Saudi Museums Commission, German Heritage Foundation launch program to deepen collaboration
Saudi Museums Commission, German Heritage Foundation launch program to deepen collaboration/node/2599866/saudi-arabia
Saudi Museums Commission, German Heritage Foundation launch program to deepen collaboration
黑料社区's culture. (File/AFP)
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Updated 07 May 2025
Arab News
Saudi Museums Commission, German Heritage Foundation launch program to deepen collaboration
Updated 07 May 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi Museums Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, and the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation of Germany have taken a step forward in their cultural partnership by activating an executive program focused on long-term collaboration in the museum sector.
Central to this initiative is the development of a loan index, outlining a selection of artworks and artefacts from the foundation鈥檚 various Berlin-based museums to be shared with the Museums Commission over a five-year period.
This loan program forms part of the broader executive program signed by both parties.
The agreement outlines key areas of cooperation, including joint exhibitions in art and archaeology, long-term loans, strategic cultural projects, and capacity-building through training and residencies.
Two dedicated training programs have been agreed upon as part of this collaboration, said the Ministry of Culture in a press release.
One of the flagship initiatives, Museums in Motion, will bring together up to 80 cultural and museum professionals from both countries over five years through four interdisciplinary training sessions.聽
Participants will engage in joint learning activities in both countries, fostering sustained dialogue, professional exchange, deeper cross-cultural understanding, and long-term institutional partnerships.
In a parallel initiative with the Hamburger Bahnhof 鈥 Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart (National Gallery of Contemporary Art) in Berlin, a professional program will support talent development in the museum field.聽
Over the next five years, experts from Hamburger Bahnhof will contribute to training and mentorship, fostering the exchange of knowledge and best practices in museum management and curation.
This executive program reflects the Kingdom鈥檚 commitment to strengthening international cultural dialogue and advancing professional exchange in the global museum community.
黑料社区 lifts global health standing with research milestones, WHO Healthy Cities聽
Jeddah and Madinah stand out as the first cities in the Middle East with populations of 2 million or more to receive the accreditation
Updated 15 August 2025
Arab News
黑料社区鈥檚 national health system continues to strengthen its global standing through a series of significant achievements in scientific research and international recognition.
The Ministry of Health highlighted the designation of 16 locations as 鈥淗ealthy Cities鈥 under World Health Organization criteria.
Among these, Jeddah and Madinah stand out as the first cities in the Middle East with populations of 2 million or more to receive the accreditation, marking a milestone in the ministry鈥檚 鈥淗ealthy Cities Program鈥 and its efforts to enhance quality of life.
Madinah鈥檚 distinctive architectural style and human-centered urban initiatives have enhanced the holy city鈥檚 visual identity and improved pedestrian access to the Prophet鈥檚 Mosque. (SPA)
The accomplishment reflects successful collaboration among government and community stakeholders through the application of more than 80 international evaluation criteria across nine core domains spanning health, development, and sustainability.
黑料社区 has also made notable advances in medical research and innovation.
A study conducted by King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center on robotic liver transplantation was named one of the 10 most influential research papers of 2024 by the American Society of Transplantation.
In addition, seven Saudi hospitals were included in Brand Finance鈥檚 Global Top 250 Hospitals 2025 report, highlighting the Kingdom鈥檚 strong healthcare infrastructure, international competitiveness, and commitment to high-quality patient care.
Jeddah's designation by the WHO as a healthy city is a culmination of the Red Sea coast city's effort to improves health services and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. (SPA)
These accomplishments are closely aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly the 鈥淎 Vibrant Society鈥 and 鈥淎 Thriving Economy鈥 pillars to enhance quality of life and support innovation and scientific advancement.
Together, the milestones reflect the integrated efforts of the national health system and various sectors, reinforcing the Kingdom鈥檚 position as a regional hub and global destination for advanced healthcare.
Incentive measures have been provided by the relevant authorities in the Madinah region to encourage local henna production and export
Updated 15 August 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Madinah is considered one of the leading regions in the Kingdom for cultivating henna, which is renowned for its high quality and unique characteristics.
The plant is grown in several locations in the region, such as the governorates of Wadi Al-Fora鈥檃 and Badr.
Madinah henna is regarded as one of the best varieties in the world due to its purity and natural properties.
It is known for its light green color and strong herbal fragrance, which indicate its quality.
Henna has long been used to dye and nourish hair, increase its thickness, and reduce hair loss, and as a natural substance to cool the skin in high temperatures. (SPA)
The plant is also organically cultivated, without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers, making it safe to use.
The uses of Madinah henna are varied, but it has widespread application in cosmetics, where henna leaves are ground into a fine powder and then mixed with water, olive oil, or coconut oil for added moisture, or with essential oils to enhance its color and improve texture.
Henna has long been used to dye and nourish hair, increase its thickness, and reduce hair loss, and as a natural substance to cool the skin in high temperatures.
FASTFACTS
鈥 Madinah henna is regarded as one of the best varieties in the world due to its purity and natural properties.
鈥 Henna can also be converted into derivative products such as powders, pastes, and essential oils to increase the economic value of this agricultural product and enhance its profitability.
It is also used for decorating hands and feet, cleansing the skin, and reducing pigmentation.
A report issued by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce has reviewed the investment opportunities provided by henna cultivation, noting the possibility of expanding henna farming using modern irrigation techniques to increase production, developing value-added henna products such as scented henna or organic henna, and targeting international markets by promoting henna as an authentic Madinah product.
Henna is also used for decorating hands and feet, cleansing the skin, and reducing pigmentation. (SPA)
The report suggested Madinah can benefit from opportunities in agricultural investment, livestock production, as well as industrial investment based on production inputs from agricultural crops, derivatives, or waste related to these crops and others.
Henna can also be converted into derivative products such as powders, pastes, and essential oils to increase the economic value of this agricultural product and enhance its profitability.
Incentive measures have been provided by the relevant authorities in the Madinah region to encourage local henna production and export.
Henna is among the targeted sectors of the Reef program to support productive families and professions linked to local production, and to provide financial support to farmers and agricultural professionals, especially given the relatively low cost of cultivating the product.
ABHA: Officials of the Abha Chamber of Commerce and Industry officials received Ambassador Pascal Gregoire of Belgium on Thursday to discuss ways to develop trade relations and support joint investment opportunities.
The two sides also discussed efforts to foster an attractive investment environment for Saudi and Belgian ventures, Asir region鈥檚 economic potential, key investment opportunities, and the facilities available to Belgian investors in the region.
They stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation through joint trade events and visits and explored prospects for partnership in various sectors.
Gregoire expressed his pleasure at visiting the Asir region and learning about its promising investment opportunities.
NEOM: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call on Thursday with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two leaders discussed Saudi-Emirati relations and ways to boost cooperation in various fields.
The two leaders also reviewed regional developments and efforts aimed at promoting security and stability, SPA added.
How 黑料社区鈥檚 self-driving push is transforming transport, fueling Vision 2030鈥檚 smart mobility goals
Riyadh has launched its first Robotaxi trial with WeRide, Uber, and AiDriver, covering key airport and city routes
黑料社区 aims for 25 percent of all goods transport vehicles to be fully autonomous by 2030
Updated 14 August 2025
Lama Alhamawi
RIYADH: From self-driving cars to autonomous delivery robots, 黑料社区 is accelerating toward the next generation of AI-driven transport.
The year 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark period for autonomous mobility in the Kingdom, as the country builds partnerships and infrastructure for a cutting-edge logistics ecosystem.
This drive toward self-driving technology is central to the broader transformation under Vision 2030 鈥 reshaping how goods and people move across Riyadh and beyond.
The shift aligns with the Transport General Authority鈥檚 land transport strategy, which aims for 25 percent of goods vehicles to be autonomous by 2030.
In July 2025, Transport and Logistic Services Minister Saleh Al-Jasser launched a pilot of WeRide鈥檚 Robotaxi in Riyadh 鈥 a milestone for developing a smart, safe transportation network.
WeRide鈥檚 Robotaxi being pilot-tested in Riyadh. (Supplied/WeRide photo)
鈥淭he expansion into 黑料社区 is a major step in WeRide鈥檚 global expansion plan with a vision for safer, smarter transportation at scale,鈥 Ryan Zhan, regional general manager for the Middle East and Africa at WeRide, told Arab News.
鈥淭he entry enables WeRide to scale Robotaxi services and unlock new commercial opportunities in 黑料社区,鈥 he said. Robotaxi received the Kingdom鈥檚 first autonomous driving permit.
With 104 million public transport users and 349 million intercity bus passengers annually, demand for mobility solutions is high. Ride-hailing trips rose 26 percent and delivery app orders 27 percent from 2023 to 2024, topping 290 million.
WeRide鈥檚 Robotaxis and Robobuses are the latest additions to this evolving sector. The pilot, run with Uber and local partner AiDriver, operates between King Khalid International Airport and central Riyadh.
Opinion
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鈥淭he Initial Operational Phase of Autonomous Vehicles initiative aligns with the objectives of 黑料社区鈥檚 National Transport and Logistics Strategy and supports Saudi Vision 2030 in embracing sustainable mobility solutions powered by artificial intelligence,鈥 said Zhan.
鈥満诹仙缜 is the Middle East鈥檚 largest economy and has been accelerating efforts under Vision 2030 to diversify into high-growth sectors.
鈥淲ith its tourism sector alone projected to reach $110.1 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4 percent from 2024, WeRide鈥檚 Robotaxis and Robobuses support the Kingdom鈥檚 push to develop a smart, sustainable transport infrastructure for both residents and the rising influx of visitors.鈥
Jahez and ROSHN Group have launched the first fully autonomous Level 4 delivery robot in Riyadh鈥檚 ROSHN Front Business Area. (AN Photo by Huda Bashattah)
Globally, the AI market is expected to grow from $189 billion in 2023 to $4.8 trillion by 2033, according to UN Trade and Development.
WeRide was the first AV company to complete the Transport General Authority鈥檚 Regulatory Sandbox for autonomous piloting.
鈥淲eRide is not just deploying technology. We鈥檙e participating in the local transportation ecosystem, creating jobs in fleet management, maintenance, and customer service, while helping address urban mobility challenges,鈥 said Zhan.
Partnerships that have underpinned the project include those with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, Uber, WeRide, and AiDriver.
Meanwhile, food delivery is getting its own autonomous upgrade. Jahez and ROSHN Group have launched the first fully autonomous Level 4 delivery robot in Riyadh鈥檚 ROSHN Front Business Area.
A Jahez and ROSHN Group level 4 robot at work in Riyadh鈥檚 ROSHN Front Business Area. (AN Photo by Huda Bashattah)
Five robots, equipped with over 20 sensors, six cameras, GPS, and climate-specific cooling, now operate there during working hours.
鈥淧art of our strategy is to always optimize on automation, and this is part of the automation. To be innovative, we chose to optimize in our key pillar, which is logistics,鈥 Mohammed Al-Barrak, Jahez鈥檚 chief technology officer, told Arab News.
鈥淪o we decided to go with the autonomous delivery. And this is part of many upcoming technologies that will help with the automation of delivery, like within gated communities.鈥
To prepare for this shift, the Roads General Authority has issued a Self-Driving Vehicles code, requiring smart road communication devices to relay real-time traffic and road data directly to autonomous systems.
With strong investment and clear regulation, 黑料社区 is well-placed to lead the autonomous vehicle transformation.
