UN Tourism returns with Women in Tech Startup competition aimed at female empowerment

Special UN Tourism returns with Women in Tech Startup competition aimed at female empowerment
UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona. (Screengrab/YouTube)
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Updated 10 June 2024
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UN Tourism returns with Women in Tech Startup competition aimed at female empowerment

UN Tourism returns with Women in Tech Startup competition aimed at female empowerment
  • Competition will focus on three categories: people and skills, green tourism and travel solutions, and market innovators
  • Region is advancing toward smart destination approaches in tourism, leveraging various emerging technologies

RIYADH: Middle East UN Tourism has called on Saudi women entrepreneurs to get involved with this year’s Women in Tech Startup competition to help scale up their businesses.

The event proved a success last time around and UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona told Arab News that this year’s competition will focus on three categories: people and skills, green tourism and travel solutions, and market innovators.

She said: “In the people and skills category we are looking for innovative startups that develop and nurture human capital capacities and needs through education tech, social and messaging platforms, or wellness and health solutions.

“In the green tourism and travel solutions section we are looking for startups with eco-friendly and sustainable approaches in green tech, green infrastructure, sustainable travel and logistics, urban development, or rural development.”

Bayona added that with rapid digitalization and significant changes occurring in the Middle East, the region was advancing toward smart destination approaches in tourism, leveraging various emerging technologies.

She said: “The market innovators category calls for startups working with new technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality/virtual reality, cryptocurrency, the internet of things, blockchain and Web3 technology, digital twinning, and the metaverse.”

Finalists in the competition will pitch their startups at the UN Tourism Tech Adventure in AlUla later in the year.

Bayona said: “This event will allow those finalist entrepreneurs to present their creative ideas, in one of the most ideal backdrops, to potential investors and industry experts.”

Startups will receive industry insights and strategic counsel from UN Tourism and industry leaders and participate in a variety of tourism, sustainability, and business-related activities, including attending the annual Gala WITH Female Leaders taking place at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

Winning startups will also have the opportunity to obtain scholarships for the UN Tourism Online Academy, which has over 20,000 alumni and offers massive open online courses.

Bayona said: “Startups will gain media, public relations, and communications support, which will increase their visibility and help them establish their brand on a global platform.

“Finally, speaking opportunities: The winning startups will speak on panels and as keynote speakers at UN Tourism events.”

Bayona added that with women constituting around 54 percent of the tourism workforce, the competition had a mission to empower females, aligning with the multiple Sustainable Development Goals focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

She said the Middle East would see increased job opportunities in the tourism sector with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Oman’s 2040.

She added: “The competition encourages and helps women to develop and run tourism enterprises to close the gender gap of entrepreneurship in the sector.

“In addition, the goal of Decent Work and Economic Growth (Sustainable Development Goal 8) is fundamentally linked to the success of female entrepreneurs. The tourist sector is a significant worldwide employer, and women-led firms can produce diverse and inclusive jobs.”

The competition forms part of the UN Tourism Investment Framework: Investing in People, Planet, and Prosperity.

Bayona said the first competition identified four women-led startup winners across various categories, each focusing on distinct aspects of tourism and technology.

She added: “The winners exemplified the potential to drive social impact, enhance travel experiences, advance future technologies, and foster community engagement.

“The second competition offers a platform to showcase solutions on an international level, empowering them to assume leadership roles within the region. This initiative also serves as inspiration for future generations of Middle Eastern women, encouraging them to pursue their aspirations, share innovative ideas, and embrace the entrepreneurial journey.”

UN Tourism, with its global partners, has since 2018 conducted over 100 mentorship and personalized consultancy sessions for the finalist startups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that have participated in more than 26 competitions globally.

Bayona said that 23.8 percent of these firms were run by women, and added: “This competition not only assists women-led firms in scaling and succeeding, but also adds to the overall goal of creating a more inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.”


Pepsico set to expand in the Kingdom, with new HQ opening in Riyadh

Pepsico set to expand in the Kingdom, with new HQ opening in Riyadh
Updated 10 sec ago
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Pepsico set to expand in the Kingdom, with new HQ opening in Riyadh

Pepsico set to expand in the Kingdom, with new HQ opening in Riyadh

DUBAI: The soft drinks manufacturer Pepsico is set to open its new regional headquarters in Riyadh this month as part of its expansion, President and General Manager of PepsiCo MENA Ahmed ElSheikh told Arab News on Monday.

“We are opening a new office at King Abdullah Financial District, which is going to be the key head office,” ElSheikh said

PepsiCo is also investing in a research and development facility in KAFD, he added, describing Riyadh as “the hub of the Middle East” with an ever-growing market.

The president said PepsiCo had made investments of up to $2.5 billion in the last 10 years. Recently, $55 million was invested to expand their capabilities.

“So, this is about investment: investment in offices, investment in R&D, and investment in capacity,” he said.

“We’re bullish about the growth in the Middle East.”

Pepsico currently has two manufacturing plants in the Kingdom: one in Damam and one in Riyadh, which exports to the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

When asked how rapid market changes are affecting the brand, ElSheikh said Pepsico adapts to trends quickly.

“Health and wellness and fitness is a new trend, especially for Gen Z,” he said, referencing products such as Forno (baked potato) chips and Gatorade, which are growing in popularity among the demographic.

“The reason behind this is sports. People are very active,” he explained.

Each demographic has different needs, with Generation Z seeking healthier and more convenient products, said ElSheikh.

“Gen Z are looking for not just healthier products but also looking for on-the-go consumption versus at-home consumption,” he added.


Saudi Arabia developing unified ESG guidelines to raise reporting standards, official says

Saudi Arabia developing unified ESG guidelines to raise reporting standards, official says
Updated 11 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia developing unified ESG guidelines to raise reporting standards, official says

Saudi Arabia developing unified ESG guidelines to raise reporting standards, official says
  • Robust ecosystem will help prepare for sustainable future
  • Saudi companies need to improve accuracy of reports, says Sindi

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is developing unified national environmental, social, and governance guidelines that aim to bring reporting up to international standards, an official said.

“By developing a robust ESG ecosystem, we can address current challenges while preparing for a more sustainable future,” Yara Sindi, general manager of monitoring, reporting, and policies for sustainability, and director of corporate sustainability at the Ministry of Economy and Planning said during a conference in Riyadh.

“With 30 percent of our top companies already reporting on sustainability and growing awareness globally, we have an incredible opportunity to capitalize on this momentum,” Sindi said.

Despite this progress, Sindi noted that the quality of these reports remains a challenge. Many are not aligned with international standards, resulting in weak ratings and limited investor engagement, she said.

While there are multiple existing national guidelines that have been developed by different jurisdictions, Sindi pointed out that there is still no unified approach.

She emphasized the need for Saudi companies to improve the accuracy and transparency of their sustainability reports.

“It’s essential to equip our corporates with the tools and frameworks they need to produce high-quality reports,” she said.

Sindi added that this will allow them to better translate their efforts into measurable outcomes that investors can trust.

To tackle these challenges, Saudi Arabia is developing its own national sustainability reporting standards.

“These guidelines, informed by international best practices, aim to provide a unified approach that simplifies reporting for companies while ensuring alignment with global expectations,” she added.

Sindi made the comments during a panel discussion titled “The Evolving Landscape of ESG: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities” at the fifth World Environmental Social and Governance Summit in Riyadh this week.

She said that investors’ awareness of national ESG initiatives is not where it should be, due to the disconnect between companies and investors regarding sustainability efforts.

“We are working to bridge this gap by fostering conversations and knowledge-sharing between corporates and investors.”

Abdulaziz Al-Ghamdi, director of sustainability at Ardara, also participated in the discussion, emphasizing a critical aspect of proper ESG implementation.

“A lot is going on — the landscape on the policy and the implementation of the strategy — and there’s lots of effort and work to be thanked for.”

Al-Ghamdi added that where most companies fail to address proper ESG implementation strategy, and the way that it can aid decision-making, is in identifying, primarily, many different materiality topics and the sustainability mandate.

“That being said, ESG is a metric for those who have not been involved in it — to calculate, to measure, to track, and to assess the performance of a company towards this broader stakeholder engagement,” he explained.

Al-Ghamdi said that there is a lot of work that has been completed to do that, but there are significant challenges in implementing these kinds of ESG strategies.

Neil Atkinson, senior vice president and head of ESG and sustainability at Riyadh Bank, added further insights into how ESG opens new opportunities for Saudi Arabia’s rapidly transforming sectors such as construction, energy, and real estate.

“I’d say, with the mass transformation we have here in Saudi Arabia for all sectors, how ESG in collaboration with this transformation can provide new opportunities for us here in the Kingdom,” Atkinson said.

He identified four key trends shaping the ESG landscape from a banking perspective.

“The first one is the increasing growth of green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked instruments,” Atkinson said.

He noted that in the US, self-identified assets under management in ESG reached $6.5 trillion in 2024, reflecting a significant year-on-year rise.

Atkinson pointed to the scaling of clean energy technologies, particularly solar, hydrogen, and wind, as a second major trend.

The third trend Atkinson highlighted was the increasing demand from investors for measurable ESG metrics.

“There are innumerable macro studies that demonstrate the strong positive correlation between sustainability performance and financial performance,” he said.

This drives investor interest in companies’ ESG integration into corporate planning and strategy. Atkinson linked this trend to regulatory developments.

He added: “Sustainability performance equals financial performance, which equals financial stability. And that’s a trend we see continuing.”

Atkinson said that there are 3,000 Saudi companies impacted by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requirements.

“This will influence how businesses set up their exports and how we in the financial sector help companies transition to meet these requirements.”


Islamic coalition partners with UN to strengthen global efforts against terrorism

Islamic coalition partners with UN to strengthen global efforts against terrorism
Updated 11 February 2025
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Islamic coalition partners with UN to strengthen global efforts against terrorism

Islamic coalition partners with UN to strengthen global efforts against terrorism

RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism signed a memorandum of understanding in New York to bolster international efforts against terrorism and promote global security and stability.

The MoU aims to unify efforts in addressing terrorist threats in line with the regulations of both parties, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The coalition was represented by secretary-general, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Moghedi, and the UN office by under-secretary-general Vladimir Voronkov.

The MoU will support joint counter-terrorism projects focusing on capacity-building, training, awareness initiatives, and tackling emerging challenges.

It also outlines strategic cooperation in areas such as specialized law enforcement training and tailored technical assistance to member states.

Al-Moghedi emphasized that the MoU highlights the coalition’s commitment to combating terrorism and enhancing international cooperation for global security.

He added that working with the UN will facilitate the exchange of expertise and strengthen member states’ abilities to address security challenges effectively.


Saudi fund grants $20m loan for Suriname power grid 

Saudi fund grants $20m loan for Suriname power grid 
Updated 11 February 2025
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Saudi fund grants $20m loan for Suriname power grid 

Saudi fund grants $20m loan for Suriname power grid 

RIYADH: The Saudi Fund for Development has signed its first concessional loan agreement with Suriname, allocating $20 million to expand the country’s electricity transmission and distribution networks.

The agreement was signed by Sultan Al-Marshad, the fund’s CEO, and Kermechend Stanley Raghoebarsing, Suriname’s minister of finance and planning, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The project aims to expand the electricity network in the capital Paramaribo, and the city of Nickerie, improving energy accessibility and grid efficiency. 

It will also extend electricity to farms and factories across multiple regions, with transmission lines covering approximately 50 km, the SPA reported.

This agreement marks the first collaboration between the Saudi fund and Suriname, reflecting the former’s 50-year commitment to supporting developing nations’ economic, social, and developmental challenges.

The project aligns with the fund’s ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure and economic prosperity worldwide, the SPA added.


Saudi Arabia becoming international creator hub, says philanthropist Dylan Page

Saudi Arabia becoming international creator hub, says philanthropist Dylan Page
Updated 49 min 15 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia becoming international creator hub, says philanthropist Dylan Page

Saudi Arabia becoming international creator hub, says philanthropist Dylan Page

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia is becoming an international hub especially for creators and influencers, social media news anchor and philanthropist Dylan Page said on Tuesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Page told Arab News that he was looking forward to seeing Saudi Arabia’s next steps in the online space.

“I think their (Saudi Arabia) push to become much more international and bring lots of people in — I mean, signing Ronaldo alone was one of those things that got the entire world’s attention — I think it’s a huge opportunity to make it that international hub, especially for creators and influencers and stuff like that,” he said.

With more than 15 million followers across social media platforms, Page’s content focuses on news, humanitarian projects and pop culture.

Page, also known as TikTok’s “News Daddy,” started off as a janitor, but decided to follow his passion and pursue content creation full time.

Accumulating billions of views, Page grew his account in just 4 years and his life took a turn as he became one of the most followed news accounts on social media.

Ahead of his visit to Saudi Arabia, Page said he was looking forward to taking a tour of the Kingdom and hoped to visit the construction zone of The Line.

“This is what the world needs. We need to be able to look forward and have some inspiration again. Like Elon Musk always says, you know, we can’t just be focusing on the problems. You also need something to look forward to,” he added.

“Saudi Arabia, a lot of countries in the Middle East, are really pushing that. They’re the ones that are really bringing the inspiration. Like, what can we do in the future?”

Page is involved in substantial humanitarian work and advocacy. He collaborates with Share The Meal, a UN World Food Programme project that aims to end world hunger.

Share The Meal is raising funds for projects in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and elsewhere.

“At the start, it was one of those (projects) where we didn’t know much about it. So, we looked into it and we thought it was just going to be, like, working together one time to start off with. And then we kept on reaching out,” he said.

Page said he had been working with the scheme for two years. He plans to launch in-person projects to help raise more funds and be more involved.

The philanthropist will also be working on a new Ramadan campaign in collaboration with Share The Meal, his third such partnership with the UN project.