海角直播

Partnerships for lasting environmental protection

Partnerships for lasting environmental protection

Partnerships for lasting environmental protection
海角直播鈥檚 environmental transformation is still unfolding, but the trajectory is clear. (Saudi Green Initiative photo)
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Environmental challenges know no borders. From rising temperatures to biodiversity loss, these issues demand collective action. In 海角直播, we are responding to this global call through a model grounded in partnership, collaborating with international organizations, scientific institutions and private innovators to deliver lasting environmental protection.

Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom has embarked on a transformative journey to decarbonize its economy and restore its ecosystems. But what is especially powerful is how this journey is being shaped not only by local resolve but by global cooperation. Across ministries, research centers and giga-projects, 海角直播 is partnering with the world to deliver outcomes that serve both people and planet.

At the heart of 海角直播鈥檚 environmental agenda is the Saudi Green Initiative 鈥 a program aiming to plant 10 billion trees, rehabilitate 40 million hectares of degraded land, and reduce carbon emissions by more than 278 million tonnes per year. SGI has aligned with global partners such as the UN Environment Programme, UNFCCC and the World Economic Forum鈥檚 1t.org platform, helping to situate the Kingdom鈥檚 afforestation and restoration efforts within a broader planetary framework.

Agricultural resilience is also receiving international support. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture works closely with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN on sustainable aquaculture and dryland farming. Through its participation in the Global Soil Partnership, 海角直播 is contributing to global knowledge on soil health in arid regions 鈥 a vital issue for food security in a warming world.

Progress would be impossible without science. The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has emerged as a world-class partner in marine science, working with multiple entities to inform data-driven conservation. Their work with the Kingdom鈥檚 smart city, NEOM, for example, includes coral reef restoration and coastal habitat mapping powered by advanced robotics and AI.

On the wildlife front, the National Center for Wildlife is collaborating with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and CITES to safeguard native species. From Arabian oryx reintroductions to hawksbill turtle protection, these programs are helping to rebuild the Kingdom鈥檚 ecological heritage.

Similarly, the National Center for Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification has been instrumental in driving desert restoration. Through its leadership role in the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and as the host of COP16, 海角直播 is demonstrating how arid nations can lead in the global fight against land degradation. Its mangrove and seagrass restoration pilots are already informing policy across the region.

In my role as group chief environment and sustainability officer at Red Sea Global, I鈥檝e witnessed firsthand the transformative power of collaboration. Our flagship regenerative tourism destinations 鈥 The Red Sea and AMAALA 鈥 are not only redefining travel but also setting new standards for environmental stewardship.

Sustainability is embedded in every stage of our projects, from development to daily operations. Whether it is through the use of renewable energy, innovative waste management systems or biodiversity conservation, our goal is to reduce our environmental footprint and ensure the long-term health of the region.

Our commitment is demonstrated through continuous environmental monitoring, strong partnerships and bold sustainability targets.

From government ministries to giga-projects, we are inviting the world to join us 鈥 not just as observers, but as co-creators of a greener future.

Raed Albasseet

We worked with KAUST to conduct the largest marine spatial planning simulation ever undertaken in 海角直播, allowing us to design with precision and avoid ecological harm.

We are also among the first developers in the world to have all operational resorts LEED-certified, working closely with the US Green Building Council to achieve the highest sustainability standards. Today, we hold the most LEED Platinum鈥揷ertified hospitality assets of any single developer globally.

Beyond our project sites, our environmental team contributes to the global knowledge base through peer-reviewed research and international conferences, including the International Association for Impact Assessment, where we have shared scientific insights on regenerative development and large-scale conservation planning.

Through our partnership with The Ocean Race, we are advancing ocean literacy among Saudi youth, while positioning AMAALA as host of the Race鈥檚 2027 Grand Finale.

On the infrastructure side, our multi-utilities agreement with EDF Group and Masdar enables AMAALA to be powered entirely by the sun, eliminating 350,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent each year. And through our collaboration with the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program, we are embedding sustainable fishing practices into the heart of our destination鈥檚 food systems 鈥 protecting biodiversity while supporting local livelihoods.

These efforts form only a fraction of 海角直播鈥檚 broader journey. But they reflect a truth I believe in deeply: When knowledge, resources and values are shared across borders, we can do more than sustain the environment 鈥 we can regenerate it.

海角直播鈥檚 environmental transformation is still unfolding, but the trajectory is clear. It is a story of shared responsibility. From government ministries to giga-projects, we are inviting the world to join us 鈥 not just as observers, but as co-creators of a greener future.

If collaboration is the climate solution, 海角直播 is becoming one of its strongest conveners. And as the world looks to scale up its environmental impact, the Kingdom stands ready to collaborate, contribute and lead where it matters most.

* Raed Albasseet is head of environment and sustainability at The Red Sea Development Company.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view

Thousands gather in Dhaka as Bangladesh marks a year after Hasina鈥檚 ouster

Thousands gather in Dhaka as Bangladesh marks a year after Hasina鈥檚 ouster
Updated 9 min 58 sec ago

Thousands gather in Dhaka as Bangladesh marks a year after Hasina鈥檚 ouster

Thousands gather in Dhaka as Bangladesh marks a year after Hasina鈥檚 ouster
  • People can 鈥榮peak freely鈥 since Hasina was removed from power, analysts say
  • Interim government plans to hold elections between February and April 2026

DHAKA: Thousands of Bangladeshis gathered in the capital of Dhaka on Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of the student-led uprising that ousted long-serving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

Hasina was removed from power on Aug. 5, 2024, when demonstrators defied a nationwide curfew and stormed her official residence, forcing her to flee to neighboring India, where she remained in exile. 

Her ouster came following weeks of protests that began in early July 2024. What started as peaceful demonstrations over a controversial quota system for government jobs morphed into a wider anti-government movement which was met with a violent crackdown against protesters by security forces that killed over 1,000 people, mostly students. 

The end of her 15 years in uninterrupted power brought the formation of an interim government led by Nobel Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who promised to restore stability and hold new elections after necessary reforms. 

鈥淭ogether, we will build a Bangladesh where tyranny will never rise again,鈥 Yunus said in a message to the nation on Tuesday, as crowds in the capital waved flags and used colored smoke to celebrate. 

A year on, Hasina now faces trial for crimes against humanity in absentia, while the prospect for a better and reformed Bangladesh remains a challenge. 

鈥淭here is already a high hope among the citizens of this country that the interim government could do much. But we have to consider the time frame. At the same time, we have to consider the reality on the ground,鈥 Dr. ASM Amanullah, political analyst and Vice-Chancellor of the National University, told Arab News. 

Though progress on institutional reforms promised by the interim government has been slow and fragmented, the country has been recording signs of economic recovery after the burden left by the previous Awami League party-led government, which accumulated over $44 billion in foreign debt and oversaw widespread corruption plaguing the banking, infrastructure, energy and power sectors. 

鈥淧eople鈥檚 hopes are valid 鈥 (But) the way the government handled the issue with 180 million people in the country is remarkable,鈥 Amanullah said. 
The interim government 鈥渟hould move to hold a free and fair election early next year, as early as possible,鈥 he added. 

Despite calls for early polls, the Yunus administration has delayed elections, which may now take place between February and April 2026. 

While uncertainty about the future of democracy still looms large in Bangladesh, the country has witnessed in this past year a greater freedom of expression among the public, which was largely absent under Hasina鈥檚 rule of extensive dissent suppression, electoral manipulation and restricted press freedom. 

鈥淭he people of Bangladesh can speak freely, can run freely, they can move freely without fear. There is no fear of extrajudicial killing. There is no fear of abduction,鈥 Amanullah said. 

In a report published on July 30, New York-based Human Rights Watch said 鈥渟ome of the fear and repression鈥 and 鈥渁buses such as widespread enforced disappearances鈥 that marked Hasina鈥檚 rule 鈥渁ppear to have ended.鈥 

For Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Bengali-language daily Amar Desh, this was Bangladesh鈥檚 鈥渂iggest鈥 achievement. 

鈥淲e can speak freely, The people can vent their anger. They can criticize the government without any fear of government persecution. And the media is free; media also can criticize the government,鈥 he told Arab News. 

But priority must be placed on holding elections that 鈥渨ill be accepted by the people of Bangladesh鈥 and the international community. 

鈥淲e should return to the democratic system 鈥 without any further delay,鈥 Rahman said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 better to let a political government take over and we鈥檒l see where the country goes from there.鈥

Despite the myriad of unresolved issues, Bangladeshis believe that unity will be central to the future of their country. 

鈥淢ost important for the people of the country is to unite against fascism,鈥 Rahman said. 鈥淭hey should uphold the spirit of the July Revolution and they should unite in a way that never again another fascist regime should come to power in any form.鈥 

Amanullah from Bangladesh鈥檚 National University echoed the sentiment. 

鈥淎t this moment, the most important thing for Bangladesh is to be united,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his should be the most priority concern for the country. If they remain united, Bangladesh will see a light at the end of the tunnel.鈥 


Egypt鈥檚 El-Sisi says Israel鈥檚 war in Gaza a 鈥榮ystematic genocide鈥

Egypt鈥檚 El-Sisi says Israel鈥檚 war in Gaza a 鈥榮ystematic genocide鈥
Updated 4 min 21 sec ago

Egypt鈥檚 El-Sisi says Israel鈥檚 war in Gaza a 鈥榮ystematic genocide鈥

Egypt鈥檚 El-Sisi says Israel鈥檚 war in Gaza a 鈥榮ystematic genocide鈥
  • Abdel Fattah El-Sisi: 鈥楾here is systematic genocide to eradicate the Palestinian cause鈥
  • El-Sisi reiterated that the Rafah border crossing with Gaza was 鈥榥ever closed鈥

CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said Tuesday Israel was pursuing 鈥渁 war of starvation and genocide鈥 in Gaza, and denied accusations Cairo prevented life-saving aid from entering the Palestinian territory.
鈥淭he war in Gaza is no longer merely a war to achieve political goals or release hostages,鈥 El-Sisi told a press conference in Cairo along with his Vietnamese counterpart.
Israel launched its offensive in response to Hamas鈥檚 October 7, 2023 attack, vowing to crush the Palestinian militant group and to free hostages.
To El-Sisi, 鈥渢his war has long since surpassed any logic or justification, and has become a war of starvation and genocide.鈥
鈥淭here is systematic genocide to eradicate the Palestinian cause,鈥 he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday Israel must 鈥渃omplete鈥 the defeat of Hamas to free hostages held in Gaza, a day after Israeli media reported the army could occupy the entire territory.
Israel has heavily restricted aid into Gaza which is slipping into a catastrophic famine 22 months into the war.
It has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
Following mounting international pressure on Israel, in late May aid has only began trickling into Gaza, which borders Israel and Egypt.
In response to what El-Sisi said were 鈥渂ankrupt鈥 accusations of Egypt鈥檚 complicity in the siege, the president reiterated that the Rafah border crossing with Gaza was 鈥渘ever closed.鈥
The crossing at Rafah was a vital entry point of aid in the early months of the war, until Israeli troops took over its Palestinian side in May 2024, forcing it shut.
鈥淭he crossing was able to bring in aid as long as there were no Israeli troops stationed on the Palestinian side of the crossing,鈥 El-Sisi said, adding that there are 5,000 trucks loaded with aid waiting to enter Gaza.
He also defended what he said was Egypt鈥檚 consistently 鈥減ositive鈥 role seeking an end to the conflict.
Since the war began, Cairo has undertaken a delicate balancing act, retaining its position as a mediator between Israel and Hamas 鈥 along with the United States and Qatar 鈥 while repeatedly criticizing Israel鈥檚 assault.
Cairo has also repeatedly refused US plans to displace Palestinians into Egypt, lobbying for a reconstruction plan for the territory that has fallen by the wayside as truce talks repeatedly folded.
鈥淓gypt will always remain a gateway for aid, not a gateway for the displacement of the Palestinian people,鈥 El-Sisi said on Tuesday.
鈥淲e are prepared to allow aid in at any time, but we are not prepared to receive or displace Palestinians from their land.鈥
Last week, El-Sisi urged US President Donald Trump 鈥 who had touted the plan to displace Palestinians into Egypt 鈥 to intervene, saying he 鈥渋s the one capable of ending the war, bringing in aid and ending this suffering.鈥


German club drops Israeli striker over Gaza-linked social media posts

German club drops Israeli striker over Gaza-linked social media posts
Updated 33 min 26 sec ago

German club drops Israeli striker over Gaza-linked social media posts

German club drops Israeli striker over Gaza-linked social media posts
  • Fortuna Dusseldorf 鈥榙ecides not鈥 to sign Shon Weissman from Granada
  • Player alleged to have made 鈥榙isrespectful and discriminatory鈥 comments online

LONDON: German football club Fortuna Dusseldorf has canceled the signing of Israeli striker Shon Weissman following a backlash over his alleged links to controversial social media posts about the war in Gaza.

The club confirmed the decision on Tuesday. In a brief statement on X it said: 鈥淲e looked into Shon Weissman intensively, but ultimately decided not to sign him.鈥

While the club did not elaborate, German newspaper Bild reported that the decision followed an outcry by fans over Weissman鈥檚 online comments, some of which were described as 鈥渄isrespectful and discriminatory.鈥

The player had already arrived in Dusseldorf and completed his medical checks.

News of Weissman鈥檚 planned move from Spanish side Granada sparked online protests on Monday. Critics said his posts were at odds with Fortuna鈥檚 values and 鈥渢he principles the club stands for and promotes.鈥

The club initially responded to the criticism by defending the player.

A post on Fortuna鈥檚 account published late on Monday said: 鈥淲hat鈥檚 going on here? I keep getting messages. Judging people you don鈥檛 know based on their Wikipedia page? That doesn鈥檛 reflect our values.鈥

But the post was soon obscured and the club 鈥 reportedly aware of the earlier posts 鈥 called off the 鈧500,000 ($580,000) deal.

Weissman, who has 33 caps for Israel, has been involved in several online controversies in recent years and was unpopular among some Granada supporters.

Following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, he allegedly wrote or endorsed multiple inflammatory statements, including calls to 鈥渨ipe Gaza off the map鈥 and to 鈥渄rop 200 tons of bombs on it,鈥 according to Bild.

He also reportedly liked a post that said 鈥渢here are no innocents (in Gaza), they don鈥檛 need to be warned.鈥

In 2023, a prosecutor in Granada received a hate speech complaint related to Weissman鈥檚 online activity. The player鈥檚 agent later claimed the posts were made by a social media manager with access to his accounts and were subsequently deleted.

This is not the first time the Gaza war has had repercussions in German football.

Dutch international Anwar El Ghazi was sacked by Bundesliga side Mainz over comments he made online about the conflict. He later won a wrongful dismissal case against the club, which is currently under appeal.

Former Bayern Munich defender and current Manchester United player Noussair Mazraoui also faced a backlash for social media posts expressing solidarity with Palestinians, including one calling for 鈥渧ictory鈥 for 鈥渙ur oppressed brothers in Palestine.鈥 He later issued a public apology.


Iran names moderate Larijani to head top security body

Iran names moderate Larijani to head top security body
Updated 37 min 8 sec ago

Iran names moderate Larijani to head top security body

Iran names moderate Larijani to head top security body
  • Ali Larijani was appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in a decree by President Masoud Pezeshkian, IRNA reported
  • The security council is responsible for laying out Iran鈥檚 defense and security strategy, but its decisions must be approved by the country鈥檚 supreme leader

TEHRAN: Iran has appointed veteran politician Ali Larijani, considered a moderate on foreign policy, to lead the Islamic republic鈥檚 top security body, state media said Tuesday.
鈥淎li Larijani was appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in a decree by President Masoud Pezeshkian,鈥 official news agency IRNA reported.
Larijani, 68, who is seen as a moderate conservative in Iran, replaces Ali Akbar Ahmadian, a Revolutionary Guards general who was named to the position in May 2023.
His appointment comes after a 12-day war in June, launched by Israel and later joined by the United States, during which key Iranian nuclear and military sites were hit.
The security council is responsible for laying out Iran鈥檚 defense and security strategy, but its decisions must be approved by the country鈥檚 supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The secretary, as the most senior member of the council, oversees the implementation of its decisions.
A former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Larijani has held several senior government positions over three decades.
Khamenei made him one of his advisers in May 2020.
The following year, Larijani鈥檚 presidential run was blocked by a government vetting body despite him being considered a leading candidate.
Starting in 2005, Larijani had led Iran鈥檚 nuclear policy but resigned after two years of negotiations with Western powers, citing 鈥渟erious differences鈥 with the president at the time, ultra-conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
As parliament speaker from 2008 to 2020, Larijani put his weight behind the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers.
The son of a grand ayatollah, Larijani comes from an influential Shiite Muslim family with ties to the government, and holds a doctorate in philosophy.
Tehran and Washington had been engaged in negotiations aimed at reaching a new nuclear deal earlier this year, but the talks were derailed by the Israel-Iran war.
Israel said its offensive was aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, an ambition Tehran has consistently denied pursuing.


Israeli forces raid Palestinian family鈥檚 home in north Jerusalem, accompanied by bulldozers

Israeli forces raid Palestinian family鈥檚 home in north Jerusalem, accompanied by bulldozers
Updated 50 min 7 sec ago

Israeli forces raid Palestinian family鈥檚 home in north Jerusalem, accompanied by bulldozers

Israeli forces raid Palestinian family鈥檚 home in north Jerusalem, accompanied by bulldozers
  • The building targeted in the town of Hizma belongs to family of detainee Ahmed Fayez Subaih Al-Khatib and is designated for demolition
  • Forces arrive hours before family wedding and give occupants an hour to evacuate; use tear gas, causing breathing problems for dozens of women and children

LONDON: Israeli forces on Tuesday raided the home of a Palestinian family in the Bayader area of Hizma, a town north of occupied East Jerusalem.

Tear gas was used against residents, resulting in dozens of cases of difficulty breathing among women and children, the Wafa News agency reported.

The three-story building that was targeted belongs to the family of detainee Ahmed Fayez Subaih Al-Khatib and is designated for demolition. The Israeli forces arrived, accompanied by bulldozers, just hours before son Fayez Sbeih was due to get married, and gave the family an hour to evacuate, Wafa said.

According to local media reports the demolition did not take place, however, as the Subaih family鈥檚 lawyer filed a legal appeal, and the Israeli forces withdrew about five hours after they arrived.

Residents of Hizma have faced repeated attacks by Israeli forces targeting Palestinian areas near Jerusalem, Wafa reported. The town is close to an Israeli military checkpoint and the illegal settlement of Pisgat Zeev. It is next to two main roads leading to Jericho in the south and Ramallah in the north.