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Saudi Arabia to Disclose Size of Recreational, Tourism Projects

Saudi Arabia is achieving rapid growth in entertainment activities, with the aim to stimulate investments in the sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia is achieving rapid growth in entertainment activities, with the aim to stimulate investments in the sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia to Disclose Size of Recreational, Tourism Projects

Saudi Arabia is achieving rapid growth in entertainment activities, with the aim to stimulate investments in the sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia is achieving rapid growth in entertainment activities, with the aim to stimulate investments in the sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A Saudi official revealed a plan to expand the tourism sector and attract domestic and foreign investment, noting that the Ministry of Investment will soon announce the size and number of new entertainment and tourism projects in the Kingdom for 2023.

Eng. Bahaa A. Abdulmajeed, business development manager for tourism and entertainment at the Ministry of Investment, told Asharq Al-Awsat that work was underway with the concerned authorities on an investment plan to develop the entertainment sector, which would identify the potentials, the incentives and the challenges facing private institutions.

Abdulmajeed pointed to major projects leading the sector, such as in Qiddiya and the Red Sea regions.

He added that the ministry’s plan seeks to compensate for the losses incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our view of the entertainment and tourism sectors is comprehensive. We are working on plans to support the sector and increase local and foreign investments, in order to create new entertainment opportunities,” the official stated.

Meanwhile, SEA EXPO, the Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Exhibition, will be held on May 28-30 in Riyadh. The event brings together professionals from the world of entertainment and attraction under one roof, to effectively address real-industry challenges and devise actionable solutions.

The Kingdom is increasing efforts to expand its entertainment, cultural and leisure market into a multibillion-dollar industry as a part of its social and economic transformation, in line with Vision 2030.

“With plans from Saudi Entertainment Ventures, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, to invest $13.3 billion to develop 21 integrated entertainment destinations in 14 cities, to the Saudi General Entertainment Authority issuing licenses for more than 24 theme parks and 421 entertainment centers, the outlook for Saudi Arabia’s entertainment, leisure and tourism market over the next seven years is overwhelmingly optimistic,” said Sarkis Kahwajian, SEA Expo director.

He added: “Saudi Arabia is unrivaled in its ability to rapidly grow and cultivate its entertainment and leisure industry, and at this year’s expo, we want to demonstrate through our summits and on the show floor how the industry has evolved over the last few years and showcase what it has to offer over the next decade.”

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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.