Latest news with #GhaziBinzagr
Arab News
4 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Cultural Development Fund champions cultural entrepreneurship at Expo 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Japan took part in a panel discussion and networking event during Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Hosted by the Saudi Cultural Development Fund, the event highlighted investment opportunities in the cultural sector in Saudi Arabia. Titled 'Cultural Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia: Fostering Innovation and Heritage,' the event at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion brought together global investors, entrepreneurs and cultural leaders to explore the Kingdom's cultural renaissance. The discussion, moderated by cultural researcher Saba Al-Khamis, featured Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi ambassador to Japan and commissioner general of the pavilion; CDF chief credit and investment officer Basil Al-Alola; Darren Barker, founder of Barker Langham; and Hessa Alajaji, founder of Saudi artisan design brand Accents. The fund aims to position culture as a catalyst for global partnerships and investment, sharing success stories and sector-specific opportunities, Al-Alola said in a statement. The dialogue emphasized culture as an engine for economic diversification and social growth, highlighting CDF's tailored financing solutions driving the sector's sustainable expansion. The event celebrated Saudi artistic heritage through handicraft displays aligned with the 2025 Year of Handicrafts, alongside a performance by Japanese violinist Ikuko Kawai symbolizing Saudi-Japanese cultural collaboration. 'Our participation translates Saudi cultural assets into economic value,' Al-Alola said. 'We're connecting international investors with local innovators to build a globally integrated cultural economy in line with Vision 2030.' Throughout Expo 2025 Osaka, CDF will display Saudi Arabia's cultural ecosystem through activities, panel discussions and networking sessions.
Zawya
25-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia and the United States of America together at Expo 2025 Osaka
The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka hosts VIP delegations and business events that focus on the Kingdom's national transformation and its growing impact on the world. The visit reaffirms the strategic long-term relationship between the Kingdom and the U.S. while providing opportunities for potential future partnerships across all sectors vital to the continued growth of both nations. Osaka, Japan — U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass was warmly welcomed by Dr. Ghazi Binzagr, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Japan, at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. In leading the private tour, Dr. Binzagr and Ambassador Glass shared a journey of epic discovery through the Pavilion, which showcases Saudi Arabia's rich cultural history, its transformation as a nation, and the impact it is having globally in sustainability and innovation. The U.S. delegation enjoyed warm Saudi hospitality over a discussion which focused on shared Saudi–U.S. goals for Expo 2025 Osaka and beyond, before exchanging gifts in the Saudi Majlis. Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Japan and Commissioner General of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, said it was a productive and collaborative first meeting between the two Ambassadors based in Japan. 'It was so pleasing to welcome Ambassador Glass and his delegation from the United States of America here today. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pavilion is not only an important cultural asset where we share our story with the world, but also it serves as a meeting place where global leaders can come together to deepen our understanding of each other, while addressing some of our greatest challenges.' The visit between Saudi and American representatives in Japan comes 10 days after U.S. President Donald Trump's historic state visit to Riyadh for the Saudi–U.S. Investment Forum. In addition to hosting over 700 events across the Expo program which includes business and investment forums, visitors to the Saudi Arabia Pavilion will see daily dance and fashion performances, before visiting seven immersive rooms and galleries, from evolving cities, sustainable seas, unlimited human potential, and the pinnacle of innovation, every visitor can see up close the Kingdom's global impact. The full program of events for the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is available on the official website:
Saudi Gazette
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Minister of Culture inaugurates Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
Saudi Gazette Report OSAKA — Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah, who is also chairman of the Steering Committee for Saudi Arabia's Participation in International Expos, inaugurated on Sunday the Kingdom's Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. The Saudi pavilion, which boasts of being the second largest pavilion after the host country's pavilion, offers a fiesta for visitors to explore the Kingdom's rich history, its vibrant present, and its promising future. Deputy Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Kingdom's Participation in International Expos Hamed Fayez; Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan Al-Touq; and Saudi Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner-General of the Kingdom's Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Dr. Ghazi Binzagr along with a group of cultural officials and diplomats attended the opening ceremony. The first day witnessed the hoisting of the Saudi flag in the presence of Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr. In his speech at the opening ceremony, Minister of Culture Prince Badr said: "We are delighted today to inaugurate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025, which comes under the theme 'Discover Saudi Arabia.' Through its ambitious design, we highlight the many commonalities and harmony between the Kingdom and Japan." "I take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to the friendly country of Japan for its wonderful organization of Expo Osaka 2025, its generous hospitality, its unlimited cooperation, and its provision of all facilities and support to the Kingdom's pavilion to ensure its success at this international event. This cooperation confirms the distinguished relationship between the Kingdom and Japan, especially on the occasion of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the relationship between the two countries," he said, adding: "I invite you to discover the authenticity of our heritage, our ambitious transformations, and our ancient culture that is open to the world." The Saudi pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka offers a multi-sensory experience focusing on the Kingdom's transformational journey under Vision 2030, highlighting its commitment to enhancing quality of life through innovation and technological modernization. It also offers a spatial experience that reflects the exploration of Saudi cities and villages and embodies the Kingdom's rich cultural heritage. Constructed out of lightweight Saudi stone, the pavilion was designed by renowned architects Foster + Partners to embody the Kingdom's goals of building sustainable and empowering communities. Visitors enter the Saudi Pavilion through a green courtyard filled with plants native to Saudi Arabia, then walk through narrow streets leading to the Saudi Courtyard, the project's vibrant heart. Guests are greeted with a true Saudi welcome, embodied by live performances and visual creations by artists in the courtyard, before embarking on an epic journey of discovery through interactive galleries and immersive experiences. The pavilion features seven rooms and galleries. These include cultural studios designed around concepts of space and time, and innovative experiences that showcase the transformation taking place in the Kingdom. Through the tour, visitors learn about the Kingdom's culture, heritage, transformation, and global impact, from architectural development to borderless potential and limitless innovation. These exhibitions showcase the urban transformation of the Kingdom's cities and its promising projects in the health, space, and energy sectors. Sustainability is a fundamental pillar of the Kingdom's transformation under Vision 2030. The Sustainable Seas exhibition highlights Saudi maritime developments, such as the Coral Reef Restoration Initiative, an innovative project aimed at restoring coral reefs along the Red Sea coast. Finally, visitors pass through the Saudi Souq, a gift shop selling souvenirs and local products, each a testament to Saudi craftsmanship, before sampling traditional dishes from across the Kingdom's 13 regions at Irth Restaurant. The Saudi Pavilion will host over 700 events throughout Expo 2025 Osaka, which started on Sunday, April 13 and will run through until October 13. These events include daily musical and theatrical performances, film screenings, performing arts, and storytelling. During its first six weeks, the pavilion will offer exciting events, including "We Are Saudi Arabia," the Mars Control Center, "Ahlan Wa Sahlan," "Tales of the Sea," business events, fashion weeks, cultural visual arts studios, and cultural music studios. The pavilion also includes a VIP Majlis and a Collaboration Center, providing space for companies and investors to hold meetings and daily networking events.
Saudi Gazette
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Ambassador Binzagr tours Saudi pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
Saudi Gazette report OSAKA — Saudi Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Kingdom's Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Dr. Ghazi Binzagr visited the Saudi pavilion ahead of the official opening of the exhibition, scheduled for next Sunday, April 13. Binzagr reviewed the final preparations and the visitor experience at the pavilion, which showcases the Kingdom's rich culture and deep-rooted heritage, while highlighting its national transformation journey under Saudi Vision 2030 and its future aspirations. The Saudi pavilion is preparing to welcome visitors in conjunction with the start of Expo 2025 Osaka, which will run until October 13. The pavilion will feature over 700 events, including musical and theatrical performances, films, live arts, storytelling, and various cultural and artistic activities.
Saudi Gazette
18-03-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Pavilion welcomes over 120,000 visitors during Japan national tour
OSAKA — The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has received an overwhelming response, with over 120,000 people engaging with the Saudi Tours Japan campaign, which visited seven cities from February 15 to March 9 to promote the pavilion ahead of the global event. Dr. Ghazi Binzagr, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Saudi Pavilion, highlighted the success of the initiative, emphasizing Japan's strong interest in Saudi culture and hospitality. Dr. Binzagr said Saudi Tours Japan provided thousands of people with a multi-sensory experience, offering a hands-on exhibition of the Kingdom's national transformation and its growing impact on culture, sports, and tourism. Visitors were welcomed with traditional Saudi coffee and invited to experience virtual reality exhibits, live music, cultural performances, and Saudi cuisine, as well as a majlis where they could try on traditional Saudi attire for photographs. He noted that many Japanese visitors were eager to explore Saudi Arabia beyond Expo 2025 Osaka. He added that it was heartwarming to see visitors learning about Saudi culture firsthand through the hospitality and traditional dress, and that many realized Saudi and Japanese cultures share more similarities than they initially thought. With $800 billion in tourism investments planned, Saudi Arabia aims to attract 30,000 Japanese tourists annually, supported by a dedicated tourism office in Japan. Dr. Binzagr emphasized that the Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka plays a crucial role in cultural engagement by building awareness and fostering connections between the Japanese public and Saudi Arabia through shared experiences. He also noted that the pavilion showcases Saudi Arabia's transformation and its global impact in innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. The pavilion's presence at Expo 2025 Osaka is also seen as a bridge to Expo 2030 Riyadh, reinforcing the Saudi capital's position as a global hub ahead of its role as the host of Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Expo 2025 Osaka will run for six months from April 13 to October 13, concluding with the official handover to Expo 2030 Riyadh. The Saudi Pavilion will feature over 700 events, including daily fashion, music, and film performances, as well as seven immersive rooms showcasing the Kingdom's cultural identity, innovation, and sustainability initiatives. — SG
