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RIYADH: The capital’s Sands Sports Park is one of the flagship components of the Sports Boulevard project, combining the natural beauty of the desert with a range of sporting facilities.

Located southeast of King Khalid International Airport, the park is designed to enhance residents’ quality of life, inspiring them to exercise and enjoy nature, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The facility opened earlier this year and is a significant addition to the Kingdom’s growing network of sporting and entertainment offerings.

The park stretches across a vast expanse of sand dunes and features more than 45 km of multi-use trails, making it the longest open-air project dedicated to outdoor activities in the Kingdom.

Sands Sports Park was designed with local heritage in mind, and features sculptures of the Najdi rose at the convergence of several trails.

Several specialized trails offer different activities including cycling, mountain biking, running, walking, hiking and horseback riding.

In its construction, more than 350,000 sq. meters of sand dunes were rehabilitated with facilities integrated into the terrain to preserve the natural ecosystem, demonstrating dedication to sustainability and mindful urban development.

The park is also equipped to host major cycling competitions and endurance races, reinforcing ������Ƶ’s presence on the global map of sports and eco-tourism, aligning with the rising international interest in outdoor and sustainable experiences.

As a symbol of Riyadh’s dynamic transformation, the park merges modern vision with cultural authenticity, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the SPA reported.

By expanding access to safe, inclusive, and sustainable recreation, the park plays a key role in shaping a more vibrant, livable capital and encouraging a deeper connection between people and nature.

RIYADH: Dr. Tariq Alhamad, ������Ƶ’s deputy minister for international affairs at the ministry of human resources and social development, outlined how reforms under Vision 2030 are helping to remove barriers to women’s participation in economic and social life during the official review of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality.

“Vision 2030 is more than a set of goals,” he said. “It brings government, civil society, and the private sector into shared delivery,” he said at the 2025 UN High-Level Political Forum in New York City on Tuesday.

“We’ve focused not only on policy, but on the support systems women need to participate fully — whether that’s jobs, childcare or reliable transport.

“There’s more to do, but we’ve made real progress, and we’re determined to build on it,” Alhamad said.

He described Vision 2030 as a national framework that aligns closely with the SDGs and provides the basis for long-term reform.

The deputy minister noted that female workforce participation reached 36.3 percent in the first quarter of 2025, up from 19.7 percent in 2018. Initiatives such as Qurrah, which has supported more than 40,000 women with childcare, and Wusool, which has helped more than 300,000 women with transport to and from work, have been key to this shift.

Maternity leave has been extended to 12 weeks with full pay, and close to 1.3 million women are now working freelance.

“Change doesn’t happen in isolation,” Alhamad said. “It needs institutions that can partner, systems that allow for transparency, and frameworks that reflect our national priorities while staying aligned with global standards.”

HRSD has introduced new legal frameworks for volunteering, donations and non-profit work. Alongside the National Center for Non-Profit Sector, the ministry is helping to expand the role of civil society in service delivery and innovation.

Initiatives such as the National Volunteer Portal and the Ehsan platform are making it easier for citizens to participate, while helping institutions track and improve impact.

The ministry is working to contribute to several SDGs, including Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Reduced Inequality (SDG 10), Strong Institutions (SDG 16), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

Dr. Tariq also spoke about the value of international partnerships, highlighting HRSD’s collaboration with the International Labour Organization and the World Bank, both part of the broader UN system. These relationships, he said, help ensure that national reforms meet international standards while staying rooted in local realities.

“Vision 2030 and the 2030 Agenda were launched the same year. They’re not the same, but they speak to many of the same goals,” he said.

“For us, the SDGs are not abstract. They’re reflected in the way we build institutions, form partnerships, and serve our communities.”

The minister of economy and planning, Faisal Al-Ibrahim, delivered the Kingdom’s address at the UN High-Level Political Forum in New York City.