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RIYADH: The Saudi pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka marked the Kingdom’s 95th National Day with a vibrant program celebrating culture, innovation and cross-cultural exchange.

The festivities drew senior officials including Saudi Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Kingdom’s Pavilion Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, and Japan’s State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masaki Ogushi.

At the heart of the celebrations was the Saudi Vision 2030 Forum, which highlighted the ambitious roadmap guiding the Kingdom’s future. It focused on the three pillars of the vision — building a vibrant society, fostering a thriving economy and creating an ambitious nation.

The immersive event featured a program which included panel discussions, Saudi films and interactive presentations. 

The New Murabba Development Company, a Public Investment Fund entity, used its participation to emphasize Riyadh’s transformation under Vision 2030. It highlighted a future-ready, smart and sustainable downtown Riyadh, designed to enhance everyday life for residents and visitors alike.

During his keynote speech, New Murabba CEO Michael Dyke outlined the project’s ambitions.

“Our goal is simple — create a place that is easy to live in, exciting to visit and rewarding to build with,” he said. “We believe the best cities are both human and high tech — comfortable at street level and intelligent under the hood.”

Dyke also pointed out standout investment opportunities such as the Mukaab — a cube-shaped skyscraper inspired by Salmani architecture — and a world-class stadium set to host more than 45,000 fans during the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

A panel discussion called “Thriving Economy,” with New Murabba’s chief development officer, Carl Schibrowski, underlined Riyadh’s role as a global hub, shaped by innovation, cultural identity and economic transformation.

The event offered visitors a taste of all things Saudi, from a flag-raising ceremony and Ardah dance to traditional arts, shows, coffee and a parade. The evening closed with an artistic collaboration between a Saudi flute player and a Japanese Noh performer, blending tradition and modernity across cultures.

The National Day celebrations also reflected the strong diplomatic bond between ������Ƶ and Japan, which marks its 70th anniversary this year. They were part of more than 700 activities at the pavilion, which opened in April and runs until Oct. 13.

New Murabba’s presence at Expo 2025 Osaka underlines ������Ƶ’s growing international profile while offering visitors interactive exhibitions, augmented reality experiences, and diverse cultural experiences.

RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification announced on Wednesday it has cataloged more than 550 sites of perennial trees across ������Ƶ.

The achievement is part of efforts to safeguard this unique natural asset and preserve it as part of the Kingdom’s national identity and natural heritage.

Perennial trees are symbols of life and enduring resilience, said the center, capable of withstanding harsh climatic conditions and standing as a living testimony to the deep bond between people and land.

Protecting them is not just a duty; it is a long-term investment in the environment, public health and national identity.

Its impact extends to social, cultural and economic benefits, such as conserving natural and historical heritage, raising environmental awareness, promoting eco-tourism, supporting local economies and reducing costs associated with desertification and land degradation.

The center also works to develop, protect and monitor vegetation-cover sites across the country. It rehabilitates degraded areas, detects violations, combats illegal woodcutting and oversees the sustainable use of rangelands, forests and national parks, advancing sustainable development and contributing to Saudi Green Initiative objectives.