Saudi Arabia’s next chapter

Saudi Arabia’s next chapter
March 10, 2020, 7:37 am

Lulu Amin

Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has envisioned and defined its future and wisely adapted itself to an evolving global climate and differing demands on the world stage. Since opening its borders to tourism last year, new developments have engulfed the kingdom in the realms of art, fashion, sport and business. You might agree that now is an exciting time in and for Saudi Arabia. An understanding and appreciation of these developments is necessary at a time when the kingdom is working on great change within. Saudi Arabia

The social reforms focused on women have certainly propelled this atmosphere of change. The World Bank’s “Women, Business and Law” report recently ranked Saudi Arabia as a top reformer in this regard. Reforms include the lifting of the ban on women driving in 2018, granting women access into football stadiums and plans to relax the male guardianship system. Saudi Arabia

The reforms have inspired confidence and encouraged women’s access into employment and entrepreneurship.

Saudi Arabia’s hosting of various international sports, fashion and art events whilst simultaneously its willingness to offer an insight into its own culture by inviting tourists to explore the country, demonstrates a desire to understand others and be understood by others. Desert X, for instance, an art exhibition organised collaboratively with the Royal Commission of AlUla, is home to several fascinating art installations by both Middle Eastern and American artists.

One of the impressive designs located there is a large sculpture of an ankle bracelet similar to the kind worn by Bedouin women, sandwiched between rocks, and created by artist Sherin Guirguis. Saudi Arabia

Opening up an interesting global dialogue, many of the artworks address some of the most fascinating aspects of Saudi culture. The voices of individual Saudis, expressed through art for instance, should be acknowledged because there is much to learn from them and their contributions to the world stage are highly valuable. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious development project is the futuristic Neom city in the north-west, designed to help the kingdom to diversify its economy. With 40% of the world’s population able to reach the site in under 4 hours, it is situated in an enviable location. A part of Vision 2030 and worth approximately $500 billion, the project includes plans for sports and entertainment venues, as well as glow-in-the-dark beaches and a giant artificial moon.

The environmentally conscious project has been developed with a great focus on sustainability and at its core is the relationship between people and nature. The project identifies some of its objectives as “habitat restoration” and “species recovery programs”, taking into consideration its unique and diverse landscape which includes a desert region, a coastline and snow-capped mountains.

The project will also take advantage of the local climate to harness solar and wind energy and develop renewable energy projects.

These reforms and the recent stories of progress and development should be applauded, rather than compared to Western ideas of modernity, as that dispels the appetite for change. Saudi Arabia is carving a unique path and making a remarkable transformation whilst retaining the natural beauty of its landscape and culture and it deserves all praise for this mammoth task. Levant

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