King Salman Park Foundation Launches Royal Arts Complex Project

The King Salman Park Foundation announced the launch of construction of the Royal Arts Complex. (King Salman Park Foundation)
The King Salman Park Foundation announced the launch of construction of the Royal Arts Complex. (King Salman Park Foundation)
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King Salman Park Foundation Launches Royal Arts Complex Project

The King Salman Park Foundation announced the launch of construction of the Royal Arts Complex. (King Salman Park Foundation)
The King Salman Park Foundation announced the launch of construction of the Royal Arts Complex. (King Salman Park Foundation)

The King Salman Park Foundation, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, announced on Wednesday the launch of construction of the Royal Arts Complex, on an area exceeding 500,000 square meters.

The Royal Arts Complex is one of the most important landmarks of the King Salman Park project, which was launched by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz on March 19, 2019, under the direct supervision of the Crown Prince.

The Royal Arts Complex will comprise the Museum of World Cultures, which is being built in one of the complex’s buildings and reaches up to 110 meters in height. It also boasts the National Theater with a 2,300-seat capacity. The Complex will also comprise the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, which includes three academies: the Academy of Traditional Visual Arts, the Academy of Cultural Heritage and Restoration, and the Academy of Theatrical Arts.

The complex will also boast a sculpture pavilion, two theaters, three cinemas, and a large hall that will house the works of artists and creators. It will hold a library specialized in culture and arts that includes more than 250,000 books.

By embracing the Salmani architectural design, which blends modern and traditional values, the King Salman Park Foundation aspires to embody the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed in establishing the complex as a major beacon of culture and arts in the heart of the capital, Riyadh.

The park aims to support the realization of one of Vision 2030’s main tenets through the creation of a vibrant and healthy society, whose members enjoy a healthy lifestyle in a positive and attractive environment.

The King Salman Park is projected to become Riyadh’s “green lung” and the world’s biggest urban park as it sits in an area of over 16 million square meters. It will provide a vibrant experience for the city’s residents by offering them a variety of environmental, cultural, artistic and recreational options.

The park also aims to boost the global ranking of Riyadh among the “world’s top liveable cities”.

King Salman Park is characterized by its strategic location in Riyadh, and it is linked to several main roads, as well as the Public Transport Project, which includes Riyadh’s train and bus network.

The project boasts a circular pedestrian walkway, stretching 7.2 kilometers, open spaces extending to more than 11 square kilometers, and about 1 million trees covering all areas of the park.



Kuwaiti Emir Begins Official Visit to France to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

The Emir of Kuwait departs the country, heading to Paris on an official visit (KUNA) 
The Emir of Kuwait departs the country, heading to Paris on an official visit (KUNA) 
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Kuwaiti Emir Begins Official Visit to France to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

The Emir of Kuwait departs the country, heading to Paris on an official visit (KUNA) 
The Emir of Kuwait departs the country, heading to Paris on an official visit (KUNA) 

The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, arrived in Paris on Sunday for his first official visit to France since assuming office last December. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes senior Kuwaiti government officials.

The visit comes at a particularly sensitive moment for the region, amid escalating tensions, the ongoing war in Gaza, and the fallout from military strikes between Iran and Israel.

In a statement issued by the Élysée Palace, the French presidency said the visit reflects a shared desire to deepen bilateral cooperation across diplomatic, defense, and economic spheres. The trip also coincides with Kuwait’s current presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

According to the statement, the Emir will meet President Emmanuel Macron for a working lunch on Monday. He will also attend France’s annual Bastille Day military parade on July 14.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya described the visit as a “strategic milestone” to strengthen partnership in light of rapidly evolving regional and global dynamics. He confirmed that the Emir’s agenda includes signing agreements and memorandums of understanding covering infrastructure, education, defense, and culture.

Historical Relations

Diplomatic ties between Kuwait and France date back to 1961, when Paris formally recognized Kuwaiti independence. In 1967, the two countries exchanged ambassadors. Over the decades, the relationship has seen several high-profile visits, including Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al Sabah’s trip to Paris in 1989 and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah’s meeting with President Jacques Chirac in 2006.

Ministerial engagements have also continued, with former Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid attending the Middle East Peace Conference in 2017. More recently, French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited Kuwait in April to sign new bilateral agreements.

Economic and Defense Partnership

France is one of Kuwait’s leading economic partners. French companies account for nearly 50% of European investments in the country and employ over 2,100 people in sectors such as energy, transportation, healthcare, and consumer goods.

On defense, Kuwait and France maintain a military cooperation agreement first signed in August 1992 and renewed in 2009, which provides for mutual assistance if Kuwait faces external aggression. France’s participation in the 1991 coalition to liberate Kuwait cemented its standing as a key military ally.

Last month, Kuwait’s embassy in Paris took part in the “Gulf Vision 2025” conference hosted under Macron’s patronage to forge broader economic partnerships between France and the GCC states.