Fahd Al-Turki: G20 Summit Raises Global Ranking of Saudi Research Centers

Vice President of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC)Fahd Al-Turki, Asharq Al-Awsat
Vice President of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC)Fahd Al-Turki, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Fahd Al-Turki: G20 Summit Raises Global Ranking of Saudi Research Centers

Vice President of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC)Fahd Al-Turki, Asharq Al-Awsat
Vice President of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC)Fahd Al-Turki, Asharq Al-Awsat

Fahd Al-Turki, Vice President of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), said that the G20 Riyadh summit 2020 will highlight Saudi Arabia globally, expand partnership networks, and enhance intellectual leadership, along with upgrading the global ranking of Saudi research centers.

A think tank conference bringing together a research and policy advice network for the G20 Saudi Presidency, dubbed Think20 (T20), will be held in Riyadh on Sunday and will discuss about 122 research tracks that represent the priorities of most think tanks and studies conducted.

Speaking to Asharq-Awsat, Turki said recommendations reached at the conference will be submitted to the leaders of the twenty countries next October, a few days before the G20 summit is held in Riyadh.

He also stated that KAPSARC and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies were chosen to participate in the leadership of the T20, which is one of the communication groups in the G20 formed with the aim of providing information, research papers and supporting the outcomes of the summit to be held in Saudi Arabia this year.

The T20 group, according to Turki, aims to shape and influence the global dialogue through evidence-based research, to include national interests in the global agenda by holding dialogues and discussion sessions between different thought and opinion institutions, and to provide a platform for energy research centers and Saudi thought institutions to share their views and research.

Turki pointed out that Saudi Arabia seeks to achieve a future of economic prosperity, sustainability and inclusion, and therefore focused its goals on climate change and the environment by looking to set up a circular economy with low carbon emissions.

He also said that Saudi Arabia is focused on the empowerment of women and youth for a more inclusive society that observes pluralism, economic development and financial sustainability.



Saudi-British Air Connectivity Expands with New Virgin Airlines Route

The agreement was signed in the presence of Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb. (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
The agreement was signed in the presence of Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb. (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
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Saudi-British Air Connectivity Expands with New Virgin Airlines Route

The agreement was signed in the presence of Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb. (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
The agreement was signed in the presence of Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb. (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)

Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom are set to launch a direct route connecting Riyadh and London, following the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Air Connectivity Program and Virgin Atlantic.

The agreement, which was signed on Monday in Riyadh in the presence of Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, aims to enhance air connectivity between the two kingdoms, facilitating access to various cities in Saudi Arabia. The route will operate daily between London Heathrow Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh starting in March 2025, using Airbus A330 aircraft.

Virgin Atlantic’s entry into the Saudi market marks the tenth airline to collaborate with the Air Connectivity Program since the beginning of 2024.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Majed Khan, the CEO of the Air Connectivity Program said that the agreement will help bring visitors to and from Riyadh and other areas of Saudi Arabia, such as Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah as major cities, and then to the Red Sea, Jazan, and Al-Baha, supporting the national tourism strategy.

He further explained that Virgin Atlantic’s direct flights between London and Riyadh will support the growth of inbound international tourism from the UK and North America’s airline network.

As a member of the SkyTeam alliance, Virgin Atlantic will enhance air connectivity alongside Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia Airlines, between Riyadh, London, and other destinations within the network.

Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom is experiencing rapid growth driven by Vision 2030, noting that he looks forward to introducing UK customers to Saudi Arabia’s rich culture, heritage, and commercial hub.

Weiss noted that the new services will offer great opportunities for connecting friends, relatives, and businesses, not only within the UK but also in the US, thanks to the partnership with Delta Airlines.

He continued that the agreement will boost the codeshare with its SkyTeam partner, Saudia, further expanding connectivity across the region and beyond while offering new benefits to frequent customers.

Weiss also highlighted the positive impact this step will have in attracting more tourists to Saudi Arabia, which is developing its tourism industry.

Virgin Atlantic, which has a fleet of 45 wide-body aircraft, announced last month the purchase of seven additional Airbus aircraft.

The Air Connectivity Program aims to boost tourism growth in the Kingdom by enhancing connections between Saudi Arabia and the world, through the development of current and potential air routes.