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ITU Selects Saudi Arabia to Host Global Symposium for Regulators in 2025

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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ITU Selects Saudi Arabia to Host Global Symposium for Regulators in 2025

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) announced that Saudi Arabia, represented by the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), has been selected to host the upcoming Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) 2025 in Riyadh, as part of the symposium’s work in its edition of this year.

Since its inception more than 20 years ago, the symposium is a global event targeting decision and policy makers and regulators around the world.

The event is held annually and organized by the ITU in which it gathers a number of ministers and heads of national bodies regulating the communications and technology sector as well as sector leaders. It focuses on workers in the digital field from 193 countries, and discusses the most prominent challenges and solutions to issues of digital policies and regulations at the international level.

The selection of the Kingdom represented by the CST to host the event reflects the international community’s confidence in Saudi contributions in achieving the goals of the ITU and its pioneering role in the sector.

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Cards to Consoles: Nintendo Opens First Museum

(FILES) This photo taken on September 24, 2024 shows large console-shaped pillows in the gift shop during a media preview of the new Nintendo Museum, located inside a renovated old factory, in the suburbs of Kyoto. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
(FILES) This photo taken on September 24, 2024 shows large console-shaped pillows in the gift shop during a media preview of the new Nintendo Museum, located inside a renovated old factory, in the suburbs of Kyoto. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
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Cards to Consoles: Nintendo Opens First Museum

(FILES) This photo taken on September 24, 2024 shows large console-shaped pillows in the gift shop during a media preview of the new Nintendo Museum, located inside a renovated old factory, in the suburbs of Kyoto. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
(FILES) This photo taken on September 24, 2024 shows large console-shaped pillows in the gift shop during a media preview of the new Nintendo Museum, located inside a renovated old factory, in the suburbs of Kyoto. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)

Nintendo opened its first museum on Wednesday in a renovated factory in Kyoto, showcasing the long history of the Japanese video game giant from playing cards to "Super Mario.”

The company began life in 1889 producing Japanese playing cards called "hanafuda" as well as Western-style ones. Nintendo launched its first home video-game machines in 1977.

Many exhibits at the museum in Kyoto's Uji city are interactive -- including an area where two people can play Mario and Donkey Kong games together on a giant console.

Other zones focus on Nintendo's vintage products. For example, there is a digital version of an ancient Japanese poetry game, and a workshop for fans to create their own hanafuda cards.

Tickets, priced at 3,300 yen ($22.60) for adults and less for children, are already sold out for October and November, AFP reported.

"Visitors can learn about Nintendo's commitment to manufacturing that places importance on play and originality," Shigeru Miyamoto, the renowned creator of "Super Mario" and other games said in a video in August.

The "Super Mario" games were launched in 1985, two years after the company began selling its classic Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) console.

The museum is part of efforts by Nintendo to broaden its brand exposure, including with a smash-hit animated movie last year featuring the Italian plumber and his colorful crew.

The company has also built a "Super Nintendo World" zone at the Universal Studios Japan theme park, featuring a Mario Kart ride with a real-life Bowser's Castle.

A similar area is set to open at the park's huge Orlando location next year.

Nintendo first announced plans for the museum in 2021.

Kensaku Namera, an analyst at Nomura Securities, told AFP that the museum fits into Nintendo's strategy as a place where "people can interact" with its gaming franchises.

Repurposing an old factory built in 1969, which was once used by Nintendo for producing playing cards and later repairing consoles, is also a canny move, he said.

"It's an effective reuse of assets" by Nintendo, Namera said.