TNFS 2025: �� to host region’s first summit on smoking reduction

Updated 28 May 2025

Arab News

May 28, 2025 19:25

In a significant move that signals a shift in how the region tackles public health challenges, Riyadh is set to host the TNFS Summit 2025 — the first high-level regional summit focused on reducing smoking prevalence and addressing tobacco-related harm. This event will bring together organizations, health leaders, and policymakers from the region and around the globe.

The summit will take place on May 29 at the Four Seasons Hotel — Kingdom Centre, coinciding with “World No Tobacco Day.” It is supported by strategic partners, including the Quality-of-Life Program (Part of one of the realization programs of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030), Badael Company, and Smart Health as the scientific partner. The TNFS Summit will serve as a multilateral platform to encourage regional and international collaboration in tackling one of the most pressing public health challenges in the Arab world.

The summit is expected to culminate in the adoption of a regional charter for tobacco harm reduction and the signing of strategic cooperation agreements among participating entities, aimed at strengthening public health systems and enhancing regional regulatory frameworks.

TNFS Summit 2025 invites policymakers, public health experts, and civil society to unite around a shared vision: a healthier Middle East with lower tobacco dependence. This summit marks a clear commitment to science-based, prevention-first policies built on regional and international partnerships.

More than 100 local and international experts from leading institutions — including specialists from the UK, Sweden, and �� — will participate in the summit. They will discuss the latest research, exchange insights, and explore scalable, evidence-based policy solutions.

The agenda will focus on key strategic themes, including:

correcting public misconceptions about nicotine and tobacco harm reduction products
designing preventive policies grounded in scientific evidence
showcasing successful international regulatory frameworks that can be adapted to regional contexts
mobilizing community awareness and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors

Badael Company, the summit’s strategic partner, stated that TNFS 2025 addresses an urgent regional need for data-driven dialogue and multilateral coordination to reflect the scale of tobacco-related harm in our societies. The summit is envisioned as a launchpad for the region’s healthier and more sustainable future.

Delta to make Riyadh–US a major new corridor

Updated 05 November 2025

November 05, 2025 17:00

Delta to make Riyadh–US a major new corridor

Updated 05 November 2025

November 05, 2025 17:00

�� is rapidly advancing its goal to become a global hub for air connectivity and logistics under Vision 2030. The Kingdom surpassed its initial tourism milestone under Vision 2030 and has now raised its target to 150 million visits by 2030. This growth underscores a need for more direct, premium long-haul capacity. Authorities highlight record growth in international arrivals and increased travel spending as momentum drivers.

Delta Air Lines recently announced a new direct route from Atlanta to Riyadh as part of its entry into the Saudi market. The airline aims to integrate the Kingdom into one of the world’s most extensive networks from the US.

��’s aviation strategy aims to reach 330 million passengers, serve more than 250 destinations, and handle 4.5 million tons of air cargo by 2030, reinforcing the National Transport and Logistics Strategy to boost the sector’s contribution to the GDP. An expanding Riyadh hub, bolstered by Delta’s operational scale and reliability, positions the Kingdom as a leading gateway connecting three continents. For Delta, launching service to Riyadh is a significant step toward its ambition to become a leading premium global airline, with a particular focus on connecting the world and bringing travelers to dynamic, rapidly developing destinations rich in culture.

This development enhances the Riyadh-US corridor by providing greater frequency, connectivity, and a premium travel experience tailored to the region’s rapidly growing demand for both passenger and commercial traffic on both sides of the Atlantic.

The new non-stop flight, starting in winter 2026, will operate three times weekly on Delta’s Airbus A350-900. It will be one of Delta’s longest at over 7,000 miles and will link US passengers to Riyadh with seamless one-stop access to 150+ destinations. It also offers Saudi travelers a direct gateway to explore the US.

Delta views this expansion not only as a strategic gateway into the Middle East, but also as a marker of the next phase in its global expansion. Last year, Delta laid the groundwork through a strategic partnership with Saudi carrier Riyadh Air, which set the stage for codesharing, loyalty integration, and potential collaboration in maintenance and training. Delta Air Lines will be Riyadh Air’s exclusive partner in North America, and Riyadh Air will be Delta’s exclusive partner in Riyadh.

Delta has earned recognition from aviation analytics firm Cirium for operational excellence, finishing 2024 as North America’s most on-time airline and earning the Platinum Award. The carrier operates more than 5,000 daily flights to over 300 destinations worldwide, providing the Kingdom with an established distribution network from the US and beyond.

��