Category: Saudi Arabia

The provided sources offer a broad look at various aspects of Saudi Arabian society and global events. Several articles discuss cultural and economic initiatives within the Kingdom, such as adapting academic calendars for tourism, developing the King Salman International Airport, and establishing a King Abdulaziz Conference Center. Regional news includes the launch of a camel association in Najran and archaeological discoveries in Al-Ardiyat. Internationally, the texts cover political and humanitarian crises, specifically the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting human rights concerns and displacement. Finally, there’s content on technological advancements, like AI and geospatial data platforms, alongside reflections on the human element in an increasingly digital world, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and the preservation of humanistic values.

Podcast

Saudi Arabia: Advancing Education for Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia is actively focusing on and implementing strategies to enhance the quality of education, viewing it as a cornerstone for national development and a key enabler of its Vision 2030.

Key initiatives and aspects related to education quality include:

• Systemic Reforms and Flexibility: The Council of Ministers has approved a return to a two-semester system for general education, a decision designed to enhance efficiency and flexibility within the educational framework. This reform is seen as a genuine review and reflection of commitment to educational outcomes, ensuring they align with the nation’s rapid development. The academic calendar for 1447H (2025-2026M) was announced early to support stability and boost educational quality, providing a clear roadmap for students, teachers, and parents to plan their academic and personal lives. This initiative is also noted for its qualitative transformation in educational philosophy, emphasizing a balance between education quality and the efficiency of educational time. It further grants flexibility and autonomy to universities, technical and vocational training institutions, and various schools (private, foreign, and Saudi abroad) to customize their academic calendars according to their specific needs and the Ministry’s regulations. This balance is crucial for building a knowledge-based economy as envisioned by Vision 2030.
• Developing Future-Ready Skills: There is a strong emphasis on cultivating skills essential for the future. For instance, integrating statistical thinking and data science into the educational process from an early age is deemed an “strategic investment” to foster a generation capable of innovation and adaptation in a changing digital world. This is not merely an elite skill but a “global language” for understanding the world. Universities are urged to restructure their academic programs to integrate data science and statistical thinking across all disciplines, including technical, scientific, and humanities fields. This involves establishing data analysis laboratories and engaging students in real-world problem-solving.
• Knowledge and Resource Management: Initiatives such as the “intellectual endowment” (distributing used books to students free of charge) highlight a collective societal commitment to knowledge. This behavior is seen as embodying the concept of intellectual endowment, affirming that a book’s value increases as it moves from one mind to another. This underscores the importance of fostering accessible knowledge resources to support learning and development. The commitment to developing specialized training content that empowers individuals to leverage opportunities in the local economy further aligns with Vision 2030’s goals for community empowerment and economic growth.
• Human Capital as a Foundation: Vision 2030 explicitly places the human being at the heart of development. Educational institutions like “Schools of Excellence” and “Research Universities” are crucial for graduating generations capable of driving change. This focus on human capital through quality education is fundamental to the Kingdom’s aspirations for a vibrant society and a prosperous economy.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Cultural Transformation and Global Reach

Saudi Arabia has been actively pursuing various cultural initiatives as a cornerstone of its national development, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030 to foster a vibrant society and a prosperous economy. These initiatives span a wide array of fields, from heritage preservation and arts promotion to language dissemination and the embrace of new technologies in cultural expression.

Key Cultural Initiatives and Focus Areas:

• Promoting Saudi Arts and Heritage Globally:
• The Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Authority actively supports the international presence of Saudi artistic works. An example is the participation of the play “Touq” (Necklace) by director Fahad Al-Dowsari in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where it achieved significant audience engagement and positive critical reception. This initiative aims to project the “voice of Arab man to the global stage” and promote Saudi culture internationally.
• The Diriyah Center for New Media Arts has been established as the first specialized center for new media arts in the Middle East and North Africa. It offers interactive sessions, workshops, and advanced courses, featuring local, regional, and international artists. Its inaugural exhibition, “Mechanization,” showcases over 70 works by more than 40 artists, exploring the evolution of new media arts in the Arab world, blending technology with imagination.
• Efforts are being made to preserve and promote traditional crafts. For instance, a workshop in Namas province focuses on the craft of traditional weaponry like “Al-Maqma” and “Abu Fatil,” highlighting its historical and social significance. The King Abdulaziz Public Library at the Medina Book Fair also exhibited rare works documenting traditional handicrafts as part of the “Year of Handicrafts 2025” initiative.
• The Saudi aesthetic taste is being highlighted, particularly in home furnishings and design, emphasizing a blend of deep-rooted heritage with modern innovation. This creative industry is recognized for supporting the national economy and enhancing visual identity.
• Advancing Arabic Language and Cultural Diplomacy:
• The King Salman Global Complex for the Arabic Language is undertaking “cultural diplomacy” by establishing initiatives like “Month of Arabic Language” in Azerbaijan. This program aims to support the teaching of Arabic to non-native speakers, disseminate Arabic globally, and foster cultural exchange, thereby promoting Saudi Arabia’s role as a global patron of the Arabic language. This initiative builds bridges of understanding and enhances cross-cultural dialogue.
• The UNESCO Chair for Translation of Cultures published a special issue of an international journal, “Reconsidering the Translation of Cultures,” focusing on translation as a profound cultural act that goes beyond mere linguistic transfer. It challenges Eurocentric perspectives and emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural and historical contexts in translation, especially in the Arab world.
• Fostering Knowledge and Intellectual Development:
• There is a focus on enhancing academic and literary criticism. An article discusses the evolution of critical thought in Saudi Arabia, advocating for a deeper, more analytical “critique of critique” to refine literary, cinematic, and artistic discourse. It calls for strengthening academic foundations, promoting open dialogue, and re-evaluating the history of Saudi criticism.
• The King Abdulaziz Public Library participates in major book fairs like the Medina International Book Fair, showcasing new publications, scientific, artistic, and literary works, and rare documents. It also offers interactive educational activities for children, aimed at instilling cultural and historical values in younger generations.
• An initiative by an academic in Riyadh involves collecting and distributing used books to students for free, embodying the concept of “intellectual endowment.” This highlights a societal commitment to accessible knowledge and fostering a reading culture, emphasizing that a book’s value increases as it moves between minds.
• Leveraging Technology for Cultural Engagement:
• Workshops are exploring the integration of Artificial Intelligence in creative writing, viewing AI as a “supportive tool” that can enhance idea generation, content organization, and audience reach for authors.
• The “I am Medina” pavilion utilized Virtual Reality (VR) technology to offer immersive journeys through historical sites in Mecca and Medina. This initiative aims to document Islamic heritage, support interactive tourism, and enhance visitors’ spiritual and historical experience by allowing them to “return in time” to these cities as they were centuries ago.
• Discussions are also taking place regarding the challenges posed by AI to translation, particularly in poetry, as AI “lacks cultural and rhetorical sense” and cannot fully convey the nuanced meanings and symbols found in poetic texts.
• A workshop titled “Noise of Knowledge” implicitly suggests the need for quality over superficial consumption in cultural content in the digital age, stressing the importance of effective marketing that considers audience behavior.
• Promoting Cultural Tourism and Events:
• Saudi Arabia is transforming into a global destination for major events, including Expo 2030, Asian Games 2027/2029, and the FIFA World Cup 2034. These events are expected to diversify the economy and create various job opportunities.
• Riyadh Season hosts a range of global events, including electronic sports championships, comedy festivals, musical concerts, and sports matches, attracting international attention and participation.
• The Hajj pilgrimage is emphasized not only as a religious ritual but also as a significant cultural and social event that enriches pilgrims’ communities upon their return, serving as a “bridge for cultural and spiritual communication”. Vision 2030 aims to facilitate Hajj and Umrah procedures for Muslims worldwide.
• The Hijri calendar is highlighted as a symbol of Islamic unity, a record of historical events, and a guide for religious observances, reinforcing religious and cultural identity.
• Local festivals like the Al-Qassim Dates Carnival contribute to cultural identity by celebrating agricultural heritage and local products.
• Medina and Al-Ula are being positioned as significant tourism destinations, with Medina listed among the “top 100 global tourist destinations” and Al-Ula as the “first tourism destination” in the Middle East, showcasing the Kingdom’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

Global Humanitarian Crises: Gaza, Sudan, and Afghanistan

Saudi Arabia and international bodies are deeply concerned about and actively involved in addressing various humanitarian crises, particularly highlighting severe situations in Gaza, Sudan, and Afghanistan, primarily stemming from conflict, displacement, and resource scarcity.

Key Aspects of Humanitarian Crises Discussed in the Sources:

• Crisis in Gaza:
• Ongoing Deterioration: The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip continues to worsen due to an ongoing siege and severe lack of essential supplies. The Israeli army’s repeated evacuation warnings for residents to move south have been criticized, as these “safe areas” are also subjected to shelling, leading to the displacement of tens of thousands of citizens. The UNRWA reports that 82% of areas in Gaza lack safe havens for citizens.
• Famine and Malnutrition: Medical sources have reported a significant increase in deaths due to starvation and malnutrition. In one instance, five people died within 24 hours from these causes, raising the total to 193 martyrs, including 96 children. The UNRWA had warned that malnutrition rates among children under five could double between March and June due to the ongoing siege. The WHO also confirmed that malnutrition levels in Gaza have reached “alarming levels” and that the siege and delayed aid have caused many deaths, with nearly one in five children under five in Gaza City suffering from severe malnutrition.
• Aid Obstruction and Attacks: Israeli authorities have closed all crossings since March 2, 2025, preventing the entry of most food and medical aid, which has exacerbated the widespread famine. There have been reports of aid trucks being deliberately forced onto unsafe roads, leading to incidents like a truck overturning on starving people, killing 20 and injuring dozens. This is described as part of a deliberate “chaos and starvation engineering” policy by the occupation forces. Despite some limited permission for trucks to enter, the occupation reportedly prevents their security and access to the needy, forcing drivers onto routes where trucks are attacked and looted. Gaza requires at least 600 aid and fuel trucks daily to meet the basic needs of over 2.4 million people.
• Targeting Infrastructure: There is also concern over the destruction of facilities and shelters, and the deliberate targeting of Palestinian educational infrastructure, including the demolition of schools like Al-Aqaba Basic Mixed School. Medical and ambulance teams have also been targeted.
• Calls for Action: There are strong demands for the international community and human rights organizations to intervene urgently to halt these crimes, open all crossings permanently and safely, and ensure the uninterrupted flow of aid. Accountability for the occupation and supporting countries, particularly the United States, is also emphasized.
• Crisis in Sudan:
• Catastrophic Human Rights Situation: The UN has warned of a catastrophic deterioration in human rights conditions in Sudan, where the conflict is expanding, and women and girls bear a disproportionate burden of insecurity, food scarcity, and displacement, coupled with a lack of protection and adequate aid.
• Impact of Conflict: The ongoing war has destroyed the lives of civilians, turning daily survival into a continuous struggle.
• Widespread Famine: Famine has reached several areas, and 25 million people suffer from acute food insecurity. Thousands in El Fasher face starvation. UNICEF reported that children in Khartoum are “skin and bones” due to severe malnutrition, with 40% of children under five afflicted by acute malnutrition.
• Lack of Resources: The crisis is exacerbated by fewer resources and greater risks for vulnerable populations.
• Urgent Access Needed: There are calls for immediate access to basic resources to address the deteriorating situation.
• Crisis in Afghanistan:
• Severe Child Malnutrition: Afghanistan is experiencing its most severe wave of child malnutrition, with one in three children suffering from stunted growth.
• Root Causes: This crisis is intensified by an economic crisis, successive droughts, and the forced return of thousands of migrants, which collectively strain already limited local resources. A decline in humanitarian aid due to reduced donor support, including cuts by the US administration, has further exacerbated the situation. Climate change also significantly impacts the population, particularly in rural areas.
• Food Insecurity: Approximately 10 million people in Afghanistan face severe food insecurity.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: A Technological Leap Forward

Saudi Arabia is undertaking a comprehensive and strategic push towards technological advancements across various sectors, aligning with its Vision 2030 goals to foster a vibrant society and a prosperous economy. These initiatives leverage cutting-edge technologies to enhance public services, promote cultural expression, develop infrastructure, and bolster economic diversification.

Here are some key areas of technological advancement:

• Digital Transformation in Government Services
• The “Absher” electronic platform from the Ministry of Interior achieved first place in the Digital Experience Maturity Index for 2025 among government platforms in Saudi Arabia, with a remarkable score of 93.95%. This accomplishment highlights the Ministry’s leadership in digital transformation and its commitment to delivering smart and integrated services to enhance government efficiency and improve the quality of life for citizens and residents. Absher offers over 350 electronic services, including traffic, passports, civil affairs, and public security.
• The overall National Index for Digital Government reached 86.71%, categorized as “advanced,” reflecting continuous efforts by government entities to develop and improve their digital experiences.
• New Media Arts and Cultural Expression
• The Diriyah Center for New Media Arts has been established as the first specialized center for new media arts in the Middle East and North Africa. This center offers interactive sessions, workshops, and advanced courses, featuring local, regional, and international artists. Its inaugural exhibition, “Mechanization,” showcases over 70 works by more than 40 artists, blending technology with imagination and exploring the evolution of new media arts in the Arab world. This initiative aims to deepen understanding and engagement with new media arts, integrating knowledge with practice and technology with imagination.
• The “I am Medina” pavilion at the Medina Book Fair utilizes Virtual Reality (VR) technology to offer immersive digital journeys through historical sites in Mecca and Medina, as they appeared centuries ago. This project aims to document Islamic heritage, support interactive tourism, and enhance visitors’ spiritual and historical experience by allowing them to “return in time”. It’s a testament to Saudi Arabia’s digital development in Islamic civilization and aligns with Vision 2030’s cultural and technological objectives.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration
• AI is seen as a “supportive tool” that can enhance creative writing by aiding in idea generation, content organization, and expanding audience reach for authors.
• In a broader sense, AI is recognized for its capability to analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, discovering patterns and making predictions. This is crucial for large-scale “gigaprojects” like Neom, Red Sea, and Qiddiya, which require national cadres capable of handling massive data related to infrastructure, environment, and population behavior, and providing accurate statistical and predictive models.
• However, discussions also highlight challenges posed by AI, particularly in nuanced fields like poetry translation, where AI “lacks cultural and rhetorical sense” and cannot fully convey symbolic meanings. There’s also a cautionary perspective on the potential for “artificial stupidity” if AI is burdened with ethical or emotional responsibilities it cannot grasp, emphasizing that human intelligence encompasses aspects beyond mere calculation.
• Space Technology and Earth Observation
• The NSG UP42 platform has been launched as the first dedicated market for Earth Observation (EO) space data in Saudi Arabia. This platform by Neo Space Group (NSG), a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, is a strategic step to enhance Saudi Arabia’s position in the space technology sector. It provides a comprehensive solution for accessing and utilizing satellite imagery, fostering growth in geospatial industries, and removing technical and commercial barriers to accessing data from a growing number of Earth observation satellites. It serves various sectors, including infrastructure, environment, energy, and transportation, and aims to contribute to building a knowledge-based economy aligned with Vision 2030.
• Advanced Infrastructure and Logistics
• A new unified infrastructure code for Riyadh projects has been implemented, aiming to enhance integration between government and private entities, standardize criteria, and improve the quality of infrastructure development for services like telecommunications, energy, water, roads, and sanitation.
• The King Salman International Airport project is a key element in transforming Riyadh into a global center for transport and logistics services, driving economic growth and job creation.
• The General Authority for Roads is expanding the use of demolition waste in asphalt mixtures, an innovative approach that supports environmental sustainability and contributes to creating a safer, more efficient, and sustainable road network, thereby enhancing Saudi Arabia’s standing as a global logistics hub.
• The aviation sector’s digital transformation capabilities are vital for enhancing air cargo safety and reducing costs.
• Healthcare Technology
• The successful implantation of the first wireless pacemaker in Saudi Arabia signifies a significant advancement in interventional cardiology, offering a more precise, safer, and effective treatment option for patients. This aligns with Vision 2030’s objectives to enhance healthcare quality.
• The Global Health Forum supports nascent companies in health technology through initiatives like the “Youth Vision 2025” competition, connecting innovators with investors to accelerate the adoption of digital health solutions.
• Energy Technology
• Saudi Aramco has demonstrated its commitment to technological advancement in the energy sector, including increasing gas production capacity through major projects.
• Aramco has also pioneered the first global industrial application of an iron-vanadium flow battery system in northern Saudi Arabia, providing an alternative to solar energy solutions and demonstrating its commitment to investing in renewable energy and efficiency towards net-zero emissions by 2050.

These multi-faceted technological advancements demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to innovation, digital transformation, and leveraging technology to achieve its ambitious Vision 2030 goals across various vital sectors.

Saudi Arabia: A Global Sports Hub by 2030

Saudi Arabia is making a comprehensive and strategic push towards establishing itself as a global hub for sports events, aligning with its Vision 2030 goals for economic diversification and quality of life. This involves hosting major international competitions, developing world-class infrastructure, and fostering growth across various sports.

Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of sports events discussed in the sources:

• Hosting Major International Events:
• The Kingdom is set to host several high-profile global events, including the FIFA World Cup 2034, Expo 2030, and the Asian Winter Games 2029.
• Riyadh is transforming into a global center for transport and logistics services through projects like the King Salman International Airport, which is crucial for accommodating these large-scale events.
• The “Six Kings Slam” tennis tournament is a prominent event, scheduled from October 15 to 18, 2025, featuring top global tennis stars like Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Jack Draper, and Taylor Fritz.
• Riyadh’s “Season” of events also includes the Esports World Cup (with over $70 million in prizes), a Riyadh Comedy Festival (featuring over 50 comedians), musical concerts, football matches, boxing bouts, UFC, and WWE Royal Rumble.
• The early announcement of the academic calendar (1447H / 2025-2026) is seen as a strategic move to facilitate the planning of entertainment, tourism, and national events, allowing organizers to align their schedules with available non-study periods. This synchronization of school holidays with peak tourism seasons is intended to boost domestic tourism and family participation in events.
• Sports Infrastructure and Development:
• Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in new sports infrastructure, such as developing a new stadium for the Asia 2027 Cup and integrated facilities in “Trojena” for the Asian Winter Games 2029.
• The Kingdom’s rapid rise in the global aviation sector, as indicated by its jump from 27th to 13th place in IATA’s air connectivity index, supports its ability to host major events.
• The General Authority for Roads is expanding the use of demolition waste in asphalt mixtures, an innovative approach that supports environmental sustainability and contributes to creating a safer, more efficient, and sustainable road network, thereby enhancing Saudi Arabia’s standing as a global logistics hub. This infrastructure development indirectly supports major sports events.
• The new unified infrastructure code for Riyadh projects aims to enhance integration between government and private entities, standardize criteria, and improve the quality of infrastructure development for various services, including telecommunications, energy, water, roads, and sanitation, which also supports large-scale events.
• Specific Sporting Events and Teams:
• The sources highlight various developments within Saudi football clubs, including:
• Al-Hilal: Recently won a friendly match against Germany’s Balinken with a 6-1 score. The team is reportedly close to signing Ecuadorian defender Joel Ordóñez. The return of Prince Nawaf bin Saad to lead Al-Hilal’s presidency is also noted as a significant positive development for the club.
• Al-Khaleej: Won a friendly match against Dutch team AZ Alkmaar (3-2) during its training camp in the Netherlands.
• Al-Qadsiah: Signed young player Musab Al-Juwair from Al-Hilal for five years. They also signed veteran striker Abdullah Al-Salem and Italian international striker Matteo Retegui.
• Twin Players: The Saudi league has seen the emergence of twin players, such as Ali and Qassem Al-Jami (Al-Nassr and Al-Fateh, respectively), and Saleh and Mohammed Abu Al-Sammat (Al-Qadsiah and Al-Khaleej). Their face-offs in matches have created new rivalries.
• Handball: The Saudi Youth Handball team (U19) drew with Brazil (26-26) in the U19 World Championship. The goalkeeper, Salman Al-Muaini, was named best player of the match.
• Falconry: The International Falcon Production Auction 2025 is being held in Riyadh by the Saudi Falcons Club, reflecting the Kingdom’s leadership in the falconry sector. It’s a global platform for displaying and selling high-quality falcon breeds and fostering investment in this promising sector.
• Camel Heritage: The establishment of the Najran Camel Association aims to preserve camels as a cultural heritage, document their breeds, increase community awareness about their importance and breeding methods, and improve services for camel breeders. This supports events related to traditional camel activities.
• Impact and Challenges:
• Saudi Arabia’s efforts in sports are contributing to economic growth and job creation, with sports events driving activity in related sectors like construction, facilities, and transport.
• The sources emphasize the significant growth in domestic tourism fueled by these events, transforming holiday periods into opportunities for family gatherings and travel within the Kingdom.
• The rise of e-sports has introduced new types of sports injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, neck and shoulder pain, spinal issues, and visual fatigue due to prolonged sitting, repetitive hand movements, and high mental stress. This necessitates new types of medical intervention, including preventive and rehabilitative care.
• While the national football league schedule aims for stability, there are ongoing discussions and criticisms regarding its timing, especially concerning the absence of African professional players during the African Cup of Nations.

Overall, Saudi Arabia is actively leveraging technology and strategic planning to position itself as a leading global destination for diverse sports events, driving both economic and social development.

Dispatches from a Changing Kingdom

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

1. Word/Editorial The early announcement of the academic calendar for the year 1447 AH / 2025-2026 AD has clarified the temporal outline of the academic year from now on, as the new academic year officially begins on Sunday, Rabi’ al-Awwal 1, 1447 AH (August 24, 2025 AD), after the return of administrative and educational bodies for preparation days before that. It is scheduled that studies will conclude on Muharram 10, 1448 AH, followed by a summer vacation lasting eight weeks before the start of the next academic year. This transformation was not limited to the temporal scope only, but was accompanied by a structural adjustment in the study system, which enhances early academic planning and allows students, teachers, and parents to arrange their family and professional schedules according to pre-known dates. This step is seen as supporting the stability of the academic year and consolidating educational quality, as it gives everyone a clearer vision for the beginning and end of the year and examination times, and avoids surprises or last-minute adjustments in the schedule.
2. Awareness: The Gateway to the Era of Artificial Intelligence In line with the aspirations of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, within Vision 2030, which seeks to build an ambitious nation, a vibrant economy, and a prosperous society, the importance of statistics as a strategic tool for achieving this transformation is evident. Giant projects like Neom, the Red Sea, and Qiddiya require huge quantities of national cadres capable of dealing with data related to infrastructure, environment, and population behavior. From here, the integration of statistics into the educational process from its early stages becomes a strategic investment in the future of the nation, ensuring the graduation of a generation capable of innovation and adaptation in a changing digital world. Dr. Abdullah bin Hamoud Al-Nuaimi emphasized that the world is witnessing a massive flow of data and accelerating transformations in the era of artificial intelligence, highlighting the urgent need for statistical awareness as an indispensable tool for understanding this changing reality.
3. Marketing Domestic Tourism Domestic summer tourism in the Kingdom is witnessing accelerated growth, driven by an ambitious vision that aims to make tourism one of the main pillars of the national economy. It has become an ideal choice for those seeking unique experiences that combine beautiful nature, moderate climate, and cultural and heritage sites, especially in the mountainous cities such as Abha, Al-Baha, and Taif. These cities have become a preferred haven and an ideal refuge for citizens, residents, and visitors to the Kingdom who seek refreshing atmospheres during the hot summer months, opening doors to a world of beauty and enjoyment. Eyes are turning towards resorts like Abha, Al-Baha, and Taif, which are distinguished by their high altitude above sea level on towering peaks. They embrace clouds and are covered by dense forests, bathed in foggy atmospheres mixed with summer rains, making them an ideal opportunity for marketing as unique resorts. This is done while highlighting their local identity, which is reflected in the ancient architecture and heritage villages that captivate visitors with their rich history, especially culture enthusiasts, in addition to the adventure opportunities and hiking activities they offer in the heart of nature.
4. Workshop Warns of Cognitive Noise Dr. Khalid Al-Harbi affirmed that marketing cultural content does not begin with publishing, but rather with understanding the audience, and that cognitive messages that are not translated into awareness and influence remain in the circle of superficial consumption. “Strong content may fail, while weak content may spread, if it is not formulated in a way that suits the audience’s reception pattern and behavior”. This came during a workshop titled “Between the Reader and the Message: Understand Your Audience to Market Your Cultural Content,” organized by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Authority as part of the activities of the Madinah Al Munawwarah International Book Fair 2025. Al-Harbi added at the beginning of the workshop: “If the writer does not understand his audience, what will he write for him? And if he only understands him to win something, then what?”.
5. Is Criticism of Criticism a Luxury or a Necessity? The Kingdom has witnessed an advanced critical openness since the eighties, and has gone beyond the stage of modernity and the preliminary stage to direct engagement with literary and artistic texts, seeking deeper levels of thinking and analysis. This is a critical trend known as “criticism of criticism,” where critics use methodologies to deconstruct the critical discourse itself in their dealings with creative texts, which gives the cultural scene a broader cognitive horizon. And regarding the Saudi cultural scene, it has witnessed significant critical shifts in recent years, and creative works have emerged in the fields of literature, cinema, visual arts, and theater, but the critical discourse has not kept pace with this movement with the same vitality and depth – as we discussed in a previous article – and here arises the need for criticism of criticism as a tool to control and develop the critical path.
6. Small Details If an ordinary person reaches the stage of discernment, he realizes the broad general lines of human right not to be aggressed; as evidenced by his distinguishing between one who complains to him and one who refrains from harming him, so he does not complain about him. Awareness of the ugliness of aggression against others illuminates a human instinct, yet the soul that commands evil finds countless fabricated excuses and flimsy justifications that tempt it to transgress or encroach upon his brother’s honor or property. And it is fitting for a Muslim not only to resist these temptations and not to be swayed by those justifications but also not to make light of violations of public and private rights a habit. What helps him resist this is to put himself in the place of the other, to think if he would accept anyone encroaching upon his privacy, and if he would see a legitimate excuse for the aggressor, or a customary loophole, or a systematic support. And certainly, he will not find in law, custom, and system any loophole that permits people to aggress upon any of his sanctities. So he must be aware that this right is guaranteed to others, and it is unjust to open one’s eyes to those rights only when one is the wronged party, and to make light of aggression when one is the aggressor, repeating “it is merely a transgression”.
7. Academic Plagiarism (4) Following the story of academic plagiarism, “The Evolution of Religious Thought in the Arabian Peninsula: A Historical Study of the Quranic Narrative,” which was taught by a faculty member at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in 2013, as we discussed it over the past three weeks, we continue today to talk about some of the most important conclusions related to this academic plagiarism. At the top of these conclusions is the reality of the existence of faculty members in some universities who do not hesitate to commit this heinous act, and which must be fought strongly because it relates to the most important functions of the university: “scientific research”. If scientific research, which is the cornerstone, loses its value and credibility, what value and credibility can we hope for? One of the important conclusions here is the lack of a proper indexing system for scientific journals in the Arab world, which makes it difficult to detect academic plagiarism. This is in contrast to foreign scientific journals, where it is easy to detect any act of research plagiarism. This is considered a weakness in the Arab research movement that needs to be addressed.
8. Awareness In the bustle and hustle of daily life, some initiatives appear quietly, yet they carry profound messages, reminding us that for books, knowledge renews itself in every reader. Among these inspiring initiatives is what one academic did in Riyadh, dedicating a corner of his home to receiving used books, sorting them, and offering them to students of knowledge for free, in an elegant gesture of giving back to knowledge. This noble behavior is not merely a casual donation of surplus books, but an embodiment of the concept of intellectual endowment in its societal context, and a belief that a book does not lose its value over time, but rather its impact increases when it moves from one mind to another. We have already noticed the growing phenomenon of donating personal libraries, whether after the death of their owners or their advancement in age, which is what I witnessed when I was a member of a university committee concerned with library donations, where the university received many requests monthly to hand over personal libraries, although the resources were not sufficient to accept them all, due to limited space, duplication of titles, or lack of cataloging capacity.
9. We Live in an Era of Transparency While the wheel of wisdom spins and the wise are often admonished by it, the deluded wander in their illusions. People in gatherings and social media circulate negative phenomena related to some officials who do not meet their visitors at appropriate times, where the citizen’s complaint only reaches them after a limited period, or they close their doors and isolate themselves on the pretext of reviewing papers or calling a friend, and so on. These phenomena do not reflect the behavior of everyone; on the contrary, the majority are different. We live today in an era of transparency and open-door policy, but some continue to live in illusion and delusion, becoming arrogant when the doors of happiness open to them, forgetting important aspects, especially some of their friends and officials, office managers, and secretaries who deal directly with the public about citizens’ affairs. These people have forgotten the wisdom: “If it had lasted for others, it would not have reached you”.
10. Riyadh: The World’s Compass Riyadh has made itself a commercial and business hub, as it opens today and closes markets, creates new markets, and concludes global acquisitions, with the capital becoming a global center for finance and business summits. With these relative advantages for the city of Riyadh, the need for a different work environment in terms of working hours seems urgent, as it combines finance, business, tourism, hospitality, tourist attractions, and entertainment programs in one place. This requires programming working hours to be longer. It is possible for the weekly holiday to be shorter, with work extending throughout the week, perhaps four days to three days, allowing them more time to visit tourist and entertainment places for work and creativity. Riyadh, with its energy that fuels infrastructure, businesses, and its bustling capital with good administrative capabilities, is now considered one of the world’s centers for finance and business.
11. Artificial Stupidity At a pivotal moment in human history, humanity found itself facing a new challenge that did not arise from nature or from political conflicts, but from that grey area that separates many aspects of the mind and the machine, an era known as “the era of artificial intelligence,” but it may turn into what can be called “the era of artificial stupidity”. Here emerges a paradox that deserves deep contemplation: we burden machines with tasks that exceed their capacity, and we expect them to perform roles beyond what they were created for. The machine may excel in organization, repetition, automated learning, and data storage, but it remains limited to a digital logic that lacks compassion, is unable to grasp freedom, and has no sense of loss.
12. Saudis and the Shaping of Beauty In our beloved Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the sands harmonize with the sky, and originality blends with modernity. Saudis are reshaping the details of daily life and confidently moving towards arenas that were once exclusive to distant cultures. From this, they shine in the industry of furnishings, beautifying spaces and giving them a soul and identity. The Saudi taste, with its deep heritage and modern inspiration, is a taste that expresses identity. Today, it invents, teaches, and takes its place on global design platforms, from the heart of Riyadh to the capitals of elegance worldwide. In every corner of modern Saudi furnishings, we find a professional fingerprint that grows steadily, driven by conscious national minds and young talents who master the language of design as they master the language of roots.
13. Making an Impact in Society In a world where the pace of change accelerates, the true value of a person remains in the impact they leave behind, an impact that time cannot erase, like an inscription on a rock that winds cannot wear away. Making a social impact has become a fundamental pillar for building a vibrant society, a prosperous economy, and an ambitious nation, in light of Saudi Vision 2030. Impact is that part of us that remains when we are gone; it is the giving that does not dry up, and the idea that does not die. For a person without impact is like a tree without shade, and a sky without stars. True impact is not in the quantity of what we produce, but in the depth of what we change. This is what Vision 2030 confirms, as it seeks to empower the individual to become active, society to become productive, and the nation to become a beacon of progress.
14. The Importance and Significance of the Hijri Calendar With the beginning of each new Hijri year, the importance of this calendar, which carries many deep meanings and connotations, is renewed in the minds of Muslims. The Hijri calendar, which began with the Prophet Muhammad’s migration (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina, is more than just a system for counting years; it is a symbol of the unity of the Islamic nation and a crucial historical and cultural landmark in its events. At the beginning of Islam, there was no unified system for recording dates, and correspondence and documents were limited to mentioning events or months without precise year specification. With the increasing Islamic conquests and the need to document important events, especially after that, the Caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) saw the necessity of establishing a unified system that would facilitate the setting of dates and strengthen the unity of the nation.
15. An Intellectual Endowment in a New Guise In the bustle and hustle of daily life, some initiatives appear quietly, yet they carry profound messages, reminding us that for books, knowledge renews itself in every reader. Among these inspiring initiatives is what one academic did in Riyadh, dedicating a corner of his home to receiving used books, sorting them, and offering them to students of knowledge for free, in an elegant gesture of giving back to knowledge. This noble behavior is not merely a casual donation of surplus books, but an embodiment of the concept of intellectual endowment in its societal context, and a belief that a book does not lose its value over time, but rather its impact increases when it moves from one mind to another. We have already noticed the growing phenomenon of donating personal libraries, whether after the death of their owners or their advancement in age, which is what I witnessed when I was a member of a university committee concerned with library donations, where the university received many requests monthly to hand over personal libraries, although the resources were not sufficient to accept them all, due to limited space, duplication of titles, or lack of cataloging capacity.
16. When Moments Do Not Repeat As you grow older, you realize that time means little, and you are no longer tempted by all the major events, nor by crowded places, nor by the most popular choices. You realize that your mother’s whispering on Saturday afternoon is sweeter than an intricate and complex discussion with a professor holding a doctorate, one of three certificates, on desert cats in the Empty Quarter!. You realize that your daily discussions with your siblings over afternoon coffee, which usually end in a gentle disagreement, are dearer to your soul than a luxurious dinner at a restaurant that requires prior booking; and that dawn coffee before sunrise with your grandfather in your remote village, far from the city’s clamor, is sweeter to you than having it by the Interlaken lake.

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By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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This collection of articles from a daily newspaper covers a diverse range of topics, providing insight into domestic and international affairs. Key sections highlight Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts, particularly its role in promoting a two-state solution for Palestine, and its economic progress post-2030 Vision. There are also reports on sports, including football and basketball news, as well as cultural features such as art installations and traditional poetry. Additionally, social issues like safety warnings against scorpions and snakes, and reports on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to conflict, are addressed. The newspaper also includes advertisements and contact information, indicating its broad scope as a public information source.

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Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: A National Development Drive

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is currently undergoing a significant developmental drive under an ambitious vision that aims to transform its economy and society. This vision, primarily driven by Vision 2030, focuses on placing the citizen at the heart of prosperity and investing in all vital sectors to achieve comprehensive national targets.

Here’s a breakdown of regional development efforts and their key aspects:

• Overarching Strategy and Goals:
• The Kingdom is actively creating a new developmental narrative, demonstrating continuous work and accelerated national movement towards achieving its Vision 2030 targets.
• This includes building a prosperous, vital society that values its principles and is globally competitive.
• The continuous oversight by the Council of Ministers, guided by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, ensures a diligent work methodology that contributes to state-building and development acceleration.
• International bodies, such as the International Monetary Fund, acknowledge the Kingdom’s economic achievements as a result of a long-term strategy that extends beyond 2030. This strategy emphasizes economic diversification away from oil, aiming to increase the non-oil sector’s contribution to the national GDP.
• Key Pillars of Regional Development:
• Economic Diversification and Local Content:
• New industrial projects are being launched, particularly in the Eastern Province, as part of a comprehensive developmental drive. These initiatives aim to develop local content, enhance competitive industrial capacity, and create an attractive investment environment for innovators and entrepreneurs.
• The “Quality of Life Program,” a Vision 2030 initiative, is vital in developing infrastructure and fostering cultural, recreational, and sports sectors.
• Agricultural areas, especially in the Southern Region (Baha, Asir, Taif), are transforming fruit and rose farms into tourism and recreational destinations, which increases their economic returns and diversifies regional offerings.
• Innovation and Digital Transformation:
• The Hail Region Emirate has organized an “Emara-thon” internal hackathon, a strategic move to foster innovation within government entities and empower employees to generate creative solutions for local developmental challenges. This aims to improve work efficiency and service quality.
• The General Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (“SDAIA”) is exploring “Agentic AI” (Agentic Artificial Intelligence) and its applications, which represents a qualitative leap in AI capabilities, focusing on independent decision-making and task execution without direct human intervention. This aligns with Vision 2030’s goal of building a leading digital economy.
• The Kingdom’s logistics performance index has notably improved from 49th to 38th globally (as of 2023, according to the World Bank) and among the top four emerging markets (in 2025, according to “Agility” report), reflecting significant investments in infrastructure, digital transformation in trade, and improved service quality.
• Urban and Social Development:
• Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah has seen two of its major cities, Medina and Jeddah, accredited by the World Health Organization as “healthy cities,” showcasing a commitment to preventive health, quality of life, and inter-agency integration.
• The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is working on developing the elder care system, shifting from a traditional model to a national model based on empowerment and governance. This includes digital solutions like “Imtiaz” cards to ease access to services for the elderly.
• Jazan is undertaking six municipal projects worth 56 million Riyals to improve asphalt, sanitation, and operations in Haroob province, with three projects already completed. The governor emphasizes continuous support for service sectors to enhance performance.
• The General Security noted that the courtyard of the Grand Mosque (“Sahat Al-Mataf”) is designated solely for circumambulation, and praying there impedes the smooth movement of pilgrims, especially during peak times. This highlights efforts to ensure efficient and safe management of religious sites.
• Infrastructure and Connectivity:
• The General Transport Authority conducted over 367,000 inspection operations in land and maritime transport during July 2025, ensuring compliance with regulations and contributing to reliable transport services. Riyadh region had the highest number of inspections.
• Al-Faqra village in Medina, a mountainous tourist destination, suffers from a lack of essential services, especially water supply for drinking and irrigation. Residents rely on expensive water tanks, and internal roads need paving and lighting. This highlights ongoing challenges in some remote areas.
• Education and Human Capital Development:
• The Eastern Province’s Governor emphasized the importance of early preparation for the new academic year to ensure a stimulating educational environment. This aligns with the leadership’s aspirations to build qualified and competitive generations.
• In Al-Jawf, a program for education development (2025-2035) aims to improve the quality of education and its outcomes, aligning with the Ministry of Education’s national initiatives.
• The Medina Book Fair included a seminar on “Teaching Arabic to Non-Native Speakers,” showcasing the Kingdom’s efforts to promote the Arabic language globally as a cultural and value-driven project.
• Security and Governance:
• The Deputy Governor of Riyadh highlighted significant qualitative development in the Ministry of Interior’s system, supported by the leadership, which enhances security and stability across all regions. The Unified Security Operations Center (911) handles emergency reports efficiently across Riyadh city and 22 provinces.
• The Governor of Tabuk emphasized the leadership’s commitment to enhancing integrity, transparency, combating corruption, and safeguarding public funds and national gains.
• Cultural and Heritage Preservation:
• The Al Abu Sarrah Palaces in Asir, a historical site dating back to 1835, have been restored and transformed into a cultural and artistic hub, offering a rich historical experience that aligns with Vision 2030’s aim to showcase the Kingdom’s cultural and heritage wealth.
• The Ministry of Culture’s participation in the Medina Book Fair 2025, celebrating “Handicrafts Year,” highlights the economic and social importance of traditional crafts and aims to preserve cultural heritage.
• The “Al-Haratha” (plowing) event at the Al-Atawlah Heritage Festival in Baha showcases traditional farming methods, preserving regional identity and connecting visitors to the past.

These diverse initiatives demonstrate a comprehensive approach to regional development, aligning with the broader national goals of Vision 2030 to build a diversified, sustainable, and prosperous future for the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Global Dynamics

The sources provided offer a comprehensive look at various facets of international relations, primarily through the lens of Saudi Arabia’s engagement, but also touching upon global geopolitical and economic dynamics.

Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing a strategic vision (Vision 2030) that aims to enhance its global standing and influence across multiple sectors. The Kingdom’s developmental drive, overseen by the Council of Ministers, reflects a diligent and accelerated national movement towards achieving comprehensive national targets, building a prosperous and globally competitive society. International bodies, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s economic achievements as the result of a long-term strategy extending beyond 2030, which emphasizes economic diversification away from oil and aims to increase the non-oil sector’s contribution to GDP.

Saudi Arabia’s Proactive Role in Global Affairs:

• Economic Influence and Diversification: The IMF has noted the “increasing global presence” of Saudi policies, indicating the Kingdom’s influence beyond the energy market to areas like sustainable finance, digital transformation, and financial governance, solidifying its position as an influential partner in reshaping the global economy.
• Logistics and Connectivity: The Kingdom’s logistics performance index significantly improved from 49th to 38th globally in 2023 (according to the World Bank) and is projected to be among the top four emerging markets in 2025 (Agility report). This improvement is a result of substantial investments in infrastructure, digital transformation in trade, and enhanced service quality, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub connecting three continents.
• Hosting Global Events: Saudi Arabia’s hosting of major global events, such as the Riyadh Expo and the FIFA World Cup, is expected to actively contribute to non-oil economic growth, stimulate infrastructure and public utilities investment, and enhance its status as a global and regional hub for events.
• Digital Transformation and AI: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) is exploring “Agentic AI” applications, which represents a qualitative leap in AI capabilities, focusing on independent decision-making and task execution. This aligns with Vision 2030’s goal of building a leading digital economy and its ambition for global AI leadership.

Diplomatic and Humanitarian Efforts:

• Palestine and the Two-State Solution:The Council of Ministers reviewed with appreciation the positive outcomes of the international high-level conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution, which Saudi Arabia co-chaired with France.
• The Council reiterated Saudi Arabia’s call to all United Nations (UN) member states to support the conference’s concluding document, which provides a comprehensive and implementable framework for applying the two-state solution, achieving international security and peace, and contributing to the future of the region and its peoples.
• The Kingdom continues its comprehensive support for the State of Palestine and its brotherly people, particularly on the humanitarian front, by sending aid shipments via air and sea bridges to Gaza, including shelter, medical, and food assistance.
• The sources also highlight the growing international recognition of the Palestinian state, with several countries declaring their intent to do so, including France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Malta, and Portugal, with many aiming for September 2025.
• The final statement of the conference explicitly supported the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem, peaceful coexistence, and mutual recognition, emphasizing ending the occupation and achieving a just and lasting peace.
• The conference’s outcomes included proposals covering political, security, humanitarian, economic, legal, and strategic dimensions, forming a practical and time-bound action plan.
• The Palestinian Ministry of Health and UNICEF have reported dire conditions in Gaza, with 28 children dying daily due to Israeli shelling and deliberate starvation, and over 1,500 Palestinians succumbing while attempting to access food. UNICEF has called for an immediate ceasefire.
• The Palestinian Center for Prisoners’ Affairs condemned an Israeli law allowing detention without charges, stating it violates international and humanitarian laws.
• Australia’s Foreign Minister affirmed that the two-state solution offers the best realistic opportunity for peace and stability in the Middle East.
• Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation: The Council of Ministers has approved several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s expanding international partnerships:
• An MoU for cooperation in mineral resources with Mongolia.
• An MoU for cooperation in health and medical sciences with Thailand.
• An MoU on customs cooperation and mutual administrative assistance with New Zealand.
• An MoU for the development of non-oil exports with Oman.
• An MoU on competition protection with Kuwait.
• An MoU for cooperation in accounting and auditing with Pakistan’s Auditor General’s Office.
• An MoU on technical and vocational training with SESRIC (Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries).
• The King and Crown Prince also sent congratulatory messages to the President of Burkina Faso on their Independence Day, signifying diplomatic courtesies and state-level communication.
• The Sri Lankan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia expressed pride in the strong relations between the two countries and lauded Saudi Arabia’s leading role in promoting tolerance and moderation globally, particularly through its efforts in Islamic affairs, training imams, and Quranic competitions.
• A seminar on “Teaching Arabic to Non-Native Speakers” at the Medina Book Fair highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to promoting the Arabic language globally as a cultural and value-driven project, fostering communication and understanding.

Global Geopolitical Dynamics and Challenges:

• US-Russia Tensions and the Ukraine Conflict:The world is witnessing a new phase of the Cold War, characterized by heightened tension in US-Russia relations, including military clashes, maneuvers, and sharp rhetoric across various fronts such as Ukraine, the Arctic, and cyberspace.
• US and Russian media outlets are actively reporting on and interpreting these tensions, with US papers focusing on escalated Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine and Russian naval movements near NATO, while Russian media condemns “Western provocations” and accuses Washington of encircling Russia.
• Both sides highlight their military capabilities, with Russia emphasizing its “superiority in new nuclear defense and attack systems”.
• Strategic experts agree that a full-scale war would be catastrophic, leading both sides to rely on proxy and information warfare.
• Proposed solutions include re-establishing direct diplomatic channels (like the Cold War’s “Red Line”), negotiating new arms treaties (nuclear and hypersonic), and strengthening the role of international organizations like the UN and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in monitoring volatile areas.
• US President Trump has threatened to impose “large” tariffs on countries trading with Moscow if a ceasefire in Ukraine is not reached, a move criticized by the Kremlin as an attempt to “force countries to sever their trade relations”.
• Trump also ordered the deployment of two American nuclear submarines in response to provocative statements from Russia, further escalating tensions.
• Russia announced it no longer considers itself bound by its unilateral moratorium on intermediate-range missile deployment due to the West’s actions, signaling a potential arms race.
• Both Russia and Ukraine have escalated attacks on strategic railway lines, aiming to disrupt enemy supply routes.
• Global Economic Challenges: The IMF report, while praising Saudi Arabia’s economic resilience, did not overlook the current global challenges, including escalating trade tensions and continued global uncertainty, which necessitate accelerating structural reforms.
• Trade Relations with the US: The European Union (EU) anticipates some trade disruptions with the United States but believes it has a robust agreement in place regarding tariffs.
• Media and Public Perception: The sources highlight the challenges in international relations posed by the rapid spread of information and misinformation through digital platforms. The article on “Silence in Media Crises” notes that crises often originate from social media (WhatsApp, X, Snapchat), where information spreads virally, making it difficult to control narratives and respond effectively in the fast-paced digital environment. This underlines the importance of effective, rapid, and empathetic communication in managing perceptions on the global stage.

Overall, the sources illustrate Saudi Arabia’s multifaceted approach to international relations, driven by its Vision 2030, which involves active participation in global economic initiatives, robust diplomatic efforts in regional conflicts, and a growing network of bilateral and multilateral partnerships, all while navigating a complex and often turbulent global geopolitical landscape.

Saudi Sports Diplomacy: Vision, Growth, and Global Reach

International Relations, particularly in the context of sports, involve a complex interplay of national strategies, economic investments, diplomatic efforts, and global challenges. The sources highlight Saudi Arabia’s significant push to enhance its global standing and influence through a multi-faceted approach that extends into the sports arena, alongside broader geopolitical and economic dynamics.

Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Vision and Sports Diplomacy:

• Vision 2030 and Global Influence: Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing a “strategic vision (Vision 2030) that aims to enhance its global standing and influence across multiple sectors”. This developmental drive, overseen by the Council of Ministers, reflects an accelerated national movement towards achieving comprehensive national targets and building a globally competitive society. Hosting major global events, such as the FIFA World Cup, is expected to “actively contribute to non-oil economic growth, stimulate infrastructure and public utilities investment, and enhance its status as a global and regional hub for events”.
• Economic Diversification through Sports: The Kingdom’s efforts are aimed at economic diversification away from oil, increasing the non-oil sector’s contribution to GDP. The IMF acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s economic achievements as a result of a “long-term strategy extending beyond 2030”, emphasizing its “increasing global presence” beyond the energy market to areas like sustainable finance and digital transformation, solidifying its position as an “influential partner in reshaping the global economy”. Events like the FIFA World Cup are explicitly mentioned as contributors to this non-oil growth.
• Leveraging Logistics and Connectivity: Saudi Arabia’s logistics performance index significantly improved from 49th to 38th globally in 2023 (World Bank report) and is projected to be among the top four emerging markets in 2025 (Agility report). This improvement, a result of substantial investments in infrastructure and digital transformation, positions Saudi Arabia as a “global logistics hub connecting three continents”. This directly supports the hosting of global sports events requiring efficient logistics.
• Riyadh Season and Local Talent Empowerment: The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) is focusing on empowering Saudi and Gulf musicians and artists for the upcoming Riyadh Season. This move, announced by GEA Chairman Turki Al-Sheikh, aims for a “semi-complete reliance on Saudi and Gulf musicians and performers in concerts” and “Saudi and Gulf theater productions”. This strategy reinforces the Kingdom’s cultural identity and aims to boost the entertainment sector, creating new job opportunities in line with Vision 2030. The Riyadh Season also plans to host major global events, including the Esports World Cup, a comedy festival, boxing matches, UFC, and WWE shows, further cementing Riyadh’s status as a global entertainment hub.

Key Sports News and Developments:

• Saudi Super Cup 2025-2026 and 2026-2027:
• The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Football Federation banned Al Hilal from participating in the Super Cup 2026-2027 and fined them 500,000 Saudi Riyals for their refusal to participate in the 2025-2026 Super Cup.
• Al Hilal officially apologized for not participating due to exceptional circumstances, including their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA, which led to a reduced annual leave for players (24 days instead of 28, or 21 days if they participated in the Super Cup), violating professional league regulations.
• The Club World Cup schedule and the late announcement of the Super Cup venue (Hong Kong) also contributed to Al Hilal’s decision, prioritizing the players’ well-being and the national team’s readiness. Al Hilal reached the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup, losing 2-1 to Fluminense. The 2025 Super Cup will be held in Hong Kong from August 19-23.
• Club Friendlies and Transfers:
• Al Ahli drew 1-1 with Emirati club Al Ain in a friendly match in Spain, with Riyad Mahrez scoring the equalizer.
• Al Ittihad won their fifth friendly match 5-1 against Portuguese club Uniao, with goals from Stephen Bergwijn, Saleh Al-Amri, Abdul Rahman Al-Aboud, and Al-Muwalled Al-Shehri. They had previously lost four friendlies. Al Ittihad is preparing for a Super Cup match against Al Nassr in Hong Kong on August 19.
• There is Saudi and English competition for Juventus player Douglas Luiz, with Nottingham Forest interested. Juventus is seeking over 30 million Euros for the player who joined them in 2024 for 51.5 million Euros.
• The Roshn Saudi League summer transfer window closes on September 10th. As of August 4th, 57 deals have been completed, but six clubs (Al-Shabab, Al-Hazm, Al-Najma, Samak, Al-Fateh, Al-Kholoud) have made no signings. The sources list various player movements for Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Qadisiyah, Al Shabab, Al Ahli, Al Ettifaq, Al Taawoun, Al-Raed, Al-Riyadh, Al-Khaleej, Al-Feiha, Al-Okhdood, Abha, and Al-Wehda.
• National Team Performances:
• The Saudi Men’s Basketball National Team (Al-Akhdar Al-Salla) lost its opening match in the FIBA Asia Cup 88-93 against China.
• The Saudi Futsal National Team (Al-Akhdar Al-Salat) finished as runner-up in the Continental Championship 2025, losing the final 3-2 to Thailand. Farhan Al-Asmari and Abdullah Maghribi scored for Saudi Arabia. The Saudi goalkeeper, Mohammed Al-Dahan, was recognized as the best goalkeeper of the tournament. This participation is part of their preparation for the AFC Futsal Asia Cup 2026, which Saudi Arabia will host in Dammam.
• The Saudi U15 National Football Team lost their opening match 2-0 to the USA in the CONCACAF Championship in Costa Rica.
• Three Saudi athletes will represent the Kingdom in the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China, competing in Jujitsu, Karate (Kumite), and Triathlon, reflecting the leadership’s support for non-Olympic sports.
• The Saudi Balloon Federation is participating in the 51st French National Balloon Championship with a notable Saudi female pilot, Captain Afrah Ahmed, marking a significant step for women in adventure sports in the Kingdom.
• International Club and Player News:
• Liverpool won two friendly matches against Athletic Bilbao (4-1) and another Basque team (3-2) in their pre-season tour. Mohamed Salah scored, and Cody Gakpo netted two goals (one of which was an own goal). Manager Arne Slot praised the team’s performance and the new creative players. There was also a tribute to a deceased Liverpool player during the matches.
• Argentine star Lionel Messi will be out indefinitely due to a slight muscle injury in his right leg sustained during a Leagues Cup match with Inter Miami.
• Brazilian star Neymar scored two goals for Santos in their 3-1 victory over Juventude in the Brazilian League.
• South Korean star Son Heung-min made an emotional farewell to Tottenham in a friendly match in Seoul, which ended 1-1 against Newcastle. Son has not yet announced his next club.
• Barcelona has initiated disciplinary action against goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen for refusing to share his medical information with La Liga. This refusal could hinder Barcelona’s ability to register new players due to financial fair play regulations.
• Sports Media and Fan Culture:
• The sources discuss the important role of media in sports, but also highlight issues within Saudi sports media, such as fanatical bias, promotion of hate culture, and external interference.
• There is a strong call for objectivity, promoting love and unity among fans, and focusing on the core values of sportsmanship and ethics.
• The commentary points out that external media outlets often exploit internal rivalries and biases to sow discord, emphasizing that local sports competition should remain an internal matter.
• An example is given of a Saudi media figure, Ali Al-Zahrani, who exemplified national awareness by condemning a Gulf media personality for inciting fans against Saudi sports institutions.
• Al Hilal’s New Presidency:
• Prince Nawaf bin Saad is set to return as President of Al Hilal Club, marking a new chapter after Fahd bin Nafel announced he would not seek re-election.
• Prince Nawaf’s previous tenure (2015-2018) saw the club win five titles, including the league, two Crown Prince Cups, and the Super Cup. His return is seen as a “face of good fortune” (وجه السعد) for Al Hilal fans, promising stability and further success supported by strategic financial and administrative backing from Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.

In summary, the sports news from the sources illustrates Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive and ambitious approach to international relations through sports, encompassing significant investments, strategic event hosting, and a focus on developing local talent and infrastructure, all while navigating the complexities of modern media and global competition.

Saudi Vision 2030: Culture, Tourism, and Economic Diversification

Saudi Arabia is actively and strategically developing its tourism and cultural sectors as key components of its ambitious Vision 2030, aiming to diversify its economy and enhance its global standing. This comprehensive national movement seeks to build a vibrant and competitive society that preserves its values while competing globally.

Here’s a discussion of tourism and culture, drawing on the provided sources:

Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Vision and Cultural Investment

• Economic Diversification: Vision 2030 aims to significantly increase the non-oil sector’s contribution to GDP. Events like the FIFA World Cup are expected to actively contribute to this non-oil economic growth, stimulate infrastructure and public utilities investment, and elevate the Kingdom’s status as a global and regional hub for events. The IMF has acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s economic achievements as a result of a “long-term strategy extending beyond 2030,” emphasizing its “increasing global presence” beyond the energy market to areas like sustainable finance and digital transformation.
• Quality of Life Program: The Quality of Life program, a key Vision 2030 initiative, plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life and developing cultural, entertainment, and sports sectors.

Key Cultural and Entertainment Initiatives

• Riyadh Season: The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) is spearheading efforts to bolster the Riyadh Season. A significant focus for the upcoming season is the empowerment of Saudi and Gulf musicians and artists, aiming for “semi-complete reliance on Saudi and Gulf musicians and performers in concerts” and “Saudi and Gulf theater productions”. This strategy reinforces the Kingdom’s cultural identity and aims to boost the entertainment sector, creating new job opportunities in line with Vision 2030. The Riyadh Season also plans to host major global events, including the Esports World Cup (with prize money exceeding $70 million), a comedy festival, boxing matches, UFC, and WWE shows, further cementing Riyadh’s status as a global entertainment hub. The GEA envisions building a “sustainable entertainment industry capable of regional and global competition”.
• Year of Handicrafts 2025: The Ministry of Culture participated in the Madinah International Book Fair 2025 with a special pavilion dedicated to the “Year of Handicrafts 2025”. This initiative highlights handicrafts as a vital component of national cultural heritage, reflecting Saudi identity and its aesthetic and creative values. It aims to raise community awareness about the value of handcrafted products, showcase their diversity, and empower Saudi artisans. It also seeks to open interactive windows for communication between artisans and the public to promote knowledge transfer and support traditional industries.
• King Faisal Center and Manuscript Preservation: The King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies demonstrates its commitment to documenting the nation’s memory and preserving its scientific and cultural heritage. A lecture at the center highlighted the tragic loss of numerous Iraqi manuscripts due to invasions, emphasizing the importance of preserving this valuable heritage for future generations.

Developing Tourism Destinations

• Al Abu Sarrah Palaces (Abha): These historical palaces in Al-Souda, dating back to 1835 CE, are being developed as a key heritage tourism landmark in Asir. They host various cultural and artistic events, including the Asiri Art Festival and Cat Festival. As part of Asir Summer 2025 and Vision 2030, these palaces offer integrated historical tours, showcasing 200-year-old stories of human life, ancestral traditions, and architectural details through artifacts and rare photos. The site includes diverse cafes and restaurants serving traditional Asiri cuisine and a dedicated children’s corner with educational and cultural programs. The management is working to transform the site into a sustainable cultural and tourism platform.
• Hada Al-Taif: This area blends rich history with modern entertainment, featuring amusement parks and attracting tourists and residents for various summer activities.
• Al-Faqra Village (Madinah): Located west of Madinah, this beautiful mountainous tourist center is known for its mild summer climate due to its high altitude (over 1900 meters above sea level), attracting visitors from Madinah and GCC countries. Despite improvements in infrastructure like roads and electricity, the village still requires essential services, particularly water supply for drinking and irrigation, as residents currently rely on expensive water tanks. Internal roads also need paving and lighting.
• Southern Farms (Taif, Al-Baha, Asir): Hundreds of farms in these regions are being transformed into tourism and entertainment destinations. This includes converting fruit and rose farms (such as almond, fig, strawberry, berry, and Taif rose) into attractions, and dairy farms offering fresh products to visitors, catering to high demand. This trend reflects a growing interest in agritourism, providing diverse services and attractive designs.
• Al-Atawlah Heritage Festival (Al-Baha): This festival showcases traditional plowing using oxen and other ancient farming methods, drawing significant visitor interest. It aims to highlight the historical life of the people and their reliance on animals for farming, while also featuring traditional songs. The festival reinforces the connection to identity and ancestral history, preserving the region’s agricultural identity.
• Urban Visual Enhancement: In Makkah, the Holy Capital Municipality signed agreements to enhance the urban visual landscape. This includes a mural initiative inspired by “Remembering Allah” to beautify Makkah’s streets and squares, aligning with its status as a pilgrimage destination. Another project aims to beautify a key intersection in Makkah, contributing to the development of infrastructure and improving the urban scene as part of quality of life projects. Similarly, in Taif and Al-Baha, murals like “Azzah and Shumoukh” and “Al-Qadah” adorn city entrances and centers, embodying national values and reflecting the region’s history and heritage through art.

Promoting Arabic Language and Heritage

• Teaching Arabic to Non-Native Speakers: A seminar at the Madinah Book Fair highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to facilitate Arabic language education through academic programs, specialized virtual centers, and interactive digital tools. This initiative aims to empower learners to master the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and reinforces Arabic’s position as a “cultural, spiritual, and value-based project” for Islamic and human knowledge. Saudi Arabia is expanding partnerships with international universities and research centers to support this globally.
• Madinah Fortifications: A seminar explored the natural and military aspects that historically fortified Madinah, noting that the city’s unique natural fortifications are still visible today. The urban planning, initiated by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), created a defensive circular shape, making it resilient to invasions. The seminar showcased rare photos, geological formations (like Uhud, Air, and Sal’ mountains), and ancient markets and castles that formed the city’s defensive architectural fabric.

Overall, Saudi Arabia’s approach to tourism and culture is deeply integrated with its Vision 2030, emphasizing sustainable development, economic diversification, the empowerment of local talent, and the preservation and promotion of its rich heritage and unique cultural identity.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision: Public Safety and Security

Saudi Arabia is deeply committed to public safety and security as a fundamental pillar of its Vision 2030, recognizing its importance for economic diversification, quality of life, and global standing. This commitment is evident across various governmental initiatives and sectors, focusing on robust law enforcement, advanced emergency response, and proactive safety measures.

Here’s a comprehensive discussion of public safety in Saudi Arabia:

• Overarching National Vision for Security
• The Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 aims to build a vibrant and competitive society that preserves its values.
• A key element is the “Quality of Life program,” which plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life and developing cultural, entertainment, and sports sectors.
• The Council of Ministers continuously focuses on “reinforcing the security and stability in all regions of the Kingdom” and ensures that developmental efforts align with high-level directives to achieve national goals.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s economic achievements, noting its stability despite global challenges and emphasizing a long-term strategy that extends beyond 2030.
• Law Enforcement and Anti-Crime Initiatives
• Combating Corruption: Leadership demonstrates a strong emphasis on promoting integrity, transparency, and combating corruption while safeguarding public funds and national gains. The Head of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority underscored the importance of strengthening these concepts as part of building a civilized society.
• Unified Security Operations Centers (911): Riyadh’s 911 center, encompassing 62 operation rooms and serving 22 governorates, represents a significant “qualitative development in the Ministry of Interior’s system”. This advanced platform handles emergency calls efficiently, improving coordination and response times among various agencies.
• Anti-Drug Efforts: The Council of Ministers has approved the Gulf Strategy for Combating Drugs for 2025-2028, indicating a regional approach to this issue. Promotions within anti-narcotics departments reflect the ongoing commitment to security.
• Maintaining Order: The Al-Mujahideen Administration in Al-Qassim undertakes significant field efforts and tasks to “enhance security and cooperation with relevant entities”, contributing to public order and safety.
• Traffic and Road Safety Improvements
• The Eastern Region Traffic Safety Committee actively works to enhance safety on roads and improve quality of life, emphasizing adherence to traffic regulations and avoiding violations.
• Significant progress has been made in reducing accident rates; the committee successfully lowered the death rate by 72% per 100,000 population and severe injuries by 76%. These efforts resulted in savings of over 10 billion Riyals in accident-related costs.
• The Kingdom is urged to continue leveraging modern technologies to further reduce accidents and bolster road safety.
• Emergency Medical Services
• The Saudi Red Crescent Authority in Najran received nearly 1,200 emergency calls in July, dealing with various medical and traffic-related incidents.
• They utilize trained personnel, fully equipped ambulances, and digital tools like the “Is’afni” application (997) to facilitate reporting, track emergency teams, identify caller locations, and locate nearby healthcare facilities.
• Public Health and Environmental Safety
• “World Breastfeeding Week” was launched to promote breastfeeding, which enhances the health of mothers and infants by boosting immunity.
• Warnings about Reptiles: A geographical researcher advised caution regarding snakes and scorpions in open areas, farms, and camping sites during summer. Key safety measures include avoiding dense vegetation at night, using strong lighting, carrying a flashlight, and properly disposing of food waste which can attract these creatures. He clarified that scorpions react to loud sounds or vibrations rather than understanding spoken words.
• Water Resource Management: New regulations for drilling agricultural wells aim to prevent severe drops in groundwater levels, especially in areas vital for drinking water and intensive agriculture, while ensuring land ownership and project completion standards are met.
• Earthquake Monitoring: KAUST is developing advanced AI technology in collaboration with the Saudi Geological Survey to better understand seismic activity and deploy early warning systems to protect buildings and save lives. Despite being largely desert, certain regions, especially in the west, are prone to seismic activity with thousands of minor tremors recorded.
• Safety in Religious Gatherings
• Mataf Area Guidelines: Public Security reiterated that the Mataf (circumambulation) area is exclusively for Tawaf around the Kaaba. Performing prayers there can obstruct the smooth flow of pilgrims and cause significant congestion, particularly during peak times. Pilgrims are urged to adhere to guidelines and pray in designated areas within the Grand Mosque to ensure ease of movement and safety for all.
• Historical Fortifications of Madinah: A seminar highlighted Madinah’s unique natural and military fortifications, including mountains (Uhud, Air, Sal’), and ancient urban planning, which historically made it resilient to invasions.
• International and Regional Security Concerns
• Gaza Conflict: The Council of Ministers has supported international efforts for a two-state solution and condemned provocative Israeli practices, especially regarding Al-Aqsa Mosque. Saudi Arabia continues to send humanitarian, medical, and food aid to Gaza. Reports from UNICEF highlight the devastating impact of the conflict, with 28 children killed daily due to bombing and deliberate starvation. Calls for a full occupation of Gaza by Israeli officials are reported to be met with opposition from within Israeli security institutions. The detention of Palestinians without charge or lawyer access is condemned as a serious violation of international law. Efforts to deliver blood and derivatives to operating hospitals in Gaza continue, though many hospitals are out of service due to Israeli attacks.
• Russia-Ukraine Conflict: The global stage is witnessing escalating tensions between the US and Russia, marked by military maneuvers, cyber threats, and direct support to Ukraine, raising concerns about potential “limited clashes”. Solutions involve reactivating diplomatic channels, new arms treaties, and strengthening international oversight. Threats of increased tariffs and deployment of nuclear submarines by the US have been noted, while Russia has indicated it is no longer bound by previous arms deployment restrictions. Attacks on strategic railway lines between Russia and Ukraine continue.
• Sudan Conflict: The Sudanese government has reported the involvement of hundreds of thousands of foreign mercenaries, posing a threat to regional peace and sovereignty. Human rights groups indicate civilian casualties by the Rapid Support Forces, emphasizing a dire lack of humanitarian aid.
• Kashmir: Pakistan reiterated its commitment to supporting Kashmir against “illegal occupation” and human rights violations, highlighting continued atrocities since 2019.
• UK Weapons Control: New British rules aim to prevent individuals with records of domestic abuse or other unsuitability factors from possessing firearms, following a series of fatal incidents.
• Specific Incidents and Responses
• Murder of Saudi Student in UK: The Saudi Embassy in the UK is actively monitoring and coordinating with British authorities regarding the murder of Saudi student Mohammed Al-Qassem in Cambridge. A suspect has been apprehended, and legal processes are underway, including medical examination and a hearing. The embassy is arranging for the repatriation of the deceased’s body.
• Public Awareness and Crisis Communication
• The role of media in crisis management has evolved, with social media now often initiating crises that demand rapid and effective responses. It is crucial for entities to have an integrated presence across all communication platforms, not just traditional media, and for spokespersons to be trained in rapid, emotionally intelligent, and de-escalating communication. The concept of “silence is a sign of guilt” emphasizes the need for proactive and transparent communication.

Overall, Saudi Arabia’s approach to public safety is multi-faceted, encompassing legislative, operational, and humanitarian dimensions, both domestically and in its engagement with global security issues.

Saudi Vision and Global Affairs: A Newspaper Perspective

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

• Word by Jameel Al-Balawi The Council of Ministers, every time it convenes, treats developmental achievements as a primary concern, enabling them with directives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. By tracking what the Council presents, we find it reflects the diligent work and vision that delves into all details to form a unified work methodology contributing to nation-building and accelerating the development process to achieve comprehensive national goals. The Kingdom is experiencing a developmental dynamic under an ambitious vision managed and built with efficiency and competence, prioritizing the citizen and investing in all vital sectors to achieve comprehensive prosperity. Moreover, the successes achieved serve as an affirmation of the Kingdom’s methodology and its confident, steadfast march towards the future through unprecedented qualitative reforms that empower the human being, boost the economy, and uplift society.
• Escalating US-Russian Tensions.. Is War on the Horizon? by Azzam Mohammad Al-Mishal The world is witnessing a new chapter of the Cold War, which differs in its tools but retains its danger. While Washington and Moscow exchange threats, hope remains tied to the return of wisdom to dialogue channels, before escalation turns into an irreversible confrontation. The US-Russian relations are witnessing more than one phase of tension since the end of the Cold War, including military clashes, maneuvers, sharp indirect statements on various international stages, most notably in Ukraine, the Arctic, and cyberspace.
• The Article by Talaat Hafez The final report issued a few days ago by the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the year 2025, concerning Article IV consultations, concluded that the economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has shown strength and resilience in facing economic shocks, indicating that global challenges have had a limited impact on the local economy. The report also indicated the continued expansion of non-oil economic activities, which will enhance the Kingdom’s efforts aimed at diversifying the economy in line and harmony with the effectiveness of the economic policies adopted under Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the impact of non-oil activities’ contribution to the Kingdom’s GDP.
• The Article by Prince Dr. Majed bin Thamer Al Saud Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 represents a comprehensive strategic project aimed at achieving a radical transformation in the economy and society, and among its most important goals is to strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub connecting the three continents. This goal has become clear in the endeavor to raise the Kingdom’s ranking in the Logistics Services Performance Index from 49th to 25th globally, and first regionally, a goal that reflects the Kingdom’s ambition for excellence in a vital field that constitutes the backbone of trade and economic growth. Improving logistics performance is a fundamental component of diversifying the economy and reducing reliance on oil, as logistics services contribute to attracting investments, expanding the movement of trade exchange, and raising the efficiency of supply chains. To achieve this goal, the Kingdom has launched a number of major initiatives and projects, most notably the establishment of the Public Transport Authority, the development of the national industry and logistics services program, and the modernization of infrastructure for ports and airports, and the establishment of special logistics zones and connecting them with advanced road and railway networks.
• The Article by Hani Khashoggi The Saudi society is witnessing a state of optimism and hope for the Kingdom to have an ideal real estate sector characterized by balance between supply and demand, capable of providing diverse real estate products that meet the needs of citizens and investors, and most importantly, that the prices of these products are affordable for everyone. Here, what the sector witnessed, especially in the capital Riyadh, comes to mind: a crazy rise in the prices of real estate products and rents due to the monopolization by some of these products, and their unwillingness to part with them except at prices that satisfy their ego. In contrast, the state did not stand idly by, and thus came the directives of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to strengthen the sector and restore the lost balance to it. The five measures directed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince last March had a great effect on the sector; they contributed to curbing the insane increases in real estate product prices, and the citizen who dreamed of buying a housing unit at a reasonable price found his dream becoming achievable, and the businessman who sought to buy a piece of land at a logical price to establish his project or rent an office for his company at a suitable rental value, realized that his endeavor was not impossible.
• Tracing Our Popular Heritage in Western Travelers’ Books by Saud Al-Mutairi The German orientalist Johan Heesch, in 1938, drew from some Bedouins he met, through Moheg Al-Ghanami – may God have mercy on all of them – stating that, due to the great importance of camels among the Bedouins and the richness of their language, there are countless names for camels, not only according to age and breed but also according to the animal’s special characteristics and features, and the circumstances it goes through. Heesch began naming them in his book “Bedouins of Central Arabia,” which Dr. Muhammad Sultan Al-Otaibi reviewed and commented on, starting with their naming according to age stages, from the first month until the seventh month, when a young camel is called a ‘hawar’, and it begins weaning at this stage. When it is weaned, it is called a ‘mafroud’ until it completes its twelfth month, after which it is called a ‘haq’ or ‘haqan’. In its third year, it becomes a ‘laqi’ (plural ‘liqi’), and among some tribes, it is also called ‘masmou’ (plural ‘masamee’). There is another name, ‘saif akhuh’, and at this stage, the female camel (laqiya) is bred and gives birth at the end of the year.
• Silence in Media Crises by Dr. Ibrahim Al-Nahhas In the past, media crisis management was confined to an official statement, a visual coverage, or absolute silence, as is often the case in most situations. Today, however, a crisis begins with a tweet, a Snapchat clip, or even a photo—even if it’s just a rumor—to be circulated within minutes in WhatsApp groups, turning into public opinion or, as it’s known in our media field, a communication crisis demanding a response, explanation, accountability, and action, all within a short period! Unfortunately, in our dear homeland, with the development of its media infrastructure and the increasing presence of digital platforms for its institutions and citizens, over 32 million active Saudi users on social media platforms in 2024, according to a DataReportal report, including over 29 million using ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), 26 million on YouTube, 16.8 million on Snapchat, and 16 million on WhatsApp. Messages spread rapidly, often blurring the line between fact and incitement.
• Two-State Solution Conference Pushes for Establishment of Palestinian State by Eng. Hani Al-Ghufaili The period from July 28 to 30, 2025, marked the beginning of a historic stage for the Palestinian cause, a new phase in the settlement of the legitimate rights of the people of Palestine, whose title is “The Establishment of the Independent Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its Capital.” Yes, it is a new historical stage that began with the invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to hold the “International High-Level Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Issue and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution” at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, out of its belief in the importance of moving the Palestinian issue from the level of Arab and Islamic affirmation of the legitimate rights of the people of Palestine to the level of international and global affirmation of the necessity of establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. The convening of this international conference came as a result of the great efforts exerted by the wise leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip after the events of October 7, 2023. These efforts began with the holding of the extraordinary Arab Summit, which was named “The Summit of Solidarity with Palestine,” in Riyadh on November 9, 2023, followed by the holding of the “Joint Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit” in Riyadh on November 11, 2023, with the aim of discussing the developments of the Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, which issued important resolutions, including: “Assigning the Foreign Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as chair of the 32nd Arab Summit, and representatives from Nigeria, Indonesia, Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, and any other interested countries, and the Secretaries-General of the two organizations, to initiate immediate international action on behalf of all member states of the Organization and the League to formulate an international movement to stop the war on Gaza, and to pressure for the launch of a serious and genuine political process to achieve permanent and comprehensive peace according to approved international references.”
• Negative Criticism by Yousef Al-Qabban The culture of criticism is not available to everyone, and objectivity and credibility are prerequisites for anyone who wants to practice the task of criticism in any field – before specialization qualifies them. Why? Because criticism means evaluating or highlighting the strong or positive aspects, and the aspects that need development, and this is the adopted concept in various fields. Evaluation includes shedding light on the factors of success and discussing the causes of errors based on a specific methodology. As for negative criticism, it is when the critic takes a negative, hostile stance towards anything in life, seeking only to support this stance, aiming to perpetuate the dominance of this work or success and transform the institution into failure! The critic’s eye, in this case, only searches for errors and negatives – as per their perspective – and as for beautiful things, in their view, they do not exist! Those who do this believe in the theory that truth will only become reality to the recipient who agrees with their ideas, or more precisely, that lies have a short lifespan.
• Real Estate Authority by Dr. Talal Al-Harbi The Riyadh Restatex 2025 is considered one of the most important real estate events in the Kingdom, representing pioneering efforts in regulating the real estate market and enabling ownership. This event comes within the framework of continuous efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the real estate sector and meet the aspirations of Saudi families towards ownership, with the participation of major real estate companies, developers, brokers, and financing entities. Eng. Abdullah Al-Hammad, CEO of the General Real Estate Authority and General Supervisor of the Housing Program, affirmed during the exhibition’s opening on behalf of His Excellency the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Mr. Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, that government policies and modern real estate legislations have contributed to stimulating the extraordinary growth of the sector. Over the past three years, more than 1000 developers have been qualified, and 360 licenses have been granted for new residential projects to be sold off-plan, contributing to the provision of 200,000 diverse housing units within integrated communities that meet international standards. Furthermore, the percentage of Saudi families owning their homes increased from 47% to 64% by the end of 2024, thanks to the integrated efforts between the Authority and the Housing Program, which reflects the success of the strategies put in place to achieve the objectives of Vision 2030.
• The Face of Good Fortune: A New Chapter Begins by Mohammed Al-Bakr After a seven-year absence from the presidency, Prince Nayef bin Saad returned through the elegant gate towards a new era after Fahad bin Nafel officially announced that he would not nominate himself for a new presidential term in Al-Hilal Club. This early withdrawal paved the way for competing candidates Hamad Al-Khunaini and Fahad Al-Malik to be endorsed within the club, giving a clear impression that the return was calculated and planned in advance. Prince Nayef is not just a familiar face; he is the “face of good fortune” for Al-Hilal fans after his first experience as president (2015-2018), which saw the team crowned with five official titles: the league, King’s Cup, Crown Prince Cup, and Super Cup twice in a row. He has a successful previous experience that formed a solid foundation for his return; he was Vice President for several years during the era of Prince Abdulrahman bin Musaad, which provided him with extensive experience and precise knowledge of the most minute details of the Al-Hilal household.

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By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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The provided sources primarily discuss Saudi Arabia’s economic development and societal initiatives, aligning with Vision 2030 goals. This includes substantial government investment in the sports sector and efforts to diversify the economy beyond oil, with projections for non-oil growth. Additionally, the texts highlight the country’s embrace of digital transformation, as seen in high internet adoption rates among businesses, and its growing influence in international cultural and sporting events. Finally, there’s a strong emphasis on humanitarian concerns, particularly regarding the crisis in Gaza, alongside discussions of regional stability and efforts to combat terrorism.

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Saudi Vision 2030: Economic Diversification and Growth

The Saudi economy is currently characterized by strength, resilience, and a notable focus on diversification efforts, largely driven by the ambitious Vision 2030 agenda. This strategic shift aims to reduce reliance on oil and foster growth in diverse, high-potential sectors.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the Saudi economy based on the sources:

• Overall Economic Performance and Outlook:
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded its annual consultations with Saudi Arabia, affirming the Saudi economy’s strong performance and resilience despite global uncertainties and external shocks.
• Non-oil real GDP grew strongly by 4.5% in 2024, primarily driven by expansions in the retail, tourism, and construction sectors. This non-oil growth is projected to exceed 3.5% in the medium term, supported by government investment and the hosting of major international events.
• While oil production remained stable at 9 million barrels per day in adherence to the OPEC+ agreement, leading to a 4.4% decline in the oil GDP, the overall real GDP growth adjusted to 2%. However, the total growth rate is expected to rise to 3.9% by 2026 as oil production cuts are gradually eased.
• Inflation has remained under control.
• The country has witnessed an unprecedented drop in unemployment, with rates for Saudi youth and women halving over the past four years, reflecting the effectiveness of vocational training programs, women’s empowerment, and new policies in various fields.
• The current account shifted from a 2.9% surplus in 2023 to a 0.5% deficit in 2024, financed through external borrowing and limiting the accumulation of foreign currency assets abroad.
• Despite these shifts, the net foreign assets held by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) remained stable at $415 billion, covering 187% of the IMF’s reserve adequacy metric.
• Fiscal and Monetary Stability:
• The IMF praised Saudi Arabia for its counter-cyclical fiscal policy, enabled by ample financial buffers, which supports growth and minimizes the impact of large oil price fluctuations.
• The IMF also noted the need for gradual fiscal consolidation in the medium term to ensure intergenerational equity. This can be achieved by increasing non-oil revenues, controlling the wage bill, improving social safety nets, and rationalizing non-essential expenditures.
• The banking sector remains robust, characterized by high capital and profitability, with non-performing loans at their lowest levels since 2016.
• The Saudi riyal’s peg to the U.S. dollar continues to be deemed appropriate, and improvements in liquidity management frameworks have been welcomed.
• Diversification and Key Growth Sectors (Beyond Oil):
• Non-oil revenues saw a 7% increase in the second quarter of 2025, reaching 149.861 billion Saudi Riyals (SAR), and a 5% increase in the first half of 2025, totaling 263.667 billion SAR. This contrasts with a decline in oil revenues by 29% in Q2 2025 and 24% in H1 2025, underscoring the success of diversification strategies in enhancing financial sustainability.
• Government expenditures decreased, reflecting efforts to enhance spending efficiency and prioritize projects with high economic and social returns.
• Vision 2030 aims to increase the total GDP to 6.375 trillion SAR and non-oil revenues to 1 trillion SAR by the end of 2030.
• Sports Sector:Sports is viewed as a lucrative global industry attracting billions in investments.
• The market value of the Saudi sports sector is currently estimated at 30 billion SAR (approximately $8 billion) and is projected to reach 85 billion SAR (around $22.5 billion) by 2030.
• In 2024, around 40 sports investment deals were completed, with 25% of these being foreign investments.
• The government’s annual support for various sports sectors is estimated at no less than 60 billion SAR.
• Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup is expected to attract additional government funding of up to 100 billion SAR (approximately $26.7 billion).
• The sports sector’s contribution to GDP increased by 170% between 2020 and 2021, rising from 2.4 billion SAR to 6.5 billion SAR.
• Over 1,904 licenses for sports halls and centers have been issued, creating over 20,000 direct and 60,000 indirect job opportunities.
• The “Nafes” platform was launched in 2021 to facilitate licensing for private sports clubs, academies, and halls, promoting investment from both local and foreign entities.
• The Investment and Privatization Project for Sports Clubs, launched by the Crown Prince in June 2023, aims to create an attractive environment for investment in sports, improve professionalism and governance, and develop club infrastructure. This project involved transferring ownership of four major clubs (Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diriyah, Al-Ula, and Al-Nassr) to large development companies and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) investing in four other clubs (Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal).
• Electronic Sports (E-sports):Saudi Arabia has shown early and significant interest in e-sports since the launch of Vision 2030, driven by the Crown Prince.
• The Kingdom has expressed its determination to dominate this sector, with ambitious initiatives and strong infrastructure investments aimed at transforming e-sports into a leading national industry that generates income and creates job opportunities.
• Saudi teams have achieved impressive results in the E-sports World Cup, with Team Falcons securing the first title in the Overwatch 2 tournament, boosting their position and the Kingdom’s standing in global e-sports. This success contributes to enhancing tourism and diversifying the economy.
• Digital Transformation:
• Saudi Arabia is also making significant strides in digital transformation, evident from the 2023 report on information and communication technology usage in establishments.
• 97.7% of establishments in the Kingdom had internet access in 2023.
• 91.3% utilized e-government services.
• 57.7% used social media to interact with government entities.
• This digital transformation aligns with international standards, supporting the Kingdom’s vision for global digital leadership and enhancing its competitiveness.
• Challenges and Risks:
• Despite the positive outlook, the IMF report noted existing risks, including potential weakness in global demand, slow government spending, and escalating geopolitical tensions related to oil. However, it also highlighted potential for improved growth if oil prices rise or additional diversification projects accelerate.

Overall, the Saudi economy is undergoing a strategic transformation, moving towards a diversified, knowledge-based economy with significant investments in burgeoning sectors like sports and e-sports, underpinned by strong fiscal and monetary management and rapid digital adoption.

Saudi Sports Investment: Vision, Growth, and Global Ambition

Sports investment is increasingly recognized as a lucrative global industry, attracting billions of dollars in investments worldwide. Economic studies confirm that sports have transformed from a mere hobby into a significant industry.

Here’s a comprehensive discussion of sports investment, particularly within the Saudi economy:

• Global Profitability and Benefits
• Sports is considered one of the most profitable industries globally, capable of generating substantial profits through television broadcasting rights, ticket sales, sponsorship of events, and commercial brands associated with sports.
• It also plays a crucial role in enhancing a brand’s image due to its association with positive attributes like passion, competitiveness, and teamwork.
• Furthermore, many investors seek to achieve a positive social impact by supporting sports events and projects that target underserved communities.
• Forms of Sports Investment
• Investment in sports clubs, which can involve purchasing clubs or investing in their operations.
• Investing in player contracts or in companies that manage players.
• Sponsoring major sports events or organizing new ones.
• Investing in sports infrastructure, such as building stadiums, training centers, and sports facilities.
• Investing in sports companies that provide services like marketing and advertising.
• Sports Investment in Saudi Arabia
• Market Value and Projections: The market value of the Saudi sports sector is currently estimated at 30 billion Saudi Riyals (approximately $8 billion). This is projected to reach 85 billion Saudi Riyals (around $22.5 billion) by the end of the current decade (2030).
• Investment Deals: In 2024, approximately 40 sports investment deals were completed in Saudi Arabia, with about 25% of these being foreign investments.
• Government Support: The annual government support for various sports sectors in the Kingdom is estimated at no less than 60 billion Saudi Riyals. This significant support is vital, especially given that most projects and investments currently rely on government funding due to limited private sector participation. Government entities like the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Saudi Aramco are key financiers.
• Hosting Major Events: Saudi Arabia’s preparations to host the 2034 World Cup are expected to require additional government funding of up to 100 billion Saudi Riyals (approximately $26.7 billion). This commitment is seen as a strong enabler for investment.
• Objectives of Sports Investment in Saudi Arabia (aligned with Vision 2030)
• Economic Growth: Increase the contribution of the sports sector to the Kingdom’s GDP. The sports sector’s contribution to GDP increased by 170% between 2020 and 2021, rising from 2.4 billion SAR to 6.5 billion SAR.
• Diversification: Reduce reliance on oil and foster growth in non-oil sectors.
• Private Sector Engagement: Encourage and involve the private sector and investors to contribute to the sports economy.
• Infrastructure Development: Build and market investment areas in sports to meet the demand for sports participation. Over 1,904 licenses for sports halls and centers have been issued, contributing to the development of sports infrastructure.
• Job Creation: The sports sector aims to create job opportunities. The issuance of licenses for sports facilities has already created over 20,000 direct and 60,000 indirect job opportunities.
• Professionalism and Governance: Improve the professionalism and administrative and financial governance of sports clubs.
• Promote Sports Participation: Increase sports participation rates across various disciplines and activate the entire sports ecosystem.
• Key Initiatives and Progress
• “Nafes” Platform: Launched in 2021, this platform facilitates licensing for private sports clubs, academies, and halls, promoting investment from local and foreign entities. This has led to the issuance of many licenses, including over 2,270 licenses for sports centers and halls, 242 for academies, and 555 for private sports clubs by 2023.
• Sports Club Investment and Privatization Project: Launched by the Crown Prince in June 2023, this project aims to create an attractive investment environment. It involved transferring ownership of four major clubs (Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diriyah, Al-Ula, and Al-Nassr) to large development companies and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) investing in four other clubs (Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal). This initiative seeks to increase the revenue of Saudi Professional League clubs.
• E-sports: Saudi Arabia has shown early and significant interest in e-sports since Vision 2030’s launch, with the Crown Prince demonstrating a determination to dominate this sector. Initiatives and strong infrastructure investments aim to transform e-sports into a leading national industry.
• Saudi teams have achieved impressive results in the E-sports World Cup, with Team Falcons securing the first title in the Overwatch 2 tournament, boosting their position and the Kingdom’s standing in global e-sports. Team Falcons received $400,000 for winning the Overwatch 2 tournament.
• The E-sports World Cup in 2025 featured 16 teams from around the world, competing over 4 days in the stc Arena at Boulevard Riyadh City.
• The E-sports World Cup is the main event for the E-sports World Cup Foundation, an entity dedicated to developing the global e-sports and gaming sector. All revenues generated by the foundation are reinvested into the sector to ensure its financial sustainability and continuous development.
• Regulation and Transparency: Efforts include issuing regulations for investing in lands allocated for sports clubs to achieve financial returns and regulate investment procedures.

Overall, Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing a strategy to transform its economy by heavily investing in and diversifying through the sports sector, backed by strong government support and ambitious initiatives to enhance its global standing and create sustainable economic opportunities.

Saudi Healthcare Progress and Vision 2030 Alignment

Healthcare advances are a critical component of national development, contributing significantly to the well-being of societies and aligning with broader economic and social visions. The sources provide several examples of such advancements and the efforts to foster them, particularly within Saudi Arabia.

Here’s a discussion of healthcare advances:

• Excellence in Medical Education and Training
• Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University has achieved advanced rankings in the Saudi License Exam for Practicing the Profession (SLE) for 2025. This achievement underscores the quality and efficiency of its educational health programs and academic outputs across various medical specialties.
• The university’s health colleges and graduates are recognized for their strong performance, leading performance reports issued by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
• Specific advancements include the College of Nursing moving from a ‘C’ to a ‘B’ category, while the College of Dentistry maintained its ‘B’ classification, and the College of Pharmacy progressed to ‘C’.
• The SLE is a pivotal national standardized exam designed to assess the knowledge, acquired skills, and clinical and professional competencies of students and graduates in various health specialties during their university studies.
• The university’s commitment to continuous excellence in education and healthcare directly aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives.
• Developing Medical Talent and Infrastructure
• King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) in Riyadh launched the second edition of its “Dean’s List” academic program. This initiative aims to attract outstanding medical students from Saudi universities and provide them with practical training experiences.
• The program supports the development of competencies and builds bridges between academic education and clinical practice, equipping students with necessary skills and knowledge.
• KFSH&RC is recognized as a leading institution, ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 15th globally for the second consecutive year among the top 250 academic healthcare institutions, according to “Brand Finance” 2024. This highlights its role as a reference center for national medical competencies.
• Advancements in Surgical Procedures
• Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital in Al Kharj successfully performed two separate, highly successful knee replacement surgeries for two women suffering from severe osteoarthritis, advanced joint wear, and bone erosion.
• These operations utilized the latest medical devices and techniques, enabling the patients to walk just hours after surgery and significantly reducing pain.
• The hospital is noted for its integrated healthcare services, adhering to national and international standards in orthopedics, joint and spinal surgery, and employing highly skilled medical staff and advanced equipment. It is considered a reference in joint replacement surgeries in the Middle East.
• Financial Support for the Healthcare Sector
• The General Authority for Endowments is actively promoting the culture of waqf (endowment) in Saudi society to support sustainable development.
• A significant portion of endowment funds, 126 million Saudi Riyals, was allocated to the healthcare system out of a total of over 2.3 billion Riyals disbursed across various sectors. This highlights the role of endowments as a vital financial arm supporting state efforts, improving quality of life, and achieving social solidarity and stability.

These advancements collectively demonstrate a concerted effort to enhance medical capabilities, improve public health, and align with the ambitious goals of Vision 2030, particularly in fostering a vibrant society and a thriving economy.

Saudi Arabia’s Digital Transformation: Vision 2030 and Beyond

Digital transformation is a fundamental pillar of national development, enabling societies to enhance various sectors, improve quality of life, and achieve ambitious economic and social objectives. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in particular, has demonstrated a strong commitment to this transformation, aligning it with its overarching Vision 2030 goals.

Key aspects and advancements in digital transformation highlighted in the sources include:

• Strategic National Imperative (Vision 2030 Alignment): Saudi Arabia embarked on digital transformation early with the launch of Vision 2030, which includes diversifying its economy away from oil reliance. Digital transformation is seen as a crucial tool for achieving greater efficiency in government work, improving the beneficiary experience, and increasing the Kingdom’s global competitiveness. This commitment is evident in the continuous efforts to implement reforms and leverage technology across various sectors.
• High Internet Adoption and E-Government Services: A significant indicator of digital penetration is the high percentage of establishments in Saudi Arabia utilizing the internet. In 2023, 97.7% of establishments in the Kingdom had internet access. Furthermore, 91.3% of these establishments used e-government services for tasks such as obtaining information or conducting electronic transactions. This demonstrates a widespread adoption of digital tools within the business and administrative spheres.
• Enhancing Government Efficiency and Public Interaction:
• The Eastern Province Governor emphasized that leveraging technology and improving services reflect the state’s drive to raise government work efficiency. This includes adopting innovative digital solutions and enhancing performance across all entry points.
• Licensing platforms like “Nafes,” launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Sports, facilitate the issuance of licenses for private sports clubs, academies, and halls, streamlining processes for investors. By 2023, over 2,270 licenses for sports centers and halls, 242 for academies, and 555 for private sports clubs were issued through this platform.
• The General Authority for Endowments launched the digital platform “Waqfi” to enable secure and flexible participation in waqf (endowment) investments, fostering financial sustainability and social solidarity.
• The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture achieved a 93% response rate to beneficiary calls in the first half of 2025, with an average response time of just 12 seconds, showcasing high efficiency in handling inquiries and reports via digital channels.
• Pioneering E-sports Development: Saudi Arabia has shown early and significant interest in e-sports since the launch of Vision 2030, with a stated determination to dominate this sector globally. The Kingdom has made substantial infrastructure investments and initiatives to transform e-sports into a leading national industry.
• Saudi teams, such as Team Falcons, have achieved impressive results in the E-sports World Cup, securing top positions and titles, including a $400,000 prize for winning the Overwatch 2 tournament.
• The E-sports World Cup Foundation, the organizing body, reinvests all revenues back into the sector to ensure its financial sustainability and continuous development.
• Advancements in Artificial Intelligence for Arabic Language: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launched the “Balasam” index report in 2025, which evaluates the performance of large language models (LLMs) in processing the Arabic language. This initiative aims to provide a unified, objective platform for developers and researchers to assess LLM performance across various linguistic tasks like creative writing, summarization, translation, and classification. This highlights a strategic effort to enhance the quality of AI applications for Arabic and build national capacities in language technologies.
• Technology in Cultural and Educational Initiatives:
• The Madinah Book Fair in 2025 utilized virtual reality (VR) technology to narrate aspects of local history, offering visitors an immersive experience beyond traditional reading. This demonstrates the integration of technology to enhance cultural engagement.
• Educational programs like “Ithra’s Youth Program” aim to expand the horizons of young participants by providing practical training in cultural industries and developing skills through workshops and expert meetings, fostering creativity and digital literacy.
• Impact on Job Creation: Digital transformation initiatives, particularly in sports, have significantly contributed to job creation. The licensing of sports facilities, for instance, has generated over 20,000 direct and 60,000 indirect job opportunities. Similarly, the Saudi-Syrian investment forum aims to create over 50,000 direct job opportunities through various projects.
• Challenges and Opportunities for Human Adaptability: The sources also touch upon the broader implications of digital advances, particularly the rise of AI. For instance, the discussion on “Media and Artificial Intelligence” acknowledges the unprecedented challenges AI poses to traditional media roles, with its ability to rapidly analyze vast data and generate content. However, it emphasizes that AI is not a threat but a tool, and for human media professionals to excel, they must develop skills in understanding and leveraging modern technology, data analysis, critical thinking, creativity, and human interaction. This perspective underscores the need for continuous learning and adaptation to thrive in a digitally transforming world.

In summary, Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing a comprehensive digital transformation strategy, driven by Vision 2030, to enhance government services, foster new industries like e-sports, advance technological frontiers in areas like AI and language processing, and ultimately improve the lives of its citizens and residents, while also addressing the need for human adaptation in an evolving technological landscape.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Global Engagement and Diversification

Global relations are a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s national development strategy, deeply integrated with its Vision 2030 objectives to foster a vibrant society, thriving economy, and ambitious nation. The Kingdom actively engages on multiple international fronts, demonstrating its commitment to economic diversification, regional stability, and addressing global challenges.

Key aspects of Saudi Arabia’s global relations, as evidenced in the sources, include:

• Diplomatic and Bilateral Engagements:
• High-Level Meetings: Saudi Arabia maintains strong bilateral ties, exemplified by the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, receiving the Kuwaiti Prime Minister in Neom to review historical relations and cooperation.
• Congratulatory Messages: The Saudi leadership, including the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, extends official congratulations to leaders of other nations, such as the King’s Representative in the Cook Islands on Constitution Day, signifying ongoing diplomatic courtesies.
• Ministerial Interactions: The Minister of Islamic Affairs and Guidance hosted the Ambassador of Sri Lanka, discussing matters of common interest and cooperation.
• Economic Influence and International Partnerships:
• IMF Recognition: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lauded the strength and resilience of the Saudi economy and its ongoing reforms under Vision 2030, particularly its diversification efforts away from oil. The IMF noted the Kingdom’s leadership in multilateral forums, including the G20, and its contributions to addressing global challenges.
• Strategic Investment Forums: The inaugural Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum in Damascus saw the signing of 47 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) exceeding 24 billion Saudi Riyals in value, spanning sectors like industry, energy, real estate development, and financial technologies. This initiative aims to revitalize the Syrian economy, create over 50,000 direct job opportunities, and strengthen long-standing bilateral relations.
• Global Tourism & Hospitality: The appointment of an experienced international General Manager for Raffles Jeddah Hotel, drawing on over 25 years of global hospitality experience across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States, underlines Saudi Arabia’s commitment to attracting international talent and elevating its luxury tourism sector.
• Leadership in Sports and E-sports:
• E-sports Dominance: Saudi Arabia has shown an early and strong determination to dominate the global e-sports sector, making substantial investments in infrastructure and initiatives to transform e-sports into a leading national industry. Saudi teams like Team Falcons have achieved impressive results in the E-sports World Cup, securing top positions and titles, including a $400,000 prize for winning the Overwatch 2 tournament. The E-sports World Cup Foundation reinvests all revenues back into the sector to ensure its financial sustainability and continuous development.
• Hosting International Events: The Kingdom is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, requiring significant additional government funding. It also hosted the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah, marking its first time as host for this prominent continental basketball tournament with participation from 14 countries.
• Cultural and Educational Exchange:
• International Conferences: “Mawhiba,” the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, presented its pioneering experience in gifted care at the World Conference for Gifted and Talented Children in Braga, Portugal, showcasing its scientific methodology and social return on investment.
• Scouting Diplomacy: The Saudi Arabian Scouts participated in the World Scout Moot in Portugal, contributing to cultural exchange by presenting Saudi traditions, clothing, and popular foods.
• Nuclear Sciences Olympiad: The Kingdom is competing against 14 countries in the International Nuclear Sciences Olympiad (INSO 2025) in Kuala Lumpur, demonstrating its progress in advanced sciences and care for innovation.
• Humanitarian and Security Responsibilities:
• Gaza Crisis Response: Saudi Arabia has taken a leading diplomatic role in addressing the Gaza crisis. It chaired the UN conference for a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian issue in France, advocating for a two-state solution and calling for international responsibility to end the oppression. The Kingdom rejects normalization with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state. It also monitors the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with the media office highlighting the insufficient aid entering the Strip (only 80 trucks daily compared to a needed 600) and calling for the opening of safe passages and accountability for Israeli actions.
• Global Security Concerns: The sources touch upon international anxieties regarding US sanctions on oil from Iran and Russia and their potential disruption of global supplies. Notably, India continues to purchase Russian oil despite US pressure, and China is increasing its investments in Iraq’s oil fields. South Africa also expressed concerns about US tariffs and their impact on employment.
• Enhancing Global Standards and Competitiveness:
• Healthcare Excellence: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) in Riyadh is ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 15th globally among top academic healthcare institutions, highlighting its role as a reference for national medical competencies and its international standing.
• Professional Standards: The National Center for Wildlife Development successfully launched the National Professional Standard for Rangers, which is the first professional standard in the region and globally compatible, reinforcing the Kingdom’s environmental leadership. The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health also received an international award (ORP Recognition 2025) for its efforts in promoting safety culture.

In essence, Saudi Arabia’s global relations strategy is multifaceted, underpinned by its Vision 2030, aiming to strengthen its position as a proactive and influential player in the international arena, contributing to global economic stability, cultural exchange, and humanitarian efforts, while vigorously pursuing its national interests and development goals.

Saudi Perspectives: Culture, Economy, and Society

Here are the titles of all identified columns in the newspaper and their first two paragraphs of detail, translated into English:

1. Title: Word With clear official efforts, and a vision that anticipates writing history anew, the Kingdom has recently succeeded in documenting the amazing achievements that have been achieved through the implementation of plans and programs. These successes have made the Kingdom a global destination sought by the world, and it would not have been achieved without the Kingdom’s adoption of rapid technological development and innovation, which achieves its goals in this vital sector. The Kingdom paid early attention to e-sports, from the launch of Vision 2030, not to mention its importance, which is beloved by millions around the world. The Kingdom was keen to spread these sports to various cultures, and this interest was personally translated by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Council of Ministers, by launching the National Strategy for E-sports, before His Highness launched the E-sports World Cup, in which Saudi teams achieved impressive results, by obtaining top positions, which greatly contributed to promoting tourism, diversifying the economy, and developing promising sectors.
2. Title: Electronic Leadership Author: Khalid Al-Rubaish Investment in sports in general, and investment in sports facilities in particular, is considered one of the most profitable global investments. It plays a vital and important role in the development of sports clubs and societies, and even countries. It is one of the most important economic processes with multiple and great economic benefits that contribute positively to building a future strategy. The year 2024 witnessed the completion of about 40 investment deals in the field of sports, about 25% of which were foreign investments. The market value of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia is currently estimated at 30 billion riyals (about 8 billion dollars), and it is expected to reach 85 billion riyals (about 22.5 billion dollars) by the end of the current decade.
3. Title: The Professional Standard for Rangers Enhances the Kingdom’s Environmental Leadership The CEO of the National Center for Wildlife Development, Dr. Mohammed Qurban, confirmed that the Kingdom has achieved leadership in launching the national professional standard for rangers, which is considered the first professional standard in the region and among the first professional standards for rangers globally. He said that this unique project, which the center launched recently, contributes to developing the ranger profession and enhancing its role in protecting natural reserves, according to the highest international standards. It also supports the preservation of wildlife and its biodiversity, and contributes to raising the efficiency of the environmental protection organization in the Kingdom.
4. Title: Qassim.. A Summer Renewed and Activities Multiplied With the support and attention of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Mishaal, Governor of Qassim region, and His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Saad bin Fahd, Deputy Governor of Qassim region, summer has brought a distinct and varied economic, social, recreational, commercial, and tourist dynamism to the Qassim region, unlike other seasons of the year, as high temperatures impose changes on many aspects of life for residents. Many people adjust their daily activities and shopping times to avoid the heat, with movement and shopping concentrated in the evening and night, while social gatherings and activities are reduced during the day, changing places to open and outdoor areas, squares, parks, playgrounds, cafes, and enclosed malls for families, and other places that provide comfortable and air-conditioned environments for families, youth, and adults.
5. Title: Rahat.. Al-Ahsa of Hijaz To the east of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, about 130 km north of Kiim, lies the town of Rahat, embracing Ain Al-Nabi, the ancient historical site that still remains, along with its extensive date palm farms that extend over vast areas on the slopes of mountains, overlooking a narrow agricultural passage, where you find shaded valleys for drinking coffee and tea from fertile agricultural production. Rahat is a center belonging to Bisha Governorate in the Makkah Al-Mukarramah region, approximately 10 km from the city of Bisha. Its population exceeds ten thousand, and it is endowed with a natural beauty of lush vegetation that spans large areas on mountain slopes and within valleys rich in underground wells and springs.
6. Title: Sports Investment.. Why? Economic studies today agree that sports have become a huge industry that attracts billions of dollars in investments around the world. Studies also confirm that sports have transformed from a mere hobby into an industry, and investments by companies and individuals in sports clubs, players, and events have become common. Sports are considered one of the most profitable industries, as huge profits can be made through television broadcasting rights, selling event tickets, and commercial brands associated with sports. Sports also contribute to enhancing the brand image through their association with positive images such as passion, competitiveness, and teamwork, making them an effective means to enhance influence.
7. Title: Non-Oil Revenue Budget and Priorities Author: Dr. Fahd Muhammad bin Jumaa Since the launch of Vision 2030, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom has achieved remarkable progress in diversifying its revenue sources, moving from reliance on volatile oil to more secure sources. These non-oil revenues form a fundamental pillar for achieving economic sustainability, as their success relies on carefully selecting the highest priorities and efficiently allocating resources to achieve precise returns. This requires an accurate assessment of global opportunities and an analysis of the national economy and its ability to steadfastly face external shocks, supporting the goals of Vision 2030. Non-oil revenues in the second quarter of 2025 recorded an increase of 7% to 149.861 billion riyals compared to 140.602 billion riyals in the same period of 2024, supported by strong economic performance.
8. Title: Outside the Box Author: Hussein bin Hamad Al-Raqeeb In the world of economics, numbers do not move in a vacuum, but rather are accompanied or preceded by waves of “economic opinion” – what is classified under statements, tweets, and reports. This opinion has not been a mere intellectual luxury, but rather an active factor in the movement of the market, the decisions of investors, and the construction or undermining of trust among parties in the economic scene. When opinion comes laden with sober analysis and deep knowledge, it becomes an effective tool in guiding policies and stimulating reforms. We have seen how responsible analyses have led to fundamental revisions that resulted in positive transformations. On the other hand, there are opinions that stem from an idea that lacks a cognitive basis, and are driven by personal impressions and hidden agendas, whose goal is excitement, not enlightenment.
9. Title: Intellectual Distortion Author: Yousef Al-Qubban What are the criteria that some media channels rely on in hosting those who speak in various fields? Is it fame that may be a product of triviality? Or is it the addition that this person will provide to the recipient? And how is the basic condition of specialization, general culture, and objectivity respected by those who have the honor of speaking to the public? What are the qualifications that qualify those who practice these behaviors (fanaticism and lack of manners and extremism) to address the public, as happens in this era? Modern communication tools have revealed some minds that seek fame by presenting ideas that contradict religion, logic, culture, and ethics of dialogue, and an extremist thought that deliberately targets excitement through trivial or provocative discourse.
10. Title: The Failure of Occupation Plans Author: Dr. Talal Al-Harbi In a unique diplomatic precedent, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia chaired the United Nations conference for a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue in France, with the participation of states. This step represents a pivotal stage in the history of the Arab-Zionist conflict with the occupation state. This important conference was held after concerted and diligent Saudi diplomatic efforts to gather the international community and put states before their responsibilities to lift an oppression that has lasted for decades and to restore respect for international and humanitarian laws. The occupation state constantly evades accountability under the pretext of ‘anti-Semitism’ and the exaggerated ‘Holocaust’ lie for Jews, and other fabricated claims that allowed global Zionism to commit crimes that are fundamentally a European crime, the Arabs and the Palestinian people, in particular, bore its brunt. The Zionist terrorism has led states worldwide, politically, militarily, and ideologically, to many of these states committing to silence, while other states have continued to support this nuclear-armed entity by all means, including arms, to enable it to ‘defend itself’.
11. Title: Journalist and Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities for Excellence Author: Fahd Al-Ahmari In the midst of the radical transformations witnessed by the world and the failure of the artificial intelligence, the media has faced unprecedented challenges that threaten the decline of its traditional role. With the machine’s ability to analyze huge data and produce content quickly and accurately, and even simulate human writing styles, a pivotal question arises: Will artificial intelligence replace the human media? To answer this question, one must look at what distinguishes the two parties. The machine is characterized by speed, low cost, and efficiency, but it lacks deep human understanding and true creativity. The human journalist is the one who can provide content that relates to human emotions and reflects cultural and social contexts that artificial intelligence cannot fully grasp.
12. Title: Information Makes the Market At the core of investment work, information is not just cognitive content; it is the real fuel for decision-making and the decisive factor in market movements and stock trends. It has the power to drive stock prices up or down, based on the investor’s analysis and expectation of its impact on the company’s future performance. Why is information so important? Let’s consider our daily behavior as individuals: why do we follow influencers and celebrities on social media platforms? Not necessarily for our personal needs, but because we gain information and experiences from them that shape our decisions: what we buy, where we travel, what restaurants or products we try, and even how we behave or interact with life situations.
13. Title: Theater: A Journey of Cultural Transformation Authors: Fahd Saud Al-Sakhri, Abdulmutalib Mubarak Al-Badrani, Abdulmohsen Al-Sanani Since its establishment in February 2020, the Theater and Performing Arts Authority has marked a significant milestone in the Saudi cultural scene, not merely as an organizational structure, but as a driving force and vital component of the ambitious national strategy for artistic renewal within the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Its establishment came as part of a series of cultural authorities launched by the Ministry of Culture to be the specialized executive arm in developing performing arts in their various forms, from theater and dance to opera and contemporary shows, reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to being a center for creativity at regional and international levels. The Authority embarked from its inception with confident steps towards establishing an integrated infrastructure for the sector, through well-studied strategies aimed at building capacities and developing talents. Programs such as: “The Theater Professional” and training workshops have contributed to empowering a new generation of creators, while the “Star” program provided qualitative support for theater groups, amateur clubs, and emerging companies, encouraging them to find self-sustaining models that enhance the sector’s ability to continue and influence beyond temporary support.
14. Title: My Father.. And The Shadow That Never Fades Author: Hassan Mahni Al-Shehri It is hard to write about your father as a memory. It is hurtful for his name to become a past tense verb, and it is cruel for days to pass… while his absence does not. On this very day in 2021, my father passed away. The quiet man who excelled, the journalist who practiced honesty as if it were his sole profession. Four years have passed since his voice fell silent, but his impact has not. The voice left, the body disappeared, but the meaning remained. The echo remained.
15. Title: The White Hands.. Saudi Arabia and Syria Author: Dr. Abdullah Muhammad Al-Qarni Here we are today witnessing a wonderful scene of brotherhood between our Arab peoples, where the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands side by side with the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic, for the world to witness, and for us to acknowledge, first that our religion unites us, and second, a historic stance today for the great role played by the Kingdom to take the hand of its sister Syria again and restore its former glory with strength and grace from Almighty God. The first Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum of its kind was recently launched in Damascus, attended by the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed Al-Sar’a, alongside a Saudi delegation comprising a group of the most important officials in the Kingdom, led by the Minister of Investment, Engineer Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih.
16. Title: Quality of Life for Future Generations Authors: Dr. Nouha Al-Waqdani, Mashari Muhammad bin Daleilah The world, since the beginning of the twenty-first century, has witnessed rapid development in various fields. Competition between countries is one of the pillars of leadership. When you compare healthcare now to what it was before, people used to pass away because there was no cure for them. In the pursuit of livelihood, people traveled between countries in search of food, trade, and profit. In education, the challenge was to find a skilled teacher, and so on. With scientific and practical progress, challenges in healthcare, education, industry, economy, and other aspects of life have improved, and the world has become like a village. Our state, since the dawn of its blessed era, through a network of communication and supply chains, and since its establishment by King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud – may God have mercy on him – who laid the foundation for change and improved the quality of life for everyone living in this blessed country, that foundation stone has been followed by his loyal sons who continued construction, development, and growth in all fields.
17. Title: Divorce: The Experience of Pain and the Discovery of Meaning Author: Abdulrahman Al-Ruwaili (Social Specialist) At some point, the scenario we wrote in our imagination about married life shatters. With it collapses the network of symbols that shaped the meaning of marriage: the home, the dwelling, children, holidays, memories, expectations, and future plans, even the pronoun ‘we’. According to symbolic interactionism in sociology, these are not mere fleeting details, but rather symbols through which we define our expected roles and perform our identities within an internal pulsating theater: husband, wife, life partner. When these symbols collapse due to divorce, our identity shakes from within, and we feel as if we have been stripped of our old layers, and that we need to re-formulate ourselves anew. From here, divorce becomes more than just a legal event; it is an earthquake that touches the deep meaning of the self, as the partner who was our mirror and extension in the world suddenly turns into a stranger.
18. Title: The Stands Commanded.. Sindi Prevailed Author: Hattan Al-Najjar By a decision from the federal stands, the matter of the hot presidential chair at Al-Ittihad Club has been settled and it is approaching the candidate Fahd Sindi after the withdrawal of the other candidate Ammar Al-Haili. Sindi has now become the expected president for Al-Ittihad by acclamation, as no one is competing with him for the presidential seat in his upcoming presidential term, which is only for one year. All the initial indicators gave signs that Fahd Sindi would lead the presidency of the Al-Ittihad Club company, especially after his success in the elections of the non-profit organization and the new amendments to the election system for club administrations, specifically the condition of forty million riyals in one year, or the decision returns to the acquiring entity of the club to elect a president from among the seven members appointed by it.
19. Title: In the Net Author: Abdul Karim Al-Jaris (Sports Journalist)

• The reaction of some fans and media figures to the return of Prince Nawaf bin Saad varied between great Al-Hilal joy and sadness for the fans and media of the temporarily allied teams, which may turn against each other at any time, as happened before!
• Those who expressed their anger and sadness at the return of the former golden Al-Hilal president were afraid of the continued dominance of the global leader over titles and feared even more for their understanding of his strength and his unwillingness to allow anyone to overstep, as images of apologies are still preserved and have been re-uploaded and circulated again, including how the returning president humiliated those who offended and overstepped!

1. Title: Player Selection in the Transfer Market Author: Ali Taher Al-Saqr At the end of every sports season, global clubs used to analyze their method of work, and evaluate the players’ condition, whether positive or negative, based on the results achieved by the team. The technical and physical level is considered a supporting factor for starting the new season on solid and sound foundations. As soon as the 2024-2025 football season concluded in our beloved Kingdom, our local clubs began to rush and accelerate their efforts to achieve the largest share of football deals among players without careful consideration in the selection process and on what basis those deals were made. Most clubs entered the transfer market quickly to win over many distinguished players before other clubs could get them.
2. Title: Al-Ittihad: From Podium to Crisis of Divisions! Author: Abdul Karim bin Diham Al-Daham The gathering quickly dispersed after the storm subsided and the heated election battle between Sindi and Al-Haili, and their supporters, on digital platforms and newspaper columns, until the voice of reason and wisdom arrived, albeit a little late, as it was possible to rectify matters and reach an agreement before the differences escalated and the divisions widened. With the voices momentarily calming, the echoes of this division will still linger and reappear in the next season, and those effects will remain dormant, emerging whenever discussions heat up about the club’s future or decisive decisions are made about it. Despite Al-Ittihad ending the season as champions of the league and cup, what happened recently reveals a great paradox: a successful team on the field, but divided off it!
3. Title: We are all with Al-Akhdar Authors: Amjad Mustafa Amin, Hammoud Falah Al-Subaie The Saudi national football team is considered one of the most successful Asian national teams in reaching the World Cup, which has earned it great experience, as it has reached the World Cup six times in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, and 2022. The draw for the Asian qualifiers playoff for the 2026 World Cup resulted in the Saudi national team being placed in Group B alongside Indonesia and Iraq, while Group A included Qatar, UAE, and Oman. These six national teams will compete for two direct qualification spots for the World Cup, along with the six teams that have already directly qualified in the previous round of qualifiers.
4. Title: The League is Strong and Teams are Not to be Underestimated Author: Ali Taher Al-Saqr In the recent period, Roshn League teams in the Kingdom have been preparing for the new football season. These preparations, whether positive or negative in their results, refer to the results of friendly matches played by the teams during training camps. This is a clear indication of the success of the camps regardless of the results, but the results will become clearer in the league, which will confirm the team’s presence in the local league with excellent performance or that it will be modest and weak. The team’s strength or weakness will appear greatly in our league, so every team must appear in our league as required, and to be ready for confrontations, it must have a strong team in the camp that heralds the arrival of a strong team in the league.
5. Title: Normalizing Triviality! Author: Adel Al-Harbi What defines our daily behavior and redefines our taste? What we consider abnormal becomes normal, and what we see as strange becomes ordinary. The theory of ‘Cultural Exposure’ has indicated that repeated exposure to certain content makes the mind deal with it as reality, not just representation. Thus, deviant behavior becomes familiar, triviality and degradation become a source of laughter or sympathy, simply because repetition has imposed them on your consciousness as a normal thing. If you follow something trivial, little by little you will be colored by its triviality.

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By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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These sources primarily discuss current events and economic trends in the Middle East, with a significant focus on Saudi Arabia’s role in regional stability and development. Several articles address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing political efforts for a two-state solution. Furthermore, the texts cover market analyses, including reports on the real estate sector and the oil market, alongside cultural and societal initiatives within Saudi Arabia. Finally, there are snippets on legal announcements, sports news, and general public safety advisories.

Podcast

The Ongoing Crisis in Palestine: A Comprehensive Overview

The Palestinian issue is a deeply complex and long-standing conflict, frequently described as an “existential moment” for the international community’s commitment to justice and peace. The situation is characterized by ongoing tensions, violence, and persistent diplomatic efforts to find a lasting solution.

Here’s a comprehensive overview based on the provided sources:

Current Situation and Recent Events

• Al-Aqsa Mosque Incursions: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has repeatedly stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy protection. These actions are viewed not as religious acts but as political exercises aimed at achieving internal political gains for the occupation. Such tampering with the Holy Site of Jerusalem is monitored internationally as a measure of peace intentions in the region. Sources highlight that this is not an isolated incident, referencing previous incursions, such as Ariel Sharon’s visit in 2000 that ignited the Second Intifada, and the incident at the Ibrahimi Mosque in 1994.
• Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza:
• Israeli occupation planes bombed the Palestinian Red Crescent Society headquarters in Khan Yunis, Gaza, resulting in the martyrdom of one medical staff member and injuries to others. They also targeted a school sheltering displaced people in the Al-Amal neighborhood, leading to civilian casualties.
• Medical sources reported 62 martyrs, including 38 children, among those awaiting humanitarian aid.
• The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is severe, with Al-Shifa Hospital experiencing a power outage due to fuel depletion, compounded by Israel preventing the entry of necessary supplies for generators.
• Israeli raids continued in eastern Gaza City, and artillery targeted the northern Nuseirat camp.
• Sources confirm deaths from starvation and malnutrition, with six individuals (all adults) dying within 24 hours. The total number of famine and malnutrition victims has reached 175, including 93 children.
• UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) warned of a doubling in malnutrition rates among children under five between March and June due to the continued siege.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has described malnutrition rates in Gaza as “alarming”.
• UNICEF noted that the humanitarian situation has passed the hunger threshold, with one in three people going days without food.
• The Gaza Health Ministry stated that only 36 aid trucks entered the strip, with most being looted due to security chaos attributed to the occupation.
• The Israeli occupation has destroyed approximately 97% of Gaza’s animal wealth through bombing or systematic starvation, which includes working animals. This, along with the destruction of agricultural lands, is seen as a deliberate policy to starve the population, causing severe human and psychological suffering and constituting a crime of collective genocide.

Historical Context

• The roots of the conflict are often traced back to the 1917 Balfour Declaration, where Britain announced support for a Jewish homeland.
• In 1937, Britain proposed the first partition plan for Palestine, creating a Jewish state in the north and an Arab state in the south.
• The 1948 war resulted in Israel’s control over Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and most of the Golan Heights, tripling the area under its control.
• Later diplomatic efforts included the 1991 Madrid Conference and the Oslo Accords, which, although not leading to a Palestinian state, were seen as serious attempts under U.S. patronage to advance self-rule.
• Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin agreed to a return to pre-1967 borders, and the PLO recognized Israel’s right to exist in peace, which seemed to open a new phase. The handshake between Yasser Arafat and Rabin at the White House was a significant historical moment.
• However, Rabin’s assassination in 1995 by a religious extremist disrupted the peace process.
• The Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, led by Saudi Arabia, offered full Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the Green Line (pre-1967 borders). This initiative, despite its comprehensiveness, was rejected by Israel.

Political and Diplomatic Efforts (Two-State Solution)

• The “Two-State Solution” is widely considered the most acceptable framework. A recent “Two-State Solution” conference in New York, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, is regarded as a pivotal diplomatic event.
• This conference involved most world countries and international organizations, aiming for a just and comprehensive political solution. It emphasized that the time for actual action has come regarding the two-state solution.
• Many countries at the conference announced their intention to officially recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly session in September 2025.
• Saudi Arabia and France are leading this initiative, highlighting the importance of justice as a fundamental entry point for security and stability. Their efforts are rooted in UN resolutions and extend to ethical commitments to support Palestinian aspirations.
• The conference specifically called for ending civilian suffering in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire, lifting the siege, and stopping repeated incursions into the West Bank. It affirmed that justice for Palestinians and their right to an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital are essential for stability.
• The Arab Parliament President further underscored that international legitimacy guarantees the Palestinian people’s right to freedom and an independent state, criticizing the international community’s inability to materialize these resolutions. He called for a global parliamentary endorsement of official recognition of Palestine.
• The Arab Parliament President noted that the decisions by Canada, Malta, and Portugal to recognize Palestine are a “correct and courageous step” towards correcting historical injustice.
• Saudi Arabia’s role is evolving from a mere “supporter” to an “influential actor” in shaping the regional environment, aiming to re-engineer balances through alliances, dialogue, and unifying the Arab stance around the priority of Palestine.
• Geopolitical shifts, including the decline of Western unipolarity and the rise of new international blocs, could foster more balanced international positions.
• The Saudi-Iranian rapprochement could lead to a unified Arab and Islamic stance, weakening Israeli pretexts and strengthening the Palestinian negotiating position.
• Global public opinion influenced by Israeli aggression, boycott campaigns, and exposure of practices online, also creates new avenues for pressure.
• Saudi Arabia’s leadership in Arab, Islamic, and international diplomatic and media efforts aims to restore the Palestinian narrative and isolate the occupation globally.
• The conference’s final document is viewed as an advanced and comprehensive initiative, considered a “turning point” that, if supported by necessary political courage, could rewrite history.

Israeli Actions and Policies

• Israeli incursions are seen as a deliberate attempt to impose a new reality in Al-Aqsa Mosque, transforming incursions into fixed religious rituals linked to Torah occasions, paving the way for the mosque’s temporal and spatial division and eventual full Judaisation.
• Settlers performed Talmudic rituals in villages in the West Bank under military protection, which is interpreted as establishing new facts on the ground.
• The Palestinian Foreign Ministry states that the Israeli occupation government is racing against time to thwart international consensus on the two-state solution and to continue its crimes of genocide, starvation, and displacement in Gaza.
• An Israeli official stated that for peace to exist, Palestinians must accept “some basic facts,” implying the impossibility of returning to pre-1967 borders due to demographic changes.
• Netanyahu’s government has continued to impose new conditions, including disarming Palestinian factions and the full occupation of Gaza, which has thwarted peace efforts.

Palestinian Stance and International Calls

• The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has warned against settler provocations and official Israeli involvement in them, particularly regarding the use of live ammunition against civilians.
• They assert that the suffering of the Palestinian people is part of an official governmental policy to liquidate the Palestinian cause and stop international efforts to end genocide, starvation, and displacement.
• The Palestinian leadership stresses the need for the international community and the UN Security Council to assume their legal and ethical responsibilities to halt Israel’s actions, protect Palestinians, and enable their right to self-determination.
• Hamas has expressed readiness for a comprehensive prisoner exchange deal in exchange for an end to the war and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
• Massive protests in Tel Aviv, with tens of thousands of Israelis demanding an immediate prisoner exchange deal, indicate internal pressure on the Israeli government. Protesters accused the government of negligence, with relatives of prisoners describing severe conditions, including starvation.
• Nabil Abu Rudeineh, official spokesman for the Palestinian Presidency, stated that settler terrorism and provocations in Al-Aqsa are a continuation of the war of extermination and starvation in Gaza. He affirmed that this escalation is organized and supported by occupation authorities to thwart efforts for a ceasefire and stability.

International Reactions and Concerns

• Saudi Arabia views the tampering with holy sites not as an internal Israeli matter but as a threat to regional and global security. Riyadh emphasizes that silence on these violations is complicity, and the protection of Al-Aqsa is a political commitment to regional stability.
• The Arab Parliament has strongly advocated for reforming the United Nations and the Security Council to restore trust, emphasizing that the denial of self-determination for an entire people is a clear example of the international system’s failure.
• The Parliament called for an international parliamentary alliance for global justice to monitor and document discriminatory practices in applying international law.
• The Parliament President specifically demanded Sweden resume its funding for UNRWA, noting that UNRWA is the primary lifeline providing food, medicine, and education to over two million Palestinians. He argued that Sweden’s decision to halt funding contradicts its supportive stance on the Palestinian issue. The Swedish Parliament itself indicated that the government’s decision on UNRWA funding was not supported by parliament and was criticized by opposition parties as violating international law.
• The international community is urged to take responsibility and intervene to prevent Israel from acting unilaterally against the Palestinian people.

Saudi Vision 2030: A Transformative National Blueprint

Saudi Vision 2030 is consistently presented in the provided sources as a comprehensive and transformative national blueprint guiding the Kingdom’s future across various sectors, extending beyond mere economic targets to encompass social, cultural, and geopolitical ambitions. It is seen as an ethical, strategic, and practical framework underpinning numerous initiatives.

Here’s a detailed discussion of Saudi Vision 2030, based on the provided information:

Core Objectives and Foundational Principles:

• Economic Diversification: A primary aim of Vision 2030 is to move beyond oil dependence by diversifying the economy and increasing non-oil revenues. This includes fostering new economic models such as the “knowledge-based economy” or “creative (orange) economy,” with a strong focus on cultural and creative sectors. Efforts to stabilize the real estate market and curb price increases are also aligned with creating a more balanced and sustainable economic environment.
• Enhancing Quality of Life and Human Development: A central pillar of Vision 2030 is to position human well-being as the core of development and significantly improve the quality of life for all citizens. This objective is pursued through:
• Health Sector Advancement: Initiatives to promote public health, prevent diseases like obesity, and create healthier environments are integral. The accreditation of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah as a “healthy city” by the World Health Organization for the second time is highlighted as a direct embodiment of the leadership’s commitment to Vision 2030’s health and quality of life goals.
• Youth Empowerment and Capacity Building: Programs like “Wesal” by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language aim to equip non-native Arabic speakers in various sectors with functional linguistic skills, enhancing their performance and deepening their connection to national identity, which contributes to Vision 2030’s human capabilities development program. Similarly, the Ministry of Sports and Youth’s “Hekayat Al-Shabab” (Youth Stories) program focuses on developing youth capabilities, fostering public health through sports, and showcasing inspiring success stories, reinforcing the strategic dimension of sports within Vision 2030.
• Environmental Sustainability: The Vision emphasizes building an integrated environmental system and promoting sustainable practices. Initiatives such as supporting coral reef research (through CORDAP, launched during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency) and efforts to develop vegetation cover, including the “Al-Qardh” plant in Najran, are presented as direct contributions to Vision 2030’s sustainability and desertification combat objectives.
• Digital Transformation and Knowledge Society: The transformation towards a digital and knowledge-based society is supported by initiatives like the National Center for Documents and Archives’ role in documentary governance and establishing a digital environment for preservation and documentation.
• Strengthening Global Influence and Diplomatic Role: Vision 2030 aims to elevate Saudi Arabia’s role from a “supporter” to an “influential actor” in shaping the regional and international landscape. This involves re-engineering regional balances through alliances, dialogue, and consolidating the Arab stance, particularly on core issues like the Palestinian cause. The Kingdom’s co-chairing of the “Two-State Solution” conference in New York with France is explicitly described as a strategic transformation aligned with Vision 2030’s ambition to be a global pillar in crafting solutions rather than merely observing conflicts.

Implementation Approach and Leadership Style:

• The Vision is characterized by a “spirit” that permeates every detail of leadership, focusing on decisive action, precision, and speed in decision-making. It emphasizes that every project should reflect the nation’s identity and the citizen’s dignity.
• Leadership under Vision 2030 is described as interactive and directly involved, moving away from distant directives to daily follow-up and supervision, signifying a shift from rigid hierarchy to active engagement.
• A key aspect of the Vision’s implementation is creating an attractive investment environment, with the Crown Prince’s personal follow-up and swift decisions being crucial for attracting foreign direct investment.
• The Kingdom’s strategy also includes re-engineering balances through alliances and dialogue, uniting Arab positions around the priority of Palestine, which reflects a nuanced and evolving diplomatic approach under Vision 2030.

Perceived Impact and Future Outlook:

• The sources indicate that the Vision’s reforms are already demonstrating tangible positive outcomes, such as the observed stabilization and “correction” phase in the real estate market.
• The comprehensive nature of the Vision is highlighted by its ability to integrate various sector developments, such as SABIC’s operational efficiency and growth strategies, with national goals for sustainable development.
• Geopolitical shifts, including the emergence of new international blocs and the decline of Western unipolarity, are seen as potentially creating more balanced international positions that could facilitate the achievement of Vision 2030’s ambitious goals, including a just resolution for the Palestinian issue. The final document of the “Two-State Solution” conference is even described as a potential “turning point” capable of “rewriting history” if supported by the necessary political courage, implying Saudi Arabia’s commitment to making the Vision a reality on the international stage.

In summary, Saudi Vision 2030, as presented in the sources, is more than an economic plan; it is a holistic national project to foster a vibrant society, a prosperous economy, and an ambitious nation, capable of playing a significant and constructive role globally.

Global Oil Market Dynamics: Prices, Production, and Geopolitics

The oil market, as depicted in the provided sources, is a dynamic and complex landscape influenced by a confluence of supply-side policies, geopolitical events, economic indicators, and regional demand shifts.

Here’s a comprehensive discussion:

1. Price Movements and Influencing Factors:

• Recent Increases: Oil prices rose by over 6% in the week leading up to August 4, 2025, primarily due to threats from US President Donald Trump to impose severe sanctions on Russian oil purchases and news of state-owned Indian refineries reducing their Russian oil purchases. Futures contracts for crude oil also increased above $70 per barrel amidst concerns about potential disruptions to oil trade flows and withdrawals of oil from the market.
• Market Stability: Despite geopolitical concerns, oil prices remained relatively stable, hovering just under $70 per barrel at the end of the week.
• Factors Contributing to Price Fluctuations:OPEC+ Decisions: The agreement by the “OPEC+” group to begin increasing production after a long period of production cuts could pressure future oil prices. The group decided to implement a voluntary production adjustment of 547,000 barrels per day in September 2025, compared to the required production level in August 2025, which equates to four monthly increases. This gradual and flexible restoration of voluntary production adjustments (2.2 million bpd) aims to support market stability.
• Economic Uncertainty: General economic uncertainty is cited as a reason for the decline in global oil prices.
• Company Performance: Disappointing financial results from petrochemical companies, particularly SABIC, have also contributed to downward pressure on the market index, causing a significant drop in its shares.
• Liquidity Shift: The continued transfer of liquidity from stocks to debt instruments and fixed-income assets is another factor.
• Sanctions: Geopolitical tensions and sanctions, particularly against Russia, are seen to intensify supply contraction fears, leading to price increases.

2. Production and Supply Dynamics:

• OPEC+ Adjustments: The eight member countries of the “OPEC+” group (including Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, UAE, Iraq, Russia, Oman, and Algeria) announced additional voluntary adjustments in production during April, November 2023, and August 2025. They reiterated their commitment to cooperation, including additional voluntary adjustments, and affirmed their intention to fully compensate for any excess production since January 2024.
• Russia’s Production and Exports: Russia’s crude oil production remained stable at 9.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in the past month, with crude shipments holding at 4.68 million bpd. However, its exports of oil and petroleum products declined by 110,000 bpd to 2.55 million bpd. The International Energy Agency’s research paper suggested that the “deterioration of exports” in 2024-2025 raises concerns about Russia’s ability to maintain its upstream production capacity.
• US Crude Production & Rig Counts: The number of drilling rigs in Saudi Arabia fell to its lowest level in two decades, simultaneously with increasing momentum in gas projects. The number of oil rigs in the Kingdom decreased to 20 by early July, the lowest since February 2005. This comes after Saudi Aramco decided to cancel plans to increase its production capacity to 13 million bpd, opting to maintain it at 12 million bpd.
• Non-OPEC+ Supply Growth: Consultancy Wood Mackenzie estimates that oil supply growth from non-OPEC countries (led by Brazil, Canada, and Guyana) will decline by over 80% between 2025 and 2027, nearing a complete halt by 2027.

3. Demand and Imports/Exports:

• US Market: Crude oil imports into the US have been steady at 6.1 million bpd, while crude oil exports from the US decreased for the third consecutive month to an average of 3.6 million bpd. Petroleum product imports into the US decreased by 4% to 1.7 million bpd, while exports rose by about 2% to just under 7 million bpd. US crude oil inventories increased by 7.7 million barrels to 426.7 million barrels by July 25, driven by a decrease in exports. Gasoline inventories decreased by 2.7 million barrels.
• Asian Markets:China: Crude oil imports decreased significantly to an average of 11.0 million bpd in May, although product imports remained stable. China is expected to export over 2.3 million tons of jet fuel in August.
• India: Crude oil imports from India recovered, reaching an average of 5 million bpd above 1.2 million bpd in May, despite a 2% monthly decrease. Product imports also rose.
• Japan: Crude oil imports from Japan decreased, but remained higher than the previous year’s level. Product imports from Japan recovered slightly after a sharp decline in the previous month.
• Asia Refineries: Asian refineries, particularly Indian government-owned ones, are largely unaffected by the latest sanctions on Russian oil, as they primarily sell their fuel domestically or export it to buyers in Asia (like Singapore) through private discussions.
• Europe: Jet fuel exports to Europe are expected to reach their highest level in several years in July, as traders ship surplus regional supplies to capitalize on higher European prices. European jet fuel stocks reached their lowest level since February of the current year.

4. Geopolitical Influence and Sanctions:

• US Sanctions on Russia: President Trump’s administration is re-evaluating its strategies, including a decision to grant Chevron permission to resume and expand its operations in Venezuela to supply crude oil, signaling a shift in sanction application. This shift comes after over a year of tightened restrictions that led Gulf refineries to diversify their supply sources. US officials have threatened to impose tariffs ranging from 25% to 100% on China and India if they continue purchasing Russian oil.
• US Sanctions on Iran: The US Treasury Department sanctioned over 115 individuals, entities, and vessels involved in transferring Russian oil, some of which are linked to Iran. The US also took “decisive actions” to disrupt Iran’s ability to fund its nuclear program, destabilizing activities, and support for terrorist groups, as well as its repression of its own people. This includes sanctioning entities involved in the trade of Iranian oil, petroleum, or petrochemical products, and identifying 10 vessels whose management companies were involved in illicit shipments.
• EU Price Cap on Russian Oil: The European Commission proposed a floating price cap on Russian oil, set at 15% below the average market price over the preceding three months. This move aims to limit Russia’s ability to finance the war in Ukraine. Despite efforts, the European leaders failed to agree on lowering the price cap below $60 per barrel, leading some to move forward independently.
• Impact of Russia-Ukraine War: The war continues to be a major factor affecting the global oil market, with the EU and G7 aiming to cut off funding for Russia’s war efforts through sanctions and price caps.

5. Broader Economic and Investment Context:

• IMF Report on Saudi Arabia: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission visited Saudi Arabia in June 2025 and issued recommendations, which the sources suggest should be treated with caution. The IMF’s underlying assumptions about the market as the sole driver of the economy are deemed outdated, especially given global economic changes since 2008. For instance, the IMF predicted an increase in Saudi oil revenues, but Saudi budget data for Q2 2025 actually showed a 14.7% annual decrease in actual oil revenues, attributed to the OPEC+ decision to increase production.
• Saudi Economic Diversification: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil revenues increased by about 6.6% in Q2 2025, which is presented as evidence of the government’s success in economic diversification efforts under Vision 2030, reducing reliance on oil reforms alone.
• Investment in Oil & Gas: Aramco signed 23 drilling contracts worth $2.4 billion for gas.
• Egypt’s Gas Discoveries: Egypt is witnessing increased activity in its offshore gas fields, with new agreements for exploration and evaluation, including the “Narjis” discovery and the activation of a floating natural gas liquefaction vessel to boost gas imports.
• New Zealand Policy Shift: New Zealand’s government has gradually lifted its ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, which was imposed in 2018, due to a decline in domestic crude oil production.

In essence, the oil market is currently navigating delicate balances between production adjustments aimed at stability, the disruptive effects of geopolitical sanctions on major producers like Russia and Iran, and evolving refining and import strategies globally. The effectiveness of international efforts to curb certain oil flows is a key determinant of price and supply dynamics.

Saudi Real Estate: Stability Through Strategic Reforms

The real estate market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is currently undergoing a significant transformation, characterized by a noticeable slowdown in price increases and a move towards greater stability and balance. This shift is primarily attributed to the effectiveness of wise leadership directives and robust government policies aimed at regulating the sector.

Here’s a detailed discussion of the Saudi oil market:

1. Market Performance and Price Stabilization:

• During the second quarter of 2025, the real estate market experienced a slowdown in its annual price increase pace. The general real estate price index rose by only 3.2% annually, a decrease from 4.3% in the previous quarter.
• On a quarterly basis, the market achieved unprecedented stability, with the increase not exceeding a marginal 0.1% compared to the first quarter of the year. Experts note this as the lowest quarterly stability in a long time, marking a fundamental departure from past sharp increases.
• This performance reflects the Saudi real estate market’s lowest quarterly growth rate in many years. Several administrative regions, including Riyadh, Mecca, and the Eastern Region, saw their annual growth rates slow to approximately 3-4%, while areas like Medina, Asir, and Jazan even recorded slight annual price decreases, signaling a trend toward moderation.

2. Factors Influencing the Market Correction:

• Leadership Directives and Government Policies: Economic observers emphasize that the clear slowdown in price growth proves the effectiveness of the wise leadership’s directives in monitoring the real estate sector. These directives have been crucial in balancing supply and demand and guiding the market towards a more stable phase. Dr. Khalid Al-Rubaish specifically highlights that the Crown Prince’s directives led to the adoption of specific measures and controls to restore the sector’s status as a secure and attractive investment, drawing in both large and small investors seeking reliable and sustainable profits.
• Regulatory Interventions: The significant transformations witnessed in Q2 were a direct result of corrective and regulatory policies implemented by official authorities. Key examples include:
• Increased fees on undeveloped “white lands”: Especially in major cities, to encourage their development or sale, thereby increasing supply and curbing speculative real estate inflation that previously drove prices up.
• Strict procedures for rental market regulation: This includes the activation of the “Ejar” electronic platform and the standardization of contracts between landlords, tenants, and brokers. This aims to protect all parties and prevent arbitrary practices that could inflate rental costs.
• Enhanced Transparency: Efforts also involved developing and periodically publishing official real estate indicators and statistics to combat rumors and inaccurate information that previously fueled price increases.
• Tightened Financing Supervision: Oversight of real estate financing was strengthened to prevent excessive credit, which helped keep financing costs and property prices within acceptable limits.

3. Sector-Specific Performance (Q2 2025): The second quarter of 2025 revealed a varied performance across the three main real estate sectors:

• Residential Sector:
• Experienced relative stability, with a marginal annual price increase of approximately 0.4%.
• Prices for residential villas increased by around 3.2% annually, and residential land prices saw a slight 0.2% increase.
• In contrast, apartment prices decreased by about 0.7% annually, and prices for residential units (like floor-type units) declined by roughly 1.5% compared to Q2 of last year.
• Quarterly, residential land prices dropped by over 4% in three months, and apartment/floor prices continued their decline by 1.2% and 0.9% respectively, indicating a short-term downward correction possibly due to increased supply or seasonal demand slowdown.
• Commercial Sector:
• Emerged as a strong growth area, registering the highest annual growth rate among all sectors.
• Commercial real estate prices collectively jumped by about 11.7% annually, largely driven by a significant 11.7% increase in commercial land prices and rising demand for commercial development.
• Commercial building prices rose by about 2.7% annually, and showrooms/shops saw a 4.1% annual increase.
• Quarterly, commercial real estate prices collectively rose by about 7.9%, with commercial land prices jumping by an estimated 8.6% and commercial building prices by 3%. This indicates increased investment activity and renewed confidence, perhaps due to business recovery and new project openings.
• Agricultural Sector:
• Demonstrated a relatively calm performance, with a slight annual decrease of about 0.9% in agricultural land and building prices. This is linked to the end of a price increase wave in certain palm and farm land areas, coupled with stable demand for agricultural uses.
• Quarterly, it achieved a moderate growth of about 1.7%, driven by a similar increase in agricultural land prices.

4. Future Outlook and Investment Climate:

• An optimistic outlook prevails for the real estate market’s future, with analysts predicting sustainable growth. The controlled pace of price increases is seen as a solid foundation for this.
• The success of government policies in re-balancing the market and fostering a transparent environment is expected to lead to moderated price movements, preventing sudden jumps and encouraging investment and development activity.
• The market is becoming more mature and stable, which is anticipated to attract increased long-term investments from both local developers and international investors who are observing the Saudi market with growing confidence.
• The objective is to ensure that prices remain at acceptable levels, allowing the widest segment of citizens to achieve housing ownership goals, aligning with national housing programs.
• Experts affirm that the continuation of leadership directives supporting stability will enhance the market’s long-term attractiveness. The real estate sector is expected to continue its corrective path throughout 2025, supported by ongoing reforms.

In essence, the Saudi real estate market is undergoing a deliberate and successful recalibration, driven by strategic governmental oversight and a commitment to creating a stable, equitable, and attractive environment for both citizens and investors.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Vision and Initiatives

Public health is a significant focus within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, deeply integrated into its national vision and manifested through various initiatives, regulatory bodies, and humanitarian efforts.

Here’s a comprehensive discussion:

1. Vision 2030 and Overall Health Strategy Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to enhance the quality of life within the Kingdom, including promoting general health and preventing diseases. This overarching goal drives many of the current health-related efforts.

2. Key Health Initiatives and Regulatory Bodies

• Medical Referrals Center (مركز الإحالات الطبية):
• The Council of Ministers has approved the establishment of the Medical Referrals Center.
• Its primary goal is to manage medical referrals between health facilities within and outside the Kingdom.
• It monitors bed capacities, provides technical support, and coordinates with relevant authorities to ensure patients receive healthcare at the appropriate time and place.
• The center’s responsibilities include developing procedural and executive rules for air medical evacuations (domestic and international), reviewing sick leave reports exceeding 30 days for civil service employees, processing health incapacity requests, studying medical release reports for prisoners, and overseeing the implementation of treatment orders for health cases inside and outside the Kingdom.
• Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (الهيئة السعودية للتخصصات الصحية):
• This commission issues performance reports for students and graduates of health colleges in Saudi universities.
• These reports are based on the results of the Saudi Licensing Exam for Professional Practice (SLE) in specializations like human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and medical laboratories.
• The SLE serves as a crucial indicator for evaluating the overall performance of universities and the quality of their educational outcomes.
• In 2025, King Saud University ranked first in average scores for human medicine and dentistry, while King Abdulaziz University led in nursing, and Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University topped in pharmacy and medical laboratories.
• Al-Qassim University also achieved high ranks, securing categories (A) for human medicine and nursing, and (B) for dentistry, pharmacy, and medical laboratories. This reflects the high quality of its educational programs and the competence of its graduates.
• “Healthy City” Status – Medina City:
• Medina has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a “Healthy Million-Person City” for the second time.
• This achievement signifies that Medina has met over 80 of the WHO’s international standards for healthy cities.
• It underscores the Kingdom’s leadership commitment to prioritizing human well-being and achieving integrated development, fostering seamless coordination between governmental, private, and community entities.
• The city’s status contributes to its ongoing urban and health transformation, placing it in a leading regional and international position aligned with Vision 2030’s goals.
• The WHO’s “Healthy Cities” program emphasizes integrating public health concepts with urban planning and local development projects to create more sustainable and healthy environments. Medina was initially accredited as a healthy city in 2019, with this re-accreditation in 2025 reflecting its continued commitment.
• Mecca Region – Emergency Medical Services:
• The Saudi Red Crescent Authority in Mecca has activated pathways for cardiac strokes and brain strokes.
• In July 2025, these pathways were activated for 90 critical cases, demonstrating efforts to improve response speed and quality of care.
• Jeddah recorded the highest number of cases: 27 for cardiac strokes (out of 46 total) and 23 for brain strokes (out of 44 total). Mecca followed with 13 cardiac stroke cases and 18 brain stroke cases, while Taif had 6 and 3 respectively.
• This initiative significantly contributes to reducing response times and increasing survival rates through direct coordination with specialized hospitals and ensuring the readiness of medical teams and advanced ambulance equipment.

3. Major Public Health Challenges: Obesity Obesity and weight gain are widespread health problems in Saudi society.

• Causes: A combination of factors including unhealthy eating habits (excessive consumption of processed foods, sweets, and outside meals), lack of physical activity, and genetic predisposition. Psychological stress can also lead to overeating.
• Prevalence: According to the Ministry of Health, obesity affects 20.2% of the population, and 38.2% of adults are overweight. Statistics from the General Authority for Statistics in 2024 showed that 23.1% of residents aged 15 and above suffer from obesity, and 45.1% are overweight.
• Health Risks: Obesity is linked to various chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, joint pain, and fatty liver (which can lead to cirrhosis). It can also cause gallbladder problems.
• Psychological and Social Impact: Obesity can negatively affect psychological and social well-being, particularly in children, leading to issues like bullying.
• Vulnerable Groups: Women are generally more susceptible to obesity than men, especially pregnant women.
• Combating Obesity:The Kingdom is implementing various initiatives to promote public health and prevent obesity.
• The “Keel” Charitable Association for Combating Obesity, headquartered in Riyadh, plays a crucial role by providing nutritional consultations, preventive and curative services, and training specialists in the field.
• Keel aims to raise awareness about the dangers of obesity and provides specialized nutritional advice to help affected individuals.
• Recommendations for healthy weight loss: Focus on continuous lifestyle changes rather than temporary diets. Emphasis is placed on moderation in eating (“no deprivation, but rather moderation in everything”) and regular physical activity, which accounts for 40% of weight loss. For children, it’s advised to protect them from early obesity by regulating meals and reducing screen time to under two hours daily.

4. International Humanitarian Efforts

• King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief):The center continues to carry out humanitarian and relief initiatives globally, including in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, and Afghanistan.
• Activities include vocational training (e.g., air conditioning maintenance and psychological support in Yemen), distributing large quantities of dates and food baskets (e.g., 1,350 cartons of dates for 8,100 individuals in Taiz, Yemen; 393 food baskets for displaced Syrians; 752 food baskets in Lebanon; 1,440 food baskets in Sudan; 135 food baskets in Afghanistan for returnees from Pakistan).
• These projects highlight Saudi Arabia’s leading role in providing humanitarian support to affected countries and populations, meeting their urgent needs across various fields.

5. Other Health-Related Aspects

• Nutritional Support for Prisoners: The Medical Referrals Center’s mandate includes reviewing health release reports for prisoners.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: The Ministry of Interior conducts “For Your Safety” campaigns, stressing that reporting violations (including drug use or behaviors harmful to society/environment) is a national and social responsibility to protect public safety. This emphasizes community participation in health and safety.
• Squash Team’s Achievements: The Saudi squash team’s participation and achievements in international tournaments, like the Asian Junior Championship in Hong Kong (2025), reflect efforts to develop athletes and contribute to a healthier, more active society.
• Sports as a Tool for Health: Sports and youth programs, such as “Hikayat Al Shabab” (Youth Stories), are used to promote public health, enhance life skills, and inspire ambition and perseverance among youth. This aligns with Vision 2030’s aim to build a healthy society by integrating sports into daily life.

Al-Watan Newspaper: Political, Economic, and Sports Commentary

Here are the titles of all columns written in this newspaper, along with their first two paragraphs of detail in English:

• Column Title: Word
• Detail 1: What happened recently, like igniting a spark in a gas-filled closed room, resembled the political situation in its sensitive moments, increasing by the moment, not because it was new in its outspokenness, but because it occurred in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which has a very sensitive position.
• Detail 2: On the knife’s edge. That the Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, once again stormed Al-Aqsa under heavy protection, is not a religious act, but a political exercise; it is part of an absurd policy of escalation that relies on symbolic escalation to achieve internal political gains, even if the price is.
• Column Title: Dangerous Absurdity
• Detail: No detailed paragraphs for this column are available in the provided sources.
• Column Title: Conference on “Two-State Solution”… An International Stance to Renew Hope for Peace and Justice
• Detail 1: The holding of the “Two-State Solution” conference in New York at the United Nations headquarters, co-chaired by the Saudi and French foreign ministers, constituted a pivotal political moment for an issue that has always been at the core of the global conscience.
• Detail 2: The conference, in which most countries of the world and international and regional organizations participated, was not merely a fleeting diplomatic event, but represented a real hope towards a just and comprehensive political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The conference has rekindled the spotlight on the Palestinian issue and that it still represents the greatest challenge before the international community. The calls for a two-state solution were old, but adopting them at this time by this international consensus gave them unprecedented political and moral weight.
• Column Title: The Quarterly Budget… And the IMF Report
• Detail 1: The International Monetary Fund mission visited the Kingdom in June last year and submitted its recommendations to the concerned authorities. These recommendations, despite their professionalism, must be dealt with cautiously, because the Fund operates from assumptions some of which are outdated. This Fund, for example, has ingrained beliefs that the market alone is the driver of the economy, at a time when the experience of the global economy since 2008 proves that things are not 100% as such.
• Detail 2: A quick glance at the economic changes that have occurred since the global financial crisis of 2008 shows that China, where the government sector plays a prominent role in its economy, has advanced significantly, while countries relying on the market economy have declined. For example, during the period 2004-2007, the Chinese economy advanced over the French and British economies, and in 2008, it became the fourth largest economy in the world. In 2009, it surpassed the German economy and became the third largest economy in the world. After that, it became the second largest economy in the world. Thus, it has only the American economy ahead of it, which is expected to surpass it by 2038.
• Column Title: Cleary: Russia is a Strategic Threat to American Security
• Detail 1: The idea that China is the United States’ primary strategic threat has spread since the early 21st century within decision-making and strategic thinking circles in Washington. The idea then became deeply rooted among both political parties and guided strategic thinking in the White House, the Departments of State and Defense. The House of Representatives also established a committee to study the malicious activities of the ruling Communist Party in China. Additionally, former US President Donald Trump criticizes China’s trade practices and threatens to impose retaliatory tariffs on Chinese products.
• Detail 2: One of the most prominent issues that imposed itself on the US presidential election battle last year was the suspicious purchase operations by Chinese entities of agricultural lands near sensitive military installations, and ways to stop these operations. In an analysis published by the American National Interest magazine, Colin Cleary, an assistant professor and lecturer in American foreign policy at George Washington University, said that China is not a country that can be taken lightly and must be confronted, but rather the majority of American attention to resources is ignoring the activities of another member state in the UN Security Council whose leaders and propaganda constantly threaten nuclear war against the United States and its European allies; and whose dictator president invaded and annexed large parts of another internationally recognized state, Russia under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, whom the strategic threat is seen by the United States.
• Column Title: The Two-State Solution is an International Political Project Led by Saudi Arabia
• Detail 1: The Palestinian issue remains a bleeding wound in the Arab and Islamic conscience, and a test of the credibility of the international system. Meanwhile, the “two-state solution” emerges as the most acceptable legal and diplomatic framework in the current phase, representing a potential entry point for settling this chronic conflict. Despite the entrenchment of the historical rights of the Palestinian people, the feasibility of this solution remains dependent on the facts on the ground and the fluctuating positions of successive American administrations.
• Detail 2: The core of the Western approach remains focused on the premise that the conflict has no solution, and on providing political cover for the Israeli occupation to entrench a reality in which the Palestinian dream erodes day by day. The “two-state solution” envisions the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace alongside Israel. However, this vision is systematically undermined by Israeli actions under Western cover, especially with the rise of right-wing governments that classify the Palestinian state as an “existential threat” and work to expand settlements and Judaize Jerusalem.
• Column Title: Saudi Arabia Redefines the Two-State Solution with a Comprehensive Vision
• Detail 1: The Kingdom, on behalf of the international community, in a highly significant political scene, signed the final document of a high-level conference in New York on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue, with the presence of an elite group of representatives from major countries and in partnership with France. Through our Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, it affirmed that it does not merely content itself with its status as a rising regional power, but plays an increasing role in reshaping the international agenda on the most complex and long-standing issues in contemporary history, namely “the Palestinian issue.”
• Detail 2: The Kingdom’s co-chairing of the international conference, in partnership with France, is not – as some might believe – a diplomatic protocol, but a clear expression of a qualitative shift in Saudi strategy towards international issues, especially those related to the Middle East. This approach reflects a clear alignment with Vision 2030, as it seeks to be a global pillar in formulating solutions, not just in monitoring conflicts.
• Column Title: Path
• Detail 1: This is the history of the two-state solution that is being sponsored internationally and led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Last week, the world witnessed one of the most important weeks in terms of diplomacy in the Middle East, as Britain, the author of the Balfour Declaration, announced with a new and historic pledge a British desire to recognize a Palestinian state in the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, and France and other European countries had preceded it in this direction.
• Detail: Only one paragraph of detail is available in the provided source for this column.
• Column Title: Reporting is a National Responsibility and a Community Pillar
• Detail 1: The Ministry of Interior continues its intensive efforts, through its various awareness campaigns, foremost among them the #ForYourSafety campaign, which carries a clear and direct message to citizens and residents alike: that reporting and taking initiative on any violation is not just a legal duty, but a national duty and a shared responsibility, and ethical.
• Detail 2: Through these messages, the Ministry emphasizes that reporting violations – of any kind – is one of the most important forms of effective community interaction, reflecting the awareness of individuals and their keenness on the safety of their homeland and society. The Ministry also assures all those who submit reports that the information is treated with the utmost confidentiality, and the reporter incurs no legal responsibility; rather, they are appreciated and thanked for their awareness and initiative.
• Column Title: The Awaited Moment
• Detail 1: Yes, Al-Nassr previously faced difficult circumstances that the team suffered from and were the reason for its exit from all championships last season, in addition to administrative problems and arbitrary decisions. In contrast, today we see a permanent hope for all Al-Alami fans. There was presence, vitality, giving, and good discipline in training, professional deals, and a shrewd coach who was the best choice with Jisos and an independent technical and administrative staff with full authority in a beautiful picture that paints this change in everything.
• Detail 2: The team started since the return of training regularly and strictly by Jisos, which makes you, as an Al-Nassr fan, feel that Al-Nassr is coming strongly this season and that the administrative and technical work in the team is in the best condition, and this is what Al-Nassr is looking for. Yes, the era of laxity and chaos will not return with the presence of a strong and strict coach like Jisos and a new administration.
• Column Title: Al-Nassr is Different!
• Detail 1: Yes, Al-Nassr previously faced difficult circumstances that the team suffered from and were the reason for its exit from all championships last season, in addition to administrative problems and arbitrary decisions. In contrast, today we see a permanent hope for all Al-Alami fans. There was presence, vitality, giving, and good discipline in training, professional deals, and a shrewd coach who was the best choice with Jisos and an independent technical and administrative staff with full authority in a beautiful picture that paints this change in everything.
• Detail 2: The team started since the return of training regularly and strictly by Jisos, which makes you, as an Al-Nassr fan, feel that Al-Nassr is coming strongly this season and that the administrative and technical work in the team is in the best condition, and this is what Al-Nassr is looking for. Yes, the era of laxity and chaos will not return with the presence of a strong and strict coach like Jisos and a new administration.
• Note: The detailed paragraphs for this column are identical to those of “The Awaited Moment” due to repetition in the provided source material.
• Column Title: When Joy is Scarce.. Some Search for a Glimmer of Glory..
• Detail 1: This manifests in a time when small details are inflated and turned into headlines, exemplified by the scene of boasting about “Don’s” plane as a reflection of a deeper reality than it appears on the surface. It is not merely a celebration of a picture or pride in the color of a plane, but a reflection of a deep-seated need to cling to any symbolism, to the extent that some people’s obsession with “symbolization” reaches a point where it sometimes turns into belittling entities that feel inferior to them, even if it was seemingly a means of boasting. This happens when it is emptied of its true meaning and turns towards negativity, sliding into emptiness and exaggeration outside the green rectangle and in the absence of “real achievements”! At that point, the image fades and triviality falls silent.
• Detail 2: And when joy is scarce and pride diminishes, some search for any glimmer to create glory, even if it is on the wing of a plane. Here, the painful truth appears: some no longer find anything in the stadiums to quench the thirst of their fans, so they resort to dazzling displays whose sparkle quickly fades before the radiance of “real championships”! Raising a picture of a plane or boasting about it is not proof of strength or greatness. Al-Nassr was intimately familiar with private jets, and the club had habitually used private aviation for its travels to matches and training camps for many years as part of its culture and policy to provide the best conditions for its players. Therefore, portraying the matter as an unprecedented achievement is a clear disregard and belittling of a long history of professionalism and the capabilities Al-Nassr possesses!
• Column Title: Youth and Sports.. A Healthy Society
• Detail 1: Today, our clubs’ football teams are experiencing a constant and diligent movement of preparation for the new sports season, which has become imminent. The beginning was through contracting with new coaches, in addition to renewing contracts for some of them, and the arrival of foreign professional players who have been selected.
• Detail 2: If we were to look back, we would find that our clubs’ football teams are in a state of constant and diligent movement today in preparation for the new sports season, which has become imminent. The beginning, without a doubt, will be the contracting with new coaches, and the renewal of contracts for some of them, in addition to contracting with foreign professional players who are selected. However, in my opinion, this method does not align with the progress and sports awareness we have reached, as it has many flaws and haste, including, for example, relying on agents who only care about their own interests, and the club is the loser. Also, poor selection, despite the fact that the majority of clubs have experienced foreign players, and there were without a doubt positive and negative hot relationships. This is the general state of sports, and with a sporting spirit, far from biases, fanaticism, and emotion, we congratulate the winning teams. As it was said, whoever achieved something deserves it, knowing that this thing did not come out of nowhere; rather, it was after concerted efforts and work for the benefit of their teams. Some teams are not lucky, but what matters is that the officials in charge of sports among us, God willing, have learned the lessons their clubs went through in the last league, especially from the technical side, because unfortunately, these mistakes are repeated every sports season.
• Column Title: Towards a Model Real Estate Sector
• Detail 1: I confirm here that the severe slowdown in prices in the second quarter of the current year spreads a state of optimism and hope among those dealing with real estate and beneficiaries, with the possibility of creating a model real estate sector. This is not only because it contributes to enhancing national income for the Kingdom and provides job opportunities, but also because the sector has begun to enjoy stability and calm with a package of regulations and procedures that prevent undesirable surprises, such as unjustified price increases or monopolization of real estate products. This scene creates a stimulating environment for attracting local and foreign investments to the sector, ensuring growth and prosperity, which encourages sector investors and contributes to increasing the supply of real estate products to achieve.
• Detail 2: The goals of the Kingdom’s Vision. The results of the second quarter of 2025 reflect a success story of the efforts made to curb real estate price increases and guide the market towards a state of stability and balance. Despite the variation in the performance of different sectors, the common denominator was the decline and decrease in price inflation and growth rate to a safe range. With the continuation of the current approach, positive expectations indicate that the real estate sector will witness a prosperous phase of stable growth and promising opportunities for all stakeholders, under constant leadership follow-up and regulatory procedures that ensure the sustainability of the real estate recovery without sacrificing price affordability and market fairness for all.

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By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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This collection of texts from “20836.pdf” offers a multi-faceted overview of Saudi Arabia’s progressive advancements and strategic priorities. Several articles highlight the nation’s economic diversification beyond oil, showcasing growth in non-oil revenues and a commitment to Vision 2030, which emphasizes sustainable development and quality of life initiatives. The sources also touch upon international relations and humanitarian efforts, detailing nuclear talks with Iran, the Kingdom’s unwavering support for Palestine, and global aid projects. Furthermore, they feature cultural and tourism initiatives, such as the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year and the development of natural attractions like Al-Shifa, alongside discussions on technological integration, particularly regarding the impact of artificial intelligence across various sectors.

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Saudi Vision 2030: Economic Transformation and Diversification

The Saudi economy is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the ambitious Vision 2030, which aims to diversify income sources and build a sustainable and robust economic future.

Overall Economic Performance and Vision 2030: The Kingdom is moving at an astonishing pace towards a future that aligns with Vision 2030, reaching the ranks of developed nations. The Saudi economy is described as resilient, built on strong and robust economic and financial foundations, capable of adapting to challenges and global economic fluctuations. Economic development is considered a fundamental pillar of progress for nations. The government is committed to implementing economic and financial reform plans within the framework of Vision 2030 to achieve long-term financial sustainability.

Shift from Oil Dependency: A key aspect of this transformation is the reduced reliance on oil prices dictating the economic pace. The Kingdom’s leadership, particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, articulated this vision by stating, “Oil is not our destiny, and the future belongs to those who chart it with their will, not to those who await it anxiously”.

• Non-Oil Revenue Growth: In the second quarter of 2025, total revenues reached approximately 302 billion riyals. While influenced by a decrease in oil prices, non-oil revenues notably increased to 150 billion riyals, showing a growth of 7% compared to the same period in the previous year. For the first half of 2025, non-oil revenues reached 264 billion riyals, an increase of 5% compared to the 252 billion riyals in the first half of 2024. This indicates a strategic shift towards diversified income sources.
• Fiscal Management: Total expenditures in Q2 2025 were around 336 billion riyals, a 9% decrease from the same period last year. Despite recording a deficit of 35 billion riyals in Q2 2025, it is considered a non-concerning deficit, but rather a strategic decision to invest in major national projects and lay the foundation for future decades. This deficit is seen not as a drain, but as a strategic decision balancing sustainability and opportunities, redefining government spending as a tool for future building rather than merely managing the present. The increase in non-oil revenues has contributed to mitigating the impact of declining oil revenues.

Key Economic Indicators (Q2 2025):

• Consumer Spending: Rose by approximately 9.1% during the first two months of Q2 (April and May), reaching about 304.4 billion riyals, reflecting increased consumer confidence in the local economy’s strength.
• Non-Oil Exports (excluding re-exports): Grew by 24.6% for April 2025, reaching approximately 28.4 billion riyals, indicating sustained improvement in the industrial sector and re-export activities.
• E-commerce Indicator: Jumped by 63.1%.
• SADAD Payments: Showed a growth of 28%.
• Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI): Remained above the 50-point level for over four consecutive years, indicating continuous expansion in economic activity and consistent market confidence.
• Unemployment Rate: Among Saudis historically decreased to 6.3%, demonstrating the success of employment programs and the private sector’s transformation into a genuine economic engine.
• Real GDP Growth: Achieved 3.4% in Q1 2025, driven by a 4.9% growth in non-oil activities, despite a slight 0.5% decline in oil activities. Forecasts point to continued positive GDP growth for the rest of the year.

Key Sectors and Development Initiatives: The Saudi economy’s diversification efforts are evident across various sectors:

• Industrial Sector: The Eastern Province is home to 6 industrial cities under the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (“MODON”), covering over 40 million square meters of developed land and housing more than 1,850 industrial, investment, and logistical facilities. Recent projects include multi-story factories in Dammam’s First Industrial City, offering 78 industrial units across 8 floors to empower entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises. Another project in Dammam’s Second Industrial City involves building 84 ready-made factories for light industries, supporting various sectors like food, medical, pharmaceutical, electrical, and electronics, alongside 3D printing technologies. These initiatives align with Vision 2030’s goals to enhance local content and industrial competitiveness.
• Healthcare Sector:King Salman Medical City in Madinah: Features an advanced placenta treatment center, the first of its kind in the Middle East, enhancing response speed, reducing complications, and improving safety for mothers and newborns. The city has also expanded emergency departments and introduced a rapid triage area.
• Advanced Radiology Center: Expanded by 200% with new devices for surgical interventions and a modern fluoroscopy device for precise diagnostic techniques.
• Diabetic Foot Treatment Center: The first of its kind in the Western Province.
• King Salman Dialysis Center: Equipped to the highest standards, including high-purity dialysate.
• Medical Air Evacuation: Seven air evacuation helipads are strategically distributed across the Madinah region’s hospitals, bringing the total to 15, to enhance rapid response for critical cases.
• Strategic Partnerships: The “Kilana” Kidney Failure Patients Charitable Association signed an agreement with the Ministry of Health to provide 50 modern dialysis machines across the Kingdom, reinforcing partnerships between government, non-profit, and community sectors to enhance healthcare services.
• Health City Status: King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Madinah received recognition from the World Health Organization for the second time as a “Healthy City” for 2025, meeting over 80 WHO criteria. This underscores its role in enhancing public health and achieving Vision 2030 targets.
• Tourism and Entertainment:Jeddah Waterfronts: Five waterfronts offer integrated facilities, pedestrian walkways, fountains, and cycling paths, enhancing recreational options and reflecting integrated urban planning. Projects to improve the urban landscape, including over 443 parks, transform open spaces into green environments.
• Al Shafa, Taif: A prominent tourist destination known for its stunning mountain nature, high altitude, and mild climate, making it an ideal summer escape. It offers activities like hiking, horse riding, and visits to rural farms.
• Al Bukeiriyah Projects (Al-Qassim): Witnessed the inauguration of development, health, charitable, municipal, tourism, and energy projects totaling over 200 million riyals. These include the development of the old town, the Saq Mountain path (a new tourist destination), and the Al-Suwailem heritage palace. It also includes the launch of a rural farm as a recreational and tourist destination.
• Cultural Events: The Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025 included the “Art of the Kingdom: Poetic Illuminations” exhibition at the Chinese National Museum in Beijing, showcasing contemporary Saudi art and fostering cultural exchange.
• Brida Dates Carnival: An annual event in Al-Qassim, featuring over 100 farmers and traders showcasing various date types. In its last edition, sales reached over 3.2 billion riyals, with over 800,000 visitors, highlighting the region’s agricultural wealth.
• Logistics and Infrastructure:Serwat Mountain Passes (Southern Region): These passes, with over 28 mountain roads, bridges, and tunnels, are critical logistical arteries connecting the Tihamah plains and the western coast with the Sarawat highlands. They are vital for economic development, trade, and tourism.
• Air Traffic Management: Saudi airspace saw record-breaking air traffic during the Hajj season 1446 AH (2025), with over 140,000 domestic and international movements. This reflects the high readiness of the civil aviation system and efficient coordination among relevant authorities.
• Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI):The Kingdom is striving to be a leader in AI, investing in innovative technological projects to improve quality of life and support the knowledge economy.
• AI is seen as a “blessing” for humanity if guided towards good, enhancing efficiency and accelerating work, especially in industry. It offers sustainable solutions in energy, agriculture, climate, and service improvement.
• The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) reportedly uses AI in its operations to ensure food safety and improve outcomes.
• There is a discussion about the potential threat of AI, particularly regarding job displacement and data ownership, and the need for ethical and legal frameworks to govern AI development and deployment.

Outlook: The Kingdom continues to make significant achievements, cementing its position as a global leader in growth and innovation. Saudi Arabia is driving towards a sustainable economic future, led by its people’s creativity and innovations. The current sports season is expected to be very strong due to the high readiness of teams and the influx of top players and coaches, indicating a vibrant sports economy.

The Saudi economy is not just about financial figures, but about a real pulse that can be heard in the markets and seen in the eyes of the people and the confidence of investors.

Oil Market Fluctuations and Global Trade Impacts

The oil market has recently experienced significant fluctuations, particularly an overall decline in oil prices during the second quarter of 2025, which has impacted global trade. This downturn is attributed to several interconnected factors, including concerns about potential supply increases from OPEC+ and the geopolitical implications of new tariffs and sanctions.

Oil Prices and Contributing Factors:

• Price Decline: In the second quarter of 2025, oil prices fell by approximately $2 per barrel. Brent crude futures stabilized at $69.67 per barrel, a drop of $2.03 or 2.83%, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude closed at $67.33 per barrel, down $1.93 or 2.79%. For the first quarter of 2025, the average price for global Brent crude was about $67 per barrel, compared to $75 in the first quarter and $85 a year prior.
• OPEC+ Production: Sources indicate that OPEC+ might reach an agreement to increase production by 548,000 barrels per day in September. Discussions regarding the exact volume of this increase are ongoing, with the possibility of a smaller rise.
• Demand Concerns:A weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs report fueled concerns about oil demand. The U.S. economy added 73,000 non-farm jobs in July, which was below economists’ expectations, leading to a slight rise in the national unemployment rate from 4.1% to 4.2%. This also contributed to a decline in global stock markets and the dollar.
• Weak economic data from China also limited oil’s gains.
• Geopolitical and Trade Tensions:New U.S. tariffs announced by President Donald Trump on goods from several countries, including Canada, Brazil, India, and Taiwan, have raised fears about their potential impact on oil demand. These tariffs, ranging from 10% to 41%, are set to take effect for countries that fail to reach trade agreements by the beginning of August.
• Threats of stricter U.S. sanctions on Russian oil, potentially a 100% tariff on Russian crude, aim to pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Analysts from JP Morgan suggested this could expose 2.75 million barrels per day of seaborne Russian oil exports to risk, as China and India are the largest consumers of Russian oil.
• The EU has proposed a floating price cap on Russian oil, set at 15% below the average market crude price of the preceding three months, though member states still need to agree. The G7 price cap already prohibits the trading of Russian crude if the price paid is above $60 per barrel.
• Iran’s nuclear talks are also relevant, as threats of re-imposing international sanctions on Iran could impact global oil supply, though Iran states that its nuclear program is for civilian purposes.

Supply and Demand Dynamics:

• Asian Imports: Asia is expected to increase its imports of U.S. WTI crude due to higher prices for Middle Eastern oil. Middle Eastern benchmark crudes like Dubai and Murban saw gains in July due to strong demand for high-sulfur oil in Asia, narrowing their price gap with light sweet U.S. WTI. Companies like Occidental Petroleum have already sold WTI to Japanese refiners.
• Logistics Costs: The decline in very large crude carrier (VLCC) tanker costs for transporting oil from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Asia makes this trade more attractive.
• Middle East Supply: Murban crude supplies from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) have decreased, as the company diverted more oil to its domestic refineries, supporting the benchmark crude price.
• Trading Activity: Shell’s financial director noted the continuation of economic challenges across multiple fronts, impacting trade flows and commodity prices, but the company still reported strong results. Shell adopted a cautious approach in oil trading during this quarter, observing a disconnect between price movements and the fundamentals of supply and demand.
• Global Oil Trade (June): The global trade of crude oil and refined products saw variations. U.S. crude imports and exports remained generally stable, while refined product imports decreased and exports increased. Europe’s crude oil and product imports also showed varied trends.

The Saudi economy, as discussed, is actively reducing its reliance on oil prices as the primary driver of its economic pace. Vision 2030 aims to diversify income sources, with non-oil revenues showing notable growth. This strategic shift means that while global oil market dynamics are critical, Saudi Arabia is working to insulate its economic trajectory from these fluctuations.

Global Interplay: Oil, Geopolitics, and Saudi Arabia’s Evolving Role

The oil market, as discussed previously, is deeply intertwined with broader international relations, reflecting a complex interplay of political, economic, and humanitarian factors. The provided sources offer a multifaceted view of current international dynamics, highlighting diplomatic efforts, trade tensions, geopolitical conflicts, and the evolving roles of various global actors, particularly Saudi Arabia.

Geopolitical Tensions and Trade Dynamics

Recent fluctuations in oil prices have been significantly influenced by geopolitical tensions and new trade measures. The overall decline in oil prices during the second quarter of 2025 by approximately $2 per barrel, with Brent crude futures stabilizing at $69.67 and WTI crude at $67.33, is partly attributed to these factors.

• U.S. Tariffs and Sanctions:
• President Donald Trump’s announcement of new U.S. tariffs on goods from countries like Canada, Brazil, India, and Taiwan, ranging from 10% to 41%, has raised fears about their potential impact on global oil demand. These tariffs were set to take effect for countries failing to reach trade agreements by early August.
• The U.S. has also threatened stricter sanctions on Russian oil, including a potential 100% tariff on Russian crude, to pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Analysts from JP Morgan suggest this could risk 2.75 million barrels per day of seaborne Russian oil exports. China and India are noted as the largest consumers of Russian oil. U.S. sanctions have already led to Russian oil-laden vessels changing course from India to other destinations.
• The EU has proposed a floating price cap on Russian oil, set at 15% below the average market crude price of the preceding three months, building on the G7 price cap already prohibiting trading Russian crude above $60 per barrel.
• Iran Nuclear Talks: Iran, Britain, France, and Germany are scheduled to hold nuclear talks in Istanbul, following warnings from European powers that failure to resume negotiations could lead to the re-imposition of international sanctions on Iran. Iran maintains its nuclear program is for civilian purposes, while Western powers question the high level of uranium enrichment for civilian use.

Regional Conflicts and Diplomatic Engagements

The sources also detail ongoing regional conflicts and significant diplomatic endeavors:

• Palestine-Israel Conflict:
• Saudi Arabia maintains a steadfast and unwavering position on the Palestinian issue, considering it its primary national, political, and humanitarian priority. The Kingdom’s stance, articulated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasizes that it will not normalize diplomatic relations with Israel before the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
• This commitment dates back to the era of King Abdulaziz, who supported the Palestinian cause in the 1935 London conference. The Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, launched by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, remains a key reference for a just and comprehensive solution.
• Humanitarian Aid to Palestinians: Saudi Arabia has provided over $5.2 billion in aid, including developmental, health, and educational projects, and regular contributions to UNRWA. The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza and other affected areas, with specific mention of food distribution and educational support in Yemen, Syria, and Jordan.
• The situation in Gaza remains critical due to an ongoing blockade and severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, with reports of 1,373 Palestinians killed seeking food aid since May. The Palestinian government has urged the international community to pressure Israel to open crossings and allow more aid.
• Efforts to establish a two-state solution include an international conference co-organized by Saudi Arabia and France in New York, where Saudi Arabia pledged an additional $300 million in urgent support for the Palestinian people.
• Syria and Jordan: Jordan’s armed forces have successfully thwarted infiltration attempts from Syria across its eastern border, killing two armed individuals. Meanwhile, Turkey has begun supplying natural gas to Syria from Azerbaijan, aiming to help with electricity generation and stability in the country.

Economic Interplay and Global Trade Shifts

Economic factors continue to shape international relations, particularly in energy markets:

• Shifting Oil Import Patterns: Asia is expected to increase its imports of U.S. WTI crude in the latter part of the year due to higher prices for Middle Eastern oil benchmarks like Dubai and Murban. The narrowing price gap with WTI and declining costs of Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) tankers from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Asia make this trade more attractive.
• OPEC+ Production Adjustments: Sources indicate that OPEC+ may agree to increase production by 548,000 barrels per day in September, although discussions on the exact volume are ongoing. Such decisions directly impact global supply and prices.
• Economic Data Impact: A weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs report and weak economic data from China have fueled concerns about global oil demand, contributing to price declines.

Saudi Arabia’s Evolving Global Role

Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing a strategy to diversify its economy and enhance its global standing, as outlined in Vision 2030.

• Economic Diversification: The Kingdom’s financial results for the second quarter of 2025 demonstrate a decreased reliance on oil prices to dictate its economic pace. Despite a decline in overall revenues due to lower oil prices, non-oil revenues increased significantly by 7%, reaching 150 billion riyals. This shift is part of a conscious, expansionary financial policy that invests in major projects for future growth, turning a fiscal deficit into a strategic decision rather than a concern. The economic momentum is further evidenced by a 9.1% increase in consumer spending and a 24.6% growth in non-oil petroleum exports.
• Global Hosting and Leadership: Saudi Arabia has secured bids to host major international events, including Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034, reflecting its growing capacity and global trust. It has also successfully hosted major sports events like the Italian and Spanish Super Cups.
• Healthcare and AI Innovation: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a collaborating center in nutrition, aiming to be among the top five regulatory bodies globally. The Kingdom is also investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI), aiming to be a leader in the field and improve quality of life and knowledge-based economy.
• Cultural Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia is actively engaged in cultural exchange, as seen in the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025, which includes art exhibitions showcasing contemporary Saudi art in Beijing. Similarly, a joint Saudi-Indian scientific symposium focused on Arabic manuscripts in Indian archives highlights deep historical and cultural ties.

In summary, the oil market is a critical, but not singular, lens through which to understand international relations today. The sources demonstrate a world characterized by interconnected economic policies, ongoing geopolitical conflicts, significant humanitarian crises, and active diplomatic and economic strategies by key nations like Saudi Arabia to shape their roles on the global stage.

Saudi Vision 2030: A Cultural Transformation

Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing a comprehensive strategy to diversify its economy and enhance its global standing, as outlined in Vision 2030. Cultural initiatives play a key role in this transformation, aiming to improve the quality of life and foster a knowledge-based economy, moving beyond traditional economic indicators. The Kingdom’s financial performance demonstrates a decreased reliance on oil prices, with non-oil revenues significantly increasing by 7%, reaching 150 billion riyals in Q2 2025, reflecting a conscious financial policy that invests in major projects for future growth, including those in the cultural sector.

Key cultural initiatives and developments highlighted in the sources include:

• International Cultural Exchange and Diplomacy:
• The Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025 is a prominent initiative designed to strengthen cultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China.
• As part of this, the “Art of the Kingdom: Poetic Illuminations” exhibition was inaugurated at the Chinese National Museum in Beijing. Organized by the Museums Authority, its purpose is to showcase contemporary Saudi art and promote bilateral cultural exchange. The exhibition presents works from over 30 Saudi artists, spanning various generations and artistic practices. It explores two central themes: the desert as a human and imaginative space, and cultural heritage as a bridge connecting past and present. This is a traveling exhibition that previously appeared in Rio de Janeiro (November 2024) and Riyadh (early 2025) before its stop in Beijing.
• A joint Saudi-Indian scientific symposium, titled “Arabic Documents and Manuscripts in Indian Archives,” was held in Riyadh. Organized by the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives and the National Archives of India, this event underscores the deep historical and cultural ties between the two countries. Its goal is to document and study historical records of Arabic origin found in Indian archives, enhancing mutual understanding of their shared history and cultural exchanges.
• Preservation and Promotion of National Heritage:
• The Al-Masamak Palace Museum in Riyadh serves as a historical symbol narrating the establishment and unification of the Kingdom. Built in 1865 (1282 AH), it is integral to the story of King Abdulaziz Al Saud’s recapture of Riyadh in 1902 (1319 AH). The museum has undergone comprehensive modernization and restoration, enhancing its infrastructure and visitor experience. It features various sections detailing the historical battle, pioneers of the recapture, and exhibits on military and traditional life.
• Efforts are being made to recognize and preserve the “Al-Awarak” camel breed, an indigenous Arabian breed. Breeders are advocating for its official inclusion in major camel festivals, such as the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, to prevent its decline and enhance genetic diversity.
• The Souleim Heritage Palace in Bukeiriyah is also recognized as a landmark that contributes to heritage preservation and tourism.
• Literary and Publishing Initiatives:
• The King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies has made available a comprehensive collection of its “Linguistic Studies” journal, totaling 54 volumes spanning over 25 years. This initiative provides a robust academic resource for research in Arabic grammar, morphology, linguistics, and prosody, creating a full documentary archive.
• The Medina International Book and Translation Fair 2025 includes a “Saudi Author’s Corner,” offering free exhibition space to over 103 Saudi authors. This platform supports self-published authors by managing sales and directly remitting financial returns, functioning as a non-profit model within the publishing sector. It features diverse literary works, showcasing the dynamic local literary scene.
• A new book, “When the Lamps Go Out: An Existential Cry in the Fifth Dimension,” by Turki Al-Maliki, delves into existential themes, described as blending psychological analysis with a human perspective on existential experiences.
• Cultural and Entertainment Festivals:
• The Buraidah Dates Carnival is highlighted as the largest date festival globally. It brings together over 100 farmers and traders, generating significant economic activity, and features various heritage, poetic, and craft events, along with activities for all age groups.
• Jeddah Season is noted for its diverse cultural and entertainment offerings, including concerts by both local and international artists, contributing to Jeddah’s growing reputation as a cultural and recreational hub. The “Cassette 90” concert series, part of Jeddah Season, aims to evoke nostalgia for the 1990s through music, combining performances with impressive visual displays.
• Saudi Arabia’s success in securing bids to host major global events like Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034 demonstrates its increasing capability and international trust in its ability to manage large-scale gatherings. The Kingdom has also successfully hosted significant sports events, such as the Italian and Spanish Super Cups, attracting global attention.

These cultural initiatives are integral to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, reinforcing its commitment to economic diversification, enhancing its global standing, and improving the quality of life for its citizens

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Regional Development Initiatives

Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing regional development as a cornerstone of its comprehensive Vision 2030 strategy, aiming to diversify its economy, improve the quality of life for its citizens and residents, and enhance its global standing [introduction, 19, 49, 56, 70, 73, 80, 82, 92, 93, 97, 267]. This transformation involves significant investment in major projects across various sectors, moving beyond traditional economic indicators [introduction]. The Kingdom’s financial performance, with non-oil revenues significantly increasing by 7% in Q2 2025, reflects a conscious financial policy that supports these future-oriented growth initiatives [introduction, 4, 5, 90, 97].

Key aspects of regional development highlighted in the sources include:

• Al-Qassim Region (Bukeiriyah, Buraidah, Al-Basateen):
• Bukeiriyah has witnessed the inauguration of numerous development, health, charitable, municipal, tourism, and energy projects, with an total cost exceeding 200 million riyals. This signifies the state’s efforts to foster comprehensive development and improve the quality of life for its inhabitants. Specific initiatives include:
• A solar energy project in the governorate building, representing a step towards renewable energy and environmental sustainability.
• Health projects, totaling 26 million riyals, which include the modernization of Al-Bukeiriyah General Hospital, the implementation of an automated laboratory, and the enhancement of various departments. These projects exemplify a partnership between the governmental and non-profit sectors, such as the Al-Souileim Foundation.
• Municipal projects, valued over 140 million riyals, focused on enhancing the urban landscape and infrastructure, notably the development of the old town and the Shaq Mountain Path as a new tourist attraction.
• Endowment projects, such as the Parents’ Endowment and Al-Sa’i Endowment, demonstrate support for institutional charitable work and a vibrant, cohesive society.
• The Al-Souileim Heritage Palace is recognized for its role in heritage preservation and tourism.
• The Saleh Al-Khleifi Rural Farm represents a new recreational and tourist destination, offering a mix of nature and services to boost regional tourism.
• The Buraidah Dates Carnival is highlighted as the largest date festival globally, drawing over 100 farmers and traders, generating substantial economic activity (3.2 billion riyals in sales last year), and hosting various heritage and cultural events.
• In the Al-Basateen Center, efforts are underway to support grape farmers through the inauguration of a Cooperative Society branch, aimed at enhancing agricultural practices, improving production quality, and boosting the economic value of grape products. This also demonstrates support for the non-profit sector in agricultural development.
• Asir Region (Abha, Al-Shifa, Southern Roads):
• Abha has become a popular tourist destination, particularly during the rainy season, with its moderate temperatures and lush landscapes attracting visitors from within and outside the Kingdom. Seasonal activities and events cater to families, enhancing its tourism appeal.
• Al-Shifa (part of Taif, often associated with Asir in tourism context) is presented as a significant natural and tourist hub, boasting a cool climate, stunning mountain scenery, and diverse recreational options. It is undergoing comprehensive development to become a global tourist destination in line with Vision 2030.
• The “Aqabat Al-Sarawat” roads are critical logistical systems comprising over 28 mountain routes that connect the Tihama and Red Sea coast cities with the Sarawat highlands in Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah. These roads are vital for development, trade, tourism, and the economy, transforming challenging terrains into economic arteries. An example is the Al-Baha ascent, which includes 25 tunnels and 62 bridges.
• Madinah Region:
• King Salman Medical City has undergone significant development and modernization, including the establishment of an advanced placenta treatment center (the first of its kind in the Middle East), upgraded emergency departments, and an interventional radiology center. The city also features a specialized diabetic foot treatment center (the first in the Western region) and a dialysis center, all aimed at enhancing healthcare quality in line with Vision 2030.
• The Medina International Book and Translation Fair 2025 hosts a “Saudi Author’s Corner,” providing free exhibition space to over 103 Saudi authors, thereby supporting self-published works and promoting the vibrant local literary scene.
• The King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center has been recognized by the WHO for its contributions to community health and for meeting healthy city standards, reflecting high-quality healthcare and community engagement.
• Educational initiatives are in place to guide students toward appropriate academic and professional paths, improving the quality of education and reducing dropout rates.
• Eastern Province (Dammam):
• New industrial projects have been inaugurated in Dammam, emphasizing their role in diversifying income and strengthening the Kingdom’s economic position. These include multi-story factories designed to create a stimulating environment for entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
• The region hosts six industrial cities under the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (“Modon”), covering vast areas with over 1,850 factories and logistics investments, highlighting the vitality of the industrial sector and its contribution to exports.
• A memorandum of understanding between “Modon” and the Eastern Province Municipality aims to enhance regulatory cooperation and create an integrated and attractive industrial environment for investors.
• Jeddah:
• Five waterfronts have been developed with integrated facilities, including pedestrian paths, fountains, cycling lanes, restaurants, and cafes, significantly enhancing recreational options for residents and visitors.
• The “Bahja” project involves the development of over 443 parks within residential neighborhoods to create green, safe community spaces.
• Jeddah Season is a prominent cultural and entertainment festival with diverse offerings, including concerts by local and international artists, contributing to Jeddah’s growing reputation as a cultural and recreational hub [introduction, 230, 231, 232, 233, 235].
• Jazan Region:
• Efforts are underway to officially recognize and preserve the “Al-Awarak” camel breed, an indigenous Arabian breed. Breeders are advocating for its inclusion in major camel festivals to prevent its decline and enhance genetic diversity, which is an important aspect of cultural heritage and biodiversity preservation with strong regional roots.
• Riyadh:
• The Al-Masamak Palace Museum has been modernized and restored, serving as a historical symbol narrating the establishment and unification of the Kingdom, thereby contributing to cultural heritage and tourism [introduction, 208, 209, 212, 213].
• The King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies provides a comprehensive collection of its “Linguistic Studies” journal, serving as a robust academic resource and promoting intellectual development.
• A significant partnership between the “Kalana” Society and the Ministry of Health aims to provide 50 dialysis machines across the Kingdom, enhancing kidney patient care and aligning with Vision 2030’s goals for health sector development and non-profit collaboration.

These regional developments are intrinsically linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, driving economic diversification, enhancing the quality of life, and fostering a knowledge-based economy [introduction, 19, 49, 56, 70, 73, 80, 82, 92, 93, 97, 267]. The Kingdom’s commitment to sustainable development is evident in initiatives like solar energy projects and wildlife protection. Furthermore, the active involvement of the private and non-profit sectors through partnerships and community engagement is crucial for the implementation and success of these projects across all regions.

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By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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This collection of articles from a Saudi newspaper, dated August 1-2, 2025, provides a multifaceted view of Saudi Arabia’s progress and aspirations across various sectors. Several pieces highlight the transformation of the entertainment industry as a key component of Vision 2030, emphasizing its economic impact, cultural preservation efforts, and empowerment of Saudi women. The publication also discusses the “Two-State Solution” conference, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic role in advocating for the Palestinian cause. Furthermore, articles examine the advancements in Saudi industry, the historical context of education in the region, the growth of the beauty sector, and the increasing prominence of sports in the national economy. The diverse topics reflect a nation actively pursuing development, global engagement, and social evolution.

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Saudi Vision 2030: A Kingdom Transformed

Saudi Vision 2030 is a comprehensive roadmap aimed at diversifying the Kingdom’s economy and reducing its reliance on oil. It focuses on empowering non-oil sectors and is seen as a strategic driver for achieving major national goals, fostering community and cultural identity.

Here are some key aspects and impacts of Saudi Vision 2030:

• Economic Diversification and Growth
• The Vision aims to diversify income sources and move away from dependence on oil. Non-oil activities contributed 55% to the Kingdom’s real GDP in 2024.
• It seeks to create a flexible and competitive industrial economy led by the private sector.
• The Vision has ambitious targets, including increasing the manufacturing capacity for cars to 280,000 annually by localizing 40% of their added value, localizing 40% of the pharmaceutical market, increasing the local production of medical devices and supplies to 15%, meeting 85% of local demand for food industries, and localizing 70% of the future chemical supply chain.
• The Kingdom aims to be a regional hub for food industries, covering 85% of local demand.
• Quality of Life and Societal Transformation
• A primary goal is to improve the quality of life for all segments of society.
• The entertainment sector has undergone a radical transformation, moving from a pure recreational element to a strategic pillar for achieving Vision 2030. It’s seen as a means to build individuals, enhance belonging, and achieve sustainable economic development.
• The General Entertainment Authority (GEA), established in 2016, is responsible for regulating and developing this sector, making it a cornerstone of the post-oil economy.
• Entertainment aims to offer diverse cultural and recreational options for all community segments, making Saudi Arabia an attractive destination for tourism and investment.
• It has contributed billions of riyals to the national economy and created thousands of jobs in creative fields.
• Notable projects include Boulevard Riyadh, Boulevard World, AlUla Heights, and Qiddiya. Riyadh Season has attracted over 20 million visitors and generated significant economic and media value.
• The sector also supports local heritage, traditional arts, and handicrafts.
• It acts as a soft power tool for promoting a positive image of the Kingdom globally.
• Women’s Empowerment: Vision 2030 explicitly sought to develop the entertainment sector to empower women.
• This involved opening opportunities for women to participate in public events and entertainment activities that were previously restricted or absent.
• It created new professional opportunities, especially within the GEA, with Saudi women now holding leadership and executive positions.
• The sector became a platform for female creativity, highlighting talents in arts, culture, and media.
• It also generated new economic opportunities for women, enabling many to start small and medium-sized businesses related to events, photography, food trucks, and cafes.
• The increase in Saudi women’s participation in the labor market from 20.2% in 2018 to 36.2% by Q1 2025 aligns with this economic shift.
• Entertainment spaces have become safe and organized environments for women, fostering community integration and personal growth.
• Industrial and Manufacturing Sector
• Saudi Arabia has become a leading industrial success story, transitioning from limited capabilities to a fundamental pillar of the national economy.
• The Kingdom has attracted massive local and foreign investments in its industrial sector.
• New factories are consistently beginning production, leading to job creation.
• The quality of Saudi products is now comparable to those of major industrial nations, leading to increased exports to global markets.
• The Kingdom achieved the first rank in the Middle East, North Africa, and 20th globally in the Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development (QI4SD) index for 2024, reflecting its commitment to quality.
• Financial Market Development
• The Capital Market Authority (CMA) has adopted a stimulative measure for public offerings of debt instruments, prioritizing review requests for issuers with a credit rating.
• This initiative is part of a broader CMA strategy to deepen and enhance the Saudi financial market, aligning with Vision 2030’s goals of diversifying funding sources and promoting financial sustainability.
• Credit ratings are seen as a tool to assess creditworthiness and help investors make informed decisions.
• Education and Human Capital Development
• Riyadh Schools, established in 1970 (1390 AH), play a role in preparing national leaders capable of contributing to Vision 2030.
• The schools operate under the Mohammed bin Salman Misk Foundation, with an ambitious plan to expand to over 44 schools across 10 administrative regions by 2034.
• The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language aims to enhance the global presence of the Arabic language, aligning with the Kingdom’s efforts to serve the Arabic language worldwide.
• Sports Sector Transformation
• The sports sector is no longer just a recreational activity but an advanced economic driver and a strategic tool for national development and soft power.
• Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in sports empowerment, hosting major international tournaments like Formula 1 (since 2021) and the Spanish Super Cup (since 2020).
• The Kingdom aims to transition from merely organizing major events to building a sustainable sports industry based on an integrated economic structure.
• The Saudi Sports Sector Ecosystem (SSSE) is a framework for building a national industry rooted in education, tourism, innovation, and sector integration.
• There is a focus on sectoral specialization within sports clubs, transforming each sport into a semi-independent entity to enhance financial sustainability, attract private sector investment, and improve performance.
• This includes the establishment of academic and research partnerships with Saudi and international universities to offer specialized programs in sports management and economics.
• The sports sector’s contribution to GDP is expected to exceed 2.5% by 2033, along with the creation of thousands of new jobs in areas like sports technology, marketing, and venue management.
• Environmental and Biodiversity Initiatives
• The Kingdom is rich in biodiversity, with 65 terrestrial and marine ecosystems, housing over 12,000 species.
• Saudi Arabia is implementing strategies and initiatives to protect the environment and ensure its sustainability, preserving biodiversity for future generations.

In summary, Saudi Vision 2030 is a multi-faceted national plan aiming for significant socio-economic restructuring, with a strong emphasis on economic diversification, quality of life improvement through entertainment and sports, women’s empowerment, industrial growth, and human capital development, all contributing to the Kingdom’s standing on the global stage.

Saudi Entertainment: A Pillar of Vision 2030 Transformation

The entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia has undergone a radical and strategic transformation in recent years, evolving from a purely recreational element into a fundamental pillar for achieving Saudi Vision 2030. This shift reflects a recognition by the wise leadership that entertainment is not merely for amusement but a means to build individuals, foster belonging, and achieve sustainable economic development.

Strategic Importance and Goals:

• The sector is recognized as a strategic driver for achieving major national goals and a vital contributor to communal and cultural identity.
• It is a core component of Vision 2030’s aim to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil, specifically focusing on empowering non-oil sectors.
• A key objective is to provide diverse cultural and entertainment options for all segments of society, enhancing the quality of life and making Saudi Arabia an attractive destination for tourism and investment.

Key Enabler: General Entertainment Authority (GEA):

• The General Entertainment Authority (GEA), established in 2016, was supported by the state to be the entity responsible for regulating and developing the entertainment sector. It has been designated as one of the fundamental pillars of the post-oil economy.
• Since its inception until the first half of 2023, the GEA attracted 135 million visitors across more than 120 cities within the Kingdom and issued over 14,000 licenses for entertainment activities.
• In 2023, the total number of attendees reached 72 million people, an increase of 17% compared to 2022, and the number of licenses exceeded 6,000 in 117 cities.
• By 2024, Saudi Arabia hosted 76.9 million visitors in 423 entertainment destinations, and GEA events saw over 100,000 entertainment nights with 3,700 participating companies. In the third quarter of 2024 alone, GEA organized 536 events attended by 8.3 million visitors.
• GEA also launched the “Entertainment Portal” digital platform in 2024 to facilitate the issuance of licenses for establishments, events, and talent, improving procedures and transparency for investors. This has led to a significant increase in visitor numbers and licenses.

Economic Contributions:

• The entertainment sector has contributed billions of riyals to the national economy.
• It has created thousands of jobs for Saudi youth in new creative fields that were previously unavailable. The entertainment industry is described as labor-intensive, capable of absorbing a large and diverse workforce across various levels and specialties.
• It has stimulated massive local and foreign investment by engaging international and Arab production companies.
• The sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to reach 4.2% by 2030, with the creation of 450,000 direct and indirect job opportunities across various regions. The sports sector’s GDP contribution is also expected to exceed 2.5% by 2033, creating thousands of new jobs in areas like sports technology and marketing.
• Domestic and foreign tourism stimulated by entertainment has attracted billions of riyals, benefiting sectors like hotels, aviation, transport, hospitality, and restaurants.

Social and Cultural Transformation:

• The societal perception of entertainment has shifted from being a luxury or marginal activity to an essential component of quality of life, contributing to psychological well-being and strengthening family and community bonds.
• Entertainment events have played a role in reviving popular arts, traditional foods, and handicrafts that were threatened with extinction.
• These events have become platforms for expressing national pride and presenting a modern image of the Kingdom that blends authenticity with openness to the world.

Impact on Women’s Empowerment:

• A key strategic goal of developing the entertainment sector under Vision 2030 was to empower women.
• This involved opening opportunities for women to participate in public events and entertainment activities previously restricted or absent, such as attending musical concerts, sports matches, and cultural festivals.
• It created new professional opportunities for women, particularly within the GEA and related institutions, with Saudi women now holding leadership and executive positions.
• The sector became a platform for female creativity, showcasing talents in acting, directing, music, comedy, and production.
• It generated new economic opportunities for women, enabling many to start small and medium-sized businesses related to event organization, photography, food trucks, and cafes.
• The increase in Saudi women’s labor market participation from 20.2% in 2018 to 36.2% by Q1 2025 aligns with this economic shift.
• Entertainment spaces have become safe and organized environments for women, fostering community integration and personal growth and contributing to their self-confidence and personal and professional networks.

Key Projects and Events:

• Major projects like Boulevard Riyadh, Boulevard World, AlUla Heights, and Qiddiya (under development) have been launched as global entertainment, sports, and cultural destinations.
• The Saudi Seasons program, especially Riyadh Season, has become an international event attracting millions of visitors annually. Riyadh Season alone attracted over 20 million visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom in its previous edition.
• Hundreds of artistic performances, musical concerts, festivals, theatrical shows, and exhibitions have been presented. Examples include Jeddah Season and the Red Sea International Film Festival.
• Boulevard World, a new area of Riyadh Season, attracted around 6 million visitors by the end of Riyadh Season 2024 and features the world’s largest artificial lake.
• The Kingdom has hosted major international sporting events, including Formula 1 (since 2021) and the Spanish Super Cup (since 2020), and WWE shows.

International Recognition and Soft Power:

• The entertainment sector has become an effective tool of “soft power,” reflecting a positive image of the Kingdom to the world and opening windows for cultural communication with global populations.
• Hosting global artists and stars, and major sporting events, broadcasts a message that Saudi Arabia is an influential player in the global entertainment industry, enhancing its regional and international standing.
• The GEA and its initiatives have received international awards, such as Turki Al Sheikh (GEA Chairman) winning the “Most Influential Personality in the Decade” at the 2024 Effie Awards, and the “Joy Awards” festival setting a Guinness World Record for the largest commemorative shield. MDLBEAST also won international awards for its events.
• The expansion of the sector strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional center for entertainment, tourism, and culture, fulfilling Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification and quality of life.

In essence, the growth of Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector is a multi-faceted success story, demonstrating its profound impact on economic diversification, societal well-being, cultural exchange, and global soft power.

Saudi Entertainment: Empowering Women, Transforming Society

The entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia has been a pivotal force in women’s empowerment, undergoing a strategic transformation as part of Saudi Vision 2030. This shift acknowledges entertainment as a means to foster belonging and achieve sustainable economic development, rather than merely amusement.

Here’s a comprehensive discussion of women’s empowerment through the growth of the entertainment sector:

• Strategic Objective and Participation in Public Life:
• Developing the entertainment sector was a strategic goal of Vision 2030 aimed at empowering women. The government sought to enhance the quality of life and diversify the economy through this focus.
• A key initial step was opening avenues for women to participate in public events and entertainment activities, a significant change from previous decades where their involvement was restricted or absent. This includes attending musical concerts, sports matches, and cultural festivals. These were seen as more than just superficial changes, but rather an acknowledgment of women’s right to participation, interaction, and enjoyment as citizens.
• Creation of New Professional and Economic Opportunities:
• The sector’s growth generated new professional opportunities for women, particularly within the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and related institutions. Saudi women are now in leadership and executive roles, contributing to the planning, organization, and execution of major events.
• The new regulatory environment facilitated women’s entry into diverse fields previously unavailable to them, such as theater, production, event organization, photography, artistic design, and fashion for public occasions.
• The beauty sector, in particular, has seen a rapid growth in Saudi Arabia, with many young Saudi women working independently as “makeup artists” or “hair stylists” outside traditional salons, utilizing social media platforms for promotion. The value of the women’s beauty and salon services market in Saudi Arabia was estimated at approximately $1.585 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $3.148 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual rate of 10.6%. The individual beauty services market is also expected to grow by 4.8% annually from 2025 to 2031.
• This expansion has created new economic avenues for many Saudi women to establish small and medium-sized businesses, including event organization, photography studios, food trucks, and themed cafes. These opportunities, previously limited, are now part of a state-supported renewed economic landscape.
• Major entertainment events have provided seasonal and permanent jobs for women in sales, hospitality, marketing, public relations, and event management. Many women have also found part-time or freelance work, offering them professional flexibility and contributing to their financial independence.
• Platform for Talent and Societal Role:
• The entertainment sector has become a platform to celebrate female creativity, showcasing talents in acting, directing, music, comedy, and cinematic production, establishing new prominent figures.
• Major events like “Riyadh Season” and “Jeddah Season” have provided women with real opportunities to demonstrate their professionalism to both local and international audiences. This extends to diverse areas like theater management, photography, program presentation, and sports and entertainment commentary.
• This participation has significantly contributed to changing the stereotypical image of Saudi women, presenting them as active participants and creators of cultural and entertainment content, not just consumers.
• Increased Labor Market Participation:
• The economic growth of the entertainment sector correlates with a substantial increase in Saudi women’s labor market participation. According to official data, the percentage of Saudi women participating in the workforce increased from 20.2% in 2018 to 33.2% in 2020, reaching 36.2% by Q1 2025.
• Estimates suggest that the Eastern Province alone needs to employ at least 7,000 Saudi women in its approximately 4,000 women’s salons to meet demand, indicating significant employment potential. This offers Saudi women an opportunity to start their own projects, even without needing to open licensed salons initially.
• Social and Psychological Transformation:
• The impact extends beyond economic gains to deep social and psychological effects on Saudi women’s lives. Entertainment events and public spaces have become safe and organized environments where women can naturally integrate into society, free from isolation or excessive restrictions.
• Women can now interact within the community, attend activities with family or friends, participate in public events, and explore different cultures within their own country. This positive interaction has enhanced women’s self-confidence, helped them build social and professional networks, and provided mixed-gender, family-friendly spaces that support openness while respecting societal privacy.
• The psychological benefits are evident, with many women finding these spaces outlets for self-expression, stress relief, and pursuing their hobbies, significantly improving their overall quality of life.
• Challenges and Calls for Fairer Practices:
• Despite opportunities, Saudi women in the beauty sector face intense competition from non-Saudi workers, particularly from unlicensed operations. This unregulated competition, often offering lower prices, reduces opportunities for Saudi women.
• Saudi women have advocated for an official platform to evaluate and showcase their talents, ensuring fair competition and recognition. They report facing “soft warfare” tactics like negative comments and price undercutting by foreign workers. They also highlight challenges in obtaining licenses and participating in official events, claiming regulations are often only strictly applied to them.
• They propose measures such as government support for salons employing Saudi women and imposing minimum wages to ensure genuine Saudization, not just superficial compliance.
• However, despite these challenges, Saudi women are gaining customer trust in the beauty sector, often preferred for their understanding of local tastes, professionalism, respect for privacy, dedication, and hygiene. Clients value the personalized approach, natural makeup styles, and post-service follow-up provided by Saudi professionals.

In conclusion, the growth of the entertainment sector, championed by Vision 2030 and the GEA, has been a major catalyst for women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia, transforming their public, professional, and social roles, despite ongoing challenges in certain segments.

Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Transformation: Vision 2030’s Economic Core

Saudi Arabia’s industrial sector has undergone a profound transformation, evolving from a limited, resource-dependent industry into a fundamental pillar of the national economy. This strategic shift is central to Vision 2030, aiming to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil, while fostering sustainable economic development.

Key Aspects of Saudi Industrial Development:

• Strategic Transformation and Diversification:
• The Kingdom’s industrial development is no longer limited to oil-related industries but has expanded into diverse sectors such as pharmaceuticals, metals, food products, and even car manufacturing. This broad diversification reflects the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 to build a robust and sustainable economy.
• Saudi industry is now seen as a symbol of development and modernity, generating pride among its citizens.
• Significant Investment and Growth:
• The sector has attracted massive local and foreign investments, supported by modern infrastructure including economic cities like King Abdullah Economic City and advanced industrial and technical zones.
• Government incentives and simplified manufacturing procedures have played a crucial role in drawing investors.
• In June , investments in new factories amounted to 1.93 billion riyals, creating 2,007 new job opportunities.
• The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources issued 83 new industrial licenses in June , with 58 new factories commencing production in the same month. Investments associated with these new licenses exceeded 950 million riyals, expected to generate over 1,188 jobs across the Kingdom.
• The total number of industrial permits granted across Saudi Arabia’s regions and cities grew significantly from 464 in 2017 to 5,526 by the end of 2024, indicating a rapid and effective growth of the sector.
• Quality and Global Competitiveness:
• The quality of Saudi products now rivals those in major industrial nations, a success attributed to the application of advanced quality systems, reliance on qualified national competencies, and international partnerships that facilitate knowledge transfer.
• Saudi Arabia has achieved the first position in the Middle East and North Africa and 20th globally in the Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development (QI4SD) index for 2024, a significant jump of 25 ranks compared to 2022.
• The Kingdom also holds a Guinness World Record for organizing the largest food gathering in Jeddah, covering 11 million square meters, demonstrating its exceptional capabilities in executing massive initiatives.
• Contribution to GDP and Economic Diversification:
• Non-oil activities accounted for 55% of the Kingdom’s real GDP in 2024.
• Specific contributions to non-oil GDP include approximately 39% from transport and storage, 5% from manufacturing industries, and 4% from mining and quarrying activities.
• Non-oil exports recorded a 13.2% growth in 2024, with re-export activities seeing an unprecedented increase of up to 42% (90 billion riyals).
• Service exports reached 207 billion riyals, growing by 14% annually, while non-oil commodity exports hit 217 billion riyals, marking a 4% growth.
• Future Objectives and Localization Efforts:
• The industrial sector aims to maximize local value and protect national products from unfair competition and dumping.
• Ambitious localization targets for Vision 2030 include manufacturing 280,000 cars annually and localizing 40% of their added value (including electric vehicles).
• In the pharmaceutical industry, the goal is to localize 40% of its value and 15% of medical devices and supplies.
• Saudi Arabia also seeks to become a regional hub for food industries, aiming to meet 85% of local demand.
• Localization efforts extend to renewable energy sources and 70% of future chemical material supply chains.
• Job Creation and Human Capital Development:
• The industrial sector is inherently labor-intensive, capable of absorbing a vast and diverse workforce across various skill levels and specializations. It creates direct and indirect job opportunities for millions, ranging from high-level specialists in strategic planning to professionals in logistics, security, hospitality, and retail.
• This unique ability to generate jobs contributes significantly to reducing unemployment and enhancing economic and social stability, thereby increasing overall national productivity.
• There is a focus on developing skills and training human capital to build a future-ready industrial workforce.

In essence, Saudi Arabia’s industrial development is a concerted effort to create a flexible and competitive economy driven by the private sector, underpinned by strong infrastructure, and committed to high quality and strategic localization goals.

Saudi Arabia: Health and Well-being in Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia places a significant emphasis on healthcare and well-being, viewing them as integral components of its national development and economic diversification under Vision 2030. This holistic approach spans medical advancements, public health initiatives, and the promotion of a higher quality of life for all citizens and residents.

Here are key aspects of Saudi Arabia’s efforts in healthcare and well-being:

• Strategic Focus on Quality of Life and Societal Well-being:
• Vision 2030 aims to enhance the quality of life. The entertainment sector, for instance, has transformed from a mere recreational element into a strategic axis for achieving this vision. It’s seen as a means to build individuals, strengthen belonging, and achieve sustainable economic development.
• Entertainment contributes to psychological health and enhances family and community cohesion. It is no longer viewed as a luxury but as an essential component of daily life, actively contributing to national development and changing deeply rooted societal perceptions.
• Activities are designed to be family-friendly, which has built community trust and increased participation. Entertainment is also considered a human right and a pillar of sustainable development.
• Advancements in Health and Medical Research:
• The Kingdom is addressing global health challenges that affect millions, such as psoriasis, an autoimmune disease affecting 125 million people worldwide.
• It highlights the life-saving power of vaccines, which prevent approximately 2-3 million deaths annually and provide protection against over 25 types of infections. Prevention is considered the optimal investment in health.
• New discoveries in medical research are being made, such as the identification of four distinct autism subtypes, which is a significant step towards understanding the genetic basis of the condition and improving healthcare. Each subtype shows different medical, behavioral, psychological, and genetic variation patterns, suggesting distinct underlying mechanisms.
• There’s a recognized need for significant investments in health infrastructure, research, and development, as well as in providing specialized human cadres.
• Public Health Awareness and Proactive Measures:
• World Breastfeeding Week is highlighted as a true investment in the health and future of generations, noting that breastfeeding protects approximately 820,000 children under the age of five from death annually and significantly reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in mothers. There’s a strong warning against artificial milk companies intruding into hospitals, which could negatively impact this vital practice.
• Cultured doctors play a crucial role in raising community awareness and health education. Their efforts, often through personal accounts on social media, make medical information accessible and understandable to the public, especially benefiting those facing barriers to traditional medical access. This proactive information sharing is seen as a “zakat of knowledge,” embodying a strong sense of belonging and community interaction.
• Effective responses to health challenges start with individual awareness and the adoption of healthy lifestyle practices.
• Water Safety and Drowning Prevention:
• Saudi Arabia has achieved global leadership in meeting the highest standards for drowning prevention. This achievement is attributed to 12 integrated national initiatives that have reduced drowning deaths by 17% and averted economic losses exceeding 800 million riyals.
• Policies and training/awareness programs have been implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in cooperation with the Public Health Authority (“Weqaya”) to instill safe behaviors in pools, coastal areas, and other water bodies.
• Five essential tips for water safety include:

1. Never leave children unsupervised, even if they can swim.
2. Choose swimming areas with qualified lifeguards.
3. Ensure children learn basic swimming and survival skills.
4. Avoid unknown or dangerous swimming spots.
5. Learn basic first aid for drowning incidents.

• Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death globally, with a significant increase in incidents among children during summer, primarily due to lack of parental supervision. Even shallow water poses a risk to infants.
• Medical consultation is advised for anyone involved in a drowning incident, even if they appear well afterwards. Incorrect first aid methods, such as inverting a drowned person, are explicitly warned against as they can delay proper resuscitation and worsen outcomes.
• Sleep and Brain Health:
• Deep sleep is described as the brain’s natural “washing machine,” activating the glymphatic system to remove toxins linked to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
• A long-term study indicated that sleeping less than 6 hours a night in mid-life increases the risk of dementia by 30%.
• Aging can reduce the efficiency of the glymphatic system, weakening the brain’s ability to clear waste.
• Poor or insufficient sleep leads to protein accumulation, while improving sleep quality (e.g., regulating sleep times, reducing light exposure) enhances brain health and reduces dementia risk.
• A 1% decrease in REM (dream) sleep is associated with a 9% increase in dementia risk. Tips for better sleep include avoiding interrupted sleep, intermittent fasting, and sleeping on one’s side.
• Addressing Common Health Concerns:
• The sources address various common health issues, such as nighttime coughing (often linked to asthma, changes in the body’s biological clock, or acid reflux).
• Stomach discomfort, including a bitter taste upon waking, is frequently associated with acid reflux, nasal obstructions, or chronic sinusitis.
• Fainting upon sudden standing can be caused by a drop in blood pressure, anemia, or certain medications.
• Wheezing in infants can signal issues ranging from enlarged tonsils/adenoids to respiratory or even heart problems, necessitating specialist medical evaluation.
• For these concerns, professional medical consultation is consistently recommended.

Overall, Saudi Arabia’s industrial development, as reflected in these discussions, extends beyond economic growth to encompass a comprehensive commitment to the health, safety, and overall well-being of its population, integrating these goals into its national strategic frameworks.

Saudi Arabian Renaissance: Society, Economy, and Culture

Here are the titles of the columns and their two paragraphs of detail from the newspaper, presented in English:

• Statement
• Saudi initiatives have always been related to the Palestinian issue, starting from the Arab Summit Initiative in Fez (1981) and the Beirut Initiative (2002) to the Two-State Solution Initiative in 2025. This matter, with its clear implications, stems from Saudi policies’ deep and continuous interest in the Palestinian issue throughout the ages, accompanied by serious attempts to ensure that the Palestinian people obtain all their legitimate rights by establishing a Palestinian state with all the components of a sovereign state.
• The international momentum that accompanied the Two-State Solution Initiative confirms that the world has become more aware and realistic regarding the Palestinian issue, not only at the level of governments but also at the level of peoples who witnessed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza due to the Israeli war of killing, displacement, and starvation of civilians without any regard for international laws or norms of humanity, and interacted with it.
• Entertainment.. Windows to Life
• Saudi Arabia has witnessed a radical transformation in the field of entertainment in a short period. It was not just a development in offering activities and events but a deep strategic transformation based on Saudi Vision 2030, and it managed to touch multiple aspects of life, redefine the nation’s identity, and reshape societal concepts of entertainment from their roots.
• Entertainment came to the heart of the Vision, for when the wise leadership placed well-being and entertainment among the pillars of “Vision 2030,” it was not merely for leisure, but as an economic, cultural, and social leverage. The ambitious Vision aimed to diversify sources of income and reduce reliance on oil, and entertainment was among the promising sectors that contributed to this by attracting investments and stimulating domestic and foreign tourism, and moving the local economy.
• Saudi Women Make a Difference
• The development of the entertainment sector was one of the strategic goals that the government sought to achieve with the launch of Vision 2030 for Saudi Arabia, aimed at enhancing the quality of life and diversifying the economy. Among the first steps that reflected this trend was opening the door for women to participate in public events and entertainment activities, after their participation was restricted or absent in previous decades.
• We have witnessed major transformations such as allowing women to attend sports matches, musical concerts, cultural festivals, and parties. These steps did not merely represent a “real” entry into entertainment but were an indication of acknowledging their right to enjoy, interact, and participate as citizens. These changes have created new professional opportunities for women, especially in the General Entertainment Authority and related institutions.
• A Nation Pulsating with Life
• In just a few years, the entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia has transformed from a limited margin to a vibrant hub, thanks to Vision 2030 and the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – may God protect them – so entertainment has become one of the pillars of quality of life and economic diversification.
• The Kingdom was able to activate the entertainment sector in an unprecedented way in a short period, to become one of the most prominent features of social and cultural transformation, through strategic and systematic steps that resulted in tangible changes in lifestyle. Entertainment contributed to the quality of life after the establishment of the General Entertainment Authority in 2016, as it was the body responsible for formulating and implementing entertainment policies.
• The Entertainment Industry Changes the Face of Society
• The General Entertainment Authority and those in charge of it have reinforced the understanding of the importance of the private sector’s role in advancing the entertainment sector, and transforming it from a neglected seasonal sector into a sustainable and productive sector, enabling it to utilize the great and promising opportunities it abounds with. This approach has succeeded in removing obstacles that prevented the private sector from investing in various entertainment activities.
• And domestic and foreign investments have multiplied to expand and increase the largest artificial lake in the world, the sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product, and in local content, and in creating suitable and appropriate jobs for citizens, and in creating a diverse entertainment environment that meets the needs of everyone, citizens, residents, and visitors from outside the Kingdom.
• Ahmed Al-Sanea.. Competence and Capability
• Ahmed bin Saleh bin Ibrahim bin Ahmed bin Nasser Al-Sanea, our personality, was born in Majma’ah in 1279 AH during the reign of Imam Faisal bin Turki – may God have mercy on him – as Dr. Fahd Al-Maza’al mentions in his book about him. He grew up well and learned the basics of reading and writing in his hometown of Zubair to develop himself scientifically and culturally.
• Zubair was then bustling with scholars and students of knowledge and was one of the major cities of Iraq. Its southern part, as described by the researcher Hamoud Al-Muzaini in his book, “This is what I wrote,” indicates that his father, Ahmed Al-Bashaa Al-Sanea, was among those interested in their country, Majma’ah.
• The Pocket Withers Before the Rose
• Roses have always been a symbol of beauty and taste, and we receive them with gratitude and joy. But in recent years, they have turned from a simple gesture into a “heavy task” that burdens pockets and confuses mothers for no exaggerated reason.
• Occasions today, from graduation parties to birth celebrations and home visits, are associated with small gifts wrapped in luxurious boxes of roses, sometimes with multiple layers, candles, and accompanying decorations, as if the gift has lost its original meaning and turned into a presentation.
• The Beauty Sector.. Rapid Growth and a Promising Market
• The women’s beauty sector in the Kingdom is witnessing rapid growth amidst social and economic transformations that have enabled Saudi women to strongly enter professions that until recently were confined to the shadows. Among the most prominent of these professions are makeup and hairstyling, where many young Saudi women have started working for themselves as “makeup artists” or “hair stylists” outside the framework of traditional salons.
• They are using social media platforms as a front for promotion and outreach. According to a report issued by Infinium Global, the value of the women’s salons and beauty services market in Saudi Arabia reached about 1.585 billion dollars in 2020. It is expected to rise to 3.148 billion dollars by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%.
• Industry in the Kingdom.. Advanced Technology in Quality and Production Expands Saudi Exports to Global Markets
• The industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is considered a success story worthy of admiration. Over the past decades, it has transformed from a sector with limited capabilities into a fundamental pillar of the national economy, with its products competing globally in quality and its investments and huge production. The Kingdom has set out to build a strong industrial base relying on advanced technology and global standards in quality and production.
• Progress has not stopped at oil industries only, but has extended to include diverse sectors such as pharmaceuticals, metals, food products, and even the manufacturing of cars and spare parts, which have begun to carve a place for themselves in regional and global markets. This diversity reflects the ambitious vision adopted by the Kingdom, “Saudi Vision 2030,” which prioritizes the development of the industrial sector to create a diverse and sustainable economy.
• Stimulating Measures to Build a More Mature and Stable Debt Instrument Market
• The Board of the Capital Market Authority has adopted a stimulating measure for public offerings of debt instruments, which involves giving priority to reviewing requests for classification of public offerings for issuers who have obtained a credit rating from a credit rating agency licensed by the Authority, and this procedure will continue until the end of 2026.
• This approach comes within the framework of the Authority’s keenness to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the debt instrument market, and support its role as a major source for financing growth and stimulating the economy, in addition to encouraging issuers of listed debt instruments to obtain a credit rating to enhance the participation of a wider segment of investors, and support the market depth and efficiency.
• The Future of Bitcoin Will History Repeat Its Crises with Encrypted Digital Tools?
• We have entered a new phase of global financial history, where speculation in the cryptocurrency market intertwines with public policies and political influence, to the extent that it becomes difficult to distinguish between genuine innovation and disguised risks, especially after JP Morgan’s step towards lending customers against their crypto holdings.
• Although this may seem like a natural evolution to integrate crypto assets into the real economy, it is a repetition of a terrifying historical pattern of regulatory laxity that ends in market crises, and Rania Goul, senior analyst at XS.com for the Middle East region, says: “Simply put, Bitcoin is not an asset that can be relied upon in a traditional financial framework.”
• Strategic Transformation
• Saudi Arabia has witnessed a radical transformation in its approach to entertainment in recent years, from being a purely recreational element to being one of the strategic axes for achieving Vision 2030. Our wise leadership has realized that entertainment is not limited to amusement but is a means to build human beings, strengthen belonging, and achieve sustainable economic development.
• And entertainment in the Kingdom, as a strategic driver for achieving major national goals, and a vital supporter of societal and cultural identity. It has indeed become a strategic tool for achieving national goals and enhancing cultural identity.
• Riyadh Schools.. Five Decades of Excellence and Giving Established in 1390 AH with King Salman’s Approval for Its Honorary Presidency
• Riyadh Schools, which have graduated a distinguished and leading generation, have contributed over half a century to building national leaders capable of contributing to the achievement of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, as its mission was (preparing students intellectually, morally, and spiritually to achieve their aspirations and contribute to community service) and its vision (graduating passionate and talented leaders who serve our society), and its goals (enhancing Islamic values and principles, and providing a safe material, social, and intellectual environment).
• The establishment of Riyadh Schools came in the academic year 1390/1391 AH, and its main headquarters was in Al-Ulaisha neighborhood, which was one of the oldest neighborhoods in Riyadh. Today, it stands on large areas, and the schools have enjoyed, since their inception, the patronage of the late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz – may God have mercy on him – who built their buildings at his expense in the distinguished Al-Mu’tamarat neighborhood.
• The Artistic Memory of History
• The historical novel, an literary work based on events or periods from the past, finds in it raw material for the artistic novelist, who reshapes it within a narrative structure using his tools and techniques, thereby falling under the requirements of narrative art, to be a kind that transcends academic narration or documentation, and offers a kind of writing that combines the seriousness of history with the pleasure of imagination.
• It does not seek to be a mere reference to the present moment, but rather aspires to be a mirror through which it reflects the transformations and struggles of peoples, so we hear in it the voice of the marginalized, and understand their identity in a moment that gave birth to it or even its collapse.
• Our Cultural Transformations
• For quite some time, this topic has fascinated me to write about it, and in a quick conversation between me and Professor Abdullah Al-Husseini, the editor-in-chief of this newspaper, about this topic, because it is not just a cultural and intellectual topic, but a social and intellectual topic that stimulated me to write about it again, and from which we can present a set of opinions and ideas about who bears that illiteracy.
• I am strongly biased towards the illiterate, and always witness bias, and it is in reality not bias as much as it is a logical, rational, and realistic alignment, because a certificate does not necessarily mean everything. We may obtain a high certificate, but we have not been able to leave a clear impact of this certificate, and therefore we will be like someone carrying heavy burdens on their back, as we are unable to reach its meaning, goals, and objectives, and often I repeat in every meeting that a certificate does not necessarily make one a cultured or creative person.
• Between Certification and Illiteracy
• We cannot compare with precision of observation between one who watches the caravan from afar, and one who rides the thrill of the journey itself. Therefore, the understanding of the levels and stages of transition from one place to another, and from one level to another, is undoubtedly formed more clearly for one who observes the scene from a distance.
• I hold this simple comparison in our cultural scene – for example – through the journey of cultural transition that occurred to the village of Al-Miftaha in Abha, that distinctive summer resort in the south of our homeland and the enchanting destination. I speak here and I try to make this comparison between one who watches this transformation from before, and from one who has become, and what is the difference between the size of the transformation itself and what it does without realizing that there is a very significant distance separating the two stages.
• A Pause with Cognitive Grammar
• The traditional grammar has long been treated as if it were a fixed entity, but it breathes when it turns into a mathematical set of rigid rules. Thus, grammar does not become merely a ladder for speakers to climb cautiously, but rather it becomes an organic fabric imbued with human cognitive experience and with its biases.
• And while traditional grammatical schools tend towards an inductive process that begins with the prescriptive rule, “Cognitive Grammar” looks at language as an action that begins from the human being, cognitively not just logically. Therefore, it does not see in the sentence anything but the superficial aspect of what happens in the brain.
• Poetry Translation.. Between Language Incapacity and Text Fluidity
• Translation between languages has become easy, with varying degrees of difficulty. But what has defied translation is the translation of authentic Arabic poetry – specifically vertical poetry – into other languages; because of its nature, which relies on determinants such as exquisite rhythmic meters, lavish music, imaginative metaphors, and a fixed rhyme.
• While we do not find the same difficulty when translating prose poetry; as it lacks those determinants that distinguish vertical poetry, and therefore prose poetry – by virtue of its fluidity – can overcome translation obstacles, and this overcoming in turn tempted quite a few poets and made them turn to prose poetry, and intensify their presence through it; in order to spread and pass through to the other’s space via the bridge of translation.
• The Performative Power of the Semiotic Sign
• The concept of illocutionary force in speech acts is associated with performatives, which simply means: those acts that, in their essence – according to John Searle and other early researchers in this linguistic theory in the 1960s – in addition to the meaning they carry, also perform an action, meaning that “utterance is an act, or part of an act.”
• Perhaps the clearest example of this is when effective acts occur during the marriage contract between a couple. It is known among people that one of the pillars of marriage in Islam is (offer and acceptance). The offer comes from the guardian, and the acceptance from the man who proposes marriage.
• Linguistic Reflections
• The previous article concluded with the question: if truths existed independently, how can man know them if his knowledge of them changes their reality? And what is the distinguishing criterion between knowing truths and knowing the philosophy of phenomena, in both its ascending and descending aspects, as Plato sees it?
• Here, the ascending aspect’s appearance is linked to the theory of “recollection” (remembering the Forms), while the descending aspect refers to pure, primordial knowledge bestowed by a special class, namely “the gods.” Since language emanates from existing beings through their linguistic act, it must be an instrument of “naming.”
• The Symbolism of Numbers in the Arabic Language
• After long contemplation of the secrets of the number seven and examining its characteristics, the accuracy of its numerical connotations, and its symbolism in the Arabic language, along with the intertwining of meanings with architectural text. At the heart of this system emerges the “Waw of Thamaniyah” (the waw of eight), a linguistic indicator that requires contemplation and an application of wisdom, and whether there is a connection between their occurrences in the Quran and their rhetoric.
• It is certainly known that the Quran was revealed in the language of the Arabs, and the Arabs considered seven to be a complete number. If they exceeded it, they would start counting anew. So, the “Waw of Thamaniyah” here comes as an announcement of a transition to a new counting rank, as in mathematics: the end of one unit and the beginning of another. This makes us look at the matter through multiple axes. The first axis:
• Nisbett’s Unconscious Awareness
• Richard E. Nisbett is an American social psychologist who won the Donald T. Campbell Award for Distinguished Contributions to Social Psychology for his dissertation on “Verbal Reports on Mental Processes,” which he co-authored with his compatriot Timothy D. Wilson. His dissertation is one of the few seminal works in the literature that supports the argument that a large and diverse set of mental operations is responsible for the details of emotions, choices, and perceptions, in a way that is not accessible to conscious human awareness.
• As stated in Nisbett’s book “Tinker’s Memoirs,” he argues that we humans often do not truly know why we think or decide what we do, but we invent rational narratives for it after the fact. He believes that human thought is full of biases and illusions, which can be improved through simple cognitive tools. He also believes that culture profoundly shapes an individual’s thinking pattern, and more importantly, that Eastern and Western thought follow different mental approaches, calling for an awareness of the limits of reason and self-development through understanding the mechanisms of unconscious thought.
• Five Books Amr Al-Amri Recommends Reading
• This is a wide space for answers to this question, which we find everywhere: in classrooms, wide study halls, seminars, workshops, programs, courses, and curricula. Diverse answers in vocabulary and styles, but mostly revolving around the self and refining taste by developing specific axes related to the pleasure of literature and courtesy in literature, and language development.
• But this is not everything, even if all these answers are correct. Studying literature means, first and foremost, studying the trajectory of previous thinking patterns and cultural transformations of life, and knowing the level of civilization that has passed, is present, and will come.
• Why Do We Study Literature?!
• Literature was once the key to great nations before military equipment, and it might even surpass them in some technologies. Literature is an indicator that reflects the morale of nations, their steadfastness, and cohesion in wars. In the recent past, astute nations used to study and analyze the literary output of enemy countries, both near and far, to analyze their psychologies and understand their collective mood.
• They would isolate words from each other to deepen their understanding of the words’ connotations and the coherence of meaning’s strength or weakness between one stage and another. When this strength weakens in the context of the word, it means that the literary discourse issued from an individual or social psyche has begun to falter and weaken.
• The Sculpture “Eve”.. Femininity as a Human Value
• The sculptor Khaled Al-Anqari continues to enrich the cultural scene in the Kingdom through a new sculpture titled “Eve,” through which he enhances his artistic project that blends philosophy and beauty, and reaffirms once again that sculpture can be a profound language that converses with human beings and provokes their primal questions.
• Through the sculpture, Al-Anqari presents an abstract vision of Eve from local natural marble, embodying the image of the first female as a cosmic symbol of creation and temptation, of concealment and sanctity.
• Poems from Sweden
• The wind has gone to sleep / The moon is near / And sets behind a willow tree.
• I dreamt you came / I dreamt you came in a sunny rain.
• The Cultured Doctor in Fairuz’s Condolence
• Culture is not just a profession, it is not just images, nor slogans, nor claims. It does not lie in the largest number of certificates, or the multiplicity of media appearances, or dialogues. Culture is a behavior, a passion, and knowledge. It is a real attempt to bridge the gap and correct paths, and raise the level of awareness among societies.
• In the realm of culture, discussion and dialogue in various societies, in modern sciences, knowledge, and fields, I will confine this article to the circle of “cultured doctors” who did not limit themselves to working in hospital rooms or clinics, but rather took upon themselves the responsibility of enlightening and guiding, and warning.
• Epistemology of Criticism!
• There is no doubt that the theories emanating from critical philosophy have a great impact on the social structure and its behavior, and this interest in these theories and tracking them has become clear to us in our literary, artistic, and media outputs, from which they seep into the collective consciousness, and from here came that importance.
• Therefore, the transition of critical aesthetic concepts from being a conventional science to being an “epistemology” of criticism in the Arab critical concepts – and their multiplicity – means freedom, and this is due to the influx of many theories, especially in modern criticism.
• Targets and the Lost Goal
• August carries with it a bundle of challenges amid the scorching summer heat, global health challenges that demand deep attention, and cast their shadows over the lives of millions. It is a month where awareness and warning efforts converge, from immune diseases to the power of life-saving vaccines, reaching issues of utmost importance like natural breastfeeding. August is not just numbers; it is a call to action.
• The month begins with a UN warning reminding us of psoriasis, this autoimmune disease with no clear cause, threatening 125 million people worldwide. These challenges coincide with the celebration of National Immunity Month, which prompts us to question the extent of our understanding of our immune system and how to protect it.
• Drowning.. Its Causes and the Need for Increased Awareness
• In a significant step towards enhancing water safety, Saudi Arabia has globally led in meeting the highest standards for drowning prevention, after implementing 12 integrated national initiatives that contributed to reducing drowning deaths by 17% and averting economic losses exceeding 800 million riyals.
• This progress is a result of clear policies and training and awareness programs implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in cooperation with the Public Health Authority “Weqaya” and several government entities, to instill safe behaviors in swimming pools, coastal areas, and water bodies, which makes enhancing community awareness and training individuals to deal with risks a top priority for protecting lives.
• Saudi Sports Industry: From Hosting Championships to Building the Economy We Need to Localize Effective Models within a Saudi Framework that Reflects Our Specificity and Identity
• Since the beginning of the second decade of the twenty-first century, sports are no longer just a means of entertainment or a competitive activity, but have become an advanced economic tributary and an effective tool for national development and a catalyst for strengthening soft power for nations.
• While advanced countries witness unprecedented prosperity in what has become known as the “sports industry,” Saudi Arabia today, at a pivotal moment in its Vision 2030, and with its human, logistical, and geographical capabilities, seeks to redefine sports as an economic, cultural, tourism, and sustainable development driver, and an integrated environmental sports model.
• An Educator Achieved Success and Impact Before the Availability of Formal Education
• The kuttabs, or traditional schools, have existed since the early days of Islam and beyond. At that time, they were called “maktab” or “teacher of boys.” They were teachers who taught the Holy Quran, reading, and writing. Many companions of the Prophet – may God be pleased with them – were among those who taught people the Quran in Medina, Kufa, Basra, and Damascus.
• The most famous of these companions were Ubayy ibn Ka’b and Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, about whom the master of Adam’s children, peace be upon him, said: “Whoever wishes to read the Quran as fresh as it was revealed, let him read it according to Ibn Umm Abd (i.e., Ibn Mas’ud).” Likewise, Zayd ibn Thabit, and Abu Darda and Abu Jabal ibn Mu’adh, who taught the Quran in a large mosque in Medina.
• Rare Treasures
• Within the framework of what the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Quran Library contains, a collection of rare manuscripts stands out as one of its most valuable scientific possessions, preserved with extreme care within the Scientific Affairs Library at the Complex.
• The library contains approximately 54 original manuscripts distributed over more than 7918 pages in scientific collections, including a precious collection of manuscripts related to Quranic sciences, estimated at about 123 manuscripts in the fields of interpretation, readings, and their sciences.
• Unique Biodiversity and Flourishing Wildlife
• The Kingdom is considered one of the countries rich in biological diversity with its environments between deserts, mountains, coasts, and marine areas, which include 65 terrestrial and marine ecosystems. This diversity contributes to its hosting of thousands of species of living organisms exceeding 12 thousand fungal species, whether plant or animal.
• Plant species in the Kingdom are estimated at about 2300 species, and more than 1600 species of annual herbs and perennials, which made it the richest region in the Middle East in plant diversity.
• New Discovery Paves the Way for Autism Treatment
• The robot “Ai-Da” revealed this week a new drawing of King Charles III smiling, with a flower adorning his lapel. The robot asserted that it had no intention of “replacing” a woman. Ai-Da is a robot with a human appearance.
• A painting of Alan Turing (1912-1954), the famous English mathematician, created by it, was sold for one million dollars in an auction. This was the first time a work by a human-like robot was sold at auction.
• Al-Rashed Awakens Wonder in Philosophical Papers Held by “Falsafah” Academy
• The “Falsafah” cultural training academy presented its program “Post-Profit Philosophy,” under the title: “Awakening Wonder.” This time, the meeting to stimulate questioning and restore philosophy came in a space embraced by the board member Engineer Hamad Al-Rashed, presented by him as a qualitative reading in “Philosophical Papers” in the Saudi Philosophy Association and the Riyadh Philosophical Circle.
• He worked on deconstructing the tripartite relationship between the cover, the title, and the content, which is the central idea of the “Post-Cover” program. Al-Rashed began his paper with historical reflections on the emergence of manuscripts, tracing the evolution of their design to today’s publications, where human arts intersected with modern printing tools, and the image intertwined with the text to form a preliminary awareness of the content.

Download PDF Newspaper

By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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The provided texts offer a multifaceted view of Saudi Arabia’s rapid development and global engagement, particularly highlighting its Vision 2030 initiatives. Several articles detail strategic collaborations in technology and infrastructure, such as the “Mer” platform’s expansion into Saudi Arabia’s geographic information sector and the kingdom’s significant investments in smart cities. The collection also underscores Saudi Arabia’s cultural and economic aspirations, showcased by its burgeoning e-sports industry, major sporting events, and efforts to boost tourism in various regions. Furthermore, the sources touch upon social welfare programs, environmental sustainability, and the broader impact of technological advancements on the economy and daily life.

Podcast

Saudi Arabia: A Global Expansion Journey

Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing global expansion across multiple sectors, driven by its Vision 2030 and a clear strategy to become a leading international player in various fields. This expansion is characterized by strategic partnerships, technological innovation, and a focus on human capital development.

Here are key aspects of Saudi Arabia’s global expansion efforts:

• “Mar” Company’s Global Journey
• Ambitious Vision: The Saudi company “Mar” is leading an ambitious journey towards globalization, armed with a clear vision and accumulated technical expertise. Its strategic vision is “From Saudi Arabia to the World”.
• Strategic Partnerships: “Mar” focuses on building long-term, practical partnerships that achieve mutual development. It considers its advanced technical expertise in digital engineering and geospatial services a core specialization, making it a “leading multinational technical force” and a “trusted strategic partner for Chinese needs”.
• Digital Platform for International Cooperation: At the heart of “Mar’s” operations is its digital platform, which acts as an integrated ecosystem connecting Saudi and Chinese companies in engineering and surveying. This platform serves as an incubator for innovation and cross-border cooperation, facilitating regular face-to-face interaction between Chinese and Saudi teams to solve problems and enhance efficiency, thereby helping ambitious companies expand globally.
• Competitive Advantages: “Mar” benefits from Saudi Arabia’s strategic resources and markets, which are advantageous for Chinese companies seeking to expand externally. The Kingdom’s infrastructure plan, valued at $27 trillion, creates “huge investment opportunities for international partnerships”.
• Strategic Hubs: “Mar’s” official establishment in Deqing (Huzhou) City for Geographic Information was a deliberate move, serving as a strategic launching point for expansion into the Asian market. This city’s advanced industrial cluster, comprising over 400 specialized companies, provides a beneficial ecosystem for “Mar” to enhance its capabilities and expand its partnership network. Deqing is even described as an “aircraft carrier leading many small ships to sea,” illustrating its role in facilitating global expansion for specialized companies.
• Overcoming Challenges: While internationalization for geospatial data in Zhejiang faced challenges like information security and policy restrictions, cooperation with “Mar” “opens a new path for global expansion”.
• Exporting Expertise: “Mar” is not merely contributing to local transformation but is also exporting Saudi expertise to the world, affirming the ability of Saudi companies to compete globally and offer advanced technical solutions that meet diverse market needs. The company plans to expand beyond China to more countries, leveraging its acquired expertise. The model is expected to be scalable, with Deqing introducing over ten international partners annually.
• Saudi Arabia’s E-sports and Digital Economy Global Footprint
• Global Leadership in Interactive Entertainment: Saudi Arabia is positioning itself at the forefront of the global e-games and e-sports industry, aiming to be the “first global platform” for innovations in gaming technologies and a “global center for specialized education” in the field. This is viewed as a redefinition of interactive entertainment, leading to economic, educational, and cultural transformation.
• Significant Growth and Investment: The e-games sector in Saudi Arabia is projected to grow by a 23% compound annual growth rate until 2027, reaching over $1.1 billion, driven by local demand and investments in events and infrastructure.
• World-Class Events: Riyadh’s hosting of the World E-Sports Cup exemplifies its growing status as a comprehensive global destination that blends digital culture with global tourism. This event, featuring over 2000 global players and broadcast in over 35 languages to more than 140 countries, attracts thousands of players, journalists, and fans, solidifying Saudi Arabia’s image as a global hub that embraces diversity. The 2024 edition attracted over 500 million hours of global viewership and generated media value exceeding $1.2 billion, establishing it as one of the largest sports and media events worldwide.
• Youth Empowerment and Job Creation: The e-sports initiatives are aligned with Vision 2030, enhancing cultural, sports, and tourism sectors, supporting the local economy by increasing spending, and creating both direct and indirect job opportunities, empowering youth in promising sectors like technology and gaming.
• Broader Economic Diversification and International Investment
• Strong Credit Rating and Attracting Foreign Investment: Fitch Ratings has affirmed Saudi Arabia’s ‘A+’ long-term credit rating with a stable outlook, attributing it to the Kingdom’s strong financial position, significant foreign reserves, and commitment to economic diversification. The agency anticipates further progress, including opening land ownership to non-Saudis and implementing a new investment law, which will enhance the Kingdom’s appeal for foreign direct investment and accelerate economic diversification. Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its credit and economic standing regionally and internationally, attracting more direct and indirect foreign investments.
• Investment in Human Capital: Vision 2030 extends its focus to investing in human minds, as exemplified by the Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business, which aims to graduate leaders capable of making a real global impact. The Kingdom’s investment in human capital is seen as a benefit to the entire world.
• International Aid and Reconstruction Efforts: Saudi Arabia actively participates in international efforts, such as leading the reconstruction of Syria. The Kingdom has signed agreements worth over 24 billion SAR for economic cooperation, including funding for new cement factories and collaboration in IT, digital transformation, cybersecurity, AI, programming, and agriculture (modern farming, grain production, organic products, food supply chains). These investments aim to stimulate Syria’s economy, create jobs, and establish new companies, demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting sisterly countries.

Saudi Arabia’s Tech Ascent: Vision 2030 and Global Innovation

Saudi Arabia is demonstrating a strong commitment to technological innovation across various sectors, recognizing it as a pivotal driver for its global expansion and the realization of Vision 2030. This commitment is evident through strategic investments, advanced digital solutions, and a focus on human capital development.

Key areas showcasing Saudi Arabia’s technological innovation include:

• Digital Engineering and Geospatial Services:
• The Saudi company “Mar” is leading an ambitious journey toward globalization with a clear vision and accumulated technical expertise in digital engineering and geospatial services.
• “Mar” operates a digital platform that serves as an integrated ecosystem, connecting Saudi and Chinese companies in these fields. This platform fosters innovation and cross-border cooperation, facilitating direct interaction to solve problems and enhance efficiency, thereby helping companies expand globally.
• Their advanced technical expertise is highlighted as a core specialization, positioning “Mar” as a “leading multinational technical force” and a “trusted strategic partner” for international needs.
• The strategic establishment of “Mar” in Deqing, China, is intended as a strategic launching point for expansion into the Asian market, leveraging advanced industrial clusters there. This cooperation is seen as “opening a new path for global expansion” in geospatial data, overcoming challenges like information security and policy restrictions.
• “Mar” aims to export Saudi expertise globally, affirming the capability of Saudi companies to compete and offer advanced technical solutions, with plans to expand beyond China to other countries.
• E-sports and Interactive Entertainment:
• Saudi Arabia is actively positioning itself as a global leader in the e-games and e-sports industry, aiming to be the “first global platform” for innovations in gaming technologies and a “global center for specialized education” in the field.
• The e-games sector in Saudi Arabia is projected for significant growth, driven by local demand and investments in events and infrastructure, including cloud gaming.
• Initiatives like “Ignite” focus on digital media, including a specialized hub for e-games to train and qualify talent and localize knowledge.
• The Saudi e-sports academy, founded by the Saudi Esports Federation, builds strategic partnerships with global tech entities like Gen.G Global Academy and GGTech to offer specialized courses that enhance graduate competence.
• The World E-Sports Cup in Riyadh embodies this, showcasing the Kingdom as a comprehensive global destination that blends digital culture with global tourism, attracting thousands of players and fans, broadcast in multiple languages globally.
• Smart Cities and Urban Development:
• Vision 2030 initiatives, such as “The Line” in NEOM, aim to create advanced urban models that prioritize human well-being and nature over traditional urban issues like noise, pollution, and traffic. “The Line” envisions a city without cars or emissions, powered by 100% renewable energy, optimizing human life for ease, longevity, and health.
• Smart home technology is rapidly growing, especially in Saudi Arabia and the GCC, with devices like Amazon Alexa showing high adoption rates and AI capabilities for localized Arabic dialects. These smart homes leverage AI, big data analytics, cloud computing, IoT, augmented and virtual reality, and robotics to enhance life quality and reduce energy consumption (e.g., 40% reduction in electricity bills).
• The “Muttal” project in Medina is another example of a comprehensive tourism destination that incorporates modern design standards to enhance the city’s aesthetic identity and provide diverse entertainment options, showcasing adherence to global standards.
• Healthcare Technology:
• Hospitals like Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib are adopting cutting-edge surgical robotics, such as the Hugo™ RAS surgical robot, which offers high precision, flexibility, 3D vision, and full control over surgical tools. This technology significantly reduces complications, shortens recovery times, and minimizes tissue damage, representing a qualitative technological leap in healthcare services.
• Future visions extend to smart homes where integrated health clinics (e.g., in bathrooms) could analyze biological waste to detect health issues, identify deficiencies or infections, and recommend doctor visits, potentially enabling early detection of serious diseases like cancer.
• Saudi Arabia’s “Hevolution” initiative, a non-profit organization established in 2018, is a global leader in funding research to extend healthy human lifespan, aiming to develop advanced treatments and vital technologies that are accessible and affordable worldwide.
• Government Operations and Digital Transformation:
• The Ministry of Interior is enhancing digital transformation in region governorates, implementing technical solutions and leveraging artificial intelligence to improve readiness and develop strategic technological visions.
• A developed version of the “Sadaya” system has been launched to enhance digital integration platforms for national identity document issuance, supported by smart processing tools and integrated with national platforms like “Tawakkalna”.
• The Kingdom has also made significant strides in the digital economy, with its size reaching 495 billion riyals in 2024, representing 15% of the GDP. It ranks second among G20 countries in telecommunications and technology sector regulations, reflecting the robustness of its digital infrastructure and regulatory environment.
• The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is leveraging smart regulatory tools and proactive methodologies to enhance compliance and establish governance rules in workplaces, leading to a rise in compliance rates to 94% in the first quarter of 2025.
• Strategic Role of AI and Challenges:
• AI is seen not as a threat but as an opportunity to create new job opportunities and enhance the economy. The National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence emphasizes building a robust digital economy and equipping national competencies with advanced AI and big data analysis skills.
• Economists highlight the tangible impact of AI strategies on reducing unemployment rates among Saudis, contributing to a competitive and attractive labor market aligned with Vision 2030.
• However, the sources also acknowledge challenges, particularly concerning data security and privacy in smart home devices due to constant internet connection, raising concerns about potential breaches and the need for robust legal frameworks and secure designs. The internationalization of geospatial data also faced challenges related to information security and policy restrictions, which “Mar” aims to overcome through cooperation.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Growth and Transformation

Saudi Arabia is demonstrating a significant and multifaceted commitment to economic growth, driven by its ambitious Vision 2030. This vision aims to transform the Kingdom into a pioneering and successful global model across all sectors, emphasizing economic diversification, human capital development, and leveraging advanced technology.

Key aspects of Saudi Arabia’s economic growth strategy include:

• Robust Digital Economy and Infrastructure:
• The size of Saudi Arabia’s digital economy reached 495 billion riyals in 2024, accounting for 15% of the total GDP.
• The Kingdom ranks second among G20 countries in telecommunications and technology sector regulations, reflecting the strength of its digital infrastructure and regulatory environment.
• There is a strong focus on digital transformation in government operations, with the Ministry of Interior implementing technical solutions and leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance readiness and develop strategic technological visions. A developed version of the “Sadaya” system has also been launched to enhance digital integration platforms for national identity document issuance, supported by smart processing tools.
• Strategic Investments and Partnerships:
• Saudi Arabia is undertaking a massive infrastructure plan valued at $27 trillion, which opens vast opportunities for specialized companies in engineering and geospatial services.
• The Saudi company “Mar” is a prime example, aiming for globalization by leveraging its accumulated technical expertise in digital engineering and geospatial services. Its digital platform connects Saudi and Chinese companies, fostering cross-border cooperation and facilitating global expansion. “Mar” seeks to export Saudi expertise globally, affirming the Kingdom’s capability to offer advanced technical solutions. This internationalization effort has faced challenges like information security and policy restrictions, which “Mar” aims to overcome through cooperation.
• The Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development are partnering to empower beneficiaries of social security, providing integrated rehabilitation services to help them integrate into the labor market and enhance their economic independence. This includes providing free sites at fuel stations for permanent sales outlets for productive families.
• Diversification and Non-Oil Sector Growth:
• Fitch Ratings affirmed Saudi Arabia’s long-term credit rating at ‘A+’ with a stable outlook, citing the Kingdom’s strong sovereign financial position, supported by large financial reserves and rising net foreign assets.
• Fitch projected real GDP growth of around 4.3% in 2025, rising to 4.7% in 2026, primarily driven by increased oil production.
• The non-oil sector is expected to remain strong, contributing to economic diversification. The contribution of the non-oil private sector increased by 28% in 2024, now accounting for about 56% of the GDP.
• The Kingdom is implementing a new investment law to enhance its attractiveness for foreign investment and accelerate economic diversification.
• The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture has executed strategic projects exceeding 230 billion riyals, including planting over 150 million trees and increasing strategic water storage capacity by 600%. The Kingdom has achieved self-sufficiency in dates, milk, and table eggs, and is now the world’s leading exporter of dates.
• The tourism sector is experiencing significant growth, with international tourism revenues increasing during the first quarter of 2025. Initiatives focus on developing diverse tourism destinations, such as “Muttal” in Medina and promoting regions like Al-Baha and Asir for their natural beauty and sustainable rural tourism.
• Human Capital and Job Creation:
• The unemployment rate among Saudis saw a notable decrease in 2024, reaching 7.7%, its lowest level in over a decade. This is attributed to a package of programs and initiatives aimed at direct employment and training, such as the “Tamheer” program.
• The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s strategic presence in the labor market has led to a rise in compliance rates in workplaces to 94% in Q1 2025 through smart regulatory tools and proactive methodologies.
• Artificial intelligence is viewed as an opportunity to create new job opportunities and boost the economy. The National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence focuses on building a robust digital economy and equipping national competencies with advanced AI and big data analysis skills.
• The e-games and e-sports industry is a significant growth area, projected to reach over $1.1 billion by 2027 with a 23% compound annual growth rate. Initiatives like “Ignite” and the Saudi Esports Academy focus on training talent and localizing knowledge in digital media and gaming technologies. Saudi Arabia aims to be the “first global platform” for innovations in gaming technologies.
• Smart City Development:
• Projects like “The Line” in NEOM envision advanced urban models that prioritize human well-being and nature, with 100% renewable energy and optimization of daily life.
• The rapid growth of smart home technology in Saudi Arabia and the GCC region is noted, with devices like Amazon Alexa showing high adoption rates. These technologies, powered by AI, big data, cloud computing, and IoT, are expected to enhance quality of life and reduce energy consumption by up to 40%.
• Healthcare Technology:
• Hospitals are adopting cutting-edge surgical robotics, like the Hugo™ RAS system, which enhances precision, flexibility, and reduces recovery times.
• Future visions include smart homes with integrated health clinics that could analyze biological waste for early disease detection.
• The “Hevolution” initiative, a non-profit organization established in 2018, is a global leader in funding research to extend healthy human lifespan, aiming to develop advanced, accessible, and affordable treatments and vital technologies worldwide.

While the sources highlight significant advancements and positive economic outlook, they also touch upon challenges, particularly concerning data security and privacy in smart home devices due to their constant internet connection, emphasizing the need for robust legal frameworks and secure designs.

Saudi Vision 2030: Social Development and Transformation

Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing social development as a cornerstone of its ambitious Vision 2030, aiming to build a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. This involves significant investments in human capital, quality of life initiatives, social welfare, and cultural enrichment, alongside economic diversification.

Key aspects of Saudi Arabia’s social development strategy include:

• Human Capital Development and Employment:
• The Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development are collaborating to empower social security beneficiaries by providing integrated rehabilitation services to help them enter the labor market and enhance their economic independence. This includes providing free sites at fuel stations for permanent sales outlets for productive families.
• The unemployment rate among Saudis significantly decreased in 2024, reaching 7.7%, its lowest level in over a decade. This is attributed to a package of programs and initiatives focused on direct employment and training, such as the “Tamheer” program.
• The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s strategic presence in the labor market has led to a rise in compliance rates in workplaces to 94% in Q1 2025 through smart regulatory tools and proactive methodologies.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) is viewed as an opportunity to create new job opportunities and boost the economy. The National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence focuses on building a robust digital economy and equipping national competencies with advanced AI and big data analysis skills.
• The e-games and e-sports industry is a significant growth area, with initiatives like “Ignite” and the Saudi Esports Academy focusing on training talent and localizing knowledge in digital media and gaming technologies.
• Taibah University has opened distance learning programs to provide flexible education opportunities, targeting high school graduates and public/private sector employees.
• Enhancing Quality of Life:
• The Quality of Life Program, a key component of Vision 2030, has shown impressive achievements in 2024, with 7 indicators reaching 100% completion and 23 exceeding their planned targets. It aims to improve lifestyles, expand cultural, recreational, and sports options, and empower communities.
• The Riyadh Award for Excellence was launched to enhance competitiveness and leadership across government sectors, non-profits, and individuals in Riyadh, aligning with Vision 2030 and contributing to improved quality of life.
• The Amanat Al-Sharqiya (Eastern Province Municipality) collected over 1.1 million tons of waste and trained over 16,500 individuals in public health during the first half of 2025, emphasizing its commitment to providing a clean and sustainable environment and improving urban quality of life.
• Projects like “Al-Mutal” in Medina are developing comprehensive tourist destinations, improving quality of life and offering diverse recreational experiences.
• The “Masar Al-Takhassusi” project in Medina, which is 80% complete, is developing recreational and environmental infrastructure, enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors by providing green spaces, pedestrian paths, and facilities for physical activities.
• Al-Khobar municipality has undertaken over 80 development projects in the first half of 2025, including infrastructure upgrades, neighborhood rehabilitation, and street humanization, all contributing to the goals of Vision 2030 for quality of life.
• The rapid growth of smart home technology is noted for its potential to enhance quality of life and reduce energy consumption by up to 40%.
• Healthcare and Well-being Initiatives:
• Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system is rooted in the principle of “prevention before cure”, a concept highlighted by the establishment of the Public Health Department in Mecca in 1925.
• The healthcare focus has evolved from infectious diseases to addressing chronic lifestyle-related conditions like diabetes and obesity.
• The average life expectancy has increased to 75 years, with healthcare spending reaching 9% of the budget. However, challenges remain with 23% of adults affected by diabetes and high obesity rates, underscoring the ongoing need for population health initiatives.
• An independent agency for population health has been established within the Ministry of Health, signifying a shift towards proactive and impactful health strategies.
• Hospitals are adopting cutting-edge surgical robotics, like the Hugo™ RAS system, which enhances precision, flexibility, and reduces recovery times.
• Future visions include smart homes with integrated health clinics capable of analyzing biological waste for early disease detection, offering a significant leap in preventive healthcare.
• The “Hevolution” initiative, a Saudi non-profit organization established in 2018, is a global leader in funding research to extend healthy human lifespan, aiming to develop advanced, accessible, and affordable treatments and vital technologies worldwide.
• Social Welfare and Humanitarian Aid:
• The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has provided over 30 billion riyals in aid to 108 countries globally. This includes over 4.27 billion riyals for 265 projects and initiatives in Yemen and over 230,000 surgical operations worldwide.
• Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its continuous support for the Palestinian cause, signing three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in areas of human capital development, curriculum development, and telecommunications, information technology, and digital transformation. These MOUs aim to empower the Palestinian society and support its resilience.
• Seven new Saudi aid trucks, carrying food supplies, crossed into Gaza via the Rafah crossing, as part of the ongoing popular Saudi campaign to support the Palestinian people.
• Community and Cultural Initiatives:
• The Al-Ula Astronomy Club organized the “Wonders of Al-Ula Sky” event to promote scientific culture and connect the local community with space sciences.
• The Cultural and Arts Society in the Northern Borders Region plays a vital role in showcasing local cultural and popular heritage, establishing creative incubators, and providing platforms for artists to express their talents.
• The Buraidah Dates Carnival in Al-Qassim region is a major seasonal, agricultural, and economic event that promotes agricultural tourism and preserves cultural heritage.
• The Medina International Book Fair 2025 aims to enhance cultural awareness, support the publishing industry, and foster intellectual dialogue, attracting over 300 publishers and offering a rich program for all ages.
• The Prince Salman bin Mohammed Royal Reserve has inaugurated its first team of female marine environmental inspectors, with women constituting 34% of the reserve’s environmental inspection force, significantly exceeding the global average of 11%. This highlights efforts in women’s empowerment and environmental preservation.

Overall, Saudi Arabia’s social development efforts under Vision 2030 demonstrate a comprehensive approach that prioritizes human well-being, economic empowerment, and cultural enrichment, aiming to create a balanced and prosperous society.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Cultural Preservation and Enrichment

Saudi Arabia, as part of its comprehensive Vision 2030, places significant emphasis on cultural preservation and enrichment, viewing it as integral to building a vibrant society and a thriving economy. This commitment is demonstrated through various initiatives that aim to safeguard and promote the Kingdom’s rich heritage, integrate it with modern development, and enhance cultural awareness among its citizens and visitors [Conversation History, 103, 290].

Key aspects of Saudi Arabia’s cultural preservation efforts include:

• Dedicated Cultural and Heritage Initiatives:
• Festivals and Events: The Buraidah Dates Carnival in Al-Qassim region is highlighted as a major seasonal, agricultural, and economic event that actively preserves cultural heritage. Similarly, the Medina International Book Fair 2025 is designed to enhance cultural awareness, support the publishing industry, and foster intellectual dialogue by offering a rich program of literary, poetic, and intellectual sessions. It also includes an interactive children’s area to cultivate a love for reading and creativity from a young age.
• Cultural Societies: The Cultural and Arts Society in the Northern Borders Region plays a vital role in showcasing local cultural and popular heritage. This society works to establish creative incubators, provide platforms for artists to express their talents, and document traditional crafts and ideas. It transforms local heritage into contemporary cultural products, illustrating the diversity and richness of the Saudi north, and teaches the philosophy of heritage and how to interpret time through it.
• Preserving Intangible Heritage through Art and Tradition:
• Arabic Calligraphy: The work of Abdulrazzaq Khoja exemplifies the preservation of Arabic calligraphy as a fundamental aspect of national identity. Khoja’s calligraphic art was featured on Saudi currency, official documents, and royal signatures, making him a “partner in the making of the state” and solidifying his legacy as part of the national fabric. His style is noted for its precision, simplicity, and unique Saudi character, seamlessly blending traditional elements with local aesthetic sensibilities.
• Culinary Heritage: The World Cup for Electronic Sports in Riyadh, while a modern technological event, notably integrates cultural elements by featuring a popular foods festival that showcases Najdi heritage dishes. This highlights the preservation of traditional culinary practices and their contribution to the region’s cultural identity, demonstrating how new platforms can be used to promote traditional values.
• Integrating Culture with Tourism and Environmental Initiatives:
• Cultural Tourism: Regions like Al-Baha are presented as key tourist destinations that combine natural beauty with ancient heritage. The area’s rich cultural heritage includes traditional farming, specific agricultural products, and various folk arts such as “Al-La’b,” “Al-Masahbany,” and “Al-Ardah”. Similarly, Aseer’s berry farms are highlighted for blending environmental and agricultural diversity with sustainable rural tourism, preserving and promoting agricultural heritage through interactive visitor experiences. The Khamas Valley in Taif is also recognized for its rural beauty and deep historical significance, offering a cultural and recreational experience.
• Scientific Culture: The Al-Ula Astronomy Club actively promotes scientific culture through events like “Wonders of Al-Ula Sky,” connecting the local community with space sciences and highlighting the importance of observation in a naturally unpolluted environment.
• Environmental Preservation with Cultural Ties: Initiatives like the “Saudi Green Initiative” and the establishment of the Prince Salman bin Mohammed Royal Reserve emphasize the preservation of natural resources, biodiversity, and green spaces. While primarily environmental, these efforts contribute to safeguarding the natural heritage that often holds significant cultural value and is intertwined with traditional ways of life.

Overall, Saudi Arabia’s approach to social development, as articulated in Vision 2030, includes a robust strategy for cultural preservation. It focuses not only on direct conservation but also on integrating heritage into modern economic and social sectors, using both traditional and innovative means to foster a deep connection to the Kingdom’s identity [Conversation History, 103].

Saudi Vision 2030: Progress and Pillars of National Life

Here are the titles of the columns written in this newspaper and their first two paragraphs of detail:

Column Title: Word The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, launched Vision 2030, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman supervised its design and details. He said, “My first goal is for our country to be a successful and leading model in the world in all aspects, and I will work with you to achieve that.” This was a firm promise stemming from a deep and unwavering belief that our homeland possesses enough wisdom, foresight, capabilities, and advantages to make it worthy of fulfilling this promise and achievement. The fruit of this Vision, and with the continuous follow-up of the astute leadership, has resulted in the tangible reality of the leadership we are now experiencing, witnessing transformations and qualitative achievements in all areas of life, carrying with it the great blessings of Vision 2030, with its determination and empowerment.

Column Title: Quality of Life The annual report on Quality of Life Program – one of the Vision 2030 programs – for the year 2024 revealed significant achievements in six pivotal sectors that contributed to improving lifestyles, enhancing cultural, recreational, and sports options, expanding the urban landscape, and empowering communities. The annual report, issued under the title “A High Life for Every Human,” provided a comprehensive analytical reading of the tangible transformations at all levels – economic, social, and cultural – and presented what has been achieved from the program’s initiatives and 42 performance indicators, noting that, with God’s help, 7 indicators achieved a full 100% completion rate, and 23 indicators exceeded their planned targets.

Column Title: Word The report reflected the program’s readiness for the upcoming phase of Saudi Vision 2030, by focusing on achieving more integration with executive bodies, expanding the beneficiary base, and stimulating the private sector. Everything included in the report with its impressive figures and results confirms that the quality of life reflects the deep appreciation of the wise leadership for human beings, and that they are among its highest priorities, even the core and cornerstone of its development. Therefore, it tirelessly works for their well-being, building reassurance in their lives, and that the relationship between the citizen and the homeland and its leadership is an extended and firm partnership deeply rooted in the soil of stability, loyalty, and fidelity to this entity, with the depth of the homeland and the authenticity of its history.

Column Title: The Interactive Entertainment with a Saudi Vision Did you ever imagine that electronic games would one day become an industry, a culture, and a global economic engine? In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this is no longer just imagination, but a reality being built with confident steps and strategic investments, at the heart of which is an ambitious vision that redefines interactive entertainment. The Kingdom is at the forefront of the global scene for the electronic games and sports industry. Through the development of the electronic games sector, the Kingdom seeks to empower innovation, enhance the digital economy, and create a vibrant ecosystem that supports players, developers, and relevant entities, in addition to enjoying entertainment. This is done through a set of strategic initiatives that include: developing a regulatory framework and governance that ensures the coordination of roles of public entities related to the electronic games and sports sector, establishing advanced technical and physical infrastructure that supports the growth of electronic sports and contributes to attracting major global events, providing financial and funding mechanisms to expand the scope of electronic games and sports in the Kingdom, and striving to be the first global platform for innovations in gaming technologies, enhancing its position as an open laboratory for innovation and creativity, and presenting the Kingdom as a global center for specialized education in electronic games and sports, and enhancing cooperation and partnerships between the public and private sectors with the aim of expanding the scope of national initiatives and achieving integration in the implementation of related plans, all supported by Saudi Vision 2030.

Column Title: Retreat of Unemployment to its Lowest Levels.. and Artificial Intelligence at the Heart of Transformation Artificial intelligence is not far from the countries that seek to transform and create more future jobs. The Kingdom enhances these futuristic trends, as Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, President of the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence, affirmed that artificial intelligence is “very important” and will have a significant impact on jobs, and that the employee will not be replaced by artificial intelligence, but rather by an employee who uses artificial intelligence. This vision, issued by one of the most important leaders, reflects the reality of dealing with artificial intelligence, as it is not viewed as a replacement tool, but as a means of empowerment, which is consistent with the national trend that seeks to develop human beings alongside technology, and it also opens up vast horizons on the occupational level.

Column Title: A High Credit Rating for the Kingdom Fitch Ratings, a global credit rating agency, affirmed its long-term credit rating for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at “A+” with a stable outlook. This rating is based on the strong sovereign financial position of the Kingdom, both domestically and internationally, supported by massive financial reserves and high net foreign assets (SNFA). The agency expected the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to maintain a high level of foreign reserves, equivalent to approximately 12.8 months of current account payments in 2025, compared to an average of only 1.8 months for similar countries rated “A”. The agency also expected this strong financial performance to continue in the medium term, with reserves expected to reach approximately 11.3 months in 2027, reflecting the strong external financial position of the Kingdom and its superiority over its peers.

Column Title: Has the world begun to abandon the dollar? In a world where economic events are accelerating globally, indicators are increasing that the global financial system is entering a transformational phase that may be one of the deepest since World War II, and the question that forcefully imposes itself today is: Has the world actually begun to abandon the dominance of the dollar? Well, let’s look at the numbers: – Global gold reserves – actual and potential – stored and declared: According to declared data, the actual gold reserve in the world is estimated at 210 thousand metric tons, which is almost equivalent to a current market value of 14 trillion dollars.

Column Title: Sadness Humans walk the path of life surrounded by many challenges, confronting the obstacles and predetermined circumstances. They are excused for the imperfections that result, for there is no blame or reproach, and the proofs of Islamic law confirm this. If what a person is raised on, whether it be national custom or the sound principles of reason, is weighed, it aligns with seeking excuses, a matter agreed upon as important realism for people, before they are looked at with judgmental eyes. For they carry in their dealings the reality that humans are weak beings, as their Creator, glory be to Him, described them: “And mankind was created weak.” And the reality that this worldly life is a house of troubles and hardships, and these imperfections are something that those around them will inevitably encounter. So they appreciate this and do not expect absolute idealism from others in behavior, and when they do not find it – and they will not find it, of course – they attribute to them shortcomings. And they imagine that it is possible for a human to be free from obstacles and impediments, and from forgetfulness and error, and that worldly life can flow purely.

Column Title: Seeking Excuses Indeed, some excuses may be personal to a specific incident, known only to the person’s acquaintances, while others are by nature hidden from view. It is therefore inappropriate to delve into them or investigate the excused person’s circumstances. If a person goes to the trouble of asking their brother about a hidden excuse, and the brother vaguely informs them that they are excused in some matter, then the questioner should be content with this generality, as it suffices.

Column Title: When the house becomes a battleground In a time when wars are fought behind screens, and hearts are buried beneath your walls, the most dangerous enemy is not one who stands outside the grip of pressures, but rather one who shares your roof, enters through the same door, and eats from the same table. The calamity is not that we differ, for that is human nature, but that our differences, which we express with a face of love, turn into bleeding wounds that do not stop, and into disputes that plant an unhealable anxiety in the heart. We begin as innocent souls sharing play and laughter, for we are born brothers with no choice. Then the years grow within us differences, and small disputes escalate or transform into walls of silence, neglected until they grow and turn into fires. Nothing exhausts a person like conflict within their family, for no argument or money can replace the warmth of a brother or the security of a sister.

Column Title: The Roots of Population Health When we contemplate the health landscape in the Kingdom today, from smart data systems to the expansion of primary healthcare centers, they appear to us as lush trees of achievement in a barren desert. However, what we see today is not a momentary creation; rather, it is an extension of deep roots embedded in the history of the modern Saudi state, roots built upon a simple yet profound concept: prevention before treatment. In 1925, the term “population health” was not common, but the founding King Abdulaziz—with his political and social foresight—ordered the establishment of the Public Health Department in Mecca, anticipating the health protection the country would need for its pilgrims and residents. This decision was not merely regulatory; it was an early declaration that the human being is at the heart of the national project.

Column Title: Saudi Investment in Syria.. Actions, Not Words In the morning of Thursday, July 24, 2025, it was not an ordinary day on the calendar of the whole world. Indeed, this day was created in the history of the ancient Levant, and its fragrance spread with jasmine petals of Damascus, a firm Saudi chivalry that flows to perfume the land of beloved Syria with the finest types of authentic oud. From the People’s Palace, the moments were decisive, and the reality of the scene is stronger than the eloquent description of words that convey pride. Is it a national shiver or eternal pride in our belonging, or a continuous praise to God for our honorable leaders who made humanity and Arabism a decisive factor in their rule for this blessed country.

Column Title: The Academic’s Well-being: A Shield of Academic Excellence Professional pressures in the academic environment are no longer a passing complaint, but have transformed into a challenge that threatens the very essence of the university’s mission, which revolves around three main axes: education, scientific research, and community service. The university professor, “the torchbearer of knowledge,” finds himself besieged under the triple burden of intensive teaching that accelerates with curriculum development and rising expectations, a frantic race to publish in prestigious journals under the slogan “Publish or Perish,” and increasing demands for contributing to community service and academic administration, amidst fierce competition for funding, promotions, and accelerating technological challenges. Reports from the World Health Organization (2022) indicate that the higher education sector is among the sectors most affected by occupational stress globally. This multifaceted pressure does not remain confined to the academic’s chest; rather, its effects are clearly manifested in occupational burnout, which exhausts the spirit and body, and leads to a decline in job satisfaction and productivity. This can consequently affect mental health, reaching high levels of anxiety and depression. As an inevitable result of the aforementioned, interaction with students decreases, and innovative research contributions decline. In the most severe cases, this exhaustion can lead to the attrition of distinguished competencies from the academic workforce, which squanders massive investments in building minds, as shown by an extensive study associated with Cambridge University and published in (2021).

Column Title: Yasir Al-Shahrani

• The former international star, Captain Yasir Al-Shahrani, may God grant him a long life and health, made indelible contributions to Al-Hilal team in achieving many local and continental titles, in addition to his participation in the Club World Cup four times!
• The former star, Yasir Al-Shahrani, was not just a player, but a great star whose name was mentioned with honor as he defended the colors of the national team in more than one major international event. The dangerous injury he suffered did not prevent him from continuing, but it was fate, and he recovered from it by God’s grace!

Column Title: Abdul Razzaq Khoja.. The memory of calligraphy drew the features of a nation Abdul Razzaq bin Abdullah Khoja was born in Mecca in 1930 and grew up in a humble home that embraced craftsmanship and the Qur’an. He left school at an early age after middle school, but letters never left him. He found in Arabic calligraphy a refuge and a bridge for self-expression, learning it self-taught through observation, experience, diligence, and meticulousness, in a time when calligraphy was writing; it was an identity. Khoja did not study in art schools; rather, he learned by the hands of newspapers and printing, developing a unique path for himself that combined his artistic flair with professional discipline.

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By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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These sources offer a multifaceted overview of Saudi Arabia’s current landscape, encompassing economic and social transformation through Vision 2030, with a focus on diversifying income and fostering innovation in sectors like AI and tourism. They highlight the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause, advocating for a two-state solution and providing substantial aid. Furthermore, the texts discuss global economic concerns, particularly regarding oil prices and trade disputes, and showcase various domestic initiatives including infrastructure development, cultural preservation, and sports achievements, while also addressing issues of irregular migration and human trafficking within the country.

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Saudi Arabia’s Diplomatic Push for Palestinian Peace and Stability

The sources provide extensive information on various diplomatic efforts, with a significant focus on Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting peace and stability, particularly concerning the Palestinian issue.

Here’s a breakdown of the diplomatic efforts discussed:

• Accelerating the Recognition of a Palestinian State:
• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing efforts to accelerate the recognition of the Palestinian state.
• This includes co-chairing, with France, an international high-level conference on a peaceful settlement for the Palestinian issue and implementing the two-state solution.
• The conference adopted a comprehensive final document outlining political, security, economic, humanitarian, and legal proposals, forming a framework for a just and lasting peace and security for all. This document is intended to be implemented and calls for international support before the conclusion of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
• Saudi Arabia emphasizes that peace cannot be built on denying rights or imposing a fait accompli by force, and such Israeli policies lead to instability, feed violence and extremism, and threaten regional and international security.
• The Kingdom renewed its welcome of French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of his country’s intent to recognize the state of Palestine. It urged other countries to take similar steps and adopt supportive stances for peace and the rights of the Palestinian people.
• Similarly, Saudi Arabia welcomed the announcement by the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, of his country’s intention to recognize the Palestinian state and support the two-state solution.
• Saudi Arabia’s efforts also involve actively working with the Palestinian Authority to build its capacities and enable its institutions through support for its reform steps. The Kingdom believes that peace cannot be built without empowering the Palestinian people economically and developmentally.
• Since the adoption of the Arab Peace Initiative in 2002, Saudi Arabia has continuously exerted efforts to materialize an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This initiative is considered a fundamental pillar for achieving comprehensive, just, and lasting peace and stability in the region.
• The Arab Peace Initiative, presented by Saudi Arabia in 2002, called for an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on full withdrawal from occupied territories and mutual recognition.
• The Kingdom has recently initiated the establishment of an international alliance to implement the two-state solution, in cooperation with France. This alliance is not just a political framework but an operational platform aimed at gathering international will and unifying efforts to bring the two-state solution into implementation after years of stagnation.
• The Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mazen Ghoneim, highly praised Saudi Arabia’s steadfast positions and honorable support for the Palestinian people’s rights.
• Condemnation of Israeli Actions:
• The Saudi Cabinet condemned, in the strongest terms, the Israeli Knesset’s demands to impose control over the occupied Palestinian West Bank and Jordan Valley.
• The Kingdom rejects these violations as they undermine peace efforts and lead to destruction, emphasizing its absolute refusal of the occupation authorities’ violations of international laws and UN resolutions.
• Saudi Arabia highlighted that the ongoing escalation and Israeli violations, including starvation, bombing, displacement, and systematic undermining of international efforts to deliver aid in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, constitute grave violations.
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned of the dangers of the Israeli occupation’s plans discussed by the Israeli ministerial security and political cabinet regarding the gradual annexation of Gaza and the undermining of the Palestinian state.
• Economic and Humanitarian Support for Palestinians:
• The Kingdom welcomed the World Bank Group’s decision to provide approximately $300 million in annual grants for Palestine to the West Bank and Gaza’s Reconstructive Fund, aimed at enhancing the Palestinians’ ability to face challenges and achieve development and stability.
• Saudi Arabia is the largest donor to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), providing over $1 billion in aid, enabling the agency to continue its operations.
• King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center provided humanitarian assistance to Gaza amounting to approximately $185 million, covering food, medicine, and shelter. The Kingdom also decided to provide continuous monthly financial support to address the urgent humanitarian situation in Palestine.
• Saudi Arabia’s Diplomatic Relations and Other Efforts:
• The Saudi Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the Saudi delegation’s visit to Syria, which came under the directives of Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit resulted in the signing of 47 investment agreements valued at approximately 24 billion Saudi Riyals across various sectors, in addition to establishing a joint business council to boost mutual cooperation and activate partnerships between the private sectors in both countries.
• The Cabinet highlighted Saudi Arabia’s participation in the UN High-Level Political Forum, showcasing the Kingdom’s national vision achievements that have made it the fastest-growing among G20 countries in sustainable development indicators over the past decade.
• The Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to establishing security and stability in the Middle East and ending the cycle of violence that has claimed tens of thousands of innocent civilian lives.
• The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received two written messages from President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, concerning bilateral relations between the two countries. These messages were delivered to the Deputy Foreign Minister, Engineer Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, by the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Discussions during the reception included reviewing bilateral relations and ways to enhance them across all fields, as well as matters of common interest.
• The Cabinet adopted several decisions concerning international cooperation, including a memorandum of understanding in the financial field with Morocco, a memorandum of understanding with Djibouti in the mineral resources sector, and authorizations for the Minister of Health to discuss a memorandum of understanding with Nicaragua on health cooperation. Additionally, the Minister of Education was authorized to discuss a memorandum of cooperation with the UNESCO Regional Centre of Quality and Excellence in Education.
• Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its regional and international cooperation to combat human trafficking. It has implemented numerous activities and partnerships in this area, which has positively impacted its ranking in international human trafficking indicators.

These diplomatic endeavors underscore Saudi Arabia’s commitment to regional and international peace, economic development, and humanitarian efforts.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Economic Diversification and Progress

Economic diversification is a core strategic objective for Saudi Arabia, primarily driven by Vision 2030, a comprehensive plan aimed at achieving a holistic economic and social transformation. The overarching goal of this vision is to reduce the Kingdom’s reliance on oil revenues and cultivate a more varied and resilient economy.

Key aspects and efforts in Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification include:

• Increasing Non-Oil Revenues: A primary target of Vision 2030 is to significantly increase non-oil government revenues to 1 trillion Saudi Riyals annually from an initial 163 billion Riyals in 2016. This ambitious goal contributes to financial stability and strengthens the state’s capacity to fund development projects without being overly dependent on fluctuating oil prices. As of 2024, non-oil revenues had already risen to 502.5 billion Riyals, indicating significant progress towards the 2030 target.
• Sector Development and Investment:Tourism and Entertainment: The Kingdom is actively developing its tourism and entertainment sectors, which involves imposing service fees, building infrastructure, and fostering new opportunities for economic activity. Events like Jeddah Season and the Qassim Dates Carnival are examples of efforts to boost local economies and attract visitors. The potential economic gains from tourism, such as hotel occupancy exceeding 90% and increased visitor spending seen during the Arab Club Champions Cup in Taif, highlight this strategy’s impact.
• Renewable Energy and Hydrogen: Saudi Arabia aims for global leadership in renewable energy, leveraging its abundant natural resources like solar and wind power. This includes ambitious projects like NEOM, which focuses on green hydrogen production, with a target of 600 tons per day by 2026 and 1.2 million tons of green ammonia by 2030. The Kingdom also eyes a significant share of the global blue and green hydrogen market by 2030.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is identified as a key pillar for national economic transformation. Saudi Arabia is ranked among the top 20 countries globally in AI talent density, reflecting significant investments (over $20 billion) in AI research and applications, establishing partnerships with leading universities, and training programs like “10,000 Programmers”. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has launched a $1.5 billion AI investment fund, and AI infrastructure accounts for over 30% of NEOM’s $500 billion budget.
• Manufacturing, Mining, and Logistics: Expansion in transformative industries such as manufacturing, mining, and logistics services is crucial for generating substantial returns that bolster the state’s public treasury.
• Regional Development: Initiatives are implemented to foster economic activity in various regions, such as the qualitative municipal projects in the southern cities (e.g., Al Sarawat highlands) that focus on developing model parks, serviced resorts, and event centers. There’s also investment in agricultural ventures like black mulberry cultivation and processing in Al-Baha, aiming to boost local industries and create new value chains.
• Camel Economy: A comprehensive report highlights the deep cultural and historical roots of camels in Saudi society and explores their economic potential across cultural, economic, social, and future dimensions within the creative economy system. This includes festivals, derivatives (milk, fat), and their use in fashion.
• Policy and Governance Enhancements: The establishment of entities like the “Non-Oil Revenues Development Center” helps coordinate efforts and measure performance towards diversification goals. There’s also a focus on developing supportive legislation and regulations. The Saudi Cabinet reviews the performance of Vision 2030 programs and strategic initiatives, ensuring continued progress across its three main pillars: a vibrant society, a prosperous economy, and an ambitious nation.
• Attracting Investment: The Kingdom actively seeks to attract both local and foreign investments to open new markets and support the growth of the private sector and entrepreneurship. This includes facilitating investment in large-scale projects, with streamlined approval processes for AI projects, for instance, often taking only 30 days.

These multifaceted efforts demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s commitment to creating a more diversified, robust, and sustainable economy, aiming for increased prosperity and a higher quality of life for its citizens, while also strengthening its global standing.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Leading the AI Transformation

Economic diversification in Saudi Arabia, particularly under Vision 2030, strongly emphasizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) development as a pivotal component for national economic transformation [Conversation History]. The Kingdom aims to leverage AI to cultivate a more varied and resilient economy, moving away from oil dependency [Conversation History].

Key aspects and efforts in AI development in Saudi Arabia, as highlighted in the sources, include:

• Global Standing and Ambitions:
• Saudi Arabia is ranked among the top 20 countries globally in AI talent density, surpassing nations like Italy and Russia. It possesses 0.7% of the total global AI talent.
• This positioning reflects Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a steadfast force in innovation leadership and development in the field of AI.
• The Kingdom’s ambitious goals include attracting $20 billion in AI investments, creating 200,000 high-tech jobs, and becoming one of the top 10 countries globally in AI research and applications by 2030.
• Investment and Infrastructure:
• Saudi Arabia has made significant financial commitments, investing over $20 billion in AI.
• The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has launched a $1.5 billion AI investment fund.
• AI infrastructure accounts for over 30% of NEOM’s $500 billion budget, setting a new standard for smart city development. This extensive investment in infrastructure is crucial for supporting large-scale AI projects and smart city initiatives like “The Line”.
• Talent Development and Attraction:
• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is ranked among the top 150 universities globally in preparing and graduating AI talent, making it the highest-ranked university in the Middle East in this regard. This highlights Saudi Arabia’s diligent efforts to solidify its pioneering position in AI.
• Training programs like “10,000 Programmers” are in place to equip Saudi youth with the latest AI skills.
• To attract top global AI minds, Saudi Arabia offers the highest job offers globally for AI talents, with prominent scientists potentially earning an average annual salary of $420,000 (tax-exempt). Leaders in AI can receive bonuses up to $5 million upon signing with NEOM.
• The Kingdom has also implemented residency programs and relaxed cultural restrictions, particularly in areas like NEOM, to create an appealing environment for foreign experts to live and work.
• Policy and Governance:
• The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) was established to lead the national AI strategy.
• Large-scale AI projects benefit from expedited approval processes, often taking only 30 days for decisions. This streamlined process aims to facilitate rapid development and implementation of AI initiatives.
• Innovative Projects:
• “The Line” city in NEOM is envisioned to be the first city in the world fully controlled by AI, with services like transportation and energy entirely managed by AI. The extensive collection of biometric and wide-ranging data within “The Line” is expected to offer unparalleled opportunities for real-life AI development.

In a broader global context, the sources also touch upon other nations’ approaches to AI development. For instance, the United States, under former President Donald Trump, outlined a strategic plan for AI leadership focused on bureaucracy simplification, expediting permits, strengthening energy supplies, improving semiconductor manufacturing, and encouraging allied countries to adopt US AI technologies. This plan aimed to reduce compliance costs for companies and boost the economic contributions of tech giants. However, it also sparked debate regarding potential environmental oversight issues from large data centers and the lack of a clear vision for building trust among users. The underlying goal for countries like Saudi Arabia and the US is to ensure that investments in AI talent not only shape their digital future but also secure their global competitiveness for decades to come.

Saudi Arabia’s Fight Against Human Trafficking

Saudi Arabia has demonstrated a strong and continuous commitment to combating human trafficking, framing it as a crucial aspect of national economic and social transformation, deeply rooted in its Vision 2030 objectives [60, 71, Conversation History]. The Kingdom views the protection of human dignity not merely as a legal obligation but as a fundamental religious and ethical responsibility.

Key aspects and efforts in Saudi Arabia’s fight against human trafficking include:

• Legal Framework and Penalties:
• The Kingdom has implemented a comprehensive Anti-Human Trafficking Law, which explicitly criminalizes all forms of human exploitation. This includes forced labor, sexual exploitation, and organ removal.
• Violators face severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 15 years and fines reaching 1 million Saudi Riyals. In addition, the means of transport and accommodation used for trafficking are subject to confiscation, and perpetrators may be publicly shamed.
• Institutional Framework and Enforcement:
• A National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking has been established under the supervision of the Human Rights Commission. This committee comprises representatives from various relevant ministries and governmental bodies. Its mandate includes coordinating policies and programs and fostering cooperation with international organizations.
• Law enforcement actively conducts thousands of surveillance rounds and has activated direct reporting channels and digital reporting methods to detect potential violations early.
• The judicial system has been strengthened with the establishment of specialized public prosecutor’s offices and judicial departments within primary and appeals courts dedicated to investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases.
• Victim Protection and Support:
• A primary focus is placed on monitoring the conditions of human trafficking victims to prevent re-victimization.
• Policies are in place to train individuals on identifying victims.
• The Kingdom coordinates with relevant authorities to facilitate the repatriation of victims to their home countries or other preferred locations upon their request.
• There is a provision for victims to remain in the Kingdom and have their legal status regularized if necessary, with their situation subject to annual review.
• The National Referral Mechanism for victims of human trafficking has been launched to streamline support and assistance.
• International and Regional Cooperation:
• Saudi Arabia has acceded to several international agreements and protocols, such as the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its supplementary Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.
• It also actively participates in regional agreements like the Arab Protocol to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Arab Convention to Combat Transnational Organized Crime.
• The Kingdom cooperates with international organizations and has implemented various activities and visits to enhance partnerships in this field.
• Awareness and Public Engagement:
• Efforts are continuously made to raise public awareness about the dangers and impacts of human trafficking on individuals and society. This includes active participation in global observances like the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
• The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) are making significant investments in AI and smart city infrastructure (like NEOM’s “The Line”), which could potentially integrate advanced surveillance and data analysis to further combat such crimes, though this is not explicitly stated as an anti-trafficking measure in the provided text [Conversation History, 164, 166]. However, the broader emphasis on technology and innovation within Vision 2030 suggests a modern approach to societal challenges [Conversation History].

These concerted efforts underscore Saudi Arabia’s clear stance against human trafficking, aligning with its broader national objectives to build a vibrant society, a prosperous economy, and an ambitious nation under Vision 2030 [110, Conversation History].

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Sports Industry Transformation

Saudi Arabia is demonstrating a strong and strategic commitment to developing its sports industry as a fundamental pillar of its Vision 2030 for national economic and social transformation [98, 110, Conversation History]. This includes significant investments and initiatives aimed at diversifying the economy away from oil dependency, creating new revenue streams, fostering talent, and enhancing the Kingdom’s global image and competitiveness.

Key aspects of AI development in Saudi Arabia’s sports industry, as highlighted in the provided sources, include:

• Strategic Vision and Investment:
• Vision 2030 serves as the overarching framework, aiming to transform sports clubs into significant economic entities.
• The Public Investment Fund (PIF) plays a crucial role in this transformation, driving investments in sports as a key economic engine. This demonstrates a top-down strategic approach to elevate the sports sector.
• The goal is to increase non-oil revenues, with sports contributing to this by boosting tourism and creating job opportunities.
• Football (Soccer) Development:
• Attracting Global Stars: The Saudi Roshan League has made headlines by signing world-renowned players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Recent acquisitions, such as Joao Felix joining Al-Nassr, further underscore this strategy, leading to a significant increase in clubs’ market value.
• Club Transformation: Efforts are underway to professionalize club management and operations. For example, Al-Ittihad club’s elections are seen as a critical step in transforming the club into an economic and sports entity. Al-Nassr is also undergoing administrative and technical changes to align with this vision.
• Coaching Talent: The Roshan League features a diverse array of coaches, with the Portuguese school being the most prominent, indicating a focus on bringing in international expertise.
• Hosting International Events:
• Saudi Arabia is hosting significant sporting events, such as the AFC Futsal Cup 2026 in Dammam, showcasing its infrastructure and capabilities.
• However, there’s a critical discussion regarding the decision to host the Saudi Super Cup abroad, specifically in Hong Kong. Critics argue that hosting such events locally would significantly boost tourism, hospitality, and create temporary jobs, citing the successful experience of the Arab Club Champions Cup in Al-Taif in 2023. This highlights a debate on maximizing the economic and fan engagement benefits by keeping events within the Kingdom.
• Other Sports and Youth Development:
• Taekwondo: The national Taekwondo team has achieved success, securing four Asian medals, highlighting investment in diverse sports.
• Futsal: The national futsal team has started its Continental Cup campaign with a win, preparing for future major tournaments.
• Youth Programs: Initiatives like the “Youth Stories 2025” program in Al-Baha aim to empower Saudi youth in sports, develop their skills, and foster a creative and competitive environment.
• Emergence of E-sports:
• Riyadh is set to host the New Global Sports Conference (NGSC 2025), aiming to attract global leaders, cultural figures, and business professionals in the e-sports and traditional sports sectors.
• The conference’s theme, “The Game – Building the Future of Games, E-sports, and Sports,” reflects Saudi Arabia’s interest in the convergence of traditional and digital sports, bringing together major companies like Sony, SEGA, and Activision. This indicates an ambition to become a global hub for both traditional and electronic sports.
• Economic Impact and Benefits:
• The development of the sports industry is expected to stimulate local economies, increase fan engagement, and create new investment opportunities, particularly for entrepreneurs.
• There’s an emphasis on maximizing economic returns from sports, moving beyond mere competition to build a sustainable industry that contributes to the nation’s GDP and global standing.

In essence, Saudi Arabia’s sports industry development is a multi-faceted endeavor, driven by a national vision to transform its economy, cultivate local talent, attract global expertise, and establish itself as a prominent player on the international sports stage.

Reflections on a Kingdom’s Future

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

A Rare Opportunity The Kingdom’s initiative to establish an international alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution recently emerged as a qualitative development in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending this chronic conflict. This step came in cooperation with France, and this alliance is not just a political framework, but rather a practical platform aimed at gathering international will and unifying efforts to push the two-state solution into implementation, after years of stagnation and obstruction. There is no doubt that the Kingdom’s initiative to establish the alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution contributed to restoring consideration for international legitimacy and its resolutions, as it also brought hope to the Palestinian people and the international community that a political solution is still possible whenever political will and sincere international support are available.

Towards a Diversified Economy The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 is an ambitious and comprehensive plan aimed at achieving a complete economic and social transformation, based on diversifying income sources and reducing reliance on oil as a primary source of government revenue. One of the most prominent goals of this ambitious vision is to increase non-oil government revenues to one trillion riyals annually, after they did not exceed 163 billion riyals only when the vision was launched in 2016. This goal is considered one of the strategic objectives that contribute to achieving financial and economic stability in the long run, and enhances the state’s ability to finance development projects, infrastructure and services without relying on oil price fluctuations.

Global Competitiveness Towards Energy Sustainability His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Energy, launched the phrase “Catch us if you can” during an international workshop organized by “ACWA Power” company in Riyadh on July 20, 2025, titled “Exporting Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen.” This intensive phrase reflects the Kingdom’s wide ambition and its leading position in the clean energy sector, embodying its efforts within Vision 2030 to achieve global leadership in renewable energy. His Highness confirmed his great confidence in the Kingdom’s ability to compete with countries like China and India in renewable energy and battery prices, pointing to the signing of agreements to develop clean energy projects with a capacity of 15 gigawatts within one week at globally competitive prices. This achievement confirms the Kingdom’s progress in clean energy leadership, supported by pioneering projects such as the NEOM Green Hydrogen project, and the availability of solar energy at the lowest costs (1.04-1.24 cents/kilowatt-hour) and wind energy (1.56-1.99 cents/kilowatt-hour) with expectations of reducing green hydrogen production costs to 1.48-2 dollars/kg by 2030.

Artificial Intelligence.. And the Compass of Leadership This week, US President Donald Trump announced a new strategic plan to secure the United States’ leadership in the artificial intelligence race, describing it as a sacred battle that leaves no room for hesitation or leniency in the face of China, its arch-enemy. The plan, titled “Winning the AI Race: America’s Roadmap,” spans over 28 pages and includes more than 90 recommendations, based on three main pillars: simplifying bureaucracy, streamlining regulatory permits to avoid bottlenecks, enhancing energy supplies for data centers and the semiconductor industry, and encouraging allied countries to adopt US AI technologies instead of Chinese ones. The Trump plan, which sparked widespread debate, calls for cutting federal funding to states that impose “burdensome” restrictions on AI in an attempt to free innovation from the grip of local regulations. This proposal recalls previous Republican attempts to unify standards across states, which were not completed. In reality, Trump’s plan did not surprise the public, as it was based on extensive societal dialogue after the federal government received more than 10,000 comments from industry leaders and public opinion on how to enhance investment in infrastructure and high-speed computing.

The Tax of Dreams In one of his sessions in recent days, a freshly graduated young man spoke with enthusiasm about his ardent desire to travel to space. His talk about space was not just a desire for adventure, but rather expressed his full determination to leave the country and not complete his university studies in environmental science. He spoke with intense passion, and his anxiety was evident, his features tense, describing how he was living in a psychological hell, and his sleep was filled with worry. I saw with my own eyes a young man who wanted to fly far away from his surroundings, wishing to draw a new map of the world, from a different perspective, as if he was a rebel advancing the ranks to attack his past and his roots. I could not resist his sparkling eyes and his inherent passion that emanated from him, so I admired his words.

Tracing our Popular Heritage in the Books of Western Travelers Proverbs serve several purposes, including summarizing speech and clarifying meaning through analogy, as well as presenting the essence of experiences to those who need them from past or present generations. Folk proverbs also act as a window into the culture of peoples and generations, whether contemporary or historical. For example, the popular proverb that says: “To whom you promised ten camels,” refers to a time when the camel was the means of transport for long distances, and the owner of the camel was called a camel driver. The camel driver who used his camel in his life of transport and trade did not rely only on the income from transport and trade services performed by the camel, and people needed the camel’s service and could not do without it, as it was the one who transported them to countries they wished to travel to or transported their goods.

With the Voice of the Pen The professional relationship is not governed by systems and tasks and powers, but human society is not a robotic society, and with this nature, it sometimes goes beyond the system to personal initiatives that are not consistent with the powers, or there may be a differing opinion for the subordinate or his superior, or competition among colleagues that develops to a level that harms the organization’s interest. In the relationship between the manager and the work team, situations sometimes arise that require wisdom and anger management. These situations may be the result of a negative style of dealing from one of the parties. For example, a manager who uses an automatic approach towards employees (from top to bottom) and does not give room for discussion or listening to other opinions.

Digital The Saudi media stands on the threshold of a bright future, no longer content with remaining marginalized, as media is no longer merely a means of transmitting news, but has become a strategic tool that shapes the nation’s vision and expresses its image. Today, with advanced digital infrastructure and supportive leadership, a new Saudi media system is taking shape, characterized by modernity, outstanding legislation, and carrying the features of the future. The Saudi leadership realized the importance of media early on, and it was instrumental in making media a promising industry that intersects with technology, relies on innovation, and expands into local content and international competition, as part of the goals of Vision 2030 to support national development and enhance the Kingdom’s global standing.

Letters and Ideas When the relationship between the manager and the work team is positive and cooperative with good communication, it means that the manager deals with employees as colleagues, and plays a leading role that contains human aspects in its details, avoiding arrogance, personalization, and highlighting mistakes. The leading role is not confined to the professional aspect only, but the human aspect plays a fundamental role in making the manager capable of dealing with mistakes or unacceptable behavior through the principle of development, not punishment. Here, the relationship between the manager and the work team is a professional and humanitarian relationship that will not succeed without the cooperation of both parties. The employee, who expects support, respect, and participation from his superior, must also play his role effectively in providing a positive work environment and showing readiness to be a member of the work team and not just a spectator and grumbler.

The Dean Between Experience and Renewal (Mention/Tag) Al-Ittihad Saudi Club is approaching a crucial turning point and the end of a fierce battle as the announcement of the results of the board of directors elections for 2025 draws near. A state of anticipation dominates the Dean and Al-Ittihad fans amidst expectations that these elections will be the biggest investment transformations in terms of impact, and most notably the Public Investment Fund, which has already begun to play a pivotal role in reshaping the map of Saudi clubs. The race for the presidency of Al-Ittihad Club in 2025 constitutes an exceptional situation that combines administrative experience, led by the list of former president Ahmed Al-Kaaki and his deputy Anmar Al-Haili, with new slogans of renewal and development, drawing inspiration from the approach of the former CEO, Louay Musabbi.

Why do our championships migrate? (The Forum) Sports observers and enthusiasts question what is more important or prominent: the absence of Al-Hilal from the championship or the hosting of the Super Cup outside the Kingdom? When the news of hosting the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong was announced, many thought it was the most prominent event in Saudi football for this month, but as soon as it was followed by the surprise withdrawal of Al-Hilal, the latter overshadowed everything else. The absence of Al-Hilal, as the most important and influential club in the Saudi and continental sports scene, was not an ordinary event, but rather opened a wide door for questions and cast a shadow over the future of the championship, and perhaps over the strategy of Saudi sports in the coming period. Was the announcement of hosting the championship outside the Kingdom stronger than Al-Hilal’s absence? The answer may be relative, but it is certain that Al-Hilal remains the most difficult number in any equation, and its presence or absence makes a difference in the marketing and popular value of any championship!.

From the Cruelty of Experiences and Chaos.. Will the Sun of Al-Shoulla Rise Again? (Al-Shoulla) It is painful to see a dense tree with lush branches and leaves, standing tall, yet stripped of any green leaf or shadow, struck by a chisel of chaos and irresponsibility for ten months, and then abandoned. I don’t think Al-Shoulla Club’s history has gone through a stage like this, as if it were a premeditated idea, even if the work was catastrophic and crumbling under the weight of pressures!. The achievement that was so close, had it materialized, would have painted over the ugliness under the false pretense of ‘pride’, and would have distorted the truth with embellishing words and misleading narratives. Beautifying ugliness is like a thin coat of paint over a crumbling wall, a desperate attempt to cover cracks with fake colors and draw a smile on the pale face of reality. But – God willed that the truth remain in the memory of those who lived through that stage.

Yasine Bounou the Creator There is no doubt that what the Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou presents with his Al-Hilal team in all competitions indicates that he possesses high capabilities in goalkeeping, and he excels in every match he plays, rather he is creative and distinguished in his goal, and this goalkeeper has proven that he is creative with his superb ability in providing distinguished technical performance in all matches. And there is no doubt that he excels in achieving excellence because he truly knows how to defend his goal with all bravery, and he knows how to defend his goal with all courage, rather he stands as a barrier and an obstacle in the way of every attack and confronts all attacks in an admirable way, and he was able to stand in the way of the deadly attack against him, and he proved that he is the giant of goalkeeping who stood with all bravery against all teams.

The following columns primarily contain poetry, not paragraphs of descriptive text:

Feelings and Rhymes This column, written by Bakr Hadhal, features a poem and does not contain traditional descriptive paragraphs.

The Tears are the Most Truthful Expressions of Words This column, written by Nasser Al-Humaidhi, features a poem and does not contain traditional descriptive paragraphs.

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By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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These sources offer a multifaceted view of current events and developments, primarily focusing on Saudi Arabia’s strategic initiatives and global engagement. They highlight the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) rising influence in global finance and sports, underscore the Kingdom’s diplomatic efforts regarding regional conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian issue and the Syrian crisis, and detail domestic advancements in technology, healthcare, and tourism, including the upcoming Saudi Media Forum and cultural preservation efforts like the Al-Masmak Palace. Additionally, the texts touch upon economic trends such as shifts in investor behavior and global trade dynamics, with a particular emphasis on oil prices and international agreements.

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Saudi Investment and Economic Transformation Initiatives

The sources provide extensive information on various aspects of investment growth, particularly within the context of Saudi Arabia’s economic strategies and global engagements. This includes the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) achievements, Saudi Arabia’s efforts to support regional economies, the dynamics of its domestic stock market, and the impact of its strategic vision on different sectors like sports.

Here’s a comprehensive overview:

Public Investment Fund (PIF) and its Global Standing The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has demonstrated significant investment growth and global influence.

• For the second consecutive year, PIF maintained its position as the sovereign wealth fund with the highest brand value globally.
• Its brand value reached $1.2 billion USD, marking an 11% growth compared to 2024, making it the fastest-growing among major sovereign wealth funds.
• PIF ranks seventh globally in terms of assets under management relative to its brand value, being the only sovereign wealth fund in the top ten in this regard.
• In terms of brand strength, PIF achieved an A+ rating with 62.9 points globally, reflecting its growing presence and influence on investor and stakeholder behavior, which also enhances its appeal for funding, partnerships, and talent.
• This distinction extends beyond quantitative asset growth, encompassing the fund’s success in raising awareness of its activities and fostering positive economic impact, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
• A key driver for the growth in PIF’s brand value has been the increasing momentum in its high-impact investments, especially in the global sports sector. This includes investments in Newcastle FC, golf, tennis, and global motor races like Formula E, Extreme E, and E1.
• In 2024, PIF entered into significant international sports partnerships with major organizations such as the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), and CONCACAF, which helped attract new audiences and markets.
• Global performance indicators also show significant improvement in PIF’s credit rating, with Moody’s upgrading its rating to Aa3 in 2024 and Fitch affirming its A+ rating with a stable outlook.
• According to the Global SWF institution’s report, PIF ranked first globally in commitment to governance and sustainability standards (GSR), achieving a 100% commitment score among 200 sovereign investors.
• Since 2017, PIF has launched approximately 103 new companies and contributed to creating over 1.1 million direct and indirect jobs locally and internationally.
• Under its extended strategy for 2021-2025, PIF aims for cumulative investments of 1 trillion Saudi Riyals ($267 billion USD) in local projects.
• It also targets contributing 1.2 trillion Riyals ($320 billion USD) to the non-oil Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and increasing assets under management to approximately 4 trillion Riyals ($1.07 trillion USD) by the end of 2025.
• As of the report’s publication, PIF’s assets under management exceeded 3.47 trillion Riyals ($925 billion USD).

Saudi Support for Syria’s Economic Recovery Saudi Arabia is actively involved in supporting Syria’s economic recovery and stability.

• The Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum, which successfully concluded its activities in Syria, reflects the Saudi leadership’s comprehensive understanding of Syria’s current needs, especially concerning rebuilding its economy, restarting production, providing job opportunities, and reconstruction after years of civil war.
• The forum received widespread praise from Arab, Islamic, and specialized international organizations, as it is part of Saudi Arabia’s intensive and comprehensive efforts to support Syria and its people following the lifting of US sanctions.
• This initiative by the Crown Prince reflects a steadfast Saudi approach based on the inevitability of Syria’s resurgence and compensating for what it lost during the war, serving the aspirations of the Syrian people and supporting regional stability.
• The success of the forum was evident in the signing of 47 Saudi-Syrian investment agreements valued at approximately 24 billion Riyals. These agreements spanned various sectors including real estate, environment, infrastructure, finance, industry, energy, telecommunications, information technology, health, trade, tourism, and other investment fields.
• The Kingdom recognized the importance of these investments for stabilizing the Syrian economy currently and propelling it towards further growth and prosperity in the future.
• Saudi support continues through ongoing meetings between officials from both countries, with recent discussions between energy ministers focusing on enhancing cooperation in oil supplies, electricity, renewable energy, and sharing expertise in developing energy projects and policies. This collaborative engagement is seen as a sign of the rapid recovery of the Syrian economy.

Saudi Stock Market Dynamics and Investor Behavior The Saudi financial market is currently at a critical juncture, with concerns about its attractiveness to investors.

• Despite strong financial results from listed companies, particularly banks and large corporations, the market’s price movements have not met desired expectations.
• A key factor in this trend is the increase in new listings, which has led to a fragmentation of liquidity across a larger number of companies, thus reducing momentum in leading stocks and limiting opportunities for significant capital returns.
• The market’s current state of narrow trading ranges, lack of clear trends, and continued volatility have diminished its appeal, especially as foreign investors show hesitation given the strong performance in neighboring and global markets.
• The proposed solution to address these challenges for long-term investors includes slowing down new listings, managing offerings more systematically, stimulating institutional liquidity, and enhancing new investment tools to restore vitality and depth to the market.
• Transparency and robust regulatory measures are also emphasized as crucial for attracting both local and foreign investors.
• The market stands at a crossroads: either it overcomes this period of stagnation and regains its natural momentum, or it risks a continued outflow of liquidity to alternative markets that offer faster and clearer growth opportunities.

Impact of Trade Agreements on Global Markets and Oil Prices Recent trade agreements have influenced global markets and oil prices, affecting investment outlooks.

• Gold prices stabilized after a period of declines, due to an improved risk appetite stemming from a new trade agreement between the United States and the European Union.
• Oil prices saw a slight increase, fueled by confidence in moderate tariffs and enhanced demand expectations. The trade agreement between the US and the EU helped alleviate fears of economic damage from high tariffs and a subsequent reduction in fuel demand.
• Brent crude futures rose to $68.74 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate remained stable at $65.43 per barrel, both showing a 0.4% increase.
• The agreement, setting a 15% tariff on most EU goods entering the US, helped avert a broader trade war between the two allies. The US President also stated that the EU pledged to purchase $750 billion worth of US energy.
• Despite these gains, oil largely lost its Monday momentum after Brent briefly exceeded $69 per barrel, attributed to the strength of the dollar and a decline in India’s oil imports.
• Expectations of increased global supply, particularly from Venezuela and potential easing of OPEC+ restrictions, are seen as limiting factors for significant price gains. OPEC+ is expected to fully restore its voluntary production cuts by the end of September, potentially adding at least 280,000 barrels per day to the market, with room for more substantial increases.
• The diesel market is highlighted as a significant indicator of global economic activity, as it’s widely used in transportation, agriculture, and industry. The global shortage of heavy and medium crude oil, which are high-yield sources for diesel, has further constrained refinery output.
• The new EU sanctions on Russian refined products are expected to significantly impact diesel imports, with Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE) potentially benefiting by increasing their exports to Europe.

Vision 2030 and Human Capital Development Saudi Vision 2030 strongly emphasizes human development as a cornerstone for comprehensive national strength and progress.

• The “Capacity Building Program,” led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is a key initiative under Vision 2030, highlighting the importance of building human capabilities.
• This program focuses on long-term investment in human capital through education, training, and fostering creativity and innovation from an early age.
• The goal is to cultivate a generation of leaders capable of critical thinking, problem-solving, and adapting to technological advancements like artificial intelligence. The source even suggests renaming the Ministry of Education to the “Ministry of Education and Learning” to underscore this commitment.

Sports as an Economic Catalyst: Roshn League The Roshn League in Saudi Arabia is presented as a prime example of sports-driven economic growth and a global phenomenon.

• The league has transformed into a global attraction, attracting international stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, which has significantly elevated the technical level and competitiveness of matches.
• This influx of talent is a result of a calculated strategy to enhance the league’s global ranking, which has propelled it into the top ten globally in terms of market value and to the 21st position worldwide by FIFA in 2024, leading Asian leagues.
• The hosting of the 2034 FIFA World Cup will serve as a powerful catalyst for further development, leading to increased investment in local talent, advanced training programs, and the growth of the local football industry across all aspects, from marketing to sports analysis.
• The Roshn League is not merely a football competition; it embodies a national ambition that reflects Vision 2030’s core objectives, aiming for Saudi football to secure a leading position on the global football map.

Saudi Arabia’s Path to Regional Stability and Development

Regional stability is a recurring and central theme across the sources, particularly in the context of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy, economic initiatives, and responses to regional conflicts. The Kingdom’s approach to achieving and maintaining stability appears multifaceted, encompassing economic support, diplomatic efforts, and a strong emphasis on human and institutional development.

Here’s a detailed discussion:

1. Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Role in Regional Stability:

• Saudi Arabia’s leadership demonstrates a steadfast approach rooted in the inevitability of Syria’s resurgence and compensating for its wartime losses, aiming to serve the aspirations of the Syrian people and support regional stability. This commitment is exemplified by the Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum, which concluded successfully in Syria and was widely praised by Arab, Islamic, and international organizations.
• The forum led to the signing of 47 investment agreements valued at approximately 24 billion Riyals across various sectors, including real estate, environment, infrastructure, finance, industry, energy, telecommunications, information technology, health, trade, tourism, and other investment fields. These investments are crucial for stabilizing the Syrian economy currently and propelling it towards further growth and prosperity in the future. Saudi support extends to ongoing meetings, such as recent discussions between energy ministers on enhancing cooperation in oil supplies, electricity, renewable energy, and sharing expertise, signaling a rapid recovery for the Syrian economy.
• The overall Saudi approach in the Syrian file goes beyond brotherhood, embodying a true partnership for development and driving the wheel of stability through the economy. This wise Saudi model for conflict management aims to transform conflicts into opportunities for integration and advancement, where reconstruction is a long-term political project that deepens brotherhood and true stability for the region. The Saudi vision for the region, from Syria to Palestine and Yemen, and from Iraq to Sudan, positions the Kingdom as a leading political and strategic actor capable of solidifying balances, building depth, and reinforcing stability for a dignified life for the region and its peoples.

2. Addressing the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict as a Cornerstone of Stability:

• Saudi Arabia, in partnership with France, is leading joint international efforts at the UN headquarters in New York to activate the two-state solution and achieve a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East.
• The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that achieving security, prosperity, and stability for all peoples in the region begins with ensuring justice for the Palestinian people and enabling them to attain their legitimate rights, foremost among which is establishing their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. He affirmed that an independent Palestinian state is “the key to true peace in the region”.
• The Kingdom stressed the importance of intensifying international efforts to activate the two-state solution and support the Palestinian people in building their capacities and empowering their national institutions.
• The sources condemn the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza caused by the war and Israeli violations, stating that it must stop immediately to end the suffering of the Palestinian people and hold those responsible accountable. The systematic starvation and genocide in Gaza are highlighted, with the Israeli blockade preventing the entry of humanitarian aid, leading to a dire situation where children are dying of hunger. The international community is urged to intervene urgently.
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed France’s intent to recognize the State of Palestine, seeing it as a “historic step” reflecting growing international support for the Palestinian people’s right to establish their independent state and contributing to creating an international environment conducive to the two-state solution.

3. Security Cooperation and Domestic Stability Measures:

• Saudi Arabia and France signed an executive document for security cooperation, reflecting the commitment of both countries to enhance efforts in combating international crime and money laundering, and to exchange expertise between specialists. This underscores the importance of security collaboration for broader regional stability.
• Domestically, Saudi Arabia is focused on strengthening its internal security and economic foundations. The Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) growth and success in global brand value contribute to Vision 2030’s goals of fostering positive economic impact. PIF’s investments, particularly in sectors like sports, aim to create jobs and contribute to the non-oil GDP, which indirectly supports the nation’s overall stability.
• The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 deeply emphasizes human development as a cornerstone for comprehensive national strength and progress. The “Capacity Building Program” aims to invest long-term in human capital through education, training, and fostering creativity and innovation from an early age, preparing a generation of leaders capable of adapting to technological advancements. This internal stability and human development are fundamental to projecting strength and maintaining stability externally.
• Saudi Arabia also emphasizes transparency and robust regulatory measures in its financial markets to attract both local and foreign investors, which is crucial for market stability and growth.

4. Impact of Global and Regional Dynamics:

• Trade agreements, such as the new US-EU agreement, are noted for alleviating fears of economic damage from high tariffs and a subsequent reduction in fuel demand, thus contributing to market stability. The agreement aims to avert a broader trade war between allies.
• However, ongoing conflicts, such as those in the Democratic Republic of Congo where attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces lead to civilian casualties and aim to spread terror, highlight persistent pockets of instability.
• In Iraq, clashes between police and Popular Mobilization Forces underscore the fragility of internal security, with the Iraqi government emphasizing the necessity of upholding the law to protect state institutions and stability.
• The source also mentions Israeli military actions in Syria, including striking Syrian forces and government buildings, which are condemned as interventions that undermine the country’s unity and stability. Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts to de-escalate such actions by coordinating with regional and international partners are highlighted.

In essence, the sources portray Saudi Arabia as actively pursuing regional stability through a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes economic recovery, diplomatic solutions to long-standing conflicts (especially the Palestinian issue), strong internal development, and strategic partnerships, while also navigating the complexities of regional and global power dynamics.

Saudi Arabia’s Human Development: Vision 2030 and National Strength

Human development is portrayed in the sources as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive national strength and progress, deeply integrated into the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. This emphasis extends beyond economic growth, aiming to foster a generation capable of adapting to technological advancements and driving sustained stability.

Key aspects of human development discussed include:

• Strategic Importance for National Strength: The Kingdom explicitly states its pursuit of “comprehensive national strength with all its components,” identifying human building (“بناء الإنسان”) as the means to achieve this, a central focus of Vision 2030. The “Capacity Building Program,” led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is highlighted as a primary initiative for this goal. The sources suggest that neglecting human development can lead to economic decline and instability, drawing a parallel with how some nations transformed by investing in their people, education, and justice.
• Foundational Learning and Character Building:
• Early Childhood Education: Kindergartens are considered the “cornerstone” for laying the correct foundations for upbringing before formal education. This involves teaching beautiful habits like respect, cooperation, and cleanliness, which are seen as crucial for shaping a good, productive, and loving citizen in the future.
• Beyond Rote Learning: In the current era, there’s a shift from mere teaching to learning, emphasizing the mastery of research, analysis, criticism, and inference over memorization and dictation. This approach aims to keep students healthy and educated throughout life and reduces the negative impacts of rapid technological advancements like artificial intelligence.
• Developing Leadership and Practical Skills:
• Leadership Personality: Building a “leadership personality” capable of communication in all its forms, at all times and places, is highlighted as a critical requirement for future citizens. Schools are encouraged to be workshops for arts and mental/physical activities.
• Practical Training: Practical training during secondary and university stages is emphasized as a vital means to provide students with experience, foster appreciation for money and time, and prepare them for employment post-graduation.
• Specialized and Innovative Skill Development:
• Advanced Medical Expertise: The successful robotic surgery for esophageal removal at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, described as the first of its kind in the Middle East, showcases a commitment to developing highly specialized medical cadres and interdisciplinary collaboration between doctors and engineers. This advanced medical application highlights the integration of human expertise with artificial intelligence and technology to enhance accuracy, safety, and efficiency in healthcare. Universities are seen as needing to create interdisciplinary academic programs bridging medical, engineering, and computer sciences to build qualified national cadres, marking a necessary shift for a healthcare model based on digital knowledge.
• Cultural and Artistic Talent Nurturing: Initiatives like the “Dubbed in Our Dialects” competition by Manga Productions aim to develop dubbing talents, promote local Saudi dialects, and provide training and opportunities for creative individuals, reflecting a focus on cultural and artistic human development. Similarly, the “Theatre and Performing Arts Association” in Jeddah is actively nurturing young talents, strengthening the connection between generations and national identity through diverse cultural and artistic programs.
• Empowering Vulnerable Groups: The “Challenge of Survival” program for orphans focuses on investing in the minds of over 400 orphaned participants from 14 associations. It aims to foster innovation and creativity in fields like environment, agriculture, and technology, building a conscious and prepared generation to address sustainable solutions.

In essence, Saudi Arabia’s approach to human development is comprehensive, aiming to cultivate a well-rounded, skilled, and innovative citizenry through foundational education, specialized training, and cultural enrichment, all to support the nation’s ambitious Vision 2030 and its long-term stability and prosperity.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Economic Diversification and Growth

Economic diversification is a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s strategic vision, particularly under Vision 2030, aiming to transform the Kingdom into a global economic powerhouse beyond its traditional reliance on oil. This comprehensive strategy involves significant investments in diverse sectors, human capital development, and fostering an innovative environment.

Here’s a detailed discussion of economic diversification as presented in the sources:

1. Vision 2030 as the Driving Force:

• Vision 2030 explicitly emphasizes “comprehensive national strength” through “human building” and fostering a positive economic impact. It seeks to strengthen the digital and knowledge economies and enable a competitive and innovative media sector.
• The “Capacity Building Program,” led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is a key initiative under Vision 2030, focused on long-term investment in human capital through education, training, and fostering creativity to prepare a generation of leaders capable of adapting to technological advancements.

2. The Role of the Public Investment Fund (PIF):

• The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is a primary engine for economic diversification, maintaining its position as the most valuable sovereign wealth fund globally for the second consecutive year.
• In 2025, PIF’s brand value reached $1.2 billion, marking an 11% growth compared to 2024, making it the fastest-growing among major sovereign wealth funds.
• PIF’s success in promoting awareness of its activities and fostering a culture of positive economic impact is directly aligned with Vision 2030 goals.
• A significant driver of PIF’s brand value growth is its increasing investments in the global sports sector, including Newcastle FC, golf, tennis, and electric motor racing, which have contributed to building a prestigious global image for the brand.
• By the end of 2025, PIF aims for a cumulative investment of 1 trillion Saudi Riyals ($267 billion) in domestic projects and investments, and a contribution of 1.2 trillion Saudi Riyals ($320 billion) to non-oil GDP. It also aims to increase assets under management to 4 trillion Saudi Riyals ($1.07 trillion).

3. Diversification Across Key Sectors:

• Sports and Entertainment:
• The Roshn Saudi League has evolved beyond a local competition into a global phenomenon, attracting international stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, and Sadio Mané. This has significantly raised the league’s technical level and global ranking, reaching 21st globally in FIFA’s 2024 ranking and leading Asian leagues.
• Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2034 is anticipated to provide a massive incentive for further development of sports facilities, infrastructure, and academies, with investments in local talent and a focus on raising the quality of sports management and technical expertise.
• Saudi Arabia is also investing in emerging fields like eSports, hosting the eSports World Cup in Riyadh.
• The World Billiards Championship and the Saudi Youth Championship were hosted in Jeddah, promoting sports tourism and international engagement.
• The “On His Steps” project, a recreational initiative by the General Entertainment Authority, aims to revive the Prophet’s migration path, expecting to attract 5 million visitors annually by 2030, contributing to tourism and economic activity.
• Tourism and Cultural Heritage:
• The rehabilitation and development of the Al-Masmak Palace Museum aims to enhance the national cultural scene and enrich visitor experience, preserving key historical landmarks.
• Efforts by the Heritage Authority to protect archaeological and cultural heritage, including monitoring violations, highlight the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving its historical assets, which can also contribute to tourism.
• Al-Ahsa has been officially declared the “Capital of Palms,” boasting over 3 million palm trees and a rich heritage of traditional crafts and historical markets. Its selection as “Capital of Arab Tourism” reinforces its position as a unique destination for sustainable development under Vision 2030.
• Human Development and Advanced Technologies:
• The successful robotic surgery for esophageal removal at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, the first of its kind in the Middle East, showcases the development of highly specialized medical professionals and the integration of human expertise with artificial intelligence and technology. This advanced medical application points to the need for interdisciplinary academic programs (medical, engineering, computer sciences) to build qualified national cadres, marking a necessary shift for a healthcare model based on digital knowledge.
• The “Challenge of Survival” program for orphans focuses on fostering innovation and creativity in fields like environment, agriculture, and technology, building a conscious generation prepared for sustainable solutions.
• Media and Creative Industries:
• The upcoming Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh (February 2026) aims to be a global platform for dialogue and exchange of expertise in the media sector, leveraging modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and extended reality to support the digital and knowledge economy.
• Initiatives like Manga Productions’ “Dubbed in Our Dialects” competition aim to develop dubbing talents, promote local Saudi dialects, and provide training and opportunities for creative individuals, reflecting a focus on cultural and artistic human development and the growth of the creative industry.
• Industrial Security and Infrastructure:
• Prince Saud bin Nayef highlighted the pivotal role of industrial security in protecting the nation’s vital industrial, oil, and service facilities, safeguarding national resources and economic gains.
• New infrastructure projects, like the executive lounge and control center at Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim, are crucial for enhancing operational efficiency and security, supporting increased air traffic and economic activity.
• Regional Economic Support:
• Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting regional stability through economic development is exemplified by the Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum, which successfully concluded with 47 investment agreements valued at approximately 24 billion Riyals across various sectors. These investments aim to stabilize the Syrian economy and propel its future growth, reflecting a “true partnership for development” and a strategy to turn conflicts into opportunities for integration and advancement. This demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s role as a leading political and strategic actor capable of solidifying economic balances and reinforcing stability in the region.

4. Challenges and Opportunities:

• The sources also touch on the need for transparency and robust regulatory measures in the financial markets to attract both local and foreign investors, as issues like the fragmentation of liquidity and decline in stock market performance have led some Saudi investors to seek alternative markets. This indicates that maintaining a stable and attractive financial environment is crucial for diversification success.

In summary, Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification strategy is broad and ambitious, moving systematically to reduce oil dependency by investing heavily in a wide array of sectors including technology, tourism, sports, culture, and human capital development, all meticulously integrated under the overarching Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Cultural Heritage and Economic Diversification

Economic diversification in Saudi Arabia, particularly under Vision 2030, significantly emphasizes the preservation, development, and promotion of its rich cultural heritage as a key component of building “comprehensive national strength” and fostering a positive economic impact [Previous Conversation]. This strategy involves substantial investments in diverse sectors, human capital development, and creating an innovative environment [Previous Conversation].

Here’s a detailed discussion of cultural heritage drawing on the provided sources:

1. Historical Sites and Museums:

• Al-Masmak Palace Museum is a pivotal cultural heritage site, commemorating the unification of Saudi Arabia by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. Built around 1865 AD (1282 AH) during the reign of Imam Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki Al Saud, it remains a symbol and icon of the unification and construction phase.
• The palace continues its national and educational mission under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, specifically the Museums Authority, following comprehensive renovations. These renovations included rehabilitating the building, developing its infrastructure, and restoring it. This initiative aims to enhance the national cultural scene and enrich the visitor’s museum experience in line with modern standards.
• Al-Masmak holds exceptional historical importance, having witnessed the recapture of Riyadh on January 15, 1902 AD (5 Shawwal 1319 AH), which marked the beginning of the Kingdom’s unification journey. It served as an arms and ammunition depot before its transformation into a historical landmark.
• The palace spans 3885 square meters in central Riyadh, constructed from clay mixed with straw and stone foundations. Its architecture includes two floors, 44 rooms, 6 courtyards, two entrances, a mosque, a water well, and three residential suites. Decorative elements, such as triangular and rectangular openings and gypsum motifs inspired by nature (palm trees, stars, crescents), adorn its walls. Notable features include a western gate made of palm and tamarisk wood, a small opening called “Al-Khoha,” and five defensive towers.
• King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered its preservation and restoration in 1400 AH when he was the governor of Riyadh, leading to its official opening as a specialized museum on June 11, 1995 AD (13 Muharram 1416 AH). The museum features halls detailing the historical battle, rare maps and photos, sections dedicated to the pioneers of unification, and exhibits on its historical uses, weapons, traditional clothing, and ancient building tools.
• The Al-Masmak Palace Museum rehabilitation and development project mentioned in our previous conversation explicitly aimed to enhance the national cultural scene and enrich visitor experience, preserving key historical landmarks [Previous Conversation].
• The Royal Commission for Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the Holy Sites has documented Kuweir Palace, one of the three most famous historical palaces near the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Located on a mountain slope overlooking the Second Ring Road, it showcases the beauty of the architectural art that was prevalent over 100 years ago. The palace, which belonged to Ahmed Omar bin Kuweir, a renowned lime producer and honey and butter merchant, was historically a resort for Makkah residents due to its moderate climate and surrounding farms. Its design reflects Hijazi palaces of that era, featuring wooden windows with geometric and plant engravings, and decorative stone balconies.

2. Heritage Preservation and Monitoring:

• The Heritage Authority is actively involved in protecting the Kingdom’s archaeological and cultural heritage. In June 2025, it recorded 26 violations related to heritage and urban planning laws.
• These violations included unauthorized archaeological surveys and excavations, illegal entry and tampering with cultural heritage sites, and possessing and offering archaeological pieces for sale. Such violations were detected in various regions including Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, the Eastern Province, Tabuk, Hail, Northern Borders, and Najran.
• The Heritage Authority takes legal action against violators, with cases referred to the Public Prosecution, a violations committee, or Public Security.
• The Authority emphasizes continuous field and electronic monitoring and urges citizens and residents to report any violations through official channels, including their “Report an Archeological Site” service or the Unified Security Operations Center (911). This commitment aims to preserve the national heritage.

3. Living Heritage and Cultural Identity:

• Al-Ahsa has been officially recognized as the “Capital of Palms,” boasting over three million palm trees that symbolize life, roots, and deep-seated belonging. Its designation as “Capital of Arab Tourism” further solidifies its position as a unique destination for sustainable development under Vision 2030 [268, Previous Conversation].
• Al-Ahsa is described as a “living heritage oasis” where traditional crafts like pottery, weaving, engraved glass, and incense burners are still practiced with pride. Its heritage also extends to its unique architecture and historical markets, such as Al-Qaysariyah Market and Ibrahim Palace, offering a journey through centuries.
• Development projects in Al-Ahsa, led by Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr Al Saud, are aligned with Vision 2030, aiming for sustainable development while preserving the region’s unique identity and heritage.
• The Beit Hail Festival 2025 highlights folk arts, showcasing Saudi traditional dances like “Al-Ardha” and “Al-Samri”. This festival, running for 30 days, aims to introduce visitors to ancestral life, including their food, housing, clothing, and traditional arts. “Al-Ardha” is specifically noted as a cultural heritage in southern Saudi arts, performed to popular tunes with vocal harmony and foot-stomping.
• The town of Qiya, near Taif, is promoted as an ideal rural tourism destination, utilizing its natural, historical, environmental, and heritage components to attract visitors. It is considered the “gateway to Saudi natural rural areas” due to its productive farms and traditional products like honey and Taif roses.

4. Cultural and Creative Industries:

• The upcoming Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh (February 2026) is designed as a global platform for dialogue and expertise exchange in the media sector, leveraging modern technologies like artificial intelligence and extended reality to support the digital and knowledge economy [36, 38, Previous Conversation].
• Manga Productions’ initiative “Dubbed in Our Dialects” (دبلجها بلهجاتنا) aims to develop dubbing talents and promote local Saudi dialects. This initiative reflects a focus on cultural and artistic human development and the growth of the creative industry by developing dubbing talents and providing training opportunities for creative individuals [222, Previous Conversation]. The previous “Dubbed in Arabic” competition had significant success, indicating the passion for this creative field.
• The Arts and Culture Association in Jeddah plays an active role in the national cultural scene through various programs and initiatives to enhance artistic movement and empower local talents. It seeks to foster a creative environment, connect generations with national identity through art, and utilize its over fifty-year legacy to develop artistic production and stimulate local content, reinforcing Jeddah’s status as a cultural hub.
• The Theater and Performing Arts Commission participates in the Edinburgh International Festival, presenting the play “Taq,” which aims to introduce contemporary Saudi theater and promote cultural exchange. This participation emphasizes the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting cultural platforms and enhancing its global presence.
• The visual performance “Terhal” is a cultural and artistic offering that embodies the Kingdom’s heritage and identity through a visual and musical journey. It redefines the relationship between humans and their place, using advanced techniques like 3D visual effects and intelligent lighting to present heritage in a contemporary artistic form. This show serves as a cultural act that reflects a current phase and explores the concepts of identity and belonging.

These efforts demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive approach to leveraging its cultural heritage as a significant driver for economic diversification and as a means to strengthen its national identity and global standing.

Contemporary Insights from Saudi Perspectives

Here are the titles of the columns found in the newspaper and their first two paragraphs of detail:

• Column Title: word
• Details: No content is provided for this column in the given source.
• Column Title: outside the box
• Details: In a time when the global markets are at a crossroads, pausing to achieve new peaks, the Saudi financial market lives in a limited horizon, which limits its attractiveness and increases investor apathy. with the fragmentation of liquidity and the abundance of listings, the gap widens between investor expectations and the reality of trading, where the general index stagnates in a narrow range, prompting many individuals, especially active traders, to search for alternative investment opportunities that offer dynamic chances, as numbers have shown that Saudi investors traded in the american market during the first quarter of the current year around 160 billion riyals, with expectations that these numbers will exceed that in the second quarter, reflecting a growing feeling that the local market’s price movement no longer offers the desired results, despite the strong financial results achieved by listed companies, especially banks and large companies.
• one of the most prominent reasons for this transformation is the new listings that have led to the fragmentation of liquidity among a larger number of companies, which reduced the momentum of trading in leading stocks and weakened opportunities to achieve attractive capital returns. with the continued decline and pressure on the market, resulting in a 40% decrease in the activity profits of a trading company, while the foreign investor began to hesitate about injecting new liquidity, especially with the strong performance witnessed in neighboring and global markets, the paradox is that the Saudi market possesses strong economic fundamentals, as listed companies achieve profit growth that reflects the robustness of the local economy, but the absence of positive trends and the continued state of clear fluctuation have weakened the market’s attractiveness, and the long-term solution for the investor lies in slowing down listings and managing offerings at a balanced pace, in addition to stimulating institutional liquidity and strengthening new investment tools for the market, which restores vitality and depth.
• Column Title: the article
• Details: the moment of french president emmanuel macron’s announcement of his country’s intention to recognize the palestinian state next september was not merely a belated correction of a moral wrong; rather, it was a reflection of deeper transformations in the international system, and a belated fruit and a cry that no matter how much the occupation fortifies itself with force and justifications, it will remain strange in the logic of history.
• while paris was articulating its historic statement, the hands of saudi diplomacy had already laid the foundations for this transformation, for the french recognition was not a product of a fleeting emotion, but rather the result of a long and systematic effort in which riyadh participated at multiple levels; through high-level bilateral communications to soften european stances, and opening courageous channels of discussion within western institutions regarding international legitimacy and its implications.
• Column Title: global public opinion.. turning against israel!
• Details: the palestinian bleeding continues, and negotiations fail regarding their starvation, killing, and burial under the rubble that has become the sole face of the israeli killing machine.. while another battle is being waged, silent, long-term, and with widespread influence, it seems that it is the battle of global public opinion, which israel began to lose loudly, despite its attempts at beautification and justification statements.
• a new survey conducted by the “pew research center” in 24 countries reveals that 62% of participants have a negative image of israel, compared to only 29% who see it positively.. these numbers provide a stark indicator of the magnitude of change in mood, as the countries that have shown sharp anti-israel stances were not limited to the east or south, but included canada, the netherlands, spain, britain, and the united states itself.
• Column Title: saudi supportive stance towards syria
• Details: the saudi path in the syrian file has transcended the context of arabism and brotherhood; rather, it has firmly established the concept of true partnership, moving the wheel of development and stability through the gate of economy.
• this pattern adopted by riyadh represents a wise saudi approach to managing conflicts and transforming them into opportunities for integration and advancement.
• Column Title: the progress and decline of nations
• Details: i have searched extensively for the most important reasons for the progress and decline of nations, conducting comparisons between developed and developing nations, and between strong and weak, poor nations, but i found no convincing reasons other than one factor, which is the change of human beings, and the evidence for this is that some nations transform from weak and poor to strong and rich simply by changing their direction and guidance, where the leadership, in turn, performs its role by giving human beings the necessary freedom to work and learn, and by utilizing their latent talents and abilities to innovate and produce, or it destroys all sources of creativity and freedom, making them work with a small part of their energy due to the absence of the incentive, which is like water and air for progress and success.
• successful models at the global level exist, showing how countries transformed into rich and strong ones, including rwanda, which is now called the “singapore of africa.” after being one of the poorest and least safe countries, and experiencing the worst genocide of the twentieth century, which claimed the lives of about 800,000 people from the tutsi tribe, the minority, at the hands of the hutu tribe, who constitute the majority of the population, massacres were carried out over three months while the international community watched.
• Column Title: insights
• Details: rotation is an integral part of nature, forming the basis of many phenomena that surround us, whether in outer space, on earth, or even in the smallest details of our daily lives.
• from vast space to our tiny bodies, everything seems to rotate in a precise system that reflects the greatness of creation and the power of the creator. the earth rotates around its axis to produce night and day, and it rotates around the sun to form the four seasons; this rotation never ceases to amaze us, as it contributes to the balanced distribution of solar energy on the earth’s surface, which creates a habitable environment for life.
• Column Title: between the lines
• Details: in a swift, overlapping scientific era, medical technologies mature, and engineering sciences crystallize, forming the cornerstone of a unique partnership between the physician and the engineer, vital for the future of healthcare.
• the physician no longer works alone, nor the engineer isolated from clinical reality; rather, an integrated knowledge cooperation has emerged, redefining the boundaries of practice, making data the primary reference for clinical decisions instead of relying solely on mere experience.
• Column Title: super artificial intelligence
• Details: about twenty years ago or a little more, there was a saying that illiteracy is not about reading and writing, but rather computer illiteracy, and this saying enjoyed high credibility at the time because it corresponded to the contemporary reality. however, i now say that illiteracy is no longer about reading, writing, computer, or internet; rather, illiteracy in the twenty-first century is “artificial intelligence illiteracy.” whoever does not know how to use artificial intelligence is illiterate in the modern, scientific, practical, and technical sense.
• artificial intelligence is often accused of having negative aspects, such as disabling thinking because it thinks on behalf of humans, and it is also accused in the educational aspect of eliminating skills like handwriting, memorization, and spelling. these claims are acceptable to some extent at present. however, i say that the future heralds a bright and dazzling tomorrow for artificial intelligence and its users, for several reasons, the most important of which are.
• Column Title: when the nail wakes you up and coffee fails you!
• Details: this morning, i craved arab coffee and decided to prepare it myself, despite it being three decades since i last made it.
• i put the water in the kettle to heat up, then i put a large spoon of coffee beans into the pot, and i heard my wife advising the housekeeper to put three small spoons. but i, from my life experience, love to go against my wife’s opinion even when preparing coffee!.
• Column Title: herd mentality
• Details: in a pivotal political moment, french president emmanuel macron announced his country’s intention to officially recognize the palestinian state next september, thereby giving important momentum to the path of international justice. however, what appeared on the surface only belatedly was the extent of the arab — and specifically saudi — effort that paved the way for this qualitative european transformation.
• according to the deputy head of the state of palestine, hassan al-sheikh, the kingdom of saudi arabia, under the leadership of crown prince mohammed bin salman, played an active and influential role in political communications with france, culminating in a message to president macron that included a promise of imminent recognition.
• Column Title: a kiss on the forehead of saudi arabia’s land
• Details: we only truly feel the value of our homeland when we leave it, for the homeland is the heart that beats with life, and i smiled when its image appeared in my mind while i was far from my homeland “saudi arabia,” and i said: o allah, glorify this homeland, its leadership, and its people.
• as we travel, our understanding of the greatness of this great homeland, with its wise leadership and loyal people, increases, and our certainty grows that love for the homeland is not a transient feeling but a firm belonging and a burning flame that illuminates the heart with the light of security and safety. no matter how much i travel the world, i find nothing equal to my homeland, saudi arabia, neither in security nor in the beauty of recreation and resorts.
• Column Title: in the net
• Details: although the curtain has fallen on the “clubs world cup” and despite some negatives that accompanied the tournament, fifa presented us with a distinguished tournament with 32 teams from the elite clubs of the world. and here i am not talking about the tournament itself, as its page has been turned, but rather we are talking about what is most important, which is the reactions that accompanied the tournament, and which were the talk of observers and followers, and in reality, these reactions were directed at al hilal and how the kingdom of saudi arabia presented itself to the world through sports as a soft power, and in the fields led by al hilal in this stage, which are the most popular fields, and the most influential and lasting in global football, under the spotlight.
• this makes us hope that this base will expand with the participation of more than one saudi club in the upcoming club world cup, starting with al-ahly, the asian elite champion in its last edition. since vision 2030 of the kingdom of saudi arabia was launched in april 2016, al hilal has been the accredited representative of saudi football in continental and international forums, as it has won the asian champions league twice (in 2019 and from 2021) and has been runner-up twice (from 2017 to 2019) and participated in the club world cup 4 times (from 2021 to 2022) and was runner-up in 2022 and seventh in the last edition with 32 teams.
• Column Title: vision 2030 appears in “hilal 2025”
• Details: the deputy minister of sports, abdul rahman bin bader al-qadi, crowned the filipino player carlo biado as the champion of the world billiards championship 2025, which concluded its competitions at the green hall in jeddah, after six days of exciting competitions, with the participation of 128 players from the elite stars of the game, representing more than 40 countries around the world.
• carlo biado managed to reach the final after defeating his compatriot berin regilario with a score of 11-3, while the american player fedor gorst, “world champion 2019-2024,” managed to reach the final after defeating the albanian klidi kaci with a score of 11-7, before “carlo” succeeded in snatching the title after defeating the champion of the previous edition 2024, the american “gorst” in a match.
• Column Title: anmar and sindi.. who is the victor?!
• Details: from the very first glance, as you read the column title, you might feel there’s a struggle and a battle between anmar al-haili and fahd sindi, who previously announced their desire to run for the presidency of al-ittihad club’s company management.
• never. i personally believe that neither party is a loser; rather, i would almost assert that the conditions that spread during the electoral campaign, which neither of them worked on organizing or leading, are what led matters to this extent of conflict over the hot seat.
• Column Title: what will al-nassr offer?
• Details: the current situation suggests that we are at the beginning of a new chapter to achieve at least one title, and this will not be easy, because every team strives to achieve victory, and this is a legitimate right for everyone, which makes everyone compete strongly to snatch one of the season’s titles.
• as for al-nassr, we strive to snatch one of the titles and raise the club’s banner high, and al-nassr, like any team, has all the ambition to ascend with the title of champions, and if all titles are a goal for the coach and players, then you have factors helping you as a team to achieve excellence, prominence, and success, which al-nassr expects and we eagerly await for it to win and achieve victory for everyone, crowned champion deservingly.

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By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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The provided sources cover a range of topics primarily centered on Saudi Arabia’s advancements and initiatives. These include a successful surgical separation of conjoined twins highlighting the Kingdom’s medical expertise, and economic discussions around the “Riyadh Agreement” to boost investment in Syria. The texts also touch upon environmental efforts by Aramco to reduce gas flaring and emissions, developments in various sectors like tourism and industry, and the implementation of new employment policies to increase nationalization in medical and engineering fields. Furthermore, there are updates on sporting events, cultural activities, and wildlife rehabilitation programs, showcasing a broad spectrum of progress and international engagement.

Podcast

Saudi Arabia’s Conjoined Twin Separation Program

Saudi Arabia has a long-standing and successful program for the separation of conjoined twins, which has achieved significant medical milestones and is recognized internationally.

Here are the key details about Siamese twin separation, drawing from the provided sources:

• Recent Separation Case: Celine and Eileen
• Twins’ Origin and Condition: The most recent successful separation involved Syrian conjoined twins named Celine and Eileen. They were one year and five months old at the time of the operation. Their mother, who was a refugee in Lebanon, was initially pregnant with triplets: two conjoined girls (Celine and Eileen) and one normal boy.
• Conjoining Area: The twins were conjoined at the lower chest and abdomen. They shared a pericardium (heart sac) and liver, with a possibility of sharing intestines.
• Pre-Operative Procedure: A crucial step before the main separation surgery was a skin expansion procedure. This involved placing balloons under the skin to stretch it, creating enough skin to cover the surgical area after separation.
• Location: The separation surgery took place at King Abdullah Specialist Hospital for Children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• Medical Team and Duration: The operation was a complex surgical procedure that lasted 8 continuous hours. It involved a comprehensive medical team of 24 specialist doctors and experts, in addition to nursing and technical staff. These national cadres were trained in various specialties, including pediatric surgery, anesthesia, and plastic surgery, to enhance their expertise in such intricate operations. The procedure was designed to be carried out in 6 stages.
• Leadership Support: The operation was performed under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. This support ensures the program receives continuous care and funding.
• Outcome: The operation was successful, adding another medical achievement to the Kingdom’s record. The twins’ family expressed their deep gratitude for the advanced medical care provided to their daughters.
• The Saudi Program for Conjoined Twin Separation
• Scope and Experience: The recent operation on Celine and Eileen was the 66th operation within the Saudi Program for Separating Conjoined Twins. It also marks the fourth separation of conjoined twins specifically from Syria.
• Historical Impact: Over more than 35 years, the program has studied and evaluated 150 cases of conjoined twins from 27 countries around the world. Out of these, 65 sets of twins have been successfully separated.
• National Expertise and Global Role: Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, the head of the medical team, emphasized that these achievements are a testament to the integrated national efforts and demonstrate the efficiency of Saudi medical professionals. The program reinforces Saudi Arabia’s commitment to humanitarian service and its position as an international center and house of expertise in this rare medical specialty.
• Commitment to Safety: Throughout all stages of the separation surgeries, the program aims to ensure the highest degrees of accuracy and safety.

Saudi Arabia’s Green Transformation: Energy and Environmental Sustainability

Saudi Arabia is undertaking significant efforts in renewable energy and environmental sustainability, reflecting a strategic shift towards economic diversification and a greener future. These initiatives are championed by major national entities like Saudi Aramco and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.

Key initiatives and achievements in renewable energy and sustainability include:

• Renewable Energy Integration and Efficiency:
• Saudi Aramco is committed to net-zero methane emissions by 2050 and aims for near-zero conventional gas flaring by 2030. This strategy heavily emphasizes integrating renewable energy sources and enhancing energy efficiency standards across all its operations.
• The mining sector, through companies like Ma’aden, is also integrating renewable energy. An example is the development of a 6 MW solar power plant to power the Mansoura and Masarra gold mine, aimed at diversifying the energy mix and reducing the carbon footprint of mining operations.
• Discussions and agreements are also taking place at a national level. For instance, the Saudi Minister of Energy and the Syrian Minister of Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster cooperation in various energy fields, including renewable energy and energy efficiency.
• Emissions Reduction and Carbon Management:
• Aramco has set ambitious goals to reduce its carbon emission intensity from exploration and production by 15% by 2035 and targets a 52 million ton reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2035.
• The company is actively implementing carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. The Wa’ad Al-Shamal power plant, in particular, is highlighted as a model that combines integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) with high-efficiency gas-fired power generation to directly contribute to carbon reduction.
• Aramco has surpassed its own targets for reducing methane gas emission intensity, achieving an 11.4% decrease in methane emissions in its exploration and production sector in 2024, attributed to strengthened gas recovery systems and leak reduction efforts.
• Despite a global increase in gas flaring, Aramco is making significant progress towards its near-zero flaring goal. In 2024, it installed 13 new flare gas recovery systems, which prevented the flaring of 7,319 million standard cubic feet of gas.
• Aramco is also innovating new procedures to reduce flaring during operational halts by more efficiently managing gas pressure, and has sought a patent for this. Its Al-Berri gas plant successfully reduced scheduled flaring by 65% in 2024, leading to a reduction of 3.6 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions.
• Sustainable Mining Practices:
• The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources is steering the Saudi mining sector towards optimal utilization of natural resources while adhering to the highest environmental responsibility standards.
• A key aspect of this is the rehabilitation of mining lands. An notable example is Ma’aden’s initiative around the Al-Jalamid mine, where over three million trees have been planted to prevent soil erosion and support local wildlife.
• Water resource preservation is another priority, with treated water being reused in mining processes. A significant infrastructure project involved building a 450 km pipeline to transport treated water from Taif to mining sites, enhancing water consumption efficiency. A similar network for Wa’ad Al-Shamal industrial city provides 12 million cubic meters of treated water annually.
• To enhance environmental sustainability, there’s a focus on increasing green spaces around mining complexes, with nearly 130,000 trees planted in mining areas.
• The mining investment system serves as a crucial legal framework for environmental governance, including penalties for illegal mining and environmental degradation.
• International Collaboration:
• Saudi Arabia, through Aramco, is a signatory to the World Bank’s “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030” initiative, demonstrating its commitment to global environmental goals. This global partnership supports projects aimed at reducing methane and gas flaring. An example of a successful collaborative project is in Uzbekistan, where an $11 million allocation led to a significant reduction in methane emissions through the repair of gas leaks.

These integrated initiatives underscore Saudi Arabia’s strategic commitment to diversifying its energy sources, significantly reducing its environmental footprint, and promoting sustainable practices across vital economic sectors, aligning with its broader national development goals.

Oil Market Dynamics, Geopolitics, and Sustainability Shifts

The oil market is currently characterized by a complex interplay of supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical tensions, and a strategic shift towards environmental sustainability by major players like Saudi Arabia.

Here’s a discussion of these dynamics:

1. Oil Price Fluctuations and Market Outlook:

• Recent market movements show West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropping to $65.16 and Brent crude falling to $68.44, marking their lowest settlement levels since early July. These declines are linked to market anticipation of increased supply from Venezuela and OPEC+.
• Despite initial drops, oil prices later saw a slight increase after the European Union (EU) approved its eighth package of sanctions against Russia, aimed at its energy sector. Brent crude traded at $69.35 and WTI at $67.52 following this development.
• The market is closely watching trade talks, particularly between the U.S. and the EU, and the U.S. and Japan, as these developments can ease global trade tensions and impact oil demand.

2. Supply-Side Factors:

• OPEC+ and Venezuela: There is anticipation of increased oil supplies from Venezuela, potentially adding over 200,000 barrels per day (bpd), which would benefit American refiners needing heavy crude. However, OPEC’s Secretariat has clarified that the OPEC+ Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) lacks the authority to make production decisions, deeming media reports about production adjustments as “untrue”.
• Russia and Sanctions: The EU’s sanctions against Russia, including price caps on energy companies, are intended to reduce Russian oil revenues. However, the effectiveness of the current $60 per barrel price cap is debated, as it has not significantly curtailed the flow of Russian oil to global markets.
• Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of these sanctions on India’s energy security, specifically affecting refineries like Nayara Energy.
• Despite sanctions, India’s refineries, such as Reliance and Nayara, have benefited from discounted Russian crude, and have subsequently exported refined products to Europe, circumventing some of the sanctions’ intended effects.
• Russia’s oil and refined product sales revenue declined by approximately 14% year-on-year in June, reaching $13.57 billion. Russian crude production remained stable at around 9.2 million bpd in June, while exports of crude and petroleum products decreased.
• Global Production Trends: Argentina’s oil and gas output reached a two-decade high in June, driven by shale oil from the Vaca Muerta basin. ExxonMobil is also reportedly negotiating exploration and production agreements in Trinidad and Tobago.

3. Demand-Side Factors:

• U.S. Inventories: U.S. crude oil inventories have declined by approximately 9% below the five-year seasonal average, signaling a tightening supply in the market. Gasoline inventories also dropped, while distillate fuel inventories increased. These figures, combined with rising oil prices, suggest strong demand in the U.S. market.
• Seasonal Demand: Saudi Arabia’s imports of Russian fuel oil reached a record high of 212,000 bpd in the past month to meet electricity generation needs, as temperatures regularly exceed 45 degrees Celsius during July and August. This highlights regional demand spikes influenced by climate.

4. Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives Affecting Oil & Gas:

• Global Gas Flaring: Global gas flaring during oil extraction increased to its highest level in two years in 2024, wasting an estimated $63 billion worth of energy. This amounted to 151 billion cubic meters of gas flared, releasing 389 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. Despite these global trends, initiatives like the World Bank’s “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030” are actively promoting solutions.
• Saudi Aramco’s Leadership in Flaring Reduction: Saudi Aramco is at the forefront of innovative practices to reduce methane gas emissions and flaring.
• Aramco aims for net-zero methane emissions by 2050 and near-zero conventional gas flaring by 2030.
• The company targets a 15% reduction in carbon emission intensity from exploration and production by 2035 and a 52 million ton reduction in Scope 1 and 2 CO2 equivalent emissions by 2035.
• Aramco has surpassed its methane emission intensity targets, achieving an 11.4% decrease in 2024 in its exploration and production sector, thanks to enhanced gas recovery systems.
• In 2024, Aramco installed 13 new flare gas recovery systems, preventing the flaring of 7,319 million standard cubic feet of gas.
• The Al-Berri gas plant reduced its scheduled flaring by 65% in 2024, leading to a reduction of 3.6 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions.
• Aramco differentiates flaring into scheduled, routine, and non-routine categories, with ongoing efforts to reduce all types through operational improvements and predictive maintenance.
• The company is a signatory to the World Bank’s “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030” initiative, emphasizing its commitment to sustainable practices.
• Broader Energy Transition: Beyond oil and gas, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources is pushing the mining sector towards sustainability through initiatives like Ma’aden’s 6 MW solar power plant for its gold mine, aimed at diversifying the energy mix and reducing carbon footprint. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies are also being implemented across various sectors.

5. Geopolitical and Trade Policy Impacts:

• U.S. Trade Deals: The U.S. has reached trade agreements, such as with Japan, which involve reducing tariffs on Japanese car imports in exchange for significant Japanese investment in the U.S. economy. This easing of trade tensions could positively influence market stability.
• EU Sanctions: While the EU’s sanctions on Russian energy have caused some disruption, their long-term effectiveness in significantly altering global oil flows remains a subject of debate, as Russian oil has found new markets and new routes for refined products.
• Regional Cooperation: Saudi Arabia and Syria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in various energy fields, including oil, gas, petrochemicals, electricity grid interconnection, and renewable energy. This signals regional efforts to strengthen energy ties and potentially reduce reliance on external markets.
• Impact on Food Security: The ongoing conflicts, particularly in Gaza, are highlighted as having a severe impact on humanitarian aid and access to essential goods like food and fuel, exacerbating a “catastrophic humanitarian situation”. While not a direct oil market dynamic, these conflicts affect regional stability and indirectly influence global commodity prices and aid efforts.

Saudi Arabia’s Chemical and Environmental Regulations

Saudi Arabia is actively implementing a range of industrial chemical regulations and initiatives as part of its broader strategic shift towards economic diversification and environmental sustainability. These efforts are championed by key national entities, ensuring responsible management of chemical substances and their environmental impact across vital economic sectors.

Key areas of focus in industrial chemical regulations include:

• Chemical Clearance for Industrial Use: The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources manages the “chemical clearance service” to regulate the entry and exit of chemical substances used in industrial facilities.
• In June 2025, the Ministry processed 543 requests for this service, including 522 requests for importing unrestricted or restricted chemical materials and 21 requests for export permits for restricted chemical materials. These requests involved 993 items.
• The service aims to provide streamlined and timely procedures for industrial investors to obtain permits for chemical import/export, ensuring compliance with industrial facility regulations. This enhances industrial output by facilitating the efficient flow of chemical materials through customs checkpoints.
• Emissions Reduction and Carbon Management (Gas and Methane): Major energy companies, particularly Saudi Aramco, are at the forefront of regulating and minimizing harmful chemical emissions from their industrial operations.
• Aramco is committed to achieving net-zero methane emissions by 2050 and near-zero conventional gas flaring by 2030.
• Its strategy includes a target to reduce carbon emission intensity from exploration and production by 15% by 2035 and achieve a 52 million ton reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2035.
• Key components of this strategy involve the integration of renewable energy sources, enhanced energy efficiency standards, and the implementation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. The Wa’ad Al-Shamal power plant, for instance, serves as a model by combining integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) with high-efficiency gas-fired generation to reduce carbon emissions.
• Aramco has surpassed its methane emission intensity targets, achieving an 11.4% decrease in 2024 in its exploration and production sector, primarily due to improved gas recovery systems and leak reduction efforts.
• In 2024, Aramco installed 13 new flare gas recovery systems, which prevented the flaring of 7,319 million standard cubic feet of gas.
• The Al-Berri gas plant successfully reduced its scheduled flaring by 65% in 2024, leading to a reduction of 3.6 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions.
• Aramco also categorizes flaring (scheduled, routine, non-routine) and employs innovative procedures, such as managing gas pressure during operational halts, for which it has sought a patent, to reduce flaring.
• Globally, despite a general increase in gas flaring, Saudi Aramco’s proactive efforts distinguish it, as it is a signatory to the World Bank’s “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030” initiative.
• Environmental Governance in the Mining Sector: The Saudi mining sector, guided by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, is adopting robust environmental responsibility standards for optimal resource utilization.
• Initiatives include rehabilitating mining lands, such as Ma’aden’s project around the Al-Jalamid mine, where over three million trees have been planted to combat soil erosion and support wildlife.
• Water resource preservation is prioritized through the reuse of treated water in mining processes, exemplified by a 450 km pipeline transporting treated water to mining sites.
• There is a focus on increasing green spaces around mining complexes, with nearly 130,000 trees planted in mining areas.
• The mining investment system provides a legal framework for environmental governance, including penalties for illegal mining and environmental degradation.
• Food and Drug Safety Regulations: The Food and Drug Authority conducts extensive inspection visits to facilities under its supervision to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
• In June 2025, 3,631 inspection visits were carried out across 2,805 facilities, resulting in 471 violations.
• The authority closed 28 facilities for operating without proper licenses and halted 7 production lines due to violations affecting product safety. It also confiscated 318 types of non-compliant products.
• The authority highlighted issues like unsafe storage, cross-contamination, unsanitary conditions, and the absence of a food safety official, which led to the closure of a food factory and confiscation of 753 kg of products.
• The authority also confiscated over 10,000 used and expired medical devices and supplies stored in scrapyards and closed an unlicensed fodder warehouse due to unknown source products and poor hygiene. This underscores the strict enforcement of regulations concerning the handling, storage, and quality of chemical and biological materials in consumer and industrial products.
• Water Treatment and Reuse Regulations: New regulations are being applied by the General Organization for Irrigation to manage and develop activities related to dams and the reuse of treated water across the Kingdom. This includes monitoring and controlling these activities to ensure efficient water consumption and environmental protection.

These integrated efforts demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s commitment to implementing robust regulations and sustainable practices in managing industrial chemicals and their broader environmental impacts.

Gaza: A Deepening Humanitarian Crisis and Calls for Aid

The Gaza Strip is experiencing a profound and escalating humanitarian catastrophe, marked by a severe shortage of essential supplies, a collapsing healthcare system, and widespread displacement. This crisis has drawn urgent international warnings and condemnation.

Key aspects of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza include:

• Food Insecurity and Famine:
• The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported 5 new deaths due to famine and malnutrition within 24 hours, bringing the total to 127 cases, including 85 children.
• The government media office in Gaza states that the Strip requires 600 aid trucks daily to meet the basic needs of the population, including children’s milk, humanitarian aid, and fuel. It highlighted that 250,000 cans of children’s milk are needed monthly to combat severe malnutrition.
• Reports indicate that levels of hunger and malnutrition have reached critical levels in the Arab region, and specifically in Palestine, the pre-war food insecurity rate of over 31% of the population has drastically worsened due to the “war of annihilation” and the imposed siege on Gaza.
• Healthcare System Collapse:
• UN and aid organizations warn of the imminent collapse of the healthcare system in the Strip, leading to fears of mass deaths among children due to malnutrition, lack of water, medicine, and healthcare.
• The Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza called for urgent medical evacuation for critically injured individuals who require complex operations that are unavailable in Gaza.
• There is a critical need for immediate entry of medical and food supplies, including high-calorie nutritional supplements, therapeutic foods, antibiotics, IV fluids, and protein sources. The warning states, “every delay is measured by a new funeral, and every silence means another child dying in his mother’s arms without medicine or milk”.
• Obstacles to Aid and Civilian Targeting:
• Despite a declared “tactical, local suspension” of military operations by Israeli forces for humanitarian efforts in Deir al-Balah and Gaza City, intended to expand aid efforts and secure “guaranteed corridors” for aid convoys, international warnings continue to escalate regarding the deepening humanitarian catastrophe.
• 38 citizens, including two children and 24 aid seekers, have been martyred or injured due to Israeli forces targeting them in various parts of Gaza, including near aid distribution centers.
• The Euro-Med Monitor for Human Rights describes aerial aid drops as “humiliating” and ineffective in addressing the starvation in Gaza, demanding instead the opening of land crossings for sufficient aid. These drops are seen as an “additional episode of humiliation and undermining Palestinian dignity” that serve Israeli political and military objectives. Aerial drops also carry “real dangers” due to the overcrowding in the limited areas of the Strip.
• The UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, reiterated that aerial aid drops “will not end the escalating famine” and “can cause civilian deaths,” calling them “just a distraction and throwing dust in the eyes”. He stressed that delivering aid by truck is “much easier, more effective, faster, safer, and dignified,” noting that UNRWA has 6,000 aid trucks waiting in Jordan and Egypt for entry into Gaza.
• Political Context and Calls for Solutions:
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs views Israeli reactions to international recognition of Palestine as “hostile to peace” and a “refusal of political and negotiated solutions,” arguing that these actions deepen “crimes of genocide, displacement, and starvation”.
• There are ongoing reports of the destruction of homes in Jerusalem by Israeli authorities, forcing families to demolish their own homes or face exorbitant fines, as part of a plan to “empty the city of its original inhabitants”.
• The Palestinian National Council Chairman condemned Israeli naval actions against aid ships as a “piracy crime” and a “flagrant violation of international law and human rights,” perpetuating “collective punishment” against Gaza residents.
• Calls for an immediate lifting of the siege and the permanent opening of crossings, ensuring a constant and full flow of children’s milk, aid, and fuel, away from temporary or partial solutions. The Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza stated that the declared truce holds no value unless it transforms into a real opportunity to save lives.

The Newspaper Columns of Today

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

• Column Title: Word
• Author: Nawal Al-Jabr
• Paragraph 1: Since the war began, Gaza Strip has been suffering immensely. Its Palestinian body is collapsing under the weight of one of the worst human catastrophes of the new century. Famine, the collapse of the healthcare system, and the absence of water and medicine have all become a daily reality, with international warnings now documented, while the international community seems to be not just capable of intervention – but merely desirous of it.
• Paragraph 2: And from among the ruins, Palestine has once again emerged to the forefront of international politics, but this time its appearance was not as a sovereign issue requiring recognition, but rather as one embedded in security files. This transformation did not stem from a closed diplomatic arena, but from the streets of Europe, which witnessed escalating popular anger, and from parliaments that began to see the continuation of “neutrality” as implicit complicity in creating the catastrophe.
• Column Title: The Article
• Author: Tahani Abdullah Al-Khayal
• Paragraph 1: At a pivotal moment in the region’s economic history, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Council of Ministers, led an unprecedented strategic initiative, calling for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria, stemming from an ambitious vision that sees the Middle East as a new center for growth and prosperity with measured steps on the ground. A vision that was not merely a slogan, but began to embody reality.
• Paragraph 2: During the visit of US President Donald Trump to Riyadh in May 2025, the lifting of US sanctions imposed on Syria was officially announced, in direct response to the initiative of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. This announcement constituted a turning point that opened the doors for cooperation and investment, after years of freezing.
• Column Title: The Article
• Author: Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmohsen Al-Faraj
• Paragraph 1: Visitors to the markets notice the closure of many commercial stores. Some of these stores belong to famous commercial brands. The reason is the high rental prices, which have started to eat away at the profits that companies obtain from their sales.
• Paragraph 2: The economy, as we know, is an interconnected chain. What affects one link immediately transfers to the rest of the links, though not always instantly. After some time, the rising real estate prices, which are complained about by famous commercial stores, are also suffered by Saudi residents whose incomes are not very large for everyone.
• Column Title: Analysis
• Author: Dr. Turki Faisal Al-Rashid
• Paragraph 1: The strategic environment of the Arab region is witnessing deep unrest, as tensions never truly subside in one spot before flaring up in another. The latest of these events were the ongoing incidents in As-Suwayda in the Syrian state, which could have passed as an internal matter that its parties could understand and reach solutions to their internal problems, had it not been for the blatant Israeli intervention and aggression, exploiting the difference in military power to tamper with the region and continue provoking, under the pretext of ‘protecting the Druze,’ against a sovereign state. This is what the Kingdom officially announced through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing its rejection and condemnation of the continuous Israeli attacks on Syrian territories.
• Paragraph 2: In the midst of these successive events and tensions that never stop, and which the international powers and the world do not seem to care much about, the talk about Arab food security and the necessity of achieving it no longer appears as a field for mere discussions or exaggerations. With time, it becomes an undeniable imperative, especially given the ongoing events in the world that are prone to further escalation at any moment for the most trivial reasons.
• Column Title: Knowledge Space
• Author: Dr. Khaled Al-Khudhari
• Paragraph 1: The term “cultural criticism” refers to an analytical approach that studies literary and artistic texts within their social and cultural contexts, and is not merely linguistic or from an aesthetic viewpoint. It does not ask “is this work beautiful or well-crafted?” but rather asks: “What are the cultural values reflected in this work? What ideology does it promote? What is silenced in this text?”.
• Paragraph 2: It is important for this reason that cultural criticism stems from the idea, or rather reflects, that the literary text is not innocent, but rather consecrates social and cultural powers (such as class, power, religion, race, gender, stereotypes), and is concerned with uncovering and analyzing silent aspects, and mechanisms of dominance within texts.
• Column Title: On My Mind
• Author: Mohammed Al-Rashidi
• Paragraph 1: My friend “Ahmed” eagerly anticipates next October, not for an annual holiday, but rather for a small vacation that has turned into a seasonal opportunity for him to invest in by renting an apartment in the neighborhood adjacent to Riyadh Boulevard using smart applications.
• Paragraph 2: Ahmed, a young Saudi man, started a simple project a year ago by renting a furnished apartment through applications. Guests from Germany, America, and other countries rent from him throughout the year. This might not cover all costs during the year, but with the Riyadh season, everything changes. The occupancy rate reaches 90%, and profits increase by 30%. This has become a ‘budget’ for him, which he relies on to cover all annual expenses.
• Column Title: Al-Khuzama
• Prepared by: Bakr Hatha Al-Sawt Al-Sura
• Paragraph 1: The poet expresses his feelings through the poem more than he expresses them through his voice. For the poem is the content of his message and the container of his feelings, and its artistic images and compositions flow easily for him in a poetic formulation, as if he is reading them on a pre-prepared book page, especially when they are ignited by a spontaneous creative spark without affectation.
• Paragraph 2: The poet Saud Al-Fahd Al-Shaaran Al-Marikhi says: Oh you who asked, Oh Saud, give me a word of Saud. My soul has no idea of a hidden wound. Oh Hamoud, a war from afar unites.
• Column Title: Path
• Author: Dr. Fayez bin Abdullah Al-Shehri
• Paragraph 1: While the Syrian government has reflected reassuring pragmatic orientations regarding its future political path, and has the desire to work with Saudi Arabia, and alongside its desire to open channels of communication with the world, this is not a worrying matter for anyone, as the Arab embrace is for the entire Arab world, and this is not a worrying matter for anyone, and especially since Syria is one of the countries that possess the opportunity to restore its political and economic balance.
• Paragraph 2: In the shadow of the deep transformations witnessed by the regional system in the East, Saudi Arabia’s step towards Syria is manifested through the “Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum 2025” and the signing of agreements exceeding $6.4 billion in value, as a strategic transformation that goes beyond the boundaries of economic rapprochement. The event not only reflects the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations, but also points to a redefinition of the geo-economic interactions in the region.

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By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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