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Mini Lady Liberty Statue Heads to US for July 4 Celebrations

A 2.83-meter original replica of the Statue of Liberty is seen in front of the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris before it departs for Ellis Island in New York, June 2, 2021. (Reuters)
A 2.83-meter original replica of the Statue of Liberty is seen in front of the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris before it departs for Ellis Island in New York, June 2, 2021. (Reuters)
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Mini Lady Liberty Statue Heads to US for July 4 Celebrations

A 2.83-meter original replica of the Statue of Liberty is seen in front of the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris before it departs for Ellis Island in New York, June 2, 2021. (Reuters)
A 2.83-meter original replica of the Statue of Liberty is seen in front of the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris before it departs for Ellis Island in New York, June 2, 2021. (Reuters)

A replica of the Statue of Liberty, smaller but based on the original plaster cast of its big sister on Ellis Island, a gift from France, was given a sendoff Monday ahead of a trip to the United States where it will be displayed for Independence Day.

The nearly 3-meter-high (nearly 10-foot high) bronze will make a nine-day trip across the Atlantic Ocean later this month, sailing out aboard a container ship from the French port of Le Havre to Baltimore. It will then be transported to Ellis Island, arriving in time for July 4 celebrations.

The mini-Lady Liberty is then set to go on display in the gardens of the French Embassy in Washington DC, arriving there in time for France’s Bastille Day celebration July 14. The statue will stay there for the next decade.

The monumental Statue of Liberty in New York's harbor, by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, symbolizes the United States’ welcoming to its shores of immigrants seeking refuge and freedom. A gift to America in 1885, it also serves as a monument to the enduring French-American friendship.

The Statue of Liberty “is a like our Eiffel Tower,” said US Embassy representative Liam Wasley at the send-off ceremony, calling it an icon that symbolizes not just liberty but “the richness of our relationship” with France.

The smaller version heading to the US had been displayed in Paris at the Musée des Arts et Métiers.

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Saudi Arabia Joins Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Wetlands host 40 percent of the world’s species and plant life and store 30 percent of global carbon. (SPA)
Wetlands host 40 percent of the world’s species and plant life and store 30 percent of global carbon. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Joins Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Wetlands host 40 percent of the world’s species and plant life and store 30 percent of global carbon. (SPA)
Wetlands host 40 percent of the world’s species and plant life and store 30 percent of global carbon. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia, represented by the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), has officially joined the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar), underling its commitment to conserving environmental wealth and natural habitats that support rich biodiversity, promote environmental sustainability, and boost the national economy.

Saudi Arabia’s accession underscores its strong support for global efforts to preserve ecosystems in terrestrial and coastal environments, especially as challenges related to water, climate, and biodiversity become increasingly interconnected.

This step reflects the NCW’s broader efforts in leading a comprehensive development plan that supports research, monitoring, and conservation initiatives.

NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban stated: “The conservation of wetlands directly contributes to ecological balance, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development. The Kingdom’s accession to the Ramsar Convention is a strategic step that will reap both environmental and economic benefits.”

The center will implement the convention across Saudi territory in cooperation with relevant stakeholders to protect the Kingdom’s natural assets. It also contributes to national and international conservation efforts by developing and executing plans, policies, and legislation.

The NCW is working to identify suitable sites for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance and to ensure their effective management.

Wetlands are more than natural landscapes; they are vital ecosystems rich in biodiversity and natural resources. They host 40 percent of the world’s species and plant life, store 30 percent of global carbon, and serve as essential sources of water, food, medicine, and energy.

Wetlands also support agricultural production, regulate climate, provide ecotourism opportunities, and serve as critical stopovers for migratory waterbirds traveling between continents.