Saudi Arabia and Poland have signed an agreement allowing reciprocal visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic, service, and special passports. The move is aimed at facilitating closer cooperation and advancing shared interests in accordance with the legal frameworks of both nations.

The agreement was finalized during the official visit of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah to Poland, where he met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.

The two leaders reviewed the state of bilateral relations and discussed ways to deepen collaboration across various sectors. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, as well as efforts to bolster security and stability.

During the visit, the two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the Saudi-Polish Coordination Council. The council, to be jointly chaired by the foreign ministers, will include senior officials from both countries. Its purpose is to facilitate consultation, identify new areas of cooperation, and promote broader strategic partnerships between the two nations.

The creation of the council reflects the leaderships’ commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and fostering a long-term partnership. It is expected to provide a structured platform for dialogue and coordination, paving the way for enhanced cooperation across multiple fields.

Prince Faisal highlighted Saudi Arabia and Poland’s shared determination to advance ties across political, economic, and strategic domains. He noted that in an era of rapid global changes, sustained dialogue and coordination are essential to reinforcing mutual understanding and aligning positions on regional and international issues.

At a press briefing, the foreign minister underscored the significance of both the MoU establishing the Coordination Council and the visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and special passport holders.

Prince Faisal also shared that trade between Saudi Arabia and Poland reached approximately $12 billion in 2024, while transactions through the first three quarters of 2025 totaled around $8 billion. He stressed both countries’ intention to further strengthen economic relations in line with the strategic priorities of their leaderships.

The foreign minister welcomed the high level of coordination between Saudi Arabia and Poland in international forums and reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation on matters of shared regional and global interest.

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), has announced the opening of SEVEN Tabuk, expanding its entertainment network and supporting the Kingdom’s quality-of-life and regional development goals under Saudi Vision 2030.

SEVEN Chairman Abdullah Al Dawood said the opening represents another step in the company’s strategy to develop accessible entertainment destinations that are closely connected to the communities they serve.

SEVEN Tabuk is the company’s second entertainment destination, following SEVEN Abha, as SEVEN continues its plans to establish destinations across Saudi Arabia.

Located within Tabuk city, the fully indoor, all-weather destination is designed for everyday entertainment, offering residents and visitors a wide range of activities without requiring long-distance travel.

The destination operates from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekends and from 4:00 p.m. to midnight on weekdays, while Scene Cinemas operates daily from 4:00 p.m. until 3:30 a.m.

SEVEN Tabuk combines international attractions with locally developed concepts. Key offerings include Discovery Adventures, featuring immersive exploration-themed environments, and Hot Wheels E-Karting, an interactive karting experience inspired by the global brand.

The destination also features SEVEN’s homegrown concepts, including Kawaken, Kawaken Junior, GolFi, Cyber Bowling and Scene Cinemas, providing entertainment options for families, young people and a broad range of visitors.

Beyond entertainment, SEVEN Tabuk is expected to contribute to the city’s wider development by supporting local employment and strengthening partnerships with local businesses.

The opening further reinforces Tabuk’s position as an emerging leisure destination in northern Saudi Arabia while expanding access to entertainment experiences across the Kingdom.

Source: SPA

Green spaces and public parks across Makkah are playing an important role in improving the city’s urban environment and creating more comfortable spaces for residents, visitors and pilgrims.

The city has 290 public parks, many of which feature landscaped green areas, safe pedestrian walkways, sports facilities, courtyards, shaded seating areas, service amenities and playgrounds.

These spaces help provide shade, reduce heat absorption from urban surfaces and offer areas for movement, recreation and rest.

The development and maintenance of parks are particularly important in Makkah, which welcomes millions of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors throughout the year.

Expanding landscaping, shaded areas and open pedestrian spaces forms part of broader efforts to improve the pilgrim experience by creating a more comfortable and accessible urban environment.

The parks also complement Makkah’s wider network of services and facilities, supporting the city’s efforts to enhance quality of life while accommodating the needs of its residents and millions of visitors.

Source: SPA

Irqah Village, one of the oldest settlements in Riyadh Region, is showcasing more than 1,000 years of history through its traditional architecture, heritage sites and cultural experiences.

Once a thriving agricultural center, the village developed around mud-brick homes, historic mosques, farms and water sources, creating a distinctive architectural and social identity.

At the heart of the historic village, Bayt Isa recreates aspects of traditional Najdi life through its majlis, cafés, heritage pathways, courtyards and rooftops. The heritage house offers visitors an immersive experience reflecting the architectural style and social traditions of the Najdi environment.

Handicrafts further enrich the experience, with workshops helping revive traditional skills passed down through generations. Local outlets also provide artisans with opportunities to display and sell their work, linking cultural heritage with its social and economic roots.

Since opening, Irqah Village has welcomed more than 15,000 visitors, supported over 50 cottage-industry families and hosted filming by more than 20 production companies.

The village has also generated more than three million digital views and interactions, highlighting its growing popularity and the potential of its heritage spaces for tourism, culture and creative activities.

Source: SPA