Saudi Founding Day Set to Witness Host of Events

Saudi Founding day poster, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Founding day poster, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Founding Day Set to Witness Host of Events

Saudi Founding day poster, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Founding day poster, Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi cities will mark the Kingdom’s founding day on Tuesday with a host of events that take pride in the solid roots of the state, which span more than three centuries, and celebrate the close association of Saudi citizens with their leaders since the formation of the Saudi state in 1727 AD until the present era.

Riyadh is set to witness an artistic demonstration entitled “The Beginning’s March,” with the participation of more than 3,500 artists, actors, and performers, who will present panoramic paintings about the history of the Saudi state over the past three centuries, in addition to various shows.

This huge artistic event includes a poetic epic about the region, with verses highlighting the journey and expansion of the Saudi state during the past three centuries, and the events that occurred stressed through 10 scenes inspired by various eras, which will be recited by major Saudi artists.

There will also be theatrical performances featuring purebred Arabian horses, in addition to paintings that depict human life in the Saudi state from its beginning until the present day.

The march will be held in Wadi Namar, which is one of the most distinguished touristic landmarks in southern Riyadh, with a total length of about 2 km set amid festive celebrations, palm trees and streams of water for which Wadi Namar is famous.

A musical theatrical performance that also touches on the Kingdom’s history will be held on February 23 at Mohammed Abdu Arena theater in Riyadh.

The Founding Day Operetta narrates in a wonderful theatrical form the patriotic paintings written by history about the Saudi state and what it has reached now.

Great operetta poets such as Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen, Muhammad Al-Anzi, Nayef Saqr, Naglaa Al-Muhya and Ahmed Alawi have written the musical theatrical performance.

The work of art appreciates the timeless moments and stories associated with the founding day and the state’s march towards the future.

It will include various scenes of the patterns and forms of life of the Saudi state since ancient times, all the way to modern civil life.

The work speaks to the modern life in which the Saudi citizen proudly preserves their language, religion, customs, traditions, and social relations.

From February 22 to 24, the National Museum of Saudi Arabia will host a cultural event. Over the span of three days, attendees will explore thought-provoking workshops, talks, and discussions that will uncover the cultural history of the Saudi First State like never before.

Moreover, Riyadh’s sky is scheduled to be adorned with colors of joy as part of the Kingdom’s celebration of the Founding Day by launching the “Light Show” experience on Feb. 24.

The event will include a unique experience where fireworks, drones and light effects harmoniously blend in their movement with rhythmic sound and distinguish their cheerful colors and attractive shapes.

Throughout Jeddah, Dammam, Taif, Hail, Tabuk, Riyadh, Abha and Al Baha, an event known as The Nejnaj will highlight the country’s achievements and growth. The event is divided into five regions: central, northern, western, eastern, and southern. Upon entering each region, visitors can have an immersive experience of Saudi heritage through a mini art exhibition consisting of old photos of the specified region. There will also be narrators and actors in each region who will tell true stories since the founding times.

Nejnaj will help guests explore a cultural celebration of traditional Saudi garments and costumes and give them the chance to taste the aroma of traditional Saudi coffee as history unfolds before their eyes.

King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra) will celebrate the Saudi Founding Day from February 22-26, 2022 by offering an exceptional opportunity to take visitors on a journey to the beginnings, when three centuries ago, ancestors laid the foundations of glory in the hills of Najd, and they built the pillars of that state whose heart still beats today.



Libya’s Unity Gov. Urges Stronger Partnership with Saudi Arabia on Development Projects

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah during his meeting with members of the Saudi delegation (Dbeibah's Office)
Abdul Hamid Dbeibah during his meeting with members of the Saudi delegation (Dbeibah's Office)
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Libya’s Unity Gov. Urges Stronger Partnership with Saudi Arabia on Development Projects

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah during his meeting with members of the Saudi delegation (Dbeibah's Office)
Abdul Hamid Dbeibah during his meeting with members of the Saudi delegation (Dbeibah's Office)

Libya’s Government of National Unity has called for strengthening partnerships with Saudi Arabia in development projects.

The appeal came during a meeting on Thursday between Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia’s Amiantit Group.

The group is one of the world's leading companies in the manufacturing of pipes and tanks, offering innovative solutions for water management and infrastructure.

The meeting was also attended by a representative of Technical Link Services for Communications (TLS), a subsidiary of Etihad Salam Telecommunications, which specializes in communications and information technology solutions.

Discussions centered on strengthening Libyan-Saudi cooperation to advance infrastructure projects, stimulate investment in the industrial and agricultural sectors, and expand prospects for collaboration.

The meeting followed agreements with Libya’s Ministry of Housing and Construction on water infrastructure, specialized factories, and advanced water treatment solutions.

The agreements also included deals that aim to upgrade Libya’s communications infrastructure and modernize its IT and telecom services.

In January, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Dbeibah had outlined Libya’s vision to strengthen cooperation with Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia to attract international investment across various economic and development sectors.

He discussed with several Saudi officials ways to reinforce bilateral partnerships in oil, gas, and renewable energy, highlighting Saudi Arabia as a key partner in developing Libya’s oil infrastructure.


Saudi-Emirati Team in Aden to Restore Calm in Eastern Yemen

A view of Yemen's interim capital Aden. (Reuters file)
A view of Yemen's interim capital Aden. (Reuters file)
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Saudi-Emirati Team in Aden to Restore Calm in Eastern Yemen

A view of Yemen's interim capital Aden. (Reuters file)
A view of Yemen's interim capital Aden. (Reuters file)

A Saudi-Emirati team arrived in Yemen’s interim capital Aden on an urgent mission to put in place executive mechanisms for the withdrawal of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces from the Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces and returning them under the control of previous forces under the direct supervision of the Saudi-led Arab coalition.

The team will discuss arrangements related to the handover of positions to the National Shield Forces to ensure that the situation returns to the way it was before the escalation.

The step is in line with Saudi Arabia’s intense efforts to end the escalation in eastern Yemen, in rejection of any unilateral measures taken by the STC in Hadhramaut, which the coalition viewed as an attempt to impose a new status quo or drag the province into internal strife that threatens peace and stability.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the arrival of the team consolidates Riyadh’s rejection of activities that may create mistrust or deepen the divisions inside Yemen’s legitimate institutions.


UN Secretary General Visits Saudi Digital Government Authority's Innovation Hub in Riyadh

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres meets with officials at the Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh on Friday. (SPA)
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres meets with officials at the Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh on Friday. (SPA)
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UN Secretary General Visits Saudi Digital Government Authority's Innovation Hub in Riyadh

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres meets with officials at the Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh on Friday. (SPA)
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres meets with officials at the Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh on Friday. (SPA)

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and his accompanying delegation visited on Friday Saudi Arabia’s Innovation Hub of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) in Riyadh.

He met with DGA Governor Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan. Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the UN in New York Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil was also present during the visit.

The officials discussed issues of mutual interest, including digital government development, support for innovation, and the enhancement of sustainable digital transformation ecosystems. They reviewed the Kingdom's efforts in digital enablement to support the Sustainable Development Goals and improve government sector efficiency.

The meeting addressed avenues for cooperation between the DGA and UN organizations, particularly in knowledge exchange, the development of digital standards, the enablement of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, the enhancement of digital capabilities, and the building of partnerships to improve the quality of digital services internationally.

Guterres was briefed on the DGA Innovation Hub, which houses a range of specialized laboratories and facilities, such as the Digital Inclusion Lab, Service Design Lab, Learning Experience Lab, and AI and Emerging Technologies Lab, along with other resources supporting innovation and the development of government digital solutions.

The DGA team presented an overview of the Kingdom's digital government strategy and progress in UN e-government development indicators, reflecting the maturity of the national digital experience and the advancement of the Kingdom's digital infrastructure.

Guterres commended the Kingdom's qualitative progress in digital government, stressing that the level achieved represents a leading international model and reflects a clear commitment to developing innovative and effective government services.

He emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation to support initiatives that foster an advanced digital future in service of global development.