In a move reflecting its regional and international leadership in the data and information sector, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, chaired the 13th meeting of the Arab Committee of UN Experts on Geospatial Information Management. This important event was held in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, on February 3 and 4, 2026, with a notable presence of representatives from Arab countries and leading regional and international organizations.

Strengthening governance and digital infrastructure

During the meeting sessions, the Kingdom emphasized the need to intensify joint coordination among Arab states, stressing the importance of activating the principles of geospatial governance and developing national infrastructure. This approach aims to enhance the efficiency of geospatial information management, which directly contributes to supporting developmental, economic, and environmental decision-making based on accurate and reliable data. This aligns with global trends toward digital transformation and smart cities.

The Kingdom is a global model of geospatial maturity

In reviewing national experiences, the Kingdom presented a detailed overview of its distinguished experience in measuring “geospatial maturity.” Today, the Kingdom occupies a leading global position in this field, thanks to national strategies spearheaded by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, which aim to regulate the sector and standardize technical specifications, thus serving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in building a strong and sustainable digital economy.

Exchange of Arab and international experiences

The meeting agenda addressed several key issues, including the Arab Committee's annual report and a review of the contributions of the United Nations and international organizations. Discussions also touched upon the work of specialized working groups, such as the Geodetic Framework Team, the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework Team, and the Governance Team.

At the regional level, Tunisia presented its experience in adopting the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework and its national infrastructure project, while Iraq shared its national plan for implementing the same framework. The meeting witnessed an exchange of views on global best practices and opportunities for international partnership and cooperation, with broad participation from experts and representatives of the UN Committee of Experts Secretariat. This strengthens the integration of Arab efforts to keep pace with the rapid developments in this vital field.

On an exceptional night in Riyadh, the Saudi Media Awards a magnificent celebration that transcended traditional honors, creating an artistic tableau that embodied the highest expressions of gratitude. The ceremony featured a unique theatrical performance, fundamentally based on symbols of thanksgiving, drawing inspiration from the profound appreciation consistently shown by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Prime Minister, towards the Saudi people and various sectors of national achievement.

The performance, presented by a world-renowned contemporary performing arts troupe, was a visually stunning spectacle that masterfully blended elaborate choreography, cutting-edge visual effects, and a powerful soundtrack. This artistic fusion aimed to convey the philosophy of gratitude as a core value in the nation's development journey, and to offer a direct message of appreciation to every contributor who helps shape the evolving Saudi media landscape.

The context of media transformation and Vision 2030

This artistic presentation cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of the media sector in Saudi Arabia. Developing this sector is a cornerstone of the Saudi Vision 2030 , which places great emphasis on empowering national talent and creating globally competitive media content. The Saudi Media Award serves as a key driver of this development, motivating creators and institutions to deliver their best work, reflecting the true image of the Kingdom and its rich culture.

Symbolism of gratitude and the relationship between leadership and the people

The theatrical performance alternated between scenes depicting the rich history of Saudi media and others that evoked the spirit of initiative and innovation characteristic of Saudi youth. The show culminated in a final scene that portrayed gratitude as a vital link between leadership, people, and achievement. This symbolism recalled the Crown Prince's consistent pronouncements of confidence in the Saudi citizen, describing their ambition as "Mount Tuwaiq," thus making the performance an artistic echo of this mutual appreciation.

A universal artistic language with a Saudi identity

The selection of an international troupe to perform this show reflected the organizers' intention to address the world through a shared artistic language, while remaining committed to preserving Saudi identity in both content and message. Visual elements inspired by national culture and Saudi heritage were seamlessly integrated with cutting-edge global performance techniques, creating a celebratory spectacle befitting the award's prestige and regional significance.

This meticulous production approach is in line with the spirit of the ceremony, which was based on the principle of gratitude and appreciation to everyone who contributed to the development of the media sector, whether they were institutions, individuals, or owners of creative initiatives, confirming that the achievements made are the result of the leadership’s continuous support, unlimited empowerment, and great confidence in the national competencies that are leading the media scene towards broader horizons.