G20 Youths Take Virtual Tour and Discover History of AlUla

The Royal Commission for AlUla provide virtual tours for tourists. (SPA)
The Royal Commission for AlUla provide virtual tours for tourists. (SPA)
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G20 Youths Take Virtual Tour and Discover History of AlUla

The Royal Commission for AlUla provide virtual tours for tourists. (SPA)
The Royal Commission for AlUla provide virtual tours for tourists. (SPA)

Delegates from the Youth Twenty Summit (Y20) took part in a virtual tour where they explored the Saudi city of AlUla’s history. The tour included a presentation about the AlUla project’s achievements.

The project was launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for AlUla, and is intended to be a flagship project in terms of sustainable development, focused on the absolute preservation of the environment, respectful of history and inclusive of local populations.

The tour is one of the many engagements that Y20 youths have made throughout the year. The summit has three Focus Areas that support its broader goals: Future Fit, Youth Empowerment and Global Citizens.

Nora Rabeeq, the tour’s organizer and the Kingdom’s Y20 delegate, said that AlUla is a global destination for tourism, culture and heritage and an example of the positive developments in the Kingdom brought about by Vision 2030.

She added: “During the tour, I was keen on introducing the Y20 youth delegates to the framework adopted to transform the vision into reality and to emphasize joint efforts aimed at supporting local and international communities alike.”

Delegates from 19 of the G20 countries and others from observer countries took part in the tour for the Y20, a platform that brings together young leaders from across G20 countries together to discuss and debate the G20 leaders’ agenda.

As president of the G20 this year, Saudi Arabia has chosen the theme: “Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century For All.” The Royal Commission for AlUla works to support and empower youths through various scholarship and training programs, which grant AlUla’s youth the opportunity to specialize in the disciplines most necessary for the province’s development, such as tourism, hospitality, archeology and agriculture.

The Y20 Summit is scheduled to run from October 15 to 17. Young leaders from the G20 countries will come together to discuss the programs and plans that G20 leaders had put forward, and it concludes with the drafting of the Y20 communiqué.



iRead Marathon Records over 6.5 Million Pages Read

Participants agreed that the number of pages read was not merely a numerical milestone - SPA
Participants agreed that the number of pages read was not merely a numerical milestone - SPA
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iRead Marathon Records over 6.5 Million Pages Read

Participants agreed that the number of pages read was not merely a numerical milestone - SPA
Participants agreed that the number of pages read was not merely a numerical milestone - SPA

The fifth edition of the iRead Marathon achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing 6.5 million pages read over three consecutive days, in a cultural setting that reaffirmed reading as a collective practice with impact beyond the moment.

Hosted at the Library of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and held in parallel with 52 libraries across 13 Arab countries, including digital libraries participating for the first time, the marathon reflected the transformation of libraries into open, inclusive spaces that transcend physical boundaries and accommodate diverse readers and formats.

Participants agreed that the number of pages read was not merely a numerical milestone, but a reflection of growing engagement and a deepening belief in reading as a daily, shared activity accessible to all, free from elitism or narrow specialization.

Pages were read in multiple languages and formats, united by a common conviction that reading remains a powerful way to build genuine connections and foster knowledge-based bonds across geographically distant yet intellectually aligned communities, SPA reported.

The marathon also underscored its humanitarian and environmental dimension, as every 100 pages read is linked to the planting of one tree, translating this edition’s outcome into a pledge of more than 65,000 trees. This simple equation connects knowledge with sustainability, turning reading into a tangible, real-world contribution.

The involvement of digital libraries marked a notable development, expanding access, strengthening engagement, and reinforcing the library’s ability to adapt to technological change without compromising its cultural role. Integrating print and digital reading added a contemporary dimension to the marathon while preserving its core spirit of gathering around the book.

With the conclusion of the iRead Marathon, the experience proved to be more than a temporary event, becoming a cultural moment that raised fundamental questions about reading’s role in shaping awareness and the capacity of cultural initiatives to create lasting impact. Three days confirmed that reading, when practiced collectively, can serve as a meeting point and the start of a longer cultural journey.


Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Launches Fifth Beekeeping Season

Jazan’s Annual Honey Festival - File Photo/SPA
Jazan’s Annual Honey Festival - File Photo/SPA
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Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Launches Fifth Beekeeping Season

Jazan’s Annual Honey Festival - File Photo/SPA
Jazan’s Annual Honey Festival - File Photo/SPA

The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority launched the fifth annual beekeeping season for 2026 as part of its programs to empower the local community and regulate beekeeping activities within the reserve.

The launch aligns with the authority's objectives of biodiversity conservation, the promotion of sustainable environmental practices, and the generation of economic returns for beekeepers, SPA reported.

The authority explained that this year’s beekeeping season comprises three main periods associated with spring flowers, acacia, and Sidr, with the start date of each period serving as the official deadline for submitting participation applications.

The authority encouraged all interested beekeepers to review the season details and attend the scheduled virtual meetings to ensure organized participation in accordance with the approved regulations and the specified dates for each season.


Hail Municipality Named Arab Green City For 2024-2025

The achievement establishes Hail as a leading Arab model for sustainable urban development - SPA
The achievement establishes Hail as a leading Arab model for sustainable urban development - SPA
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Hail Municipality Named Arab Green City For 2024-2025

The achievement establishes Hail as a leading Arab model for sustainable urban development - SPA
The achievement establishes Hail as a leading Arab model for sustainable urban development - SPA

The Hail Region Municipality has secured first place in the Arab Green City award for 2024-2025 at the 15th session of the Arab Towns Organization.

This recognition honors the municipality’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the expansion of green spaces, and the implementation of urban practices that elevate the quality of life, SPA reported.

The award follows a series of strategic environmental initiatives, including large-scale afforestation, the modernization of public parks, and the adoption of eco-friendly solutions to enhance the urban landscape and resource efficiency.

By aligning its projects with the sustainability goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the municipality continues to foster a healthy and safe environment for residents and visitors.

This achievement establishes Hail as a leading Arab model for sustainable urban development.