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RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has launched its Saudi Noor Voluntary Project to treat people with visual ailments and disabilities in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Camp, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Health workers examined 4,500 people, distributed 600 pairs of spectacles, and performed 115 specialized eye operations.
KSrelief runs Noor-affiliated programs in several countries around the world.
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated in a panel discussion on peace pathways between Palestine and Israel during the Munich Leaders Meeting in AlUla on Thursday.
The session was attended by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa via video call and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The panel discussion addressed the latest developments regarding the war in Gaza, efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and related international initiatives, SPA added.
It also highlighted the declarations made by numerous countries recognizing the State of Palestine, as part of advancing the implementation of the two-state solution and enhancing stability in the region.
The session also discussed the importance of implementing all international resolutions, ending human suffering, and supporting efforts to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
It also referred to the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, co-chaired by ֱ and France, which resulted in an international consensus on the importance of implementing the conference’s declaration aimed at peace, prosperity, and ending the protracted Palestinian–Israeli conflict.
RIYADH: The Saudi Film Commission released its inaugural annual report earlier this week, which provided an overview of the Kingdom’s film sector in 2024, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The report, released this week, outlined key achievements across incentive programs, infrastructure development, festivals and awards, audience and revenue metrics, talent development, and film preservation and archiving.
It showcased the Kingdom’s steady progress in recent years and its ambition to establish ֱ as a regional and international hub for the film industry.
According to the publication, national incentive programs supported 64 projects, generating more than SR1.08 billion ($288 million) in local expenditure.
Infrastructure developments, including JAX Studios and NEOM Media Village, are highlighted as pivotal to expanding production capacity, while university programs, workshops and specialized training labs have contributed to the qualification and development of Saudi talent, the report added.
In 2024, more than 17.5 million cinema tickets were sold across the Kingdom, with cinema infrastructure expanding to 64 locations and 630 screens.
The number of production companies reached 65, and 14 projects received additional support through incentive programs, with total production spending on supported films amounting to just over SR93 million.
Festivals and events also saw strong engagement, with more than 75,600 participants attending the Red Sea International Film Festival, the Saudi Film Festival, and the Gulf Cinema Festival.
The 2024 Saudi Film Confex drew about 70,000 visitors, resulting in 24 agreements valued at SR226 million. Saudi films continued to gain international recognition, winning 50 awards at festivals worldwide.
The report is intended as a trusted reference for industry stakeholders, professionals and the public, reflecting the Saudi Film Commission’s efforts to consolidate ֱ’s role as a leader in the global film sector, SPA added.
The full report is available .
RIYADH: The newly appointed EU director-general for MENA Gulf hailed ֱ as a key partner for regional stability during his recent visit to the country, exploring more areas of collaboration across diverse sectors.
“The main objective (of the visit) is to strengthen the relationship between the EU and ֱ,” Stefano Sannino said.
“ֱ is a key partner for the EU and is a key partner for the stability of the region and beyond; it’s a key partner from an economic point of view and is a main energy actor,” he added. “We are very much interested to go beyond energy and are looking at a lot of potential of Vision 2030 and diversification of the economy.”
Sannino’s position was created by the EU just seven months ago to strengthen ties with the region.
The director-general, who visited the Kingdom more than a decade ago, witnessed the social and infrastructural transformation driven by Vision 2030.
He held meetings with major institutions, engaged with representatives from the cultural and investment communities, and a diverse group of leading Saudi women across sectors.
“I wanted to have a firsthand perception of what ֱ is looking for in the future and how we can work together,” he said.
“What I imagine in the future is a strong partnership between ֱ and the European Union based on a common vision of how we want to support the development of our societies to become inclusive and open to the world, and be able to provide stability and prosperity of our people.”
Asked about potential areas for wider collaboration between the EU and ֱ, Sannino specifically cited technology, the digital sector, energy (with a focus on renewables), and people-to-people exchanges.
“We believe that there is a huge potential in increasing our cooperation when it comes to higher education (and) vocational training,” he said.
“I very much like the idea of bringing together the cultural sectors of our societies to create common projects that are linking our people and the youth of our countries.”
RIYADH: ֱ placed its design ambitions firmly on the global stage this week as the inaugural Cultural Investment Conference wrapped up its second day in Riyadh.
The two-day event, which was held on Monday and Tuesday, showcased opportunities across the cultural economy and unveiled a landmark partnership between the Ministry of Culture’s Architecture and Design Commission, and Salone del Mobile.
The collaboration will bring the world’s most influential design and furniture fair to Riyadh for the first time.
Since its launch in 1961, Salone del Mobile has become a global benchmark, presenting exceptional furniture and product design while also functioning as a hub for business, networking, and innovating.
The fair attracts nearly 2,000 exhibitors and more than 300,000 visitors annually, and its entry into the Saudi market signals a new chapter for the Kingdom’s growing design industry.
For Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman, the CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission, the timing could not be better.
She told Arab News: “The Cultural Investment Conference for the Architecture and Design Commission specifically is an extremely important venue for building relationships and making sure that we’re able to align specific problems and challenges with a lot of different solutions, and also a funding mechanism.”
She described the conference as both a platform to showcase progress and a springboard for the future, adding: “What we’ve seen over the course of two days has been fantastic in terms of some of the projects that already happened. But also for us, it’s an opportunity to launch a really important project for us, which is bringing Salone del Mobile to Riyadh and it’s a key moment for us.”
Al-Solaiman emphasized the broader impact for the Kingdom’s design industry, saying: “We always look at how to make sure that from an ecosystem point of view we’re able to connect the dots. It’s not just about the existence of talent, we also need to connect it with industry, but we also need to open up different platforms where people can come to share ideas and actually get inspired.”
That perspective resonates with Maria Porro, president of Salone del Mobile Milano, who draws parallels between the fair’s history and ֱ’s transformation.
She said: “Milan was founded … by a group of courageous entrepreneurs that started from the idea that competing and gathering together was a way to be stronger. Design at the end is industrial production that comes from the culture of the project.”
Porro underscored the importance of a holistic approach, and added: “It’s an ecosystem that brings together producers, schools, designers, architects, but also the business part.
“This ecosystem needs to be nourished with long-term investment.”
She noted that momentum has already been building, and said: “In November we will start our collaboration with the Ministry of Culture’s Architecture and Design Commission, creating an incredible event here in Riyadh with more than 30 Italian furniture established brands in dialogue with the local design community.”
The partnership reflects a shared belief that culture and design are not just creative pursuits but economic engines.
As Al-Solaiman put it: “With Salone del Mobile coming to us for the first time … it’s going to be a beautiful annual event that will also sustain a lot of interest throughout the whole year.”
ALKHOBAR: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture has launched an ambitious cultural program to transform a centuries-old Saudi craft into a driver for art, design, and innovation.
Ithra has unveiled the Khoos Initiative, which is designed to preserve the traditional craft of palm weaving.
Anchored in Al-Ahsa, home to the world’s largest date palm oasis and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the initiative blends heritage with innovation, positioning Saudi palm weaving as a platform for global creativity.
Palm weaving, or khoos, has long been associated with daily life in ֱ, and produces baskets, mats, and functional household objects. Ithra’s initiative reframes the tradition for the 21st century.
Ala’a Al-Qahtani, creative programs specialist at Ithra, said: “The Khoos Initiative was launched to reimagine palm weaving through the lens of contemporary craft, moving it beyond functional objects into new expressions in art, design, fashion, and architecture.
“The goal is not only to preserve heritage but to evolve it into a space where tradition meets innovation.”
Artisans collaborate through the program with designers, architects, and creatives from around the world. Their work explores new forms, pushing palm weaving into contemporary art, fashion, and architecture while retaining its cultural roots.
Al-Ahsa’s significance is central. In addition to being the Kingdom’s palm heartland, it is also a cultural anchor for identity and craftsmanship.
Al-Qahtani told Arab News: “Al-Ahsa is the heart of palm weaving in the Kingdom. By anchoring the initiative here, we support local craftspeople while also positioning Al-Ahsa as a hub of cultural dialogue.”
The initiative highlights palm weaving not only as a Saudi tradition but as part of a global heritage shared across regions with palm ecosystems. This cross-cultural resonance, Al-Qahtani noted, makes the craft “a cultural bridge, strengthening both local identity and global understanding.”
While innovation is key, protecting authenticity was a challenge at the start.
“The main challenge was maintaining the authenticity of palm weaving while bridging it to contemporary practices,” Al-Qahtani said. “We addressed this by engaging traditional artisans alongside contemporary designers, in signature commissions, and through our residency program encouraging dialogue between the two. This ensured that while the roots of the craft remain intact, it can evolve and adapt to new contexts, making it relevant in today’s cultural and creative landscape.”
This approach has produced dynamic exchanges: Artisans safeguard knowledge passed down for generations, while young designers and international creatives introduce fresh perspectives.
The Khoos Initiative also speaks directly to ֱ’s Vision 2030’s goals of expanding the creative economy and strengthening cultural diplomacy.
“The Khoos Initiative is a direct reflection of Vision 2030’s cultural objectives. It protects a unique aspect of Saudi heritage while also transforming it into a driver for creativity, education, and new economic opportunities,” said Al-Qahtani.
“By linking palm weaving to contemporary art, design, and global collaborations, the initiative not only preserves tradition but also contributes to ֱ’s cultural diplomacy and creative economy.”
Palm weaving has traditionally been carried forward by women in local communities, and their expertise remains crucial. But the future lies in dialogue between generations.
Al-Qahtani said: “Women and young creatives are at the core of the Khoos Initiative. Women have traditionally carried the knowledge of palm weaving, and their expertise is essential for keeping the craft authentic. At the same time, young people bring new perspectives and creative energy that help reimagine the craft for contemporary contexts such as fashion, architecture, and design.”
This exchange ensures that palm weaving continues as a vibrant cultural practice, rooted in heritage but alive in new creative spaces.
Running until March 2026, the initiative includes “The Palm Tree Exhibition” at Ithra. The program also extends beyond Saudi borders as Ithra is presenting at UNESCO’s MONDIACULT 2025 in Barcelona and at the ICOM General Conference in Dubai.
With artisans and designers helping to showcase the craft internationally, Ithra positions Saudi palm weaving as both cultural memory and global innovation.
For Al-Qahtani, that is the real success: a craft that once lived quietly in oases now commands a place in the world’s creative conversation.
