Saudi crown prince sends letter to Tonga PM/node/2569171/saudi-arabia
Saudi crown prince sends letter to Tonga PM
Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Cabinet and Climate Affairs Envoy, Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir delivers the message to the Prime Minister of Tonga Huakavamailiku. (SPA)
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Updated 28 August 2024
Arab News
Saudi crown prince sends letter to Tonga PM
Updated 28 August 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: 萝莉视频鈥檚 Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sent a letter to Tonga鈥檚 Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, also known as Hu鈥檃kavameiliku, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The message was delivered by 萝莉视频鈥檚 Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Cabinet and Climate Affairs Envoy Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir at a reception.
Al-Jubeir conveyed the greetings and best wishes of King Salman and the crown prince to the country鈥檚 government and people.
During the reception, the officials discussed efforts to boost relations, including ways to tackle climate change.
NEW DELHI: India is seeking to expand cooperation with 萝莉视频 in the pharmaceuticals and ceramics sectors, following virtual meetings earlier this week between Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal and his Saudi counterparts.
Goyal held separate discussions with 萝莉视频鈥檚 Economy and Planning Minister Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim and Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih to explore ways to deepen trade and investment ties.
His meeting with Al-Ibrahim focused 鈥渙n enhancing our trade & investment partnership and collaborating in key sectors鈥 like pharmaceuticals, petroleum, and ceramics, while his conversation with Al-Falih centered on mutual growth, innovation, and long-term collaboration, Goyal wrote on X.
鈥淲e are confident of exciting growth prospects ahead for both nations,鈥 he added.
In 2023鈥24, bilateral trade between India and 萝莉视频 reached nearly $43 billion, making India the Kingdom鈥檚 second-largest trading partner. 萝莉视频, in turn, is India鈥檚 fifth-largest trading partner. Energy trade accounts for a major share, with 萝莉视频 being the third-largest source of India鈥檚 crude oil, petroleum, and LPG imports, valued at $25.7 billion in the last fiscal year.
India鈥檚 cumulative investment in 萝莉视频 reached $4 billion in 2023, marking a 39 percent increase from $2.39 billion in 2022.
The two countries have been in regular talks to deepen their strategic partnership.
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi鈥檚 visit to Jeddah in April 2024, 鈥渂oth sides reaffirmed the strong commitment to advance economic and investment partnership,鈥 Indian Ambassador to 萝莉视频, Suhel Ajaz Khan, told Arab News on Friday.
He noted that India鈥檚 pharmaceutical and ceramics sectors, in particular, have the potential to contribute meaningfully to 萝莉视频鈥檚 Vision 2030 transformation initiative.
NEW PARTNERSHIPS
India is the world鈥檚 third-largest drug producer by volume, after the US and China, and accounts for over 20 percent of the global supply of generic medicines. New Delhi is looking to boost exports to the Kingdom and enter into new partnerships in the pharmaceutical space.
鈥淲ith annual pharmaceutical exports exceeding $30 billion, Indian pharmaceutical companies play a vital role in ensuring affordable and reliable health care across the globe. The Kingdom of 萝莉视频 currently accounts for only about $200 million of India鈥檚 pharmaceutical exports 鈥 a relatively small share that underscores significant untapped potential,鈥 Ambassador Khan said.
鈥淎s KSA pursues the goals of Vision 2030, which include building domestic manufacturing capacity, fostering knowledge-based industries, and ensuring health care security, the Indian pharmaceutical sector stands out as a natural strategic partner.鈥
India is also the world鈥檚 second-largest ceramics producer and the top global exporter of ceramic tiles. The government is looking to leverage this advantage in sectors such as construction and infrastructure.
鈥淚ndian ceramics are widely recognized for their quality, cost-efficiency, and manufacturing scale, particularly in segments such as tiles, sanitaryware, and refractories,鈥 Khan said.
鈥淕iven the Kingdom of 萝莉视频鈥檚 growing infrastructure, construction, and industrial development needs under Vision 2030, deeper cooperation with India鈥檚 ceramic sector holds significant potential.鈥
Riyadh Expo 2030 hosts reception in Osaka to boost international cooperation
Updated 18 July 2025
Arab News Japan
OSAKA: Riyadh Expo 2030, in collaboration with the Kingdom鈥檚 Embassy in Japan, hosted a reception in Osaka on Thursday to highlight 萝莉视频鈥檚 readiness and promise to deliver an exceptional World Expo.
There were more than 200 local and international guests at the event, including ambassadors and commissioners-general participating in Expo 2025 Osaka.
The evening featured discussions on the theme and three subthemes of Riyadh Expo 2030: 鈥淭he Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow;鈥 and 鈥淚nnovative Technologies,鈥 鈥淪ustainable Solutions,鈥 and 鈥淭hriving Communities.鈥
Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, ambassador of 萝莉视频 to Japan and commissioner-general of the Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, opened the event.
In his speech, Binzagr praised the organizers of Expo 2025 Osaka and emphasized the crucial role of diplomatic cooperation in supporting such global events.
鈥淚t has been an honor to serve as commissioner-general of the Kingdom鈥檚 Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, where I鈥檝e witnessed firsthand the vital role expos play in strengthening international ties and collaboration.
鈥淭onight鈥檚 event provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and engage in meaningful dialogue with participants from across the globe.鈥
Abdulaziz Al-Ghannam, commissioner-general of Riyadh Expo 2030, said: 鈥淥ur journey to host the expo in Riyadh has already begun, and we treat this as a national priority.
The Kingdom of 萝莉视频 鈥 its leadership and people 鈥 are fully prepared to welcome the world.
鈥淔rom the outset, we鈥檝e committed to making Riyadh Expo 2030 a global platform that embraces diverse ideas and perspectives.鈥
Thamer Al-Saadoun, executive vice president of Riyadh Expo 2030, underscored the importance of the expo鈥檚 themes.
鈥淭he theme of Riyadh Expo 2030, 鈥楾he Era of Change,鈥 invites the world to achieve real progress through visionary thinking, innovation, and collaboration.
鈥淚t is built upon the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Saudi Vision 2030, with subthemes that reflect the Kingdom鈥檚 ongoing transformation and its ambition to create lasting positive global impact,鈥 Al-Saadoun said.
The event is part of a broader effort to foster early engagement and collaboration with participants, with similar initiatives planned in the lead-up to Expo 2030.
Riyadh Expo 2030 will take place from Oct. 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, spanning an area of 6 million sq. meters, making it one of the largest expos in history.
Umbrella thorn acacia is vital ecological asset in Tabuk
Highly adaptable, stabilizes soil and fights desertification
Acacia is food for bees, producing high-quality wild honey
Updated 18 July 2025
SPA
UMLUJ: In 萝莉视频鈥檚 northwestern region of Tabuk, Acacia tortilis, commonly known as umbrella thorn acacia, thrives in the coastal plains, providing significant ecological and aesthetic benefits, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Highly adaptable to harsh climatic conditions, the umbrella thorn acacia grows around wadi estuaries, forming shaded canopies that moderate temperatures and provide shelter for wildlife.
With gnarled, reddish-brown trunks and dense branches, these trees create a striking visual spectacle. Their shadows on the sand offer excellent photographic opportunities, attracting enthusiasts and explorers.
As a vital plant species, the umbrella thorn acacia stabilizes soil and combats desertification. It also serves as a food source for bees, enhancing the production of high-quality wild honey.
Environmental authorities prioritize the preservation of these trees to maintain diversity and improve vegetation cover, aligning with the Saudi Green Initiative and national sustainability efforts, the SPA reported.
萝莉视频鈥檚 King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 17 July 2025
Arab News
Saudi leadership extends condolences after Iraq shopping mall fire kills more than 60
A fire tore through a shopping mall in the Iraqi city of Kut on Wednesday night, killing at least 61 people
Updated 17 July 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: 萝莉视频鈥檚 King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman extended their condolences on Thursday to Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid after a fire tore through a shopping mall in the Iraqi city of Kut overnight, killing at least 61 people.
Officials said many people suffocated in the bathrooms of the newly opened shopping mall. A civil defense spokesperson told state media that the fire erupted in the perfume and cosmetics section on the second floor.
Most victims were on the upper floors, while many on the ground floor managed to escape, he said.
The king and crown prince prayed that God forgive the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Saudi youth engineer their way to STEM Racing triumph
Updated 17 July 2025
Waad Hussain
DHAHRAN: Cheers and confetti filled the stage at Ithra鈥檚 theater in Dhahran on Wednesday night as four teams of Saudi students were crowned national champions in the 2025 STEM Racing competition.
All four teams earned the honor of representing the Kingdom at the Aramco STEM Racing World Finals 2025, supported by Formula 1, in Singapore from Sept. 27 to Oct. 2.
The fourth edition of STEM Racing 萝莉视频, held under the umbrella of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), brought together finalists from six cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dhahran, Dammam, Al-Ahsa, and Abha.
From regional qualifiers to wind tunnel testing, digital simulations, enterprise planning, and brand building, students spent months building mini Formula 1-style race cars and pitching their ideas in front of judges and mentors.
First place nationally was claimed by Team Rimah from Dhahran, a returning competitor who missed out on a qualifying spot the previous year. Second place went to Giddam from Riyadh, followed by Sadeem from Dhahran in third, and YLA Accelerate from Jeddah in fourth.
Team Rimah member Fares Al-Garaawi said the team鈥檚 experience has been all about growth. 鈥淭his wasn鈥檛 my first year. I competed last year, too, but we didn鈥檛 qualify. I took that lesson and came back stronger,鈥 he said.
First place nationally was claimed by Team Rimah from Dhahran. (AN Photo by Waad Hussain)
Fajer Al-Ameer from Giddam, who also won the Best Pit Display award, said the competition helped her to rebuild after setbacks.
鈥淟ast year, I didn鈥檛 win. But I came back with a clear goal. I wanted to win 鈥 not just make memories or enjoy the events. And this time, I did both,鈥 she said.
More than 1,000 students took part in this year鈥檚 edition, with finalists selected through a series of rigorous regional qualifiers. The program blends engineering and enterprise with creative branding, public speaking, digital marketing, and sustainability.
Alongside the four winners, 14 special awards were made to recognize outstanding achievements in areas such as speed, design, sustainability, branding, and communication.
Using advanced tools such as CAD modeling, 3D printing, and wind tunnel simulations, each team was tasked with building a high-performance miniature race car powered by compressed carbon dioxide, and refined for aerodynamics, branding, and data precision.
Held under the theme 鈥淓ngineering the Future,鈥 the final ceremony celebrated not only winners, but also resilience, creativity, and collaboration. Students shared stories of failure turned into learning, and learning turned into leadership.
Fajer Al-Ameer from Giddam team. (AN Photo by Waad Hussain)
The top four teams will now represent 萝莉视频 in Singapore at the F1 in Schools World Finals, where students from over 30 countries will compete. Past Saudi teams have gained global attention, and expectations are high for this year鈥檚 delegation.
The initiative is part of Ithra鈥檚 broader mission to empower young Saudis through experiential learning that aligns with Vision 2030. By combining technical training with soft skills and national representation, STEM Racing is turning passion into purpose.
As the lights dimmed on the ceremony, students stood smiling with their medals, trophies, and mentors. The cars may be small, but their dreams are running full speed ahead.
