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Royal Commission for AlUla Signs Digital Venture Deals with Artefact, Dassault

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU)
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU)
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Royal Commission for AlUla Signs Digital Venture Deals with Artefact, Dassault

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU)
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU)

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has signed two cooperation agreements with the global companies Artefact and Dassault Systemes in the fields of data analysis and digital modelling solutions, aimed at supporting comprehensive and sustainable development in AlUla.
The signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of the Future Investment Initiative Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The agreements aim to expand the RCU’s network of technology partners and enhance AlUla's growth through the three-dimensional (3D) digital modelling platform, data analysis, artificial intelligence (AI), and setting new standards for enabling services, design, and construction.
The partnership between the RCU and Artefact will help harness the potential of AI in a range of new functions and services, including a consultancy on technological transformations and the establishment of a dedicated institute for data and AI.
The endeavor aims to achieve higher economic growth by creating a technological environment capable of providing permanent and sustainable employment opportunities for the growing community of AlUla.
The collaboration between the commission and Dassault Systemes focuses on comprehensive infrastructure, business data, and digital product offerings. It marks the next phase of the most advanced 3D digital modelling projects in the region, following the earlier success of the sustainable design, planning, and construction platform in AlUla during the first phase earlier this year.
This technological initiative will benefit from the experiences of leading experts worldwide and development partners.
The RCU aims to enhance AlUla's position as a pioneering center for transformation and innovation while preserving heritage and tourism.

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Monkeys Who Recently Died in Hong Kong's Zoo Had Been Infected with Melioidosis

Giant tubeworms on the seafloor surface at 2,500 meters water depth at the East Pacific Rise, a volcanically active ridge located where two tectonic plates meet on the floor of the Pacific Ocean in this undated photograph.CC BY-NC-SA Schmidt Ocean Institute/Handout via REUTERS
Giant tubeworms on the seafloor surface at 2,500 meters water depth at the East Pacific Rise, a volcanically active ridge located where two tectonic plates meet on the floor of the Pacific Ocean in this undated photograph.CC BY-NC-SA Schmidt Ocean Institute/Handout via REUTERS
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Monkeys Who Recently Died in Hong Kong's Zoo Had Been Infected with Melioidosis

Giant tubeworms on the seafloor surface at 2,500 meters water depth at the East Pacific Rise, a volcanically active ridge located where two tectonic plates meet on the floor of the Pacific Ocean in this undated photograph.CC BY-NC-SA Schmidt Ocean Institute/Handout via REUTERS
Giant tubeworms on the seafloor surface at 2,500 meters water depth at the East Pacific Rise, a volcanically active ridge located where two tectonic plates meet on the floor of the Pacific Ocean in this undated photograph.CC BY-NC-SA Schmidt Ocean Institute/Handout via REUTERS

Nine monkeys who died in Hong Kong's oldest zoo in two days this week had been infected with an endemic disease, possibly after some digging work near their cages, officials said on Friday.

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung said in a press briefing that the animals in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens contracted melioidosis and the disease later caused them to develop sepsis, according to The AP.

Yeung stressed that such infections typically occur through contact with contaminated soil and water and that there is generally no danger to humans from contact with infected animals or people.

“We're saddened by the passing of the nine monkeys,” he said.

Eight monkeys were found dead on Sunday, and another died Monday after displaying unusual behavior. The deceased animals were a De Brazza’s monkey, a common squirrel monkey, four white-faced sakis and three cotton-top tamarins — a species listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

According to Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection, melioidosis is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is widespread in soils and muddy water.

Yeung said the park conducted digging work to repair some irrigation pipes under the flower bed near the monkey cages in early October and that the deaths might be related to that.

He said the monkeys might have come into contact with the bacteria after the park's staff walked into their cages with possibly contaminated shoes. Another possibility is that some infected monkeys had close contact with other monkeys, he said.

“The incubation period for melioidosis in primates is about a week and this matched with the period after the soil digging work,” he said.

Edwin Tsui, the controller of the center, said the incident only happened in a single zone and its impact on Hong Kong residents would be very low.

Yeung on Monday held an urgent interdepartmental meeting about the deaths with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Department of Health.

Another De Brazza’s monkey also displayed unusual behavior and appetite but offiicials said its condition remained stable on Friday.

The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens — the oldest park in the former British colony — fully opened to the public in 1871. It is a rare urban oasis in the downtown Central district of the financial hub, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997.