ICESCO Wins 2021 Global Good Governance Award

ICESCO received the Global Good Governance (3G) Leadership Award for Public Sector and Multilateral Institutions for the year 2021. (ICESCO)
ICESCO received the Global Good Governance (3G) Leadership Award for Public Sector and Multilateral Institutions for the year 2021. (ICESCO)
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ICESCO Wins 2021 Global Good Governance Award

ICESCO received the Global Good Governance (3G) Leadership Award for Public Sector and Multilateral Institutions for the year 2021. (ICESCO)
ICESCO received the Global Good Governance (3G) Leadership Award for Public Sector and Multilateral Institutions for the year 2021. (ICESCO)

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) received the Global Good Governance (3G) Leadership Award for Public Sector and Multilateral Institutions for the year 2021, which is awarded by the Cambridge International Financial Advisory (IFA) in the United Kingdom.

The award was given in recognition of ICESCO initiatives that attach importance to the values of social responsibility and good governance.

The award was announced by ICESCO during the sixth session of the 3G Award held virtually on Tuesday by Cambridge IFA.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of ICESCO, referred to the Organization’s efforts to support quality education, promote culture, preserve heritage and contribute to the development of science and innovation.

AlMalik said that ICESCO is committed to spreading the values of tolerance and coexistence, contributing to building a bright future for humanity by launching initiatives and implementing programs and activities aimed at achieving sustainable development, meeting the needs and priorities of ICESCO member states in Asia, Africa, and the Arab world.

During the ceremony, a video was also shown about the history of ICESCO, its goals and its prominent initiatives and programs in the fields of education, science, culture and communication.

The Cambridge International Financial Advisory, a non-profit organization based in Cambridge, annually presents 3G Awards to promote the values of social responsibility and good governance among individuals and governmental, public and private institutions. It awards organizations and institutions that make these values their strategic priority, and the awards are presented in several categories.

In addition to ICESCO, Indonesia received the Governance and Policy Award, while the United Overseas Bank Ltd (UOB) in Singapore received the Excellence in Corporate Governance Award.



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.