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Ƶ among first to start pavilion build for Expo 2025 Osaka

Ƶ among first to start pavilion build for Expo 2025 Osaka
The pavilion will feature renewable materials and a reusable structure to reduce their environmental impact. (Supplied)
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Updated 01 February 2024

Ƶ among first to start pavilion build for Expo 2025 Osaka

Ƶ among first to start pavilion build for Expo 2025 Osaka
  • Design reflects Kingdom’s history, culture, economic transformation
  • Reusable and renewable material being used for the construction

OSAKA: Ƶ has begun constructing its pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka site on Yumeshima Island, making it among the first nations to do so.

The design reflects the Kingdom’s history, culture and current economic transformation. The ceremony on Jan. 31 to announce the construction was attended by government delegates from Japan, and officials from other nations participating in Expo 2025 Osaka.

Ƶ’s delegation at the ceremony was led by Othman Almazyad, commissioner-general for the Kingdom’s Expo 2025 Osaka.

“The Ƶ pavilion will showcase the convergence of the unique heritage, traditions and values that form the foundation of our country’s identity,” Almazyad said.

“Ƶ is the cradle of an ancient civilization that dates back thousands of years and, testament to Vision 2030, it is rapidly transforming to deliver on our mission of economic and social change that seizes the opportunities of the future and expands its possibilities,” he added.

“This vision is underpinned by our nation’s steadfast commitment to our natural environment and will be embodied in the pavilion’s structure through adherence to global best practices of sustainable architecture, delivering on the promise of a better tomorrow.”

The pavilion will feature renewable materials and a reusable structure to reduce their environmental impact.

The building is designed to achieve the highest level of Japan’s green-building rating system and the Net Zero Operational Carbon target through the use of low-carbon materials, energy-saving technology, rainwater recycling, and photovoltaic electricity.

Opening in April 2025, Expo 2025 Osaka will convene over 160 countries and multilateral organizations under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The three sub-themes are “Saving Lives,” “Empowering Lives” and “Connecting Lives.” Over 28 million people are expected to visit Osaka during the event.

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Saudi leadership offers condolences after death of Sheikh Abdullah Rakan Naif Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

Saudi leadership offers condolences after death of Sheikh Abdullah Rakan Naif Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
Updated 19 January 2025

Saudi leadership offers condolences after death of Sheikh Abdullah Rakan Naif Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

Saudi leadership offers condolences after death of Sheikh Abdullah Rakan Naif Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman each sent a cable of condolences to the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on the death of Sheikh Abdullah Rakan Naif Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

The King and the crown prince expressed their deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the Kuwaiti leadership and the family of the deceased.

The crown prince sent a cable of condolences to the Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.

Sheikh Abdullah Rakan Naif Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah died at the age of 14 years old.


Saudi deputy minister receives ambassador of Djibouti

Saudi deputy minister receives ambassador of Djibouti
Updated 19 January 2025

Saudi deputy minister receives ambassador of Djibouti

Saudi deputy minister receives ambassador of Djibouti
  • They discussed bilateral relations and various topics of common interest

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, the dean of the diplomatic corps and ambassador of Djibouti to Ƶ, at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and various topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received Oman’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al-Said in Riyadh on Sunday.

The meeting was held to mark the conclusion of Al-Said’s tenure as ambassador to Ƶ.

 


Palestinian president honors Saudi ambassador with Star of Al-Quds medal in Ramallah

Palestinian president honors Saudi ambassador with Star of Al-Quds medal in Ramallah
Updated 19 January 2025

Palestinian president honors Saudi ambassador with Star of Al-Quds medal in Ramallah

Palestinian president honors Saudi ambassador with Star of Al-Quds medal in Ramallah
  • Mahmoud Abbas praises Nayef bin Bandar Al-Sudairi’s efforts to strengthen relations between Palestine and Ƶ

LONDON: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Nayef bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, the Saudi ambassador to Palestine, in Ramallah on Sunday.

Abbas honored Al-Sudairi with the Star of Al-Quds medal during his visit to the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority.

 Al-Sudairi became the first non-resident Saudi ambassador to Palestine and consul-general of Jerusalem since 1948 when he was appointed in August 2023.

Last September, he visited Ramallah for the first time to present his credentials to the Palestinian president.

Abbas extended his greetings to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasizing the Kingdom’s support for the Palestinian people and their cause, the Palestine News and Information Agency reported.

He also praised Al-Sudairi’s efforts to strengthen the friendly relations between Palestine and Ƶ, the agency reported.


More than 84,000 visitors attend Hira Winter events in Makkah

More than 84,000 visitors attend Hira Winter events in Makkah
Updated 19 January 2025

More than 84,000 visitors attend Hira Winter events in Makkah

More than 84,000 visitors attend Hira Winter events in Makkah

RIYADH: The Hira Winter events, organized by the Hira Cultural District and which recently concluded in Makkah, attracted more than 84,000 visitors.

Highlights included the Revelation Exhibition, which used cutting-edge technology to simulate the story of Prophet Muhammad’s revelation, blending tradition and innovation.

The exhibition featured a pavilion detailing the Cave of Hira and Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the Mother of Believers, along with a depiction of the first revelation.

Rare historical artifacts, such as a photographed copy of the Qur’an manuscript of Uthman bin Affan and ancient stone inscriptions of Qur’anic verses, gave visitors a unique experience that combined the past and present.

Poetic performances inspired by Arab heritage underscored poetry’s role as the Arabs' diwan (repository of culture) and a tool for documenting events and emotions.

Poetic jousts highlighted live interaction and pride in the Arabic language and literature, enriching the cultural experience.

The Caravan Experience revived the cultural heritage of camel caravans, underlining their role in ancient Arab trade and society.

Visitors were taken back to ancient trade routes where camels played a key role in transporting goods and facilitating travel.

The Challenge Zone attracted adventure enthusiasts with various games blending entertainment and competition.

The Winter Theater delighted visitors with interactive performances, including contests and games inspired by winter traditions.

The district also featured a Crafts and Heritage Industries Market, where visitors explored local products, bought souvenirs, and enjoyed traditional and contemporary food and beverages, creating a holistic experience of entertainment, culture and shopping.

The Hira Cultural District is an area of approximately 67,000 sq. meters near Jabal Hira, one of Makkah’s most famous landmarks. It is a tourist and educational destination, bridging the past and present, and aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance quality of life and visitor experiences.


Saudi ambassador to Japan expresses high hopes about Expo 2025 Osaka

Saudi ambassador to Japan expresses high hopes about Expo 2025 Osaka
Updated 19 January 2025

Saudi ambassador to Japan expresses high hopes about Expo 2025 Osaka

Saudi ambassador to Japan expresses high hopes about Expo 2025 Osaka

TOKYO: Saudi Ambassador to Japan Ghazi Bin Faisal Binzagr told Arab News Japan that he has high hopes of achieving the goals for which he was appointed general commissioner of the Kingdom’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.

“We are striving to create an amazing experience for our visitors,” he said. “We are capturing the essence of our Ƶ Vision 2030 and bringing it live to Japan.”

Binzagr shared that the construction work on the Kingdom’s pavilion is progressing rapidly, with around 85 percent already complete. This progress is a testament to the Kingdom's commitment to the Expo, and we can all look forward to the grand opening in April.

Binzagr extended a warm invitation to visitors to “come and immerse themselves in our past, our present, and our future. Experience our rich heritage, our diverse food, our vibrant music, our colorful culture, and our ambitious future aspirations.”

This invitation is an opportunity to discover the beauty and potential of Ƶ.

The Saudi ambassador expressed his sincere hope that visitors would be inspired to visit the Kingdom. This desire reflects the warm welcome and value the Kingdom places on its visitors.

“We want you to experience our pavilion,” he said. “We are confident that when you do, you will want to visit Saudi, perhaps even do business, partner with us, dream with us, or work with us to make a wonderful world.”

The Kingdom’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka aims to highlight Ƶ’s culture, traditions and transformation and look towards a sustainable form of human development.

Binzagr’s responsibilities as the general commissioner of the Kingdom’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka include supervising efforts and initiatives to strengthen relations between the Kingdom and Japan and ensuring the successful representation of Ƶ at the Expo.