MUST-READS

• Saudi Pro League shifts away from megastar signings to focus on youth

  It was striking that in a month when Neymar left Saudi Arabia after costing Al-Hilal hundreds of millions of pounds and playing only seven games in return, the Saudi Pro League’s clubs turned more and more to youth. The transfer window closed on Friday with a couple of big deals but there was activity before; it just happened to be quieter and less headline-grabbing. “Many players dream of playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and I have now fulfilled that dream,” Jhon Durán said on Monday after making his Al-Nassr debut, perhaps inadvertently emphasising the age gap between them. At 21, the Colombian is very much a football generation or two removed from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. The reported £71m the Riyadh club paid to Aston Villa for Durán is the second biggest in the league’s history, second only to Neymar’s deal. And as that Brazilian left Al-Hilal in came another, Kaio César joining from Portugal’s Vitória de Guimarães. The winger, who scored on his debut, is only 20.

• Saudi Arabia champions youth as it drives talent development to fuel Vision 2030

  Figures from the General Authority for Statistics released in 2023 show that 63 percent of the Kingdom’s population is under 30 years old, and the government and private sector are working hand-in-hand to shape the coming era. “Digital literacy is essential, as technological advancements require the younger generation to not only be proficient in the latest advancements but also drive innovation in areas like AI and data analytics,” Riyadh Al-Najjar, PwC Middle East chairman and Saudi Arabia country senior partner, told Arab News.  He added: “An entrepreneurial mindset is equally important, as the success of Vision 2030 relies on growing the private sector. Young people need to be able to spot opportunities, think critically, and solve problems that add value to the economy.”

• Saudi rights progress ‘irreversible’ due to youth popularity, says EU official

  Much of Saudi Arabia’s progress is “irreversible” due to its popularity among young people, an EU human rights emissary has told Arab News. Olof Skoog, EU special representative for human rights, sat down with Arab News to discuss the progress made by the Kingdom, ahead of the 4th EU-KSA Human Rights Dialogue that took place in Riyadh on Tuesday. Regarding the changes in recent years, Skoog said: “I see them very much as genuine reforms. Saudi Arabia (has) a very youthful population. The country is quickly modernizing, in a way, more attuned to what happens around the world, and the young people are very much onto that.”

• Saudi Youth Expectations and Opportunities for COP16

  The roundtable discussion addressed the expectations of Saudi youth regarding COP16, with participants stressing the importance of making concrete commitments to combat desertification and land degradation, advancing sustainable land management, ensuring water security, and fostering agricultural innovation. They emphasized the need to bridge the gap between youth and policymakers to enhance youth participation in shaping environmental policies. The challenges highlighted included financial barriers, lack of educational resources, and the limited engagement of youth from rural areas and marginalized communities.

• PwC report finds that youth in Saudi Arabia are prepared to drive sustainable development in the region

  The report indicates that youth across the Middle East are showing higher awareness and engagement with SDGs than their global peers. Around 91% of youth respondents in Saudi are familiar with the SDGs. The findings present a valuable opportunity to bolster youth involvement within relevant programmes and policy making, especially within Saudi Arabia.

• ‘‘Saudi youth are exploring new avenues of self-expression”

  In the heart of Saudi Arabia’s cultural transformation, audio serves as the soundtrack to change, weaving itself seamlessly into the fabric of everyday life. Whether through podcasts, audiobooks, or music streaming platforms, people consume audio seamlessly, integrating it into various aspects of their daily routines, from morning commutes to evening wind-downs. This is amplified now more than ever due to the abundant presence of smartphones, which provide instant access to unlimited audio content anytime, anywhere.

• Saudi Green Initiative Introduces ‘Namour’ to Inspire Environmental Awareness among Youth and Children

  Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) issued a press release today announcing the introduction of Namour, a character that aims to inspire young people in Saudi Arabia to be environmental heroes. Named after the Arabic word for Arabian leopard (Nimr), Namour represents strength, power, and grace, symbolizing Saudi Arabia's dedication to environmental conservation and sustainability.

• Saudi Record Rises to 54 Medals in First Gulf Youth Games

  The Saudi badminton team dominated the medals on the second day of the badminton competition, held at the Sheikh Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah. This took place as part of the first Gulf Youth Games hosted by the UAE. Saudi national team won 7 medals, which are 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze, raising the Saudi record to winning 54 medals which are 25 gold, 17 silver and 12 bronze.

• 182 Male, Female Athletes Represent Saudi Arabia in Gulf Youth Games

  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is taking part in the inaugural Gulf Youth Games, hosted by the UAE from April 23 to May 2, 2024. Saudi Arabia will be represented by 149 male and female athletes competing in 21 different sports. The Saudi teams began arriving in the UAE today, Sunday, with the taekwondo team already in Dubai, consisting of 23 male and female players. They are set to kick off their participation in the tournament on Tuesday at the Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah. The event will see over 3,500 male and female athletes, as well as administrative, technical, medical, and media delegations, players, and referees from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries participating in its first edition.

• YouTube announces new podcast series focusing on Saudi youth

  Guests include influential members of the public and private sector in Saudi such as representatives from the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (Dr. Raied Aljadaany), the Quality of Life Program (Ms. Noura Alyusuf) and private sector leaders in the creator economy (Kaswara Al-Khatib) and sports (Haya Sawan). Tarek Amin, YouTube’s Director in MENA, said: “YouTube is a reflection of what’s top of mind for Saudi youth thanks to our vibrant creator community in the Kingdom”

• 10 of 118 results1 2 … 12 >>