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Leaders
2 days ago
- Health
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia's Pavilion Receives Exclusive WELL Health-Safety Rating at Expo 2025 Osaka
Saudi Arabia's Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has been awarded the prestigious WELL Health-Safety Rating, making it the only international pavilion to achieve this recognition so far. The certificate was formally presented during a ceremony at the pavilion, where Saudi Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Saudi Pavilion, Dr. Ghazi Binzagr, received the honor from Jack Noonan, Senior Vice President of the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). Commitment to Sustainability, Excellence Dr. Binzagr noted that the WELL certification reflects the Kingdom's dedication to sustainable architecture and operational excellence. He highlighted that implementing WELL Building standards promotes employee well-being and enhances the overall visitor experience. The WELL Health-Safety Rating is part of the globally respected WELL Building Standard, which focuses on improving health and well-being in built environments. Grounded in scientific research, it evaluates spaces based on design features, operational procedures, and policies that support health, happiness, and productivity. The IWBI oversees this certification to ensure impartial assessment and validation. Pavilion Built for Future Designed by Foster + Partners and inspired by traditional Saudi villages, the pavilion integrates a range of sustainable features, such as renewable energy systems, low-carbon materials, and a modular façade with removable stone panels to reduce environmental impact. Achieving this certification underscores the pavilion's adherence to global benchmarks for temporary structures, particularly in areas that affect human health—including air and water quality, nutrition, lighting, physical activity, comfort, and mental well-being. Related Topics: CDF Explores Culture's Power to Inspire, Educate at Expo 2025 Osaka Culture Minister Inaugurates Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Saudi Arabia Launches Culture Week at Expo 2025 Osaka Saudi Pavilion Welcomes 1 mln Visitors at Expo 2025 Osaka Short link : Post Views: 6
Asharq Al-Awsat
07-07-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Japan Crown Prince, Princess Visit Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and his wife, Crown Princess Kiko, who are the honorary presidents of Expo 2025 Osaka, visited the Saudi Pavilion participating in the global event, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday. Saudi Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion Ghazi Binzagr welcomed the Crown Prince and Princess of Japan upon their arrival. He commended the visit, saying it highlights the deep, historical, and friendly relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan. He emphasized the pivotal role of the expo in fostering human connection and dialogue among nations. The ambassador briefed the Japanese Crown Prince and Princess on the pavilion's components, including a model for Expo 2030 Riyadh. They viewed creative elements reflecting Saudi cultural identity and future aspirations and received commemorative gifts inspired by the heritage of AlUla, which features the first Saudi site to be included on the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List. Saudi-Japanese relations have seen rapid development over the past decades. In 1981, Saudi Arabia witnessed the first visit from the Japanese Imperial House, followed by another visit in 1994. In 2017, the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 initiative came to light, yielding over 80 joint projects across various fields, including renewable energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and healthcare, thereby strengthening the two countries' strategic partnership. The visit by the Crown Prince and Princess of Japan to the pavilion is part of their participation in the official Japan Day ceremony at Expo 2025 Osaka. It coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan, which falls on June 7, 2025. This historic occasion represents a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership based on mutual respect, cultural exchange, and constructive diplomatic cooperation.
Saudi Gazette
05-07-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
GCC – Japan negotiations make progress in sealing free trade agreement
Saudi Gazette report TOKYO — The second round of negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Japan wrapped up in the Japanese capital Tokyo on Friday. The negotiations took place from June 30 to July 4, have been instrumental in working out major provisions of a free trade agreement between the two sides in the near future. A government delegation led by the General Authority of Foreign Trade attended the negotiations. The discussions covered several topics, including goods, technical barriers, terms of services, financial and telecommunications services, movement of natural persons, intellectual property, dispute settlement, general provisions, rules of origin, and trade facilitation. During this round, proposed texts were reviewed by both the Gulf and Japanese sides, with a focus on exploring trade opportunities, fostering trust and partnership, and identifying areas of cooperation and coordination. These efforts pave the way toward reaching a comprehensive final agreement in the upcoming rounds. Deputy Governor of the General Authority for International Organizations and Agreements and Head of the Saudi Negotiating Team Farid Al-Asali said that the discussions addressed several topics of mutual importance. He expressed optimism about completing the remaining negotiation rounds and reaching an ambitious agreement that provides preferential access to goods and services. This, he said, would help increase the volume of trade between the two sides, reflect the depth of economic ties, reinforce investment cooperation, and support the Kingdom's Vision 2030. During a meeting with the Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr, Al-Asali emphasized that the free trade negotiations with Japan align with the Kingdom's commitment—alongside other GCC countries—to strengthening trade relations with Japan and advancing the goals of the Saudi-Japanese Vision 2030. The Saudi delegation, headed by the General Authority of Foreign Trade, includes representatives from the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Economy and Planning, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, Saudi Export Development Authority, Communications, Space and Technology Commission, Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and the Saudi Central Bank. The General Authority of Foreign Trade works to enhance the Kingdom's international trade gains, increase its international presence, and its effective participation in a number of international organizations, to ensure the achievement of common goals and sustainable development.
Arab News
05-07-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Alfaisal University partners with Japan's Medident on health research
TOKYO: Alfaisal University in Riyadh has signed a memorandum of understanding with Medident from Japan to create a model for equitable and technology-driven healthcare innovation that will enhance the contributions of both countries to global health. The signing ceremony took place at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo and was attended by Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi ambassador to Japan; Daisuke Tomita, president and CEO of Medident; Noor Al-Saadoun, director of health innovation at the Biotech Center of Alfaisal University; and Mohammed Abdelhakim, vice director of Medident at Nippon Medical School. Binzagr hailed the agreement, saying: 'In bringing together Saudi Arabia's dynamic institutional vision with Japan's globally revered expertise in precision medicine, technology integration and multidisciplinary care models, this new alliance is anchored in a shared commitment to ethical, scalable innovation that addresses tangible clinical challenges while fostering inclusive progress.' Initial projects under the agreement include AI-driven diagnostic trials, immersive medical education, and faculty exchanges set to begin at Alfaisal's Health Innovation Center in Riyadh in late 2025. The partnership will also focus on innovation labs for AI diagnostics, XR surgical training, 3D-printed biomaterials, and digitalization of the healthcare system. Additional benefits of the partnership will include co-developed certification programs, cross-border support for health-tech startups, ethical adaptation of Japanese med-tech under Saudi Food and Drug Authority governance, and collaborative research into emerging health technologies. Al-Saadoun said the partnership is in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, adding: 'Today isn't just a signing; it's a gravitational shift. When global innovators like Japan choose Riyadh as their primary partner, they validate what Vision 2030 engineered: a sovereign ecosystem where regulatory agility, integrated infrastructure, and unwavering national commitment converge. This MoU announcement is an invitation to the world to join the fastest-evolving tech landscape on earth.' Alfaisal University is a non-profit institution of higher education located in the palace grounds of the late King Faisal in Riyadh. Medident, a pioneer in integrated oral-systemic healthcare models and the deployment of multidisciplinary medical technologies, is based in Tokyo. • This article also appears on Arab News Japan
Saudi Gazette
01-07-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka draws over one million visitors
Saudi Gazette report OSAKA — Saudi Arabia's pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has attracted more than one million visitors, reaching this milestone just over two months after its official opening on April 13. Since then, the pavilion has hosted more than 1,137 events across the Expo site. Saudi Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Kingdom's Pavilion Dr. Ghazi Binzagr described the achievement as a testament to the Kingdom's transformative journey under Vision 2030 while also promoting cultural exchange and sharing its rich heritage with the world. Dr. Binzagr stated that the Saudi participation in Expo 2025 Osaka underscores the strong and enduring ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan, especially as the two countries mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He noted that the pavilion aims to inspire visitors by illustrating the Kingdom's advancements and ambitions on the global stage. The Kingdom's involvement in Expo 2025 also serves as a prelude to Expo 2030 Riyadh, reflecting Saudi Arabia's aspiration to become a global destination. As the second-largest pavilion at the event, after host nation Japan, the Kingdom's structure is built using lightweight Saudi stone and features a unique design that offers a spatial journey through cities across the Kingdom. Visitors experience an engaging, interactive exhibit spanning seven immersive rooms, exploring themes such as future cities, sustainable oceans, human potential, and groundbreaking innovation, providing a compelling insight into Saudi Arabia's growing global influence.
