Latest news with #Oases
Morocco World
26-05-2025
- Science
- Morocco World
AI Offers Hope for Morocco's Groundwater Crisis in Oases
Rabat — A group of Moroccan researchers has developed an artificial intelligence system that could help solve critical water shortages in oases, offering new hope for communities facing severe groundwater depletion. Adil Moumane, a researcher at Ibn Tofail university in Kenitra, presented the study at the second edition of the International Congress on Oases and Date Palm (CIO), held May 22-23 in Ouarzazate. This year's edition focused on the resilience and adaptation of oases ecosystems to global changes, particularly climate change. The research combines machine learning with geographic technology to identify optimal locations for water collection infrastructure in arid regions. In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Moumane said: 'We use Geo AI to identify areas where we can build construction that can collect the rainwater.' 'We observed that in the area of Zagora, for example, there is a big decrease of the groundwater table.' The research focused on Morocco's Middle Draa Valley, a region facing severe aquifer stress. Moumane's team developed a system that analyzes ten environmental factors, including soil conditions, rainfall patterns, elevation, and vegetation coverage, to identify where water collection structures would work best. Read also: Morocco's ANDZOA Chief Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Argan, Oases Ecosystems The AI system tested six machine learning approaches and found that LightGBM, a gradient boosting framework that uses tree-based learning algorithms, performed best, achieving 90% accuracy in predicting optimal groundwater recharge zones. The system identified soil permeability, elevation, and proximity to streams as the most important factors for successful water collection. Morocco's oasis regions face mounting pressure from climate change and population migration. Traditional communities that have depended on these water sources for generations now struggle as water tables drop to dangerous levels. 'The Oases area is under pressure of climate change and also under the pressure of different other global changes like migration of local people,' Moumane noted. The researcher's framework offers a data-driven solution using satellite imagery and advanced algorithms. Local authorities can make informed decisions about water infrastructure investments before building expensive projects. 'Recent extreme rainfall during the 2024-2025 season in southeastern Morocco highlighted both challenges and opportunities these regions face,' he told MWN, explaining that 'while sudden floods cause damage, they also represent precious water that could be captured with proper infrastructure placement. 'This research pioneers the application of machine learning and deep learning on geospatial data for groundwater mapping in data-limited contexts,' Moumane explained. The framework's modular design allows adaptation for arid regions worldwide, potentially helping millions facing similar water challenges. Conferences like CIO provide a platform for innovations like Moumane group's AI system to offer practical solutions to preserve ancient oasis ecosystems for future generations, particularly in the backdrop of climate change pressing challenges. Read also: Morocco-UAE Partnership Strengthens Date Palm Industry Development Tags: AI and agricultureMoroccoOases and climate changeOases and date palme
Morocco World
24-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco-UAE Partnership Strengthens Date Palm Industry Development
Ouarzazate — Morocco and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are deepening their collaboration in date palm cultivation and oasis preservation, with both countries emerging as global leaders in sustainable agricultural practices for oases ecosystems. Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, agricultural advisor at the UAE Presidential Court and Secretary General of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, spoke to Morocco World News on the sidelines of the second International Congress on Oases and Date Palm in Ouarzazate on May 22-23. 'We are here representing the Khalifa Award from the UAE to share the United Arab Emirates experience in the development of the date palm industry at all levels,' Zaid explained. The UAE came to exchange expertise in tissue culture development, large-scale plantations, disease control, packaging, processing, and international marketing. Shared vision for oasis protection Both countries have championed the sustainable development of oasis systems on the international stage. Morocco first brought this issue to global attention at COP22 in Marrakech in 2016, with the UAE's Khalifa Award later supporting the initiative at subsequent climate conferences. 'We put the subject on the table at various international climate change arenas,' Zaid said, citing recent participation at COP26 in Glasgow, COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, and COP28 in Dubai. 'The idea is to make sure that oases are protected for future generations.' The collaboration aims to establish an international body, possibly under UN auspices, dedicated to sustainable oasis development. This initiative addresses the urgent need to protect fragile oases ecosystems while improving production systems and living conditions for oasis inhabitants. Technical cooperation and innovation Despite geographic differences — Morocco in North Africa and the UAE in the Gulf region — both countries face similar agricultural challenges and opportunities. They have become world leaders in date palm tissue culture development and large-scale multiplication techniques. The UAE's Al Foah factory stands as a testament to the UAE industry's potential, producing and exporting an average of 200,000 tons of dates annually to more than 50 countries worldwide. Meanwhile, Morocco has developed extensive plantations spanning several thousand hectares in the Boudnib area, focusing on premium varieties like Medjool dates. 'Both countries are working hard and going for what we call noble varieties,' Zaid noted, stressing their shared focus on high-quality date production for international markets. Addressing regional challenges The partnership also tackles region-specific agricultural threats. Morocco faces the Bayoud disease, which doesn't exist in Gulf countries, while the UAE deals with the red palm weevil, which has recently appeared in northern Morocco. 'Disease and pest control is an important common achievement,' Zaid pointed out, noting how knowledge sharing helps both countries develop effective responses to emerging threats. Strengthening bilateral relations The agricultural cooperation reflects broader diplomatic ties between the two nations. Zaid highlighted the 'high-level relationship quality' between King Mohammed VI of Morocco and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Since his appointment in 2017, Zaid has also served as goodwill ambassador for the FAO's International Date Palm Network, coordinating festivals and technical assistance programs across the Arab world and beyond, including in Mexico, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, and Mauritania. 'Our presence here reflects such collaboration,' Zaid concluded. 'Khalifa Award is of international stature, and we are sharing all UAE experience in this field with our colleagues here in Morocco.' The two-day congress in Ouarzazate represents another milestone in the growing partnership between Morocco and the UAE, as both countries work to preserve oases ecosystems while developing sustainable agricultural industries for future generations. Tags: ANDZOAdate palmMoroccoMorocco UAEOasesUAE
![Qiwa CTO highlights Saudi Arabia's Digital Labor Market Transformation at London's International Finance Forum[AA1]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsaudigazette.com.sa%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2F2025%2F05%2F14%2F2524285.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![Qiwa CTO highlights Saudi Arabia's Digital Labor Market Transformation at London's International Finance Forum[AA1]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fsaudigazette.com.sa.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Saudi Gazette
14-05-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Qiwa CTO highlights Saudi Arabia's Digital Labor Market Transformation at London's International Finance Forum[AA1]
Haytham AlQadheeb, Chief Technology Officer of Qiwa at Takamol Holding, commanded attention at London's 4th International Finance Forum (IFF25), [AA2] where he outlined Saudi Arabia's digital transformation to global finance and technology leaders. His presentation detailed the Kingdom's strategic advances in labor market digitization and emphasized how digital infrastructure drives economic growth and capital efficiency across Africa and the MENA region. Participating in a high-level panel discussion titled "Digital Oases: Financing the Next Generation of Africa and MENA's Internet Infrastructure," AlQadheeb underscored how digital transformation is not merely a technological upgrade but a fundamental strategic enabler for national development. He emphasized that Qiwa, Saudi Arabia's national platform for labor-related services, is at the forefront of this transformation, unlocking significant capital through its comprehensive suite of subscription-based services that span various sectors. This, in turn, allows for strategic capital reallocation towards critical cloud infrastructure and advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms. The International Finance Forum, a flagship event by The Tech Capital, convened over 400 leaders from data centers, fiber, edge computing, AI, finance, and investment from more than 35 nations. AlQadheeb's participation highlighted Saudi Arabia's commitment to leveraging digital innovation to build a resilient and future-proof economy, positioning the Kingdom as a leading digital hub in the region and beyond. "The digitization of our labor market through platforms like Qiwa is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030," AlQadheeb stated. "We are creating a dynamic digital ecosystem that not only accelerates business formation and readiness by simplifying company setup, licensing, and workforce onboarding but also significantly reduces time-to-market for new ventures, thereby boosting investor confidence." He elaborated on Qiwa's foundational role in the national digital transformation agenda, acting as the backbone for labor-related digital services and enabling seamless integration with other national platforms. This integrated approach ensures a cohesive and efficient digital experience for businesses and individuals alike. A key theme of AlQadheeb's address was the critical importance of skills development in the digital era. "Skills are the currency of future innovation," he asserted. "As we accelerate the adoption of cloud and AI technologies, a digitally fluent and agile workforce is not just an advantage but a prerequisite. Qiwa is strategically positioned to map and close skill gaps on a national scale." To this end, Qiwa is actively working on introducing structured incentives and policy requirements for companies to invest in employee development, intrinsically linking compliance with future-readiness. Furthermore, AlQadheeb announced the forthcoming launch of a national Technology Excellence Program. This ambitious initiative, driven by real-time labor market insights, will focus on cultivating expertise in emerging technology fields such as cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity, ensuring the Saudi workforce is prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. Highlighting the platform's analytical capabilities, AlQadheeb explained how Qiwa is revolutionizing labor analytics. "We are turning vast amounts of workforce data into actionable strategic insights," he noted. "This empowers policymakers and businesses to make informed, data-driven decisions regarding labor trends, skills demand, and sectoral shifts. By aligning these analytics with educational and training institutions, we can synchronize talent supply with evolving industry needs, ensuring that our significant investments in technology and infrastructure are robustly supported by a prepared and capable workforce." Concluding his remarks, the Qiwa CTO addressed Saudi Arabia's ambitious cloud enablement strategy. He stressed the necessity of creating an attractive environment for global hyperscalers and fostering local cloud champions. "Cloud readiness begins with the right incentives," AlQadheeb argued. "This includes establishing Special Economic Zones tailored to cloud providers, offering distinct advantages in taxation, regulation, and connectivity." He also emphasized the paramount importance of securing national sovereignty within the cloud strategy, ensuring data localization, robust cybersecurity, and the scalability of cloud infrastructure to support the digital backbone of the Kingdom's labor market. [AA1]أفضل نكتبه زي ما هو: 4th International Finance Forum (IFF25) at London [AA2]أفضل نكتبه زي ما هو: 4th International Finance Forum (IFF25) at London
Campaign ME
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
WithFeeling reveals immersive sonic identity for Riyadh FoodSphere
Dubai-based sonic branding agency WithFeeling has revealed details about the creation and implementation of the entire sonic identity for the Riyadh Oases Tahliya FoodSphere. Conducted as part of a collaboration between Riyadh Municipality and Riyadh Holding, the 11,000-square-metre immersive space is the first in a network of eight Oases across Riyadh, a city-wide initiative of free-to-access experiences and edutainment centres. With the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia leaning into sound as a fundamental part of brand identity, WithFeeling was called in. For creative cultural consultancy behind the development of the concept, &bouqu was selected, while photo and film production company, GOOD Stills also collaborated on the project. The WithFeeling team, led by Chief Music Officer and Co-Founder, Joe Dickinson, composed more than four hours of original music in total for the project, blending traditional Saudi motifs with contemporary sounds to carefully craft an emotive soundscape. With each zone of the FoodSphere featuring its own bespoke ambient composition to enhance the visitor experience, this was by no means an easy feat. Dickinson said, 'This project really pushed us to explore the length and breadth of services we can provide. Not only did we have to create a unique sonic identity to begin with, we then needed to weave this through every piece of music and every soundscape we created. Each themed zone within FoodSphere had its own very specific feel, so we really leaned into this when it came to composition. For example, in The Apiary zone – which tells the story of Saudi's long history with honey – we wanted the music to remain organic and natural to reflect nature and calm, so we kept it all acoustic, with Oud, Ney flute, and Rubab representing the instrumentation of the region.' He added, 'For The Oasis zone – where the deep roots of coffee in Saudi's history and culture are celebrated – we not only continued to use a rich blend of traditional Arabic instrumentation, but authentic field recordings from the Jazan region were taken to transport visitors' minds straight to the heart of the action. We also developed interactive hologram voiceovers, bringing authenticity to exhibits throughout FoodSphere, and produced and mixed soundtracks for the accompanying documentary and digital installations to ensure a seamless auditory journey.' Underpinning the entire portfolio of work, the composition of an official FoodSphere theme shaped the creative process from the get-go. A signature piece that would be instantly recognisable as the experience's own sonic brand, this formed the basis for all other audio and sound aspects throughout the immersive experience. Dickinson said, 'In line with Vision 2030, we're seeing so many Saudi organisations looking to build a strong, recognisable and lasting brand, and they are quickly becoming leading advocates in using sound as a tool to help do this.' He added, 'For us, particularly when working on cultural heritage projects such as FoodSphere, the importance of representation and authenticity can't be ignored. While an outside listener might only hear 'Arabic drums' in a piece of music, we understand that there is much more to it. Everything from whether it's the darbuka, riq, or daf, to the unique and identifiable rhythm it plays, will represent different regions within the Kingdom and tell a different story.' By integrating subtle nuances such as these into sonic brands that it creates, WithFeeling has been able to artfully weave in nods to Saudi heritage within many organisations' overall brand identity. It was this understanding of the Kingdom's unique, rich culture and history that saw the agency selected as the natural first choice for creating and implementing FoodSphere's audio elements. Leighla McGregor, Executive Producer of GOOD Stills New Project Division, said, 'WithFeeling are our go-to for music composition and audio production. Their deep understanding of Saudi's musical landscape, combined with their technical expertise in both traditional and spatial audio, consistently adds a unique richness to our projects. They know how to paint a space with sound in a way that beautifully complements our visual storytelling.' CREDITS Client: Riyadh Oases Tahliya FoodSphere Sonic branding agency: WithFeeling Creative cultural consultancy: &bouqu Production house: GOOD Stills
