Saudi Arabia to Launch LEAP Conference on Tuesday

A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)
A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)
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Saudi Arabia to Launch LEAP Conference on Tuesday

A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)
A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)

LEAP, the global technology platform, will kick off in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday with the participation of more than 350 speakers from 80 countries and 700 innovators and start-ups from around the world.

Saudi Arabia will host the LEAP conference to address future challenges by consolidating its digital regional and global leadership.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones will organize the event.

The conference is in line with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's drive to seize opportunities in the digital economy and enhance the Kingdom's global leadership as the regional hub for technology, innovation, and digital entrepreneurship.

Many major international companies announced their intention to participate in the LEAP conference to review the latest technologies in several technical fields that contribute to achieving Saudi digital leadership.

VMware will showcase its newest innovations in multi-cloud, application modernization, digital workspace, and security at LEAP.

It will offer solutions that enable organizations to thrive in the face of current challenges by embracing a multi-cloud approach that provides the flexibility to deploy modern applications and empower a secure, distributed workforce while retaining ownership and control over their data.

It will also highlight how it protects clients with a "zero trust" approach to security, end-to-end solutions, and new endpoint management capabilities utilizing a single agent and console, allowing companies to operate more quickly and effectively.

Logitech will demonstrate a range of high-quality video collaboration solutions at its pavilion in LEAP.

It will showcase its technology and how video collaboration solutions can support hybrid working models and transform industries, such as education and healthcare, while increasing customer and employee satisfaction and assisting organizations in fostering workplace diversity.

Meanwhile, a YouGov survey conducted by SAP Software Solutions revealed that nearly 92 percent of Saudi Arabia's government IT decision-makers agree that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the Kingdom's digital transformation over the past year.

In terms of the top priority areas for Saudi government organizations' digital investment in 2022 and beyond, 67 percent said human capital management, 61 percent said enterprise resource planning, 56 percent said core solutions, and 41 percent said customer experience.

Many of the Kingdom's government and public sector organizations are at the forefront of implementing new solutions as emerging technologies grow and mature.

Saudi Arabia will host LEAP between Feb. 1 and 3 to address future challenges such as healthcare technologies to improve the quality of life and increase life expectancy, empowering humans through robots and technologies.

It will review the most prominent technologies in the education sector, the creative economy, and showcase technologies that enhance the well-being of communities.

It will address future energy technologies that will enhance the region's leadership in the oil and gas sectors and the impact of technology on the development of energy sources.

Saudi Arabia will address future challenges by consolidating its digital regional and global leadership.

Held under the theme "One Eye on the Stars," LEAP seeks to discuss the most prominent social and cultural challenges facing the world through modern technologies, which have the potential to reshape the way people live and find appropriate and innovative solutions for them.



Saudi Tourism Ministry Wins Best Integrated Communication System Award at SGCA 2024

The recognition celebrates the ministry's media campaign, which coincided with Saudi Arabia's achievement of welcoming over 100 million domestic and foreign tourists in 2023. (SPA)
The recognition celebrates the ministry's media campaign, which coincided with Saudi Arabia's achievement of welcoming over 100 million domestic and foreign tourists in 2023. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Tourism Ministry Wins Best Integrated Communication System Award at SGCA 2024

The recognition celebrates the ministry's media campaign, which coincided with Saudi Arabia's achievement of welcoming over 100 million domestic and foreign tourists in 2023. (SPA)
The recognition celebrates the ministry's media campaign, which coincided with Saudi Arabia's achievement of welcoming over 100 million domestic and foreign tourists in 2023. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism, represented by the General Administration of Institutional Communication, won the Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA) 2024 for the Best Integrated Communication System at the 13th International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2024).

This recognition celebrates the ministry's media campaign, which coincided with Saudi Arabia's achievement of welcoming over 100 million domestic and foreign tourists in 2023, as certified by the United Nations World Tourism Organization and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The 11th edition of the award had the most significant number of participants since its inception, with over 3,800 Arab and international submissions from 44 countries, an increase of 230% compared to the previous year. A total of 1,129 files were accepted, and 46 nominees were shortlisted for the award.

The media campaign launched by the Ministry of Tourism contributed to boosting international interest in the Kingdom as a global tourist destination. It highlighted its cultural significance, geographical diversity, and natural beauty and confirmed its readiness to receive tourists in record numbers.

The media campaign's strategy relied on various traditional media, digital platforms, and events to showcase the Kingdom as a leading global travel destination with diverse experiences to offer. The campaign's results have positioned the Kingdom as open to the world and a primary destination for tourists and investors.

Director General of Institutional Communication at the Ministry of Tourism Majed Al-Hamdan stated, "This campaign is not just about announcing numbers. It aims to tell stories about our culture and heritage and show that we are ready to welcome the world.”

“With millions of tourists visiting, this award is a testament to our growth and remarkable progress in the tourism sector and our emergence as a key player on the global stage,” he added.

He pointed out that the support of Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb significantly impacted the preparation and implementation of a comprehensive communication campaign that highlighted Saudi capabilities in mobilizing major local, regional, and international media to attract tourists to the Kingdom.

The media campaign achieved great success in terms of viewership rates, with a total reach of nearly 80 million across various social media platforms, in addition to high views and interactions and widespread circulation in international media.

It succeeded in highlighting the economic and social returns achieved from tourism, such as creating job opportunities, cultural exchange, and economic diversification, reflecting the success of Vision 2030 in diversifying the Kingdom's economy and enhancing its global position.

The Sharjah Government Communication Award recognizes innovative and impactful communication strategies that promote transparency, trust, and positive societal outcomes. The Ministry of Tourism's recognition in this global category underscores its commitment to proving that Saudi Arabia is a must-visit tourist destination.