MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh

MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh
The initiative marks a new phase in ongoing environmental protection efforts, which have already led to the planting of over 95 million trees across the country through collaborations between public and private sectors. (SPA)
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Updated 01 November 2024

MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh

MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh

RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, along with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, launched the National Afforestation Season for this year on Thursday in Riyadh under the title: “We Plant for Our Future.”

Khalid Al-Abdulqader, CEO of the NCVC, expressed his commitment to raising awareness about the significance of afforestation. He emphasized the need to support efforts to enhance vegetation cover and mitigate land degradation.

Through this season, the CEO aims to promote environmental sustainability and encourage the cultivation of local plants to improve the biodiversity and sustainable ecosystems in the Kingdom.

is taking further steps toward achieving the ultimate goal of the Saudi Green Initiative, SGI, which is to plant 10 billion trees and rehabilitate 40 million hectares.

However, it requires strengthening partnerships with multiple sectors including the public and private sectors, and promoting volunteering among the society to achieve sustainable development goals.

The planting season also seeks to increase “tree planting” culture in , improve vegetation cover, and reduce land degradation by growing more local plants.

This initiative marks a new phase in environmental protection efforts, which have already led to the planting of more than 95 million trees across the country through collaborations between public and private sectors.

Previous partnerships have successfully rehabilitated 118,000 hectares of land and protected more than 4.3 million hectares, while this year, the target is to contribute to the SGI’s goal of planting 10 billion trees.

The Kingdom has been encouraging afforestation recently to tackle several environmental issues such as the rapidly changing climate, through lowering regional temperatures and controlling the severity of drought.

called on the world’s policymakers last month to urgently address land destruction and drought, especially since the country will be hosting the 16th UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP16 in Riyadh in December.


Riyadh Metro surpasses 100m passengers in under 9 months

Riyadh Metro surpasses 100m passengers in under 9 months
Updated 14 sec ago

Riyadh Metro surpasses 100m passengers in under 9 months

Riyadh Metro surpasses 100m passengers in under 9 months
  • Metro also has an on-time performance rate of 99.7%

RIYADH: The Riyadh Metro has reached a major milestone by carrying over 100 million passengers since its launch in December 2024.

Operated by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, the metro has also maintained an on-time performance rate of 99.7 percent, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

One of its routes, the blue line, recorded the highest usage with 46.5 million riders. The red line ranked second with 17 million, followed by the orange line with 12 million.

Among the busiest stations were Qasr Al-Hokm, KAFDA, stc, and the National Museum, which accounted for more than 29 percent of total ridership.

Completed in four years, the metro is the world’s longest driverless network, extending 176 km across the capital. The system aims to enhance mobility, expand choices, and reinforce public transport as a solution for the capital.

The metro aligns with ’s Vision 2030, which aims to modernize the transport sector. There are plans to expand the railway network by more than 50 percent to connect major cities and boost trade.


Saudi-owned Arabic app HUMAIN Chat launches in Kingdom

Saudi-owned Arabic app HUMAIN Chat launches in Kingdom
Updated 26 August 2025

Saudi-owned Arabic app HUMAIN Chat launches in Kingdom

Saudi-owned Arabic app HUMAIN Chat launches in Kingdom
  • AI app is ‘fluent’ in Arab and Islamic culture, values and heritage
  • Built in Kingdom by ‘Saudi talent,’ says HUMAIN CEO Tareq Amin

RIYADH: launched HUMAIN Chat, an Arabic artificial-intelligence app, in the Kingdom on Monday, which the company says is trained on the world’s largest datasets of the language.

The product is HUMAIN’s first application in its AI suite and is powered by an Arabic model called ALLAM 34B, which was created in by local developers, the company stated in a press release.

HUMAIN, an AI company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, was launched in May by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and aims to develop Arabic large-language models, and position the Kingdom as a global hub for technology innovation.

The app is available on iOS and Android devices as well as through a web browser, and will be rolled out soon to other Arabic-speaking countries, the company stated.

HUMAIN’s CEO Tareq Amin said: “The launch of HUMAIN Chat is a point of pride for , marking a historic milestone in our mission to build sovereign AI that is both technically advanced and culturally authentic.”

ALLAM, which was built by a team of over 120 AI specialists, including 35 researchers with doctorates, has been designed to serve the 350 million people who speak Arabic across the globe.

The model is culturally mindful, capable of dialect comprehension, and able to understand the different types of Arabic spoken across the region, from classical to more locale-specific forms of the language, the company stated.

The model, which is also available in English, is trained on one of the largest Arabic datasets ever collected, then refined with input from over 600 domain experts and 250 evaluators.

The result is unmatched fluency in Arabic and deep alignment with Islamic, Middle Eastern, and cultural nuance, the company stated.

“We are proving that globally competitive technologies can be rooted in our own language, infrastructure, and values — built in by Saudi talent,” Amin said.

“This is not the end state, but the beginning of a journey to serve the Kingdom, the Arabic-speaking world, and beyond. The potential is limitless, accelerating innovation and progress across every dimension of commercial and social life.”

If you are in , you can access HUMAIN Chat at https://chat.humain.ai/.


Initiative to boost AI learning across

This initiative aims to empower 1 million Saudis in artificial intelligence. (SPA)
This initiative aims to empower 1 million Saudis in artificial intelligence. (SPA)
Updated 25 August 2025

Initiative to boost AI learning across

This initiative aims to empower 1 million Saudis in artificial intelligence. (SPA)
  • This effort aligns with Vision 2030’s goal of building a knowledge-based society capable of competing globally

RIYADH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority has launched new educational materials for students and teachers to raise awareness of artificial intelligence tools and facilitate their integration into the educational process.

Part of the Ministry of Education’s “Back to School” campaign, and promoted on the authority’s social media platforms, the SAMAI initiative focuses on using AI to develop cognitive and technical skills, supporting modern teaching methods.

This effort aligns with Vision 2030’s goal of building a knowledge-based society capable of competing globally, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

It also supports the integration of the new AI curriculum across all levels of general education. Developed with the National Centre for Curriculum and other relevant ministries, the curriculum features interactive units tailored to different age groups.

The initiative, a collaboration between SDAIA, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, aims to empower 1 million Saudis in AI. It complements the new curriculum and helps nurture a generation equipped to meet future challenges.

 


9 calligraphers to compete in Riyadh contest

9 calligraphers to compete in Riyadh contest
Updated 25 August 2025

9 calligraphers to compete in Riyadh contest

9 calligraphers to compete in Riyadh contest
  • Nine local and international calligraphers will compete in three sections — Thuluth, Ruq’ah, and Jali Diwani — for the top three positions in each category

RIYADH: The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy will launch its second Arabic Calligraphy Competition at the Riyadh International Book Fair, scheduled for Oct. 2-4.

The competition aims to promote Arabic calligraphy as a core part of Saudi cultural identity and the artistic heritage of Islamic and Arab civilization, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Nine local and international calligraphers will compete in three sections — Thuluth, Ruq’ah, and Jali Diwani — for the top three positions in each category.

The initiative is intended to revive traditional Arabic calligraphy worldwide, encouraging creativity and talent under the highest artistic standards.

The center continues to advance its mission through initiatives that position it as a global platform promoting Arabic calligraphy across heritage, arts, architecture, and design.

 


condemns Israeli strike on Gaza hospital

 condemns Israeli strike on Gaza hospital
Updated 25 August 2025

condemns Israeli strike on Gaza hospital

 condemns Israeli strike on Gaza hospital
  • Gaza’s health ministry said the Israeli airstrike hit the fourth floor of the hospital on Monday, killing at least 20 people

RIYADH: ’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday condemned an Israeli strike that killed medical and media personnel at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis, south of Gaza.

Gaza’s health ministry said the Israeli airstrike hit the fourth floor of the hospital on Monday, killing at least 20 people in a double-tap strike. Among the victims were four journalists, according to Palestinian health officials.

The Saudi ministry reiterated the Kingdom’s rejection of Israel’s violations of international law and called on the international community to act to halt such crimes and ensure protection for medical, relief, and media workers.

The condemnation came as Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told a ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah on Monday that Israel’s continued violations undermine international efforts to achieve a two-state solution.