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Riyadh forum spotlights women’s leadership roles

Special Riyadh forum spotlights women’s leadership roles
The Creative Women Forum gathered female leaders from around the world to discuss entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, technology, wellness, art, and sports. (AN Photo)
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Updated 07 October 2024

Riyadh forum spotlights women’s leadership roles

Riyadh forum spotlights women’s leadership roles
  • Award-winning journalist encourages Saudi women to shape their narrative through media
  • Baria Alamuddin: Ƶ is the heart of the Arab world in every sense of the word

RIYADH: The Creative Women Forum, held in Riyadh on Monday, gathered female leaders from around the world to discuss entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, technology, wellness, art, and sports.

Baria Alamuddin, an award-winning journalist and broadcaster in the Middle East and UK, and the editor of the Media Services Syndicate, delivered a keynote speech, urging Saudi women to engage with the media to share their stories.

“Ƶ is the heart of the Arab world in every sense of the word,” Alamuddin said.

She shared stories of meeting, working, and interacting with Saudi women, adding she had “never seen women love their country like the women in Ƶ,” and that she had “met some of the strongest women” in the Kingdom.

In an interview with Arab News, Alamuddin expressed her passion for highlighting Saudi women, explaining that she had been frustrated by not knowing enough about them.

After visiting the Ƶ and meeting women in leadership positions, she was amazed by their drive and dedication to the country's development.

“I knew these women were strong, passionate, and driven, with a genuine desire to impact the development of their country,” Alamuddin said.

“Every time I visit the Kingdom, I am amazed by the progress of Saudi women.”

Alamuddin is one of the many distinguished female leaders speaking at the forum.

The two-day event focuses on business, startups, investment, health, female leadership, sports, sustainability, technology, and other key areas. It includes workshops, panel discussions, and question-and-answer sessions with industry experts.

Other topics at the forum include cultural and social transformation, finance, equality in careers, and women’s health and well-being.

Speakers included Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi ambassador to the US; Princess Noura Al-Saud, patron of the Creative Women Forum; Dr. Selwa Al-Hazzaa, CEO and founder of the digital health company SDM; and Dr. Basma Al-Buhairan, managing director at C4IR.


Umm Al-Qura University clinches top award

Umm Al-Qura University clinches top award
Updated 12 sec ago

Umm Al-Qura University clinches top award

Umm Al-Qura University clinches top award
  • The recognition aligns with the university’s Strategic Plan 2027 objectives
  • The project aims to revolutionize education for faculty, students and administrative staff

MAKKAH: Umm Al-Qura University won the Best Educational Experience prize at the 2025 Saudi Customer Experience Awards.
Presented through a collaboration between the CX Forum, the Saudi CX Association and Awards International, the award recognizes the university’s excellence in enhancing the student experience and fostering an exceptional learning environment that adheres to global quality benchmarks.
The recognition aligns with the university’s Strategic Plan 2027 objectives, particularly in advancing teaching and learning initiatives. Central to the success is the Comprehensive Experience Project inaugurated by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of Makkah Region. The project aims to revolutionize education for faculty, students and administrative staff.
The Saudi Customer Experience Awards stand as a premier platform for recognizing excellence in customer-centric innovations across the Kingdom’s various sectors.


Saudi jets fly solo at Bahrain airshow

Saudi jets fly solo at Bahrain airshow
Updated 11 min 8 sec ago

Saudi jets fly solo at Bahrain airshow

Saudi jets fly solo at Bahrain airshow
  • Two Typhoon jets performed solo aerial maneuvers
  • An F-15SA aircraft in 24th Saudi National Day colors delivered a ground display

MANAMA: Aerial displays by the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Saudi Falcons Aerobatic Team thrilled audiences on Friday at the Bahrain International Airshow.
Two Typhoon jets performed solo aerial maneuvers, while an F-15SA aircraft in 24th Saudi National Day colors delivered a ground display.
The airshow at the Sakhir Air Base highlights the latest military technologies and the capabilities of the participating forces, while promoting cooperation between the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Royal Bahraini Air Force.
More than 125 types of aircraft were featured in the two-day show, which ended on Friday. Audiences were able to see the latest innovations and technologies in the aviation sector.


French, Saudi officials meet in Paris to advance AlUla development initiative

French, Saudi officials meet in Paris to advance AlUla development initiative
Updated 34 min 41 sec ago

French, Saudi officials meet in Paris to advance AlUla development initiative

French, Saudi officials meet in Paris to advance AlUla development initiative
  • Focus of discussions was on assessing state of Franco-Saudi partnership and defining future direction for AlUla’s development

PARIS: French and Saudi officials gathered in Paris on Friday at the French foreign ministry for discussions about advancing the AlUla development initiative.

The AlUla Committee, a joint initiative established under an intergovernmental agreement signed in April 2018, is the coordinating body for a range of ambitious projects being carried out by the Kingdom and France.

The projects focus on cultural preservation, tourism enhancement, economic growth, and environmental sustainability in Ƶ’s AlUla region. The committee’s mandate includes overseeing the implementation and monitoring of the comprehensive 2018 accord, aimed at fostering broad-based progress in the area.

The French delegation at the meeting included senior figures from the ministries of European affairs and foreign relations, economy, and culture.

On the Saudi side, high-ranking officials from the culture, foreign, and investment ministries participated, along with representatives such as the president of the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) and the chairperson of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU).

French ministers Jean-Noel Barrot and Rachida Dati met with Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Ƶ’s culture minister, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Khaled Al-Faleh, investment minister.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, executive president of AFALULA, and Abeer Al-Akel, acting CEO of the RCU, also took part in the meeting.

The focus of the discussions was on assessing the state of the Franco-Saudi partnership and defining the future direction for AlUla’s development.

Participants reviewed collaborative projects that draw on French expertise, particularly in archaeological research — highlighted by the involvement of 120 French archaeologists and researchers in the region. Other focal points included cultural initiatives such as the Villa Hegra project, as well as advances in hospitality, transport and infrastructure.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the French Heritage Endowment Fund, which was established as part of the 2018 agreement, and reinforced its continued commitment to supporting heritage conservation and cultural initiatives tied to AlUla’s unique historical significance.


Pediatric neurology conference to draw top health experts to Riyadh

Pediatric neurology conference to draw top health experts to Riyadh
Updated 15 November 2024

Pediatric neurology conference to draw top health experts to Riyadh

Pediatric neurology conference to draw top health experts to Riyadh
  • Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society conference and workshops will be held from Nov. 20-23

RIYADH: The 9th Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society conference and workshops will be held from Nov. 20-23 at the Crowne Plaza RDC in Riyadh.


The SPNS, established in 2012, is an official non-profit scientific association under the auspices of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.

This year’s conference promises insights into various topics, including neonatal neurology, spinal muscular atrophy, neuro inflammatory disorders, neuromuscular diseases, brain and spinal injuries and infections, epilepsy, brain and spinal tumors, cerebrovascular disease, autism, movement disorders, and metabolic and genetic disorders.

Top healthcare officials, dignitaries, industry leaders, analysts and other experts will participate.

Fahad Al-Bashiri, president of SPNS and a professor and consultant pediatric neurologist at the College of Medicine, King Saud University, will share pivotal insights on the opening day of the event with two presentations addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the field.

The first presentation will cover findings from a recent clinical trial examining the role of vitamin D in managing epilepsy. This research explores how vitamin D supplementation may influence seizure frequency and severity, potentially offering a new approach to epilepsy care.

The second presentation will focus on the newly developed Gulf Cooperation Council guidelines for managing Neurofibromatosis Type 1. This talk will discuss the standardized approach proposed for the region, aiming to optimize patient care and outcomes for individuals with NF1.

Dr. Ahmad Alanazi, chairman of the conference and an assistant professor, pediatric neurologist and epileptologist at the College of Medicine, KSU, said: “I am honoured to lead a forum where leading experts will address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in pediatric neurology.

“This year’s conference will spotlight transformative advancements, including the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in diagnosing and managing epilepsy and neurorehabilitation, signaling a new era in precision care.”

He added: “The SPNS conference remains a premier platform for advancing pediatric neurology, fostering collaboration, and setting new standards of care for young patients in the Kingdom and beyond.”


Asir historic landmark among UN best tourism villages

Asir historic landmark among UN best tourism villages
Updated 15 November 2024

Asir historic landmark among UN best tourism villages

Asir historic landmark among UN best tourism villages

RIYADH: A landmark location in Ƶ’s Asir region has been selected by UN Tourism as one if its best tourism villages 2024.

Abo Noghta and historic Tabab was chosen for its rich heritage, including ancient castles and forts.

The location was named alongside 54 other rural villages worldwide under the theme of “Rural Communities Shaping the Future of Sustainable Travel.”

In a statement, UN Tourism said that the Abo Noghta community has displayed a commitment to eco-friendly renovation techniques by recycling old materials, setting a remarkable standard for sustainable restoration across Asir.

This innovative approach has created new opportunities for the community to flourish, it added.

Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Tourism secretary-general, said that tourism can help rural communities to protect and value their rich cultural heritage while driving sustainable development.

“By leveraging their unique assets, these communities can foster economic growth, promote local traditions, and enhance the quality of life for their residents. We celebrate the villages that have embraced tourism as a pathway to empowerment and community well-being,” he said.

With a legacy of thousands of years in agriculture, Abo Noghta cultivates a diverse range of crops, from wheat and corn to fruit and vegetables. The community also excels in cattle rearing, making it a center for traditional and sustainable farming practices.

To preserve seeds for future planting, Abo Noghta employs a centuries-old technique that involves creating rock structures of varying depths known as “Al-mdafin.” These natural, cool storage spaces protect the seeds, ensuring they remain fresh and ready for the next season.

The best tourism village initiative resulted in 260 applications from more than 60 UN Tourism member states.

The initiative is part of UN Tourism’s rural development program aimed at encouraging development in rural areas, as well as combating depopulation and encouraging sustainable practices.

Previously, the villages were evaluated under nine key areas: cultural and natural resources; promotion and conservation of cultural resources; economic sustainability; social sustainability; environmental sustainability; tourism development and value chain integration; governance and prioritization of tourism; infrastructure and connectivity; and health, safety, and security.