billion Saudi riyals to the economy by 2030.
• Digital Economy and Smart Cities: The Eastern Province has adopted a comprehensive digital strategy to enhance its leadership in digital transformation and the creation of smart, sustainable cities. This strategy aims to improve municipal services, boost efficiency through data-driven decisions, develop an integrated digital infrastructure, and empower national competencies. Furthermore, it seeks to stimulate the digital economy by attracting qualitative investments and generating new job opportunities. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, as part of an integrated framework, also supports digital transformation and the knowledge economy, aligning with Vision 2030.
• Strengthening Traditional and Strategic Sectors:
• Industrial and Mining Sectors: Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing the strengthening and development of bilateral economic ties through strategic partnerships and investment opportunities in industrial and mining sectors. A high-level delegation, led by the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, visited the United States to this end. This aligns with Vision 2030’s goal to become a leading industrial power and a global center for mining and minerals by deepening international partnerships, attracting quality investments, and transferring knowledge, technology, and innovation.
• Non-Oil Trade and Exports: The United States is Saudi Arabia’s largest economic partner in the Middle East, with non-oil trade reaching 69.7 billion riyals in 2024. Saudi investments in the US are estimated at 770 billion dollars, with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) allocating 40% of its global portfolio to the US. Non-oil exports have shown continued growth, with a 22.1% increase in June 2025 compared to the previous year, and 17.8% in Q2 2025. Chemical industries and machinery/electrical equipment were leading non-oil export categories.
• Encouraging Local Industry: The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources processed 898 requests for industrial customs exemptions in July 2025, aimed at encouraging local industry and enhancing its global competitiveness. These exemptions are part of a package of incentives designed to facilitate the industrial investor’s journey and are a cornerstone of the National Strategy for Industry to empower and develop the Saudi industrial sector.
• Strategic Resource Allocation for Value Maximization (GCC Perspective):
• A study highlights that GCC countries, which collectively possess over 40 trillion cubic meters of confirmed natural gas reserves (about 20% of global reserves), need a more organized approach to distributing natural gas across various economic sectors.
• The “Resource Utilization Index” is proposed as a framework to evaluate resource exploitation based on profitability, contribution to GDP, job creation, economic complexity, and integration with global markets. This framework aims to support industrial diversification efforts, enable the production of higher-value and more sophisticated exports, and compare the competitive advantages of supplying gas to energy-intensive industries versus using it for other high-return applications like LNG exports or complex petrochemical production.
• This strategic allocation is particularly important amidst global trade disruptions and the push for industrial expansion, ensuring sustainable growth and enhanced competitiveness for the region.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision: Empowering Youth for a Future Nation

Youth empowerment is a fundamental aspect of Saudi Arabia’s developmental vision, particularly within Vision 2030, and is actively pursued through diverse initiatives in education, sports, technology, and cultural exchange. The goal is to cultivate innovative and capable generations ready to lead the nation’s future and contribute to global progress.

Key facets of youth empowerment, as reflected in the sources, include:

• Education and Skill Development:
• Investment in education is considered a cornerstone for preparing qualified national competencies for the future. This includes developing academic and research programs that serve the Kingdom and meet labor market needs for specialized disciplines.
• There is an emphasis on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education as part of an integrated framework to develop curricula and train teachers with tools that enhance teaching effectiveness, empowering learners to easily and effectively search for information and learn independently. AI is seen as contributing to enhancing human capabilities, critical thinking, problem-solving, analysis, and creativity.
• Educational reforms also prioritize noble moral values like justice, tolerance, honesty, and teamwork, alongside cultural habits such as cleanliness, sustainability, and respect for public property, within curricula.
• The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Werth) is launching specialized academic programs to prepare qualified cadres in traditional arts, aiming to foster a new generation of creative individuals capable of transferring local cultural identity globally. These programs open doors to diverse careers, including digital heritage preservation, entrepreneurship in traditional arts, and cultural event organization.
• The “Hail International Innovation Hackathon” aims to enhance the culture of innovation and empower the community and entrepreneurs to generate creative solutions.
• Economic Opportunities and Future Industries:
• The Electronic Sports World Cup showcases Saudi Arabia’s vision to make innovation, the digital economy, and interactive sports key drivers of its development. This sector is projected to create 39,000 new jobs and contribute 50 billion Saudi riyals to the economy by 2030, directly benefiting youth. The National Strategy for Games and Electronic Sports is crucial for creating innovative generations and champions who raise the Kingdom’s flag high and support the national economy.
• The Eastern Province’s digital strategy aims to empower national competencies and generate new job opportunities by attracting qualitative investments.
• Scholarship students are regarded as an “essential pillar to support the development process” in fields like food and medicine, representing a strategic investment in human capital and innovation. Young engineers and scientists are also seen as crucial for innovation in rapidly advancing sectors like robotics and 6G technology.
• Cultural Exchange and Social Responsibility:
• Youth are identified as the primary beneficiaries and supporters of cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) framework. Their interactions play a pivotal role in cooperation, with an increased number of students from SCO countries studying in China becoming “ambassadors of friendly exchange”.
• Initiatives like the “SCO Youth Meeting in Qingdao” deepen students’ understanding of diverse cultures and foster global friendships. Mechanisms such as the Youth Committee and agreements for youth work provide institutional support for cooperation in sports, education, and culture.
• The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Center for Arabic Calligraphy aims to stimulate creativity, revive traditional art, and support talent, encouraging young calligraphers to promote Arabic culture globally.
• The “Mawaddah” association’s family programs are considered a strategic investment in building an educated and cohesive generation by providing a stable and stimulating family environment for children and developing their behavioral and educational abilities.
• The “Najran is Caring for You” initiative focuses on empowering children with autism spectrum disorder and their families by enhancing social inclusion and building capabilities within health cities.
• The Crown Prince’s blood donation campaign serves as an example of leadership by example, encouraging civic engagement and fostering a culture of giving and interdependence in society, involving students in awareness campaigns about its benefits.
• Preparing for a Changing World:
• The need to prepare children for a rapidly changing digital world is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of activities that teach innovation, communication, leadership, management, and responsibility, rather than mere repetition. The aim is to nurture a generation grounded in Islamic values and national identity, capable of navigating global challenges.
• Pre-marital qualification programs are crucial for equipping young couples with communication, financial management, and conflict resolution skills to build stable families and contribute to a more secure society.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Bridging Cultures Globally

Cultural exchange is a significant focus within Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and is actively fostered through various initiatives that promote understanding, shared values, and the global dissemination of local culture. These efforts span across sports, literature, arts, and education, aiming to build bridges between civilizations and enhance the Kingdom’s international presence.

Key initiatives and aspects of cultural exchange include:

• Global Platforms for Cultural Convergence:
• The Electronic Sports World Cup, hosted in Riyadh, serves as a prime example of cultural exchange. It brought together nearly two thousand professional players from over a hundred countries, creating a “civilizational painting that embodies the Saudi vision based on building bridges of understanding, not barriers of division”. The event showcased Saudi cultural diversity through more than 32 accompanying entertainment and cultural activities, offering visitors a comprehensive experience that blended modern attractions with traditional arts and popular shows. This demonstrates the role of international events in fostering dialogue and appreciation of different cultures.
• Promoting Saudi and Arabic Culture Globally:
• The King Abdulaziz Public Library is undertaking a significant cultural project to translate 24 children’s stories from Arabic into English, French, and Chinese. This initiative, in cooperation with Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University, aims to enhance cultural communication, spread Arabic literature to a wider global audience, and showcase the rich themes of Saudi and Arabic children’s literature.
• The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Werth) is launching specialized academic programs to train qualified professionals in traditional arts. These programs are designed to foster a new generation of creative individuals capable of transferring local cultural identity globally, thereby reintroducing Saudi crafts and arts with a renewed spirit and opening new international horizons for them.
• The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Center for Arabic Calligraphy is preparing for its second annual competition to support and define Arabic calligraphy as an integral part of Saudi cultural identity and the artistic heritage of Islamic and Arab civilization. The initiative aims to stimulate creativity among calligraphers worldwide, promote Arabic calligraphy culturally and artistically, and establish the center as a global reference for its preservation and development, making it a universal communication tool across cultures in fields like architecture, arts, and heritage.
• The Cultural Fund’s participation in Expo Osaka 2025 included organizing interactive workshops on traditional crafts, such as “Khaws weaving.” These efforts aim to highlight Saudi Arabia’s authentic cultural identity and enhance the global presence of traditional crafts, promoting the Kingdom’s developmental journey under Vision 2030.
• Youth and International Cooperation:
• Youth are recognized as primary beneficiaries and supporters of cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Exchange platforms facilitate cultural understanding, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The increasing number of students from SCO countries studying in China become “ambassadors of friendly exchange,” deepening their understanding of diverse cultures and building global friendships. Institutional support for cooperation in sports, education, and culture is provided through the Youth Committee and specific agreements.
• Cultural Adaptation and Shared Values:
• The growing popularity of coffee as a global commodity, particularly among younger generations in China, exemplifies cultural exchange. It has transformed into a social ritual and lifestyle symbol, reflecting a broader cultural adaptation based on the principle of harmony without uniformity and openness to global influences.
• Educational initiatives also play a role in cultural exchange by prioritizing the instillation of noble moral values such as justice, tolerance, honesty, and teamwork, alongside cultural habits like cleanliness, sustainability, and respect for public property, within curricula. This contributes to shaping individual cultural identity and fostering a cohesive society.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: A Blueprint for Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is a core principle deeply embedded in Saudi Arabia’s national vision, particularly Vision 2030, aiming to achieve comprehensive and lasting progress across various sectors. The Kingdom’s approach to sustainable development is multi-faceted, encompassing economic diversification, environmental protection, and social well-being.

Key aspects of sustainable development initiatives and goals include:

• Holistic Vision for Development:
• Vision 2030 seeks to create comprehensive and sustainable development centered on humans, with the individual’s health and well-being as a top priority. The aim is to build a vibrant society where individuals enjoy comprehensive health care.
• The overarching goal is to prepare qualified national competencies for the future to lead the nation and contribute to global progress.
• Environmental Protection and Resource Management:
• Protecting ecosystems and biodiversity is a significant focus. For instance, the National Center for Wildlife Development has documented record numbers of marine birds and creatures, reflecting the Kingdom’s continuous efforts to protect biodiversity and marine and coastal ecosystems. This directly aligns with Vision 2030’s sustainable development goals.
• Mangrove forests in Jazan are recognized as a vital natural resource, serving as a “green lung,” a protective barrier against erosion and storms, and a habitat for marine life. These mangroves are crucial for absorbing carbon, far exceeding terrestrial forests, making them a “silent soldier” in the fight against climate change.
• The “Hail International Innovation Hackathon” includes a “sustainability track” specifically addressing environmental solutions, reducing pollution and waste, enhancing energy efficiency, and applying circular economy principles.
• For the electricity sector, there are strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing sustainability by diversifying energy sources, implementing innovative solutions to reduce emissions, and increasing performance efficiency.
• The Eastern Province’s digital strategy includes initiatives for smart cities that contribute to reducing environmental impact and improving the quality of life.
• Economic Diversification and Innovation:
• Sustainable development is supported by efforts to deepen partnerships, attract qualitative investments, and transfer knowledge, technology, and innovation to establish the Kingdom as a leading industrial power and a global center for mining and minerals in line with Vision 2030.
• The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources actively works to encourage local industry and enhance its global competitiveness.
• The Electronic Sports World Cup is projected to create 39,000 new jobs and contribute 50 billion Saudi riyals to the economy by 2030, directly supporting the national economy. The National Strategy for Games and Electronic Sports is key to fostering innovative generations and champions who will support the national economy.
• The Eastern Province’s digital strategy aims to empower national competencies and generate new job opportunities by attracting investments.
• The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture highlights the importance of intellectual property in supporting sustainable projects for entrepreneurs and innovators, aligning with Vision 2030’s goals for innovation and sustainable development.
• Social Well-being and Human Capital Development:
• Education plays a critical role, with curricula emphasizing noble moral values like justice, tolerance, honesty, and teamwork, alongside cultural habits such as cleanliness, sustainability, and respect for public property.
• The “Najran Health City” program aims to improve the quality of life for residents and enhance public health and environmental standards, contributing to building a sustainable health city in line with Vision 2030. The “Najran is Caring for You” initiative promotes social inclusion and capability building for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families within this framework.
• “Mawaddah” family programs are seen as a strategic investment in building an educated and cohesive generation through a stable and stimulating family environment.
• The Crown Prince’s blood donation campaign fosters a culture of giving and interdependence, serving as a national strategic investment in human health and well-being, aligned with Vision 2030’s goals for a vibrant society with comprehensive health care.
• In the context of a rapidly changing digital world, there’s a focus on activities that teach innovation, communication, leadership, management, and responsibility to nurture a generation grounded in Islamic values and national identity, capable of navigating global challenges. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education is part of this to enhance human capabilities, critical thinking, problem-solving, analysis, and creativity, while addressing potential challenges like privacy and academic integrity.

Columns: Gazette of Global and Domestic Affairs

Here are the titles of the columns found in the newspaper, along with their first two paragraphs of detail:

1. كلـمة (Word): المملكة نحو صناعة مستقبل جديد كأس العالم للرياضات اإللكترونية شاهد على الريادة والنهضة الشاملة The Kingdom is confidently stepping towards creating a new future, making innovation, the digital economy, and interactive sports key levers for its developmental vision, to confirm to the world that the major transformations it is witnessing are no longer confined internally, but have become a tangible reality that re-draws its position on the international map. Today, Riyadh is no longer just a political and economic capital, but has transformed into a global platform where people from different continents meet under the umbrella of sports, electronic games, and digital sports, clearly reflecting the magnitude of change the Kingdom has made at the structural and intellectual levels in the last decade. This transformation manifested itself in the most splendid way in hosting the second edition of the Electronic Sports World Cup 2025, which the capital Riyadh hosted for seven (7) weeks, placing the Kingdom at the forefront of the global scene as an incubator for innovation and a center for producing creative industries. The tournament was not just a competition between clubs and players, but a meeting point for nearly two thousand professional players belonging to two hundred global clubs from more than one hundred countries, competing in twenty-five (25) tournaments that included twenty-four (24) electronic games, with record prizes exceeding seventy (70) million dollars, in a scene that redefined the concept of a global championship.
2. فكرة سعودية خالصة (A Pure Saudi Idea): 770 مليار دوالر قيمة االستثمارات السعودية في أميركا His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ibrahim bin Bandar Al-Khorayef, today began an official visit to the United States of America, during which he heads a high-level delegation from the industrial and mining system, with the aim of strengthening and developing bilateral economic ties between the two countries, and exploring cooperation opportunities in the industrial and mining sectors, including priority industries such as mining, automotive, aviation. Medical devices, and food. Al-Khorayef’s visit to America continues until August 28, during which he will meet with a number of senior officials in the American government, and also meet with leaders from the private sector representing prominent industrial and mining companies in the United States.
3. شباب منظمة شنغهاي للتعاون.. طاقة متجددة تدفع التعاون نحو المستقبل (Youth of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.. Renewable Energy Driving Cooperation Towards the Future): شباب منظمة شنغهاي للتعاون.. طاقة متجددة تدفع التعاون نحو المستقبل Youth are considered among the foremost beneficiaries and supporters of cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). In recent years, youth from member states have actively engaged in cooperation through various platforms provided by the organization, achieving tangible results in cultural exchange, innovation, entrepreneurship, the digital economy, and distance learning. During the “Global Mayors’ Dialogue on SCO Cities Cooperation” event, held in early July, young Pakistani Zon Ahmed Khan spoke about “her gains from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.” Zon Ahmed Khan participated in many activities affiliated with the organization, including the Youth Development Forum and the Kunming Youth Marathon. She believes that the organization provides a space for youth from different countries to exchange ideas and foster understanding. She hopes that “youth from member states will discover more opportunities available to them in the region”.
4. قهوة يوننان تضيف لمسة جديدة إلى خريطة القهوة العالمية (Yunnan Coffee Adds a New Touch to the Global Coffee Map): قهوة يوننان تضيف لمسة جديدة إلى خريطة القهوة العالمية Each cup of coffee embodies the essence of its origin, like the vibrant, intense flavor of Jamaican processed coffee, the richness and aroma of Ethiopian smooth coffee, and the density of Brazilian coffee. Now, Yunnan province, in southwest China, adds a new touch to the global coffee map, offering a distinctive Chinese flavor that is gaining international recognition. This development is clearly evident in the “Yunnan Gems Competition 2025 (Pilot Program for Cup of Excellence in Green Coffee in Yunnan).” The competition, held in Baoshan, Yunnan, represented a significant achievement: for the first time, a competition linked to the Cup of Excellence Center was held in Yunnan. Out of 144 entries, 87 coffee samples received scores exceeding 19 points, classifying them among the best global coffee samples after a meticulous blind tasting by an international judging panel.
5. رؤية الصين لتقنية الجيل السادس تمهّد لعصٍر من الذكاء الشامل (China’s Vision for 6G Technology: Paving the Way for an Era of Ubiquitous Intelligence): رؤية الصين لتقنية الجيل السادس تمهّد لعصٍر من الذكاء الشامل The year 2025 marks the beginning of the era of standardizing “sixth generation” (6G) technology in the telecommunications sector, with the completion of standard setting expected by 2029 and commercial trial use around 2030. While 5G technology already offers impressive capabilities such as ultra-high speeds, low latency, and wide-area connectivity, 6G promises a qualitative leap, targeting transmission rates exceeding 100 gigabits per second, and achieving latency of less than one millisecond, which is crucial for real-time applications. Such as smart factory robots and remote equipment operation. In terms of connectivity, 6G will integrate an increasing number of devices, particularly advanced Internet of Things systems, smart terminals, and bio-medical sensors, paving the way for a truly intelligent and interconnected world.
6. في مصنع الروبوتات بشرق الصين تتكشف قصة أوسع للتصنيع الذكي الصيني (In an East China Robot Factory, a Broader Story of Chinese Smart Manufacturing Unfolds): في مصنع الروبوتات بشرق الصين تتكشف قصة أوسع للتصنيع الذكي الصيني Rows of industrial robots stood in elegant formation, their mechanical arms poised in the air, awaiting final inspection before leaving the production line in a workshop in Wuhu City, Anhui Province, eastern China. Nearby, workers operated with seamless cooperation, and from here, one robot is produced every hour, ready for delivery. EFORT Intelligent Robots Co., Ltd. is a leading company in China’s rapidly growing robotics industry. In the first half of this year, China, already the world’s largest robot manufacturer, recorded a 35.6% year-on-year increase in industrial robot production.
7. المقال (Article): »بروبتك«.. التقنية في خدمة العقار When His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, launched Saudi Vision 2030, His Highness aimed to advance the Kingdom and elevate it, so that it would be among the developed countries. Through investing in the comparative advantages that the country enjoys, the vision focused on development programs and introducing modern technologies, activating them in the state’s joints, and making them a fundamental element in the state’s agencies and institutions. It was important to activate technologies in the real estate sector, one of the most important economic and investment sectors in the Kingdom, to achieve the maximum benefit from them. The “PropTech Saudi Arabia” conference undertakes this task with high professionalism, bearing fruit year after year. With the General Authority for Real Estate preparing to launch the third edition of the “PropTech Saudi Arabia” conference in the capital next October, the real estate sector projects are expected to witness more modern technologies that provide advanced solutions, increase the number and diversity of real estate products, and the efficiency of benefiting from them. From here, “PropTech Saudi Arabia” is considered the annual event where all those concerned with real estate technology meet, starting from property owners and managers, passing through emerging companies and tenants, and finally all parties concerned with investing in the real estate technology sector in the Kingdom.
8. المقال (Article): نفط روسيا عبر ناقالت الظل The diplomatic momentum between Russia and Ukraine declined in the middle of the week, with accusations exchanged of obstructing peace negotiations, which revived fears of increased geopolitical risks and pushed oil prices upwards. Traders adopted a cautious stance following the uncertainty after a major sell-off during the past two weeks, awaiting the outcomes of diplomatic efforts to end the war. Russia announced on Wednesday that resolving security issues without its participation is “a road to the unknown,” warning the West, which seeks to provide. Guarantees to protect Kyiv in the future. Oil prices began the week cautiously on Tuesday, falling by 1% with optimism about a peace agreement, then rose by 2% on Wednesday as hopes of a ceasefire faded, supported by a decrease in US crude inventories by 6 million barrels and gasoline inventories by 2.7 million barrels to 420.7 million barrels. Weekly, Brent crude rose by 1.4% to $67.73, and US crude to $63.66, with the continuation of Russian sanctions and the possibility of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates before the end of 2025. India rejected European sanctions on Russia (18th package), committing only to existing sanctions, according to Reuters. Russia unveiled a mechanism to ensure continued oil supplies despite Trump’s threat to impose a 25% tariff starting August 27. Nayara Energy (partially owned by Rosneft) imported 700,000 barrels via “shadow” tankers, operating 8% of India’s refinery capacity. India relies on Russia for 35% of its oil. Stopping imports could cost India $9-11 billion annually. Russia is considering tripartite talks with India and China.
9. بين السطور (Between the Lines): عندما يتبرع القائد.. قدوة تحيي قيمة العطاء في الوطن In decisive moments when nations test their values, humanitarian initiatives emerge as the truest expression of society’s spirit and conscience. When a leader initiates such endeavors, they transform from a fleeting act into a firmly rooted value, and from an individual initiative into a collective culture. This is precisely what His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince – may God protect him – embodied by donating blood and launching the “Crown Prince’s Blood Donation Campaign” as an annual national occasion. This step was not merely a media spectacle, but a powerful message that the culture of giving and solidarity is a fundamental part of the fabric of this nation and the identity of its people. His Highness transcended the role of a guiding leader to that of an active participant, personally – may God protect him – engaging in what he advocates, thereby declaring that social responsibility is everyone’s responsibility, starting from the highest leadership echelon and extending to every capable individual.
10. الرأي (Opinion): قائد وقدوة.. دٌم ُيحيي وطنًا.. رؤية قانونية The right to health care is a right enshrined in the Saudi legal systems. This is a reality we live in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, thanks be to God. The need for blood is continuous to meet the needs of victims of traffic accidents, patients undergoing surgery, cancer patients, and those with hereditary diseases such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. Modern societies often face a growing challenge in securing adequate blood supplies, which endangers lives. However, this noble initiative confirms our precious Kingdom’s commitment to the principle of the right to health care and translates it into building a health system that reflects the meanings of mercy and solidarity and embodies that the leadership of this precious nation truly leads before speaking. Studies indicate that every donation can save three lives, making blood donation a national responsibility that transcends individual limits and becomes a pillar of health security. This noble initiative reflects the values of national solidarity and promotes the culture of giving in society, instilling in the conscience of society that saving lives is not just a duty, medically speaking, but a national, religious, and ethical message. The health transformation systems work to raise the percentage of donors in the Kingdom to reach 100% of the total voluntary donors, thereby achieving self-sufficiency in blood and its components, which raises efficiency and is consistent with a health system that does not honor any irregular practices away from commercial or mandatory donation. This aligns with the goals of Vision 2030, which made humans the focus of development and aims to build a vibrant society whose members enjoy comprehensive health care.
11. الرأي (Opinion): العواطف ليست كل شيء Marriage has always been associated with family stories, love, and emotions in our Arab societies, but today, these traditional and ingrained components alone are no longer sufficient to build a long-term partnership. The rising divorce rates force us to consider how to re-establish marriage. Is it enough to rely on emotional inclinations alone, without genuine preparation or conscious planning? Marriage is a life and emotional project in every sense of the word, and like any successful project, it requires planning, preparation, and psychological and practical alignment. Partnership is not built solely on initial attraction, but on self-awareness, understanding the other’s nature, and the ability to manage differences and make sacrifices. From here, including preparatory programs for marriage seems a necessary step that is no less important than the mandatory medical examination that precedes marriage, as conscious preparation protects against early collapse.
12. أوراق محرر (Editor’s Papers): طفل رقمي في عالم متغير It is a wonderful step that our state and guiding associations and centers direct educational institutions to hold summer activities for children and youth. These initiatives represent an important pillar in building the future generation and enabling them to invest their time in what benefits them and develops their abilities. But what saddened me in the matter is that most of these activities have not changed since we knew children’s programs until today. The child is still treated at the same old mental and intellectual level, as was presented in programs like “Talents and Ideas,” which was distinctive in its content and presentation style and appropriate for the child of yesterday. But today’s child is different; he has a new way of thinking, vision, and ambitions that meet the needs of the nation.
13. أوراق محرر (Editor’s Papers): التربية في عصر الذكاء االصطناعي Therefore, traditional activities no longer touch his passion or interest, nor do they give him a sense of uniqueness. So what does today’s child need? Today’s child is smarter, faster to comprehend, and more ambitious. He needs education and smart, flexible activities that keep pace with his development and give him opportunities to learn innovation, communication, leadership, management, and responsibility. The purpose of holding these centers and summer activities during a holiday period that is no less than 60 days is not to occupy the child or an attempt to honor him. He will return to his devices after two or three hours, but to remain with them for the rest of his day so that we can steadily prepare him to be a human being capable of facing a rapidly changing world, grounded in Islamic values and national identity.
14. الرأي (Opinion): المملكة ترسم مالمح العمل اإلنساني الدولي August 19 of each year represents the World Humanitarian Day, which is the highest example of embodying the meanings of giving and solidarity with the affected and threatened peoples in all parts of the world, and a reminder of the importance of the role played by those working in the humanitarian field in defending human dignity and life, especially with the increase in humanitarian needs and the increasing violations that constitute a blatant breach of international law. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participates with the international community in celebrating this day under the slogan “Working for Humanity,” out of its belief and confirmation of its steadfast commitment to the ethical principles of humanitarian work, which is considered an integral part of the state’s policy and its societal culture, and for its pioneering role and its continuation in providing support and relief to those in need, both regionally and internationally, embodying its Islamic and humanitarian values and its vision as an active member in the international community and a pulsating heart for the Islamic world. The Kingdom is considered a global model in providing humanitarian and relief aid to the poor, refugees, victims of wars and natural disasters, and humanitarian crises, which reflects the generosity of the Kingdom and its record in humanitarian work since its inception until the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Council of Ministers – may God protect them – who made humanitarian work and development a path to advancement within the ambitious Vision 2030, which enshrined humanitarian work as a fundamental value that contributes to strengthening global peace and stability. This was affirmed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in his immortal words: “The Kingdom’s developmental approach aims to create a comprehensive and sustainable renaissance whose core is humanity.” His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also affirmed that “building humanity is the basis of development and peace”.
15. الرأي (Opinion): ال تيأس Do not grieve over a day that has passed, for it will not return until the Day of Judgment, with all its good or evil. Do not despair. Await a new light, and a new hope that will creep into your heart, reviving its pulse. Do not stand too long on ruins, especially if ghosts have found their way there. And if you do not find someone to make you happy, try to make yourself happy.
16. بدون مقدمات (Without Introductions): يا اتحاد الكرة.. إلى متى؟ I do not know, oh Football Federation, when will the simple mistakes continue, the mistakes that affect our trust in this Federation, specifically those issued by the committees. And I do not know if this Federation needs a crisis management committee, or rather a committee that manages the committees, whose role is supervision and follow-up to avoid simple mistakes that waste all efforts aimed at elevating Saudi football. Errors from the committees, specifically, appear every season, and with the same names that manage those committees of discipline, professionalism, and competitions. So the question here is, is there an evaluation of those committees and a correction of their errors, and then a search for an alternative for those responsible if they continue in simple errors?
17. صيد (Hunt): أصدقاء بمواصفات من الذكاء االصطناعي As the new football season approaches this year, we remind followers to watch the episodes of the series “Searching for Subjectivity Champions.” The heroes of this series are a group of club fans. Who are called “Club Media.” This media is controlled by bias to such an extent that it makes it unable or unwilling to present an objective sports idea, or unwilling or unable to get rid of the idea of doubt.
18. شؤون (Affairs): إعالم الأندية.. البحث عن الموضوعية Club media loses its positive impact because it is preoccupied with squabbles. Club media does not play an educational role because many of those affiliated with this media are fans and not journalists or objective critics. An objective critic does not take a stance, nor does he issue definitive judgments that do not change regardless of any official, club, or ruling, or previous objective critic’s position. A non-objective critic is characterized by narcissism. Objective criticism does not ignore the most important element in any organization, which is management. This management is praised to the top with every victory over a competitor, described as exceptional, and the club president is called a hero. But then the praise turns into denunciation, and (critics, club media) demand the removal of the management with every single loss, where subjective and emotional views replace comprehensive objective evaluation. This is not worthy of being called criticism. Consequently, some fans who entered the field of sports media were unable to transform from fans to critics, because the requirements of criticism are different from the requirements of cheering and emotion. A critic searches for the truth and is not controlled by bias and inclinations, nor does his criticism stem from preconceived negative positions. Comprehensive evaluation and criticism addresses shortcomings and highlights positives. Constructive criticism does not invent negatives if it does not find them. From here, it is important to differentiate between club media and sports media in general. It can be said that club media does not belong to the system and concept of media, nor does it belong to the world of sports criticism.
19. شؤون (Affairs): بين الرياض وواشنطن.. التزام استراتيجي يتجدد Anyone who contemplates the course of Saudi-American relations will realize that they have never been simple or straightforward, but rather full of ups and downs, turns, agreement and disagreement, and converging at times and diverging at others. This is the nature of international relations, which are constantly tested between two partners, simply because they remain ongoing and do not break off, and they deeply realize that any transient differences are too great to jeopardize their relationship. The recent event clearly embodies this idea, as the Ministry of Defense signed a military partnership agreement with the US National Guard Program (SPP) for the states of Indiana and Oklahoma. This is not just a protocol or training framework; it represents a long-term model for linking friendly countries with the US National Guard, through exchanging expertise, training, leadership, planning, and even disaster response and crisis management.
20. شؤون (Affairs): أمة في خطر When we examine the paths of nations that have become advanced and powerful, possessing all elements of comprehensive strength, we find that they all started through education. The driving force for reform and its continuous review and improvement is usually the desire of the higher leadership to reach the ranks of developed countries, or an external competitor that poses a threat to the state’s position among nations. For example, America went crazy when the Soviet Union launched its Sputnik satellite in 1957, and they attributed their backwardness to the low level of education. The first thing they did was to launch programs to raise the level of teachers and university professors, and they reviewed curricula, focusing on all sciences, mathematics, and comprehensive reform and development. As for the second reform in America, it was in 1983, when Japan invaded them with its high-quality industries. The striking title was: “A Nation in Danger.” They attributed the reason to the low level of education and its abandonment of the quality that Japan adhered to in its education and industries. The report added: “If a hostile power tried to force us to make our education today as ordinary as it is, we would consider that an act of war. Yet, we have accepted this for ourselves, because we have abandoned the most important of our reforms.” At that time, education reform began at the federal and state levels, and comparisons were made with advanced countries such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Finland. As for Britain, it had a reform project in 1997, the most important of which was giving priority to education in government policy and raising the level of teachers, educating families about the importance of education and the need to participate in its development through continuous communication with schools and supporting them, and ensuring that quality education is for the majority of citizens and not just a few, with a focus on standards and levels, and reducing government intervention as success increases, and not on administrative structures, and zero tolerance for poor performance. As for the Japanese government, it saw that it had been focusing on students’ academic excellence in mathematics and sciences and neglected important aspects of individual excellence, encouraging individual talents, and giving students more opportunities for diversity, choice, and autonomy to enhance aspects of creativity and self-excellence. The beginning was with teachers, first to qualify them administratively. Malaysia and South Korea also underwent similar reforms. As for Singapore, with its sincere and firm leadership and education, it created the most important success story in the twentieth century. After its independence from Britain, “Lee Kuan Yew” found himself with nothing but a small area the size of a poor, barren farm, a miserable people living among swamps and intermittent residential areas. So he had no choice but education, and he used it as a means to overcome all the difficulties he faced. Singapore became an example to be emulated in terms of per capita income, economic power, scientific progress, environmental cleanliness, and sustainability.

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By Amjad Izhar
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https://amjadizhar.blog

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