NEOM’s First Stage Field Survey Completed

Visitors watch a 3D presentation during an exhibition on NEOM, a new business and industrial city, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters file photo
Visitors watch a 3D presentation during an exhibition on NEOM, a new business and industrial city, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters file photo
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NEOM’s First Stage Field Survey Completed

Visitors watch a 3D presentation during an exhibition on NEOM, a new business and industrial city, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters file photo
Visitors watch a 3D presentation during an exhibition on NEOM, a new business and industrial city, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters file photo

The National Program for Community Development (Tanmia) has completed field survey works for real estate located within the first phase of the NEOM project.

The survey in the northwestern region of the Kingdom, which began in mid-February, allowed NEOM to become free from any ownership restrictions or private rights.

This stage precedes the start of real estate appraisal and the payment of fair and remunerative compensation in preparation for receiving real estate from original owners.

Tanmia - a government agency concerned with communicating with beneficiaries at community development operations sites - will follow up the transition phase, to ensure the provision of a number of additional social and economic packages for the landlords.

Last year, NEOM launched the first stage of projects and began in August building the residential area, by awarding construction, financing and operating contracts for housing complexes to two Saudi companies.

NEOM was established as a closed joint stock company in January 2019, and it is fully owned by the Public Investment Fund.

The company announced it would rely on a modern technology that uses solar energy to produce clean, low-cost fresh water in a way that is environmentally friendly and carbon neutral, as a step to enhance the position of the project as a new global destination, and a promising center for innovation and environmental conservation.

In January, the company launched NEOM academy, which aims to develop the national manpower and create thousands of job opportunities for the members of the local community, with the aim of contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

NEOM signed with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, a special memorandum of understanding, which contributes to providing training for about 6,000 Saudi citizens, who will later obtain suitable jobs within the many opportunities that the project will offer.



Saudi Arabia Joins International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy

Officials from the Saudi Energy Ministry after the official announcement of joining the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (Saudi Energy Ministry)
Officials from the Saudi Energy Ministry after the official announcement of joining the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (Saudi Energy Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia Joins International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy

Officials from the Saudi Energy Ministry after the official announcement of joining the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (Saudi Energy Ministry)
Officials from the Saudi Energy Ministry after the official announcement of joining the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (Saudi Energy Ministry)

The Saudi Energy Ministry announced Saturday that the Kingdom has officially joined the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), as part of its ongoing efforts to foster international collaboration in developing this vital sector.
This accession marks a major step for the Kingdom, reinforcing its pioneering role in global sustainability efforts and in innovating advanced solutions for clean energy, the Ministry said in a statement.
It aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a key producer and exporter of clean hydrogen, and to achieve greenhouse gases (GHGs) net-zero through the circular carbon economy approach by 2060, or before depending on technology maturity and availability, the statement added.
Saudi Arabia’s involvement in IPHE underscores its commitment to international cooperation as a cornerstone for attaining a more sustainable energy future.
The move also supports the objectives of the “Saudi Green Initiative” and “Middle East Green Initiative,” which focus on reducing carbon emissions and stimulating global demand for clean hydrogen, according to the statement.
"It also aims to contribute to the development and harmonization of regulations and standards that bolster the clean hydrogen economy,” it added.
IPHE serves as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration among member states to expedite the advancement and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
The partnership is dedicated to exchanging knowledge, supporting relevant research and technologies, and raising awareness about the importance of clean hydrogen in achieving sustainable development.
In this spirit, Saudi Arabia actively participates in numerous international organizations and initiatives linked to the production of clean and low-emission fuels, including the Innovation Mission Initiative, the Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting, the Zero Neutrality Forum for Producers, the Global Methane Initiative, and other related efforts.