https://arab.news/725rx
RIYADH: Ƶ’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
During the call, they discussed the latest developments and exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues. Efforts made to achieve security and stability were also discussed.
RIYADH: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City, in partnership with the National Center for Privatization & PPP, and Qiddiya Investment Company, has launched the registration phase for companies and entities vying to implement the first phase of the Qiddiya high-speed rail project, under a public-private partnership model.
“The RCRC, in collaboration with Qiddiya Investment Company and the National Center for Privatization & PPP, announces the start of the Expression of Interest phase for the construction of the Qiddiya high-speed rail project,” the RCRC said on its official account on X.
“The Qiddiya high speed rail aims to strengthen vital transport links across Riyadh, by providing a high-speed rail connection between King Salman International Airport, King Abdullah Financial District and Qiddiya City in less than 30 minutes,” it said in another post on X.
“With speeds of up to 250 km/h, it will serve as a central mode of the capital’s modern transport network, enhancing the travel experience, and facilitating access to Riyadh’s key destinations,” it added.
It will be a major component of Riyadh’s transportation system, complementing the city’s newly launched public transport network and offering an integrated urban mobility experience.
Welcoming the announcement, Thamr Alotaibi, a Riyadh resident, told Arab News: “Glad to know that RCRC has invited bids for the Qiddiya high speed rail. It will certainly start a new era of smart mobility in the capital. Aiming to connect major landmarks — King Salman International Airport, King Abdullah Financial District and Qiddiya City within 30 minutes, through a super-fast rail line with a top speed of 250 km per hour, it will make commuting easier, traffic free, faster and smarter.”
The initiative reflects RCRC’s strategy, in collaboration with the National Center for Privatization & PPP and Qiddiya Investment Company, to establish strategic partnerships with the private sector to expand Riyadh’s transport infrastructure.
It also aims to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors while promoting sustainable urban growth in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Vision 2030 focuses on transforming the Kingdom into a global logistics hub by developing advanced transport infrastructure, enhancing efficiency and promoting private-sector investment, with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy serving as the primary guide for achieving these goals.
NTLS is considered the main guide to develop the strategies of transport modes and logistic services and provide effective governance between transport modes to facilitate the connection and engagement between them.
Specialized companies and interested investors are invited to submit registration applications by Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, via email at [email protected].
TOKYO: Ƶ and Japan on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation during a ministerial meeting of the Japan-Saudi Vision 2030. This strategic initiative aims to enhance economic, cultural, and technological ties between the two countries.
Prominent figures representing Ƶ included Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, chairman of the Saudi eSports Federation; Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, minister of investment; Sara Al-Sayed, deputy minister of investment; and Ghazi Binzagr, ambassador of the Kingdom of Ƶ to Japan, among others.
Yoji Muto, the minister of economy, trade and industry, and Hisayuki Fujii, the state minister for foreign Affairs, along with others from the Japanese delegation, attended the meetings.
According to the Saudi Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, the participants exchanged views on the direction of future cooperation, focusing on key areas such as trade, investment, technology transfer, and cultural exchange.
Japan and Ƶ held the 7th Ministerial Meeting of the Japan-Saudi Vision 2030 in December 2023, as well as the Japan-Saudi Vision 2030 Ministerial Roundtable in January this year.
Fujii welcomed the Saudi delegation to Japan, expressing his pleasure in hosting the 8th meeting of the Japan-Saudi Vision 2030 in Tokyo, according to the ministry.
He praised the cooperation between Japan and Ƶ in various areas this year, which also marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Fujii highlighted Japan’s efforts in promoting people-to-people exchanges, culture, sports, education, and research within the framework of the Japan-Saudi Vision 2030, emphasizing the mutual respect and admiration shared by both nations.
He further expressed Japan’s hope that the Saudi National Day, to be celebrated on Sept. 23 at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, will give further momentum to strengthen bilateral relations.
PORT SUDAN: Ƶ’s aid agency KSrelief has concluded its volunteer cosmetic-surgery project in Port Sudan for patients with burns and disfigurements.
Seventeen specialist volunteers from the Kingdom participated in the initiative, which ran from Sept. 13 to 20, according to a recent Saudi Press Agency report.
The team performed 92 surgeries and trained 40 Sudanese medical personnel, the report stated.
The project is a part of Ƶ’s ongoing voluntary medical initiatives, through KSrelief, aimed at assisting vulnerable communities worldwide.
Since its establishment as Ƶ’s main humanitarian body in 2015, KSrelief has delivered 172 aid projects in 33 nations, with Yemen as the largest beneficiary.
The other major beneficiaries include Syria, Palestine, Somalia, Pakistan and Sudan.
KSrelief has worked in partnership with 98 partners to carry out projects on food security, shelter, camp management, education, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, emergency communications, and logistics.
RIYADH: Ƶ on Sunday welcomed the decision by the UK, Australia, Canada and Portugal to recognize the State of Palestine, calling it an important step toward advancing the peace process.
The Kingdom said the move demonstrated the “serious commitment of friendly countries” to supporting efforts for a two-state solution in line with international legitimacy resolutions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It added that it hopes more countries will follow suit and take further positive measures that would help the Palestinian people achieve their aspirations to live in peace and enable the Palestinian Authority to carry out its responsibilities, SPA added.
Ƶ reiterated its position in support of a just and comprehensive settlement that ensures security, stability and prosperity for the Palestinian people.
Britain, Australia, Canada and Portugal on Sunday recognized a Palestinian state in a seismic shift in decades of Western foreign policy.
The UK and Canada became the first G7 countries to take the step, with France and other nations expected to follow at the annual UN General Assembly which opens Monday in New York.
Meanwhile, Qatar on Monday also welcomed the recognition of a Palestinian state by Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal, saying the move supported efforts to achieve a lasting peace in the region.
RIYADH: King Faisal University has been formally admitted as an “Innovation District” by the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation.
The announcement was made during the 42nd IASP World Conference on Science Parks and Areas of Innovation, held in Beijing, China, from Sept. 15-19.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Lily, vice president for postgraduate studies and scientific research and acting head of the innovation and business development sector, accepted the designation on behalf of King Faisal University.
Al-Lily praised the recognition as an important achievement for the university and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing research and innovation in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
He added that the Innovation District status strengthens the university’s role within global research and innovation networks and creates new opportunities for collaboration with leading institutions worldwide.
King Faisal University’s membership in IASP positions it within a distinguished global network of science and innovation hubs.
This milestone also underscores the steadfast support of the Council of Universities’ Affairs and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, whose efforts are empowering Saudi universities to emerge as drivers of knowledge and innovation, contributing to strengthening the Kingdom’s presence on the global innovation map.
