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Diriyah Hosts 'Misk Global Forum' in Bujairi Terrace

One of the forum’s key activities is the “Leaders Diwan" - SPA
One of the forum’s key activities is the “Leaders Diwan" - SPA
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Diriyah Hosts 'Misk Global Forum' in Bujairi Terrace

One of the forum’s key activities is the “Leaders Diwan" - SPA
One of the forum’s key activities is the “Leaders Diwan" - SPA

Misk Global Forum (MGF), one of the world’s largest youth forums, kicked off this week in Bujairi Terrace, the Kingdom’s premium dining district located in Diriyah, the City of Earth. The seventh annual MGF is being held under the theme “The Big Now.”

Throughout the three-day event, nearly 120 esteemed speakers will engage in more than 100 sessions that aim to inspire youth to think ambitiously, act decisively, and channel their energies into turning innovative ideas into impactful global solutions, SPA reported.

The sessions will cover key topics including climate action, sustainability, innovation, leadership, educational transformation, digital innovation, sports and games, mental health, diversity, and cultural identity.

One of the forum’s key activities is the “Leaders Diwan,” where attendees can learn from the expertise of leaders and decision makers in various fields. MGF's main stage sessions will connect youth with acclaimed local and global innovators and industry experts creating a platform for meaningful interactions and collaboration.

Diriyah Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo, who shared his lessons in leadership during a session entitled “From Brooklyn to Bujairi Terrace,” said, “The Misk Global Forum brings together leaders in pursuit of one common goal -- the empowerment of youth. As the leaders of tomorrow, they will one day continue the incredible progress that Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s transformation are achieving. I cannot think of a better place to host such an important and life-changing forum than in Diriyah, the City of Earth and the birthplace of the Kingdom, and we look forward to seeing the incredible contributions that all of these young people will go on to make”.

Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) is a strategic partner to the forum for the second consecutive year. Its endorsement aims to further its work to motivate and inspire young people to engage in Saudi Arabia’s national transformation and to develop their skills and opportunities in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

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Spanish Olive Trees Find New Home on Hungary’s Slopes as Climate Warms

A person holds a plate of olives at Babylonstoren at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek valley in Cape Town, South Africa, September 12, 2024. (Reuters)
A person holds a plate of olives at Babylonstoren at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek valley in Cape Town, South Africa, September 12, 2024. (Reuters)
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Spanish Olive Trees Find New Home on Hungary’s Slopes as Climate Warms

A person holds a plate of olives at Babylonstoren at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek valley in Cape Town, South Africa, September 12, 2024. (Reuters)
A person holds a plate of olives at Babylonstoren at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek valley in Cape Town, South Africa, September 12, 2024. (Reuters)

Csaba Torok, who grows olives on Hungary's warm southern slopes near Lake Balaton, believes his trees from southern Europe have found a successful new home as Europe's climate gets warmer.

Torok, 55, got his first three small olive trees from Spain around 2008. Two froze to death the first winter but one survived, prompting Torok to buy around 200 more over the years to plant in his vineyard on Hegymagas, a volcanic butte formation with sunny slopes, ample rain and rich soil.

"I see these trees as an integral part of the future landscape here," Torok said, as he harvested the olives with friends, noting the local microclimate increasingly suits the trees.

He takes his hand-picked olive crop to neighboring Slovenia where his virgin olive oil is made and which he sells for 4500 forints ($12.35) per 0.1 liters.

As southern Europe is hit by more frequent droughts and scorching heatwaves, the areas where olive groves can flourish appear to be shifting northwards, he said.

Hungary's winters have become palpably milder over the past years. Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world, the European Environment Agency said last month, and faces a greater risk of drought in the south.

Spain, which usually supplies around 40% of the world's olive oil, has suffered poor olive harvests in the past two years due to heatwaves and a prolonged drought, doubling olive oil prices to record levels.

Last week, the Spanish farm ministry said the first estimates for this year's harvest indicated a recovery, with 2024-2025 olive production forecast at 1,262,300 tons, up 48% from the previous harvest.

In southern Hungary, near the city of Pecs, Gabor Stix has been experimenting with an olive grove for years, cultivating trees for sale. Stix expects all his trees grown this year to be sold by March.

"Olive trees love this climate. ... One would think Hungary is not suitable for olive production, but it is," Stix said.

Even north of Hungary, in Slovakia, people have been buying olive trees for their gardens to have a "Mediterranean feeling". In the village of Iza, garden center owner Istvan Vass has imported 25 truckloads of olive trees from Spain this year, selling them for 300-500 euros each.

As buyers arrived to choose trees, Vass warned that during the first winter the trees might suffer damage from sub-zero temperatures, but covering them helps.

"There are lots of olive trees planted outside in the gardens and they cope really well," he said.