Saudi Arabia, India agree to cooperate in several fields, including energy

RIYADH: A Riyadh-based UN tourism official has called on companies to take part in a competition spotlighting startups using AI in the tourism sector.

The Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge runs until Friday and aims to recognize companies that are using AI to improve user experience and sustainability.

“The tourism sector is undergoing a rapid transformation, with artificial intelligence at the forefront, reshaping how we travel, experience destinations and operate within the industry,” said Samer Al-Kharashi, director of the UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh.

The competition calls on entrepreneurs who are “integrating AI solutions into their tourism businesses.” It aims to “identify and support start-ups driving innovation with AI technologies that enhance experiences and contribute to the sustainable growth of the sector.”

Al-Kharashi said: “This initiative is part of UN Tourism’s broader mission to innovate and lead digital transformation, drive growth through improved operations and impact; collaborate across sectors; and shape the future of a smarter, more resilient tourism sector.”

Startups that reach the final stages will gain access to a global network of mentors and industry leaders. Winners will pitch at the UN Tourism Demo Day and join an acceleration program at SPARK, the innovation hub of Les Roches. Support also includes connections to more than 90 venture capitalists and institutions across 150-plus countries, as well as potential pilot opportunities and additional backing from Plug and Play.

Al-Kharashi noted the importance of engaging entrepreneurs from the Middle East, saying that the regional office was “committed to recognizing and advancing the region’s innovation, fostering cross-border collaboration, and ensuring that local entrepreneurs are actively engaged in shaping the future of global tourism.”

He also pointed to the Kingdom’s strategic positioning. “Saudi Arabia, under its Vision 2030 initiatives, has placed a strong emphasis on adopting digital solutions ... This competition aligns directly with the Kingdom’s broader objectives, offering a platform for the younger generation, particularly AI enthusiasts and start-ups.”

Examples of AI integration in Saudi tourism include NEOM’s use of the Arena OneBrain system, which combines “the Large Human Behavior Model” and a real-time adaptation engine to create hyper-personalized travel experiences. “These innovations ... exemplify Saudi Arabia’s commitment to driving digital transformation in the tourism sector,” Al-Kharashi said.

AI is also being applied in environmental maintenance. “Red Sea Global introduced an AI-powered beach-cleaning robot ... capable of detecting and removing debris as small as one cubic centimeter,” Alkharashi said. He added that this shift toward “behind-the-scenes efficiency” reflected broader trends in AI-driven tourism innovation.

Riyadh: The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority organized a volunteer trip for more than 550 students to plant more than 3,000 seedlings during Environment Week.

The initiative encourages positive environmental behavior among students, raises early age awareness, and fosters individual and collective responsibility for protecting the environment, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Held annually from April 20 to 26, Environment Week focuses on environmental awareness and sustainable practices. The 2025 theme, “Our Environment is a Treasure,” reflects the Kingdom’s efforts to conserve natural resources.

The reserve supports sustainability and environmental education. It has planted more than 3 million seedlings, dispersed more than 4 tonnes of seeds and restored 700,000 hectares of land.

At the Environment Week event in Sakaka, the authority is highlighting its achievements, including habitat restoration, seed dispersal and wildlife conservation.

These efforts include reintroducing 1,455 animals and recording 177 new births, including endangered species such as the sand gazelle, Arabian oryx and mountain ibex.

The authority’s exhibition pavilion showcases the biodiversity of the reserve, home to more than 350 wildlife and 290 bird species.

It also highlights initiatives to protect ecosystems, support sustainability and engage the community in conservation efforts.

During Environment Week in Jeddah, government, private, and nonprofit entities showcased initiatives to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainability.

The National Center for Environmental Compliance highlighted the public’s role in environmental protection, compliance with regulations and reporting violations.

The Vegetation Cover Development Foundation, established by the Ministry of Environment and the National Center for Vegetation Cover, presented nine initiatives aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative. These focus on environmental protection, energy transition and sustainability.

Separately, the Islamic Arts Biennale hosted an interactive workshop on Jeddah’s coral reefs, featuring academics from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

The workshop explored the ecological and historical significance of coral reefs, threats like bleaching, and scientific efforts in reef restoration and biodiversity conservation.

Organized to connect art with environmental issues, the event aimed to foster dialogue between the arts and sciences while promoting awareness of sustainability in line with Vision 2030.

As part of Environment Week, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Umluj, along with partner agencies and volunteer divers, organized a seabed cleanup at Duqm Beach.

The campaign aimed to raise awareness about marine conservation by removing debris to protect coastal wildlife and ecosystems.

Volunteer divers and authorities collaborated in underwater cleanups, highlighting the impact of joint environmental efforts.

The initiative supports Vision 2030 goals of promoting sustainability and encouraging public responsibility for environmental protection.

In Riyadh, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification took part in the Environment Week exhibition alongside public and private sector entities.

The center launched nationwide awareness campaigns featuring interactive booths, educational activities, volunteer opportunities and greening efforts to promote public engagement in environmental protection.

Its initiatives focus on restoring degraded land, conserving biodiversity, managing rangelands and parks and addressing violations like unregulated firewood collection. These efforts aim to build a resilient vegetation ecosystem and support sustainability goals.

The Saudi Investment Recycling Co., a Public Investment Fund subsidiary, also took part in the event.

Through its subsidiaries, the company showcased its role in supporting a green and circular economy in line with Vision 2030, focusing on waste diversion, emissions reduction and advanced recycling technologies.

The group manages companies specializing in recycling, treating various types of waste and producing soil improvers, contributing to the Kingdom’s broader sustainability efforts.