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Jeddah Central Project to Boost GDP Growth, Expand Quality Activities

An economic leap is expected when implementing the Jeddah Central Project, which was launched by the Saudi Crown Prince on Friday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
An economic leap is expected when implementing the Jeddah Central Project, which was launched by the Saudi Crown Prince on Friday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Jeddah Central Project to Boost GDP Growth, Expand Quality Activities

An economic leap is expected when implementing the Jeddah Central Project, which was launched by the Saudi Crown Prince on Friday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
An economic leap is expected when implementing the Jeddah Central Project, which was launched by the Saudi Crown Prince on Friday (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Jeddah Central Project, launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday, confirmed that Saudi cities are heading towards rapid and qualitative economic transitions, with the government implementing a number of vital projects that support all promising sectors.

According to specialists, the new giant project will raise the economic value of the western Saudi city, Jeddah, which is home to one of the most significant and largest sea and air ports on the Red Sea.

Spanning over more than 5.7 million square meters, the project will also push the growth of domestic product, expand quality activities, and generate jobs.

Turki Fadaq, a financial analyst, confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the launch of such projects has multiple positive repercussions on the Saudi economy in general.

He noted that the financing of the project will be done by the Public Investment Fund and investors from inside and outside the Kingdom. This means that the government will not bear the brunt of spending on the project.

Fadaq added that the project will lead to the provision of economic and social activities and events that will reflect on the growth of the domestic product for various sectors.

Also, it will support the generation of economies for culture, tourism, sports, and other sectors. This will help improve and develop the urban appearance of Jeddah.

The Jeddah Central Project is expected to achieve an estimated added value of SR47 billion for the Kingdom’s economy by 2030.

It will include four notable landmarks — an opera house, a museum, a sports stadium and an oceanarium — and contribute to opening the way for the local private sector to participate in the development, which will help shape the operation of promising economic sectors including tourism, entertainment, culture and sports.

In addition, the city will benefit from the building and development of modern residential areas, encompassing 17,000 residential units and diversified hotel projects that offer more than 2,700 hotel rooms, and the provision of integrated solutions for the business sector.

The project will feature a world-class marina and stunning beach resorts, as well as restaurants and cafes, and diverse shopping options.

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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)

Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that the organization will take an active role at COP16, the UN conference on combating desertification, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in early December.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he expressed confidence that the conference—the first of its kind in the Middle East—would produce significant outcomes.

Elwaer’s comments came during a roundtable organized by FAO’s regional office in Cairo, attended by a select group of media representatives. The session focused on FAO’s participation in the upcoming conference and the importance of the Rio Trio —the integrated framework of the three major UN conventions addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and desertification.

Fida Haddad, FAO’s Program Officer for Land Rehabilitation and Climate Change, highlighted the interconnectedness of the three conventions and noted that COP16 would place a strong emphasis on land and water rehabilitation and their sustainable management.

Haddad pointed out that approximately 90% of the Middle East is affected by arid conditions. Despite this, local communities and Arab governments have made notable progress in addressing desertification and drought. She also announced that, for the first time, FAO has successfully placed food systems on the COP16 agenda, enabling discussions on how land rehabilitation can enhance food supply chains and systems.

Elwaer underscored FAO’s central role in achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): eradicating hunger. He emphasized that FAO actively engages in the UN conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, which collectively contribute to this mission.

FAO’s focus, according to Elwaer, is on transforming food and agricultural systems to become more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable, aiming for better production, nutrition, and livelihoods. He highlighted the organization’s success in integrating these priorities into the agendas of the three conventions and collaborating with host countries on joint initiatives.

He further noted that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 is particularly significant for the region, which faces pressing challenges such as water scarcity, desertification, and food insecurity. The conference presents an opportunity for Middle Eastern nations to highlight these issues, explore solutions, and ensure their inclusion in global environmental discussions, not only at this event but in future COP sessions, he underlined.

Elwaer emphasized the growing global attention on desertification, as it is now impacting regions previously unaffected, such as southern Europe and parts of Latin America. These areas are witnessing alarming declines in arable land and forests, prompting them to seek lessons from the Arab world, which has developed resilience strategies to combat desertification over centuries.

FAO will have a strong presence at COP16, with two dedicated pavilions—one in the Blue Zone for official delegations and another in the Green Zone to engage civil society and conference participants, he said.

He added that in collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the UN, FAO will lead coordination on Food Day and Governance Day, scheduled for December 5 and 6, respectively. The organization will also participate in other specialized sessions throughout the conference.