Saudi Arabia Re-Elected to Membership of AASTMT Executive Council

The council enables the Kingdom to monitor the implementation of the AASTMT General Assembly resolutions. SPA
The council enables the Kingdom to monitor the implementation of the AASTMT General Assembly resolutions. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Re-Elected to Membership of AASTMT Executive Council

The council enables the Kingdom to monitor the implementation of the AASTMT General Assembly resolutions. SPA
The council enables the Kingdom to monitor the implementation of the AASTMT General Assembly resolutions. SPA

The Executive Council of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), comprised of 22 nations, re-elected Saudi Arabia as a member for a two-year term, from 2023 to 2025.

The council enables the Kingdom to monitor the implementation of the AASTMT General Assembly resolutions, prepare the draft agenda and all AASTMT activities, as well as education plans, administrative and financial systems, and the financial budget, and approve the appointment of the council’s Vice Presidents.

The re-election came during the AASTMT General Assembly meeting, which includes experts and specialists from representatives of the Member States of the Arab League, and was held at the council's headquarters in Alexandria.

During the meeting, nine countries were elected to the Executive Council.

The primary objective of this election is to strengthen cooperation and collaborative endeavors in developing skilled professionals in modern management practices, as well as to elevate the proficiency of personnel in the Arab countries' maritime transport sector.

These objectives include equipping them with specialized knowledge in disciplines such as applied engineering and other scientific fields, thereby ensuring the efficient operation of commercially-driven merchant naval fleets.



World’s Largest Light Art Festival in Riyadh Sees Over 3 Million Spectators

Under the theme Light Years Apart, audiences experienced the festival across three iconic hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and JAX District. SPA
Under the theme Light Years Apart, audiences experienced the festival across three iconic hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and JAX District. SPA
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World’s Largest Light Art Festival in Riyadh Sees Over 3 Million Spectators

Under the theme Light Years Apart, audiences experienced the festival across three iconic hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and JAX District. SPA
Under the theme Light Years Apart, audiences experienced the festival across three iconic hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and JAX District. SPA

Noor Riyadh, the world’s largest light art festival and a flagship program of Riyadh Art, concluded its successful fourth edition, welcoming over 3 million spectators and bringing together over 60 artworks by more than 60 artists from 18 countries, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Under the theme Light Years Apart, audiences experienced the festival across three iconic hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and JAX District.

The festival also featured a striking city-scale light installation at Al Faisaliah Tower, transforming Riyadh into a luminous celebration of art and innovation. This year’s festival brought together 18 Saudi and 43 international artists with site-specific and newly commissioned artworks.

Exceptional installations included Chris Levine’s Higher Power, a city-scale laser projection atop Al Faisaliah Tower; Maryam Tariq’s Shifting Perspectives, which explored perceptual ambiguity at Digital City; and Aether by United Visual Artists, a dazzling drone show at King Abdulaziz Historical Center. Another standout work, Rashed AlShashai’s The Fifth Pyramid, symbolized Riyadh’s cultural transformation.

Architect Khalid Al-Hazani, the executive director of Riyadh Art, bid farewell to the festival, saying: “Noor Riyadh 2024 celebrated humanity’s connection to the stars, sparking inspiration and dialogue through the universal language of art. We look forward to continuing Riyadh’s journey of cultural transformation.”
As for Noor Riyadh festival director Nouf Almoneef, he said: “Once again, this year’s festival united local and international artists for a truly world-class festival.”

“I extend my deepest gratitude to the incredible team -- our staff, volunteers, and partners for their exceptional efforts and collaboration, as well as to the millions of spectators whose engagement made this festival unforgettable,” SPA quoted him as saying.

As part of the community engagement program, which attracted over 52,000 participants, Noor Riyadh organized a variety of activities designed to inspire and connect with the community. These included engaging talks, insightful discussions, interactive workshops, creative experiences, family-friendly activities, and guided tours that enriched the festival experience for visitors.

The seamless execution of these activities was made possible by a dedicated team comprising curators, artists, art explainers, tour guides, and installation crews, ensuring every participant enjoyed a memorable experience.