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RIYADH: Translation is the “backbone” of ��������Ƶ’s transformation, building bridges with the world, and supporting Vision 2030, an international forum in Riyadh has been told.

The International Translation Forum, which concluded in Riyadh on Saturday, explored how translation can foster cultural exchange, improve global dialogue, and attract investment.

Organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the two-day summit attracted professionals, scholars and industry leaders from around the world.

The forum highlighted translation’s crucial role in building international relations, attracting investment, and promoting Saudi culture worldwide.

It also covered the latest developments in translation, showcased new practices and technologies, and addressed local and international challenges for translators.

Notable speaker Amer Qobti, a Ph.D. candidate at Kent State University in Ohio, emphasized translation’s essential role in the nation’s transformation.

“Translation is actually the backbone of this transformation. The country’s vision is actually built on opening to other cultures, attracting outside interests, and all of these initiatives need translation,” Qobti said.

“Without translation, there is no international dialogue, no contact with other investors to come to ��������Ƶ, and without it, foreign companies won’t explore Saudi culture. I would say for any success in the country’s transformation, translation should be part of it.”

The forum featured over 10 panel discussions, seven “Translation Tales” sessions, and six discussion circles, allowing participants to explore various translation specializations and strategies.

With contributions from over 45 local and international experts, the event highlighted ��������Ƶ’s growing translation industry and its alignment with the Kingdom’s ambition to become a cultural and economic powerhouse.

The Publishing Association, under the Ministry of Culture and the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector, introduced initiatives to support Saudi publishers, launched during the Riyadh International Book Fair in October 2023.

Aimed at Saudi publishing houses, the association seeks to strengthen industry ties, provide essential resources, and advocate best practices in publishing. These initiatives empower local publishers to expand their reach and connect with international markets.

In addition to talks, the forum offered interactive translation experiences and specialized workshops on topics such as “Digital Presence and Translators’ Professional Identity” and “Integrating GenAI into CAT Tools,” equipping participants with practical skills and insights into the latest tech advancements.

A unique feature of the forum was its focus on fostering both competition and collaboration among translation professionals. It aimed to give translators and publishers an opportunity to share insights, engage in high-level discussions, and explore innovative solutions to enhance professional standards.

The forum included an exhibition featuring about 30 entities specializing in translation, showcasing the latest technologies and tools to support the sector.

The exhibition offered opportunities to enhance cooperation and build strategic partnerships with academic institutions, technology companies, and media outlets, aiming to develop and modernize translation methods.

RIYADH: After coming to the brink of extinction, the wild lotus shrub has been rediscovered in ��������Ƶ’s Northern Borders region. This revival is owed in large part to the afforestation and land reclamation efforts of nature reserves and the Saudi Green Initiative.

Protecting and preserving wild areas, along with restoring trees and plants to the environment, such as this annual shrub with its vibrant red flowers, are key components of ��������Ƶ’s sustainable development agenda.

The wild lotus is native to areas stretching from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Arabian Peninsula. It thrives in arid regions and dry shrubland biomes, found in ��������Ƶ, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and the Sinai Peninsula.

Nasser Al-Majlad, president of Aman Environmental Society, told the Saudi Press Agency that the wild lotus shrub has been found thriving in streams in the valleys of the Kingdom’s Northern Borders region.

Locally known as “Hamar Ward” or “Harbith,” the shrub blooms during the hot summer months, producing small, red flowers. Its scientific name is Lotus lanuginosus.

“Wild Lotus, or Hamar Ward, is an herbaceous perennial wild plant, branched, extending vertically to 40 cm or 20 cm, and its leaves are compound with five leaflets and their dimensions are from 1.3 to 0.5 cm,” Obid Aloni, an environmental activist and member of Al-Yusr and Desert Plants Association, told Arab News.

Herbaceous perennial plants complete their life cycle over a period of more than two years. They have non-woody stems, allowing them to reach their full height and produce flowers year after year.

Aloni, who has specialized in plants and agriculture for 30 years, told Arab News that the wildflower serves as a stunning embellishment in both cultivated and rocky landscapes.

“It is planted usually at the beginning of winter — for those who want to plant it — like spring flowers,” he said, adding that the species had almost reached extinction if not for the efforts of royal reserves in ��������Ƶ.

In addition to the wild lotus shrub, ��������Ƶ’s wilderness is home to a diverse array of flower species — including the Convolvulus buschiricus. Native to Hegra in the Madinah province, this shrubby plant has hairy stems that can grow up to 1 meter in height. It also has pink, scentless flowers measuring 2.5 cm in width.

Also found in Hegra is the Retama raetam, a shrubby plant with thin, flexible branches. Its small flowers, measuring one cm in width, are accompanied by simple, narrow leaves that are 10 mm long.

Other Saudi wildflowers include the Lavandula dentata in Asir’s Jabal Soudah, Echinops in Diriyah and Teucrium oliverianum in Tumair, Riyadh province. Teucrium oliverianum, commonly known as “ahneh,” is also found in the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, located in the Kingdom’s northern provinces.

Afforestation and the preservation of natural habitats in the Kingdom have advanced significantly in recent years, driven by environmental protection schemes like the Saudi Green Initiative.

One of the key goals of the SGI is to rehabilitate more than 74 million hectares of land by planting 10 billion trees nationwide, while also restoring the Kingdom’s natural greenery.

Through extensive planting efforts, the Saudi government aims to restore vital ecological functions, improve air quality, and, ultimately, reduce the frequency of sandstorms.

Since 2021, more than 49 million trees and shrubs have been planted, and 94,000 hectares of degraded land have been rehabilitated, according to the SGI website.

��������Ƶ’s commitment to environmental protection extends beyond its borders, making a significant impact at both a regional and global level.

The Kingdom launched the Middle East Green Initiative in 2021 to help mitigate the impact of climate change in the wider region and position ��������Ƶ as a leader in global sustainability efforts.

The MGI also promotes afforestation with the aim of planting some 50 billion trees across the Middle East.

Also contributing greatly to the restoration of nature in ��������Ƶ is the NEOM giga-project taking shape on the Kingdom’s northwestern coastline. In collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification, NEOM has been implementing its own regreening initiative since 2022.

Khaled Al-Abdulqader, the center’s CEO, highlighted in a NEOM report that the regreening initiative will significantly support efforts to protect the environment, in addition to “directly contributing to the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative.”

Through dedicated afforestation efforts, wildflowers like the wild lotus and other native plants may have the opportunity to grow and thrive, even in some of the most arid regions of the world.

The Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining a healthy environment and balancing its ecosystem is a key goal of its Vision 2030 agenda, aimed at ensuring sustainable development while creating a thriving society.