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The Saudi philanthropist received a prestigious Fair Saturday Award during a ceremony at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.
Rania Moualla, ZADK Culinary Academy founder and chairwoman, has received global recognition for her pioneering social entrepreneurship and contributions to community development.
The Saudi philanthropist received a prestigious Fair Saturday Award during a ceremony at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. The award recognizes her leadership, transformative vision and efforts to promote education, sustainability and the preservation of cultural heritage through gastronomy.
Moualla said: “ZADK is more than just a non-profit culinary academy — our goal is to preserve local culture, protect heritage, promote job creation, emphasize sustainability and drive social transformation. I’m thrilled that our success has now been recognized on the international stage.”
ZADK aims to drive positive social change through excellence in culinary education and innovation. It provides a foundation for passionate Saudis who aspire to be chefs and restaurateurs, nurturing their creativity and knowledge while emphasizing local culture and cuisine.
It provides scholarships for qualifying students and offers a range of culinary courses, including a two-year higher culinary diploma, a one-year associate diploma, and a six-month professional certificate program, along with shorter courses and other services.
The comprehensive training programs aim to prepare students for the workplace, providing employers with competent employees who add value in a professional environment.
The Fair Saturday Awards were launched in 2017 with the aim of recognizing the initiatives of inspiring individuals and organizations, which have proven to generate social impact through art and culture. They emphasize the value of promoting new models of action with the mission of generating more inclusive, fair and sustainable growth.
Other recipients of the 2025 Fair Saturday Awards include Nobel laureate in economics, Joseph Stiglitz; journalist and author Martin Wolf; actress Adjoa Andoh; dancer and choreographer Ahmad Joudeh; pianist Joaquin Achucarro; and cultural association Gerediaga Elkartea.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Rania Moualla, ZADK Culinary Academy founder and chairwoman, has received global recognition for her pioneering social entrepreneurship and contributions to community development. (Supplied)
Multiply Group, the Abu Dhabi-based investment holding company that invests in and operates businesses globally, announced today that it will acquire a majority position in ISEM, a European leading packaging group, subject to regulatory approvals.
Upon completion of the transaction, Multiply Group will hold 60.8% of ISEM, while Peninsula Capital and minority investors will own the remaining 39.2%.
This marks the start of a strategic partnership between Multiply and Peninsula, combining Multiply’s platform-building playbook and patient capital approach with Peninsula’s deep sector knowledge and Southern European dominance.
Together, the partners will reinforce ISEM’s leadership position and accelerate its global expansion, while safeguarding the company’s long-term values of craftsmanship, design excellence, and client trust.
The deal represents an expansion into packaging by Multiply Group, establishing the Group’s fifth consumer-focused vertical and strategically complementing its existing beauty and apparel businesses.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Bologna, Italy, ISEM Group is a highly automated leader that reinforces the ‘Made in Italy’ brand hallmark, globally recognised for its quality, innovation, and association with key luxury clients. Its key global clients include LVMH, Kiko, Gucci, L’Oréal, Puig, and Coty Lancaster.
ISEM products include rigid boxes, folding cases, silk paper, and dust bags, with an industrial footprint comprising 11 manufacturing plants spanning more than 100,000 m².
Commenting on the transaction, Samia Bouazza, Group CEO and Managing Director of Multiply Group, said, “This transaction is our second in Europe this year as we continue with our global growth ambitions. With 3x revenue and 4x EBITDA growth from 2021–2024, a long-standing blue-chip client base, a highly automated industrial footprint, and strong fundamentals, we believe ISEM Group is a great fit for our portfolio.
With this acquisition, alongside Peninsula Capital and the management of ISEM, we see opportunities to maximise competitive advantages, elevate value creation, and create synergies within the industry and potentially with our beauty and apparel sectors.”
Borja Prado, Founding Partner of Peninsula Capital, commented, “We are proud of the journey accomplished together with ISEM Packaging Group, which has become a European leader in packaging, and a partner of choice for global beauty and fashion leading brands. Since our entry, revenues have tripled through strong organic growth and targeted M&A, underscoring the strength and the distinctiveness of ISEM’s platform.”
Francesco Pintucci, CEO of ISEM Group, commented, “I am proud to welcome Multiply Group as the new majority shareholder of ISEM Packaging Group, alongside Peninsula and the management. This important step represents full continuity with our long-term vision and growth strategy: to build the world’s leading industrial group capable of supporting our customers at 360°, combining the highest standards of quality, innovation, and service with a strong ESG commitment.
Multiply Group’s investment will further strengthen ISEM’s industrial platform and accelerate our global expansion, enabling us to serve our clients even better – with greater scale, agility, and technological excellence – while preserving the entrepreneurial DNA and human values that define our success.”
Al-Anany succeeds Audrey Azoulay, marking historic milestone for Egypt and Arab world at UN cultural body.
Egyptian candidate Khaled al-Anany was elected Monday as the new director-general of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), succeeding French civil servant and politician Audrey Azoulay.
His term will run until 2029, according to the Egyptian news agency Mena.
Al-Anany, Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, secured a decisive victory with 55 votes out of 58 during a session of the organization’s executive board in Paris.
His sole challenger, 69-year-old Firmin Edouard Matoko of the Republic of the Congo, received two votes, while the US abstained.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi congratulated al-Anany on the “sweeping victory,” describing the election as “a historic achievement added to Egypt’s diplomatic and cultural record and to the accomplishments of Arab and African peoples.”
He added that the victory reflects Egypt’s civilizational status and expressed confidence that al-Anany will strengthen cultural dialogue and protect global heritage.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, who headed the Egyptian delegation in Paris, noted that this is the first time an Egyptian and Arab have led UNESCO since its establishment in 1945.
He said the result reflects the “leading position Egypt enjoys regionally and internationally” and highlighted al-Anany’s unique cultural background, representing layers of Egyptian civilization — Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic, Arab-Islamic and modern.
Abdelatty stressed that member states’ overwhelming support demonstrates their trust in Egypt, the Arab world and Africa. He pledged that under al-Anany’s leadership, UNESCO will remain “a home for cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, peace, heritage protection, creativity, knowledge expansion, and youth and women’s empowerment.”
With this election, al-Anany becomes UNESCO’s 12th director-general, the first Arab and the second African after Senegal’s Amadou-Mahtar M’Bow (1974-1987) to hold the post in the organization’s 80-year history.
Marrakech’s most iconic landmarks welcomed artists and visionaries today, transforming its ancient walls into a stage for dialogue, discovery, and cultural exchange.
The highly anticipated Marrakech Short Film Festival (MARRAKECHsFF) officially opened last night, running through October 1, across some of the city’s most iconic sites, including El Badi Palace, Cyber Parc Moulay Abdeslam, and Centre Culturel Les Étoiles de Jamaa El Fna.
This year’s edition welcomes El Salvador as the guest country, with a diverse lineup of international and Moroccan films.
Festival founder and director Ramia Beladel opened the evening by highlighting this year’s theme, “Ka wla Maka,” a Darija expression familiar to Marrakchis that emphasizes both action and the spirit of Bahja (happiness).
Beladel described the festival as an “act of resistance and resilience,” emphasizing its role in giving visibility to emerging filmmakers and preserving cultural dialogue.
The opening night drew an international crowd of filmmakers and industry figures, including jury members such as Jane Kim, producer of industry programming at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and the president of the Alexandria Film Festival.
The program at El Badi Palace began with a red Berber carpet and presentation, followed by screenings that brought together stories from Palestine, El Salvador, Morocco, and Kenya.
Highlights included “A Short Film About Kids” by Palestinian director Ibrahim Handal, competing for the International Nakhil Prize, “Not For Sale” by El Salvador’s Ale Pinto, presented as part of the guest country spotlight, and “Chikha” by Moroccan directors Ayoub Layoussifi and Zahoua Raji, in competition for the National Belarj Prize.
Now in its fifth edition, MARRAKECHsFF has steadily grown into a key platform for short-format cinema in the region, positioning itself as both a launchpad for emerging Moroccan talent and a bridge to wider international audiences.
Founded during the pandemic to revive open-air screening culture, the festival maintains an open call format with both national and international competitions, and includes programs such as low-budget support for local filmmakers.
By embracing diverse narratives and forging international collaborations, the festival strengthens Marrakutation as a hub foech’s repr cultural exchange.
Rather than competing with the larger Marrakech International Film Festival, this festival complements it – while remaining distinct – by putting shorter works and emerging filmmakers at the center of the conversation.
Egyptian Minister of Culture Ahmed Hanno announced Wednesday that Tamara-Haus has won the 2025 Best Practice Award for Preserving Architectural Heritage.
The award, launched by the National Organization for Urban Harmony (NOUH) , was announced during a ceremony held at the Small Hall of the Cairo Opera House.
The event was attended by Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber, NOUH CEO Mohamed Abou Seada, and former Minister of Culture Emad Abu Ghazi.
The ceremony also featured the opening of a photo exhibition showcasing the competing projects.
Tamara-Haus, built in 1910 in downtown Cairo, is a New Renaissance-style building owned by Al Ismailia Company.
It has been fully renovated and repurposed as a creative art space, hosting design studios and cultural events.
Architect Karim Al Shafai, CEO of Al Ismailia, and architect Mohamed Hassan, head of design of the project, received the award.
The event also honoured several local conservation projects, presenting certificates of recognition to initiatives such as the conservation of the Civil Protection building in Alexandria Governorate, the Dokki Police Station building in Cairo, and a residential building at 78 Beiram El-Tonsy Street in the Saida Zeinab district.
As 7 October marks two years of Palestinian resistance and resilience, Ahram Online revisits Gaza’s past with rare photographs taken before the creation of Israel.
Photos from gaza by Kegham Djeghalian
In 1948, 75 percent of the primary population of Gaza was refugees. Deir El-Balah and Khan Younis were originally refugee camps, established in 1948, for the displaced people of Palestine.
The first Israeli soldier to come into Gaza, 1956.
Gaza Mon Amour
In 2024, two exhibitions in Cairo honoured Gaza’s first photographer, Kegham Djeghalian (1910s–1981), an Armenian genocide survivor who settled in Palestine.
In 1944, Djeghalian opened Gaza’s first photography studio, Photo Kegham.
The exhibitions were curated by his grandson, art director, visual artist, and fashion stylist Kegham Djeghalian, who sought to map out Kegham’s professional practice and socio-political engagement, reconnect with the intangible cultural heritage of Gaza, and rewrite a collective visual and oral historiography that safeguards the oral and visual narratives of the city for generations to come.
Kegham was very popular in Gaza and was affectionately known to Gazans as “Abu Bishara,” which means “good news” in Arabic.
They took him into their homes, making him “The Mohktar,” the wise man or the sage of the town whom you ask to settle disputes.
He photographed weddings, joy, sadness, summertime, iconic figures, trivial times, and everything as if he were safeguarding Gaza’s memories of all kinds and forms.
Tomb of the Virgin Mary.
The Tomb of Prophet Zakaria.
Temple, dome, church
Among the highlights is a rare photo collection by renowned photographers Lehnert and Landrock, who began their work in 1924.
Around 1925, they captured Jerusalem’s most iconic landmarks: the Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, and Church of the Nativity.
The Temple Mount, in the Old City of Jerusalem, is sacred in both Judaism and Islam. It is believed to be the place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son.
For Muslims, it is the third-holiest site after Mecca and Medina, where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven.
For Christians, Palestine holds profound significance as it is home to the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus is believed to have been born. It also has the site of his crucifixion and the tomb of the Virgin Mary.
In 691 AD, Caliph Abd Al-Malik built the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. It remains the oldest surviving Islamic monument.
It was constructed at the very site where Muslims believe Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
Through the lens of young Dutchman
A rare photo collection of British Mandate-era Palestine, dating back to 1921, was on display at the Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo.
Dubbed The Young Dutchman and His Camera by both Falestin and Haaretz newspapers, the collection of photos by Frank Schotlen (1881-1942) highlights a significant phase of Palestinian history.
It shows the impact of modernity on Palestinian society in the wake of World War I.
Among the most significant changes were the flourishing of cafes that served as cultural hubs, the modernization of school systems, and the growing importance of local newspapers, such as Falastine.
The photos also depict annual celebrations held by Palestinians to honour prophets, including Moses, Rubin, Samuel, and Al-Khedr.
77 faces from Palestinian history
In 2017, Palestinian Artist Ahmed Dari curated a photo exhibition at the premises of the United Nations’ headquarters in Geneva to mark the International Day of Solidarity with Palestine.
The photos included portraits taken by well-known 19th-century photographers such as Felix Bonfils, who arrived in Palestine in 1880 and focused on Nazareth and Bethlehem, and French photographer Dumas.
The collection also featured works from Jerome and Jean Tharaud, as well as researcher Sarah Graham-Brown.
The Arab world attracted 360 foreign renewable energy projects between January 2003 and December 2024, with investments surpassing $351 billion and generating more than 83,000 jobs, according to a new report from the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corp., known as Dhaman.
Five countries — Egypt, Morocco, the UAE, Mauritania and Jordan — accounted for 248 projects, or 69 percent of the total, with a combined investment value of $291 billion. These projects alone created nearly 68,000 jobs, representing 82 percent of employment in the sector.
The UAE led regional renewable energy investment over the past two decades, attracting 57 projects worth $88.5 billion, equivalent to a quarter of total investment and generating over 16,000 jobs.
At the corporate level, Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power topped the list by project volume with 20 initiatives, while UAE-based Infinity Power led in value, with projects totaling $34 billion.
Dhaman’s report also highlighted cross-border cooperation, noting that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Egypt invested in 90 interconnected projects worth $113 billion, accounting for a quarter of all foreign-backed activity and creating 22,000 jobs.
Looking ahead, electricity generation across 15 Arab countries is projected to expand by 4.2 percent, exceeding 1,500 terawatt-hours in 2025 and rising to 1,754 terawatt-hours by 2030. Production will remain concentrated in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Iraq and Algeria, which together represent nearly three-quarters of output.
Consumption is expected to climb 3.5 percent to 1,296 terawatt-hours in 2025, led by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Algeria and Kuwait.
Trade in electricity and power generation equipment also surged, with foreign trade in the sector up 8 percent to $39.2 billion in 2024. Exports increased 9 percent to $7.6 billion, while imports rose 7.8 percent to $31.5 billion. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Morocco, Iraq and Qatar accounted for 81 percent of this trade.
Turkiye emerged as the region’s top electricity exporter at $446 million, while the US dominated power equipment supply at $6.6 billion. On the import side, Libya was the largest regional buyer of electricity at $59 million, while France topped power equipment imports at $593 million.
Headquartered in Kuwait, Dhaman was established in 1974 as a joint Arab entity owned by member states and four regional financial institutions. Its latest report is the second 2025 sectoral study focused on electricity and renewable energy in Arab economies.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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At the corporate level, Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power topped the list by project volume with 20 initiatives, while UAE-based Infinity Power led in value, with projects totaling $34 billion. File
The initiative aims to ensure that individuals with autism can access meaningful opportunities and social integration worldwide.
Qatar, in collaboration with international partners, has launched the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition (GAAC), calling on the global community to join forces in supporting people with autism and their families.
The initiative, announced during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, aims to move beyond awareness and promote concrete collective action for a more inclusive future worldwide.
The GAAC, led by Qatar Foundation (QF) alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Autism Speaks, was unveiled during the UN’s High-Level Meeting on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being.
Current estimates suggest that around 80 million people globally, approximately one percent of the world’s population, are on the autism spectrum, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated international support.
The coalition seeks to advance autism on the global agenda, encouraging governments, NGOs, charities, and private sector partners to allocate resources, develop inclusive policies, and share knowledge across research, education, technology, and community engagement.
Minister of Public Health, Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, described the coalition as “a beacon of what can be achieved when nations unite for good. By working together, we can improve the lives of millions of individuals with autism, helping them reach their full potential and showing the world that collective action delivers hope, dignity, and opportunity,” according to the Ministry of Social Development and Family’s press release.
Buthaina bint Ali Al Nuaimi, Minister of Social Development and Family, highlighted Qatar’s pioneering role in autism support.
“This moment reflects the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, whose leadership has long advanced dignity, inclusion, and opportunity for individuals with autism. In 2017, Qatar launched its first national autism strategy, creating a foundation for inclusive policies and services. Since then, Qatar has championed the rights of the autistic community through early diagnosis, education, and community services, ensuring inclusion at every stage of life,” she said.
She added, “Looking ahead, innovation must remain central to continued progress. For us, innovation is not only about technology, but also about re-imagining how social systems, family support, and community engagement work together so every individual can contribute meaningfully to society.”
Associate Professor Dena Al Thani, Co-Founder of the Autism Sensing Center of Excellence at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, emphasised priority areas for international cooperation, including early diagnosis, investment, and technological innovation in autism assessment and intervention.
Hilal Lashuel, Research, Development, and Innovation Advisor at QF, said: “Having a global voice for autism and launching supportive platforms for individuals with autism has become a global necessity, not a choice. Autism is a worldwide challenge that requires a global response and resources beyond the capacity of any single country or institution. One of the coalition’s main objectives is to strengthen integrated international collective action across all fields, translating decades of hope, investment, and progress into tangible solutions that positively impact individuals with autism and their families.”
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, has long championed global autism awareness. She said in a post on X: ““I welcome the launch of the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition, marking a milestone that shifts our efforts beyond awareness to collective action. This platform urges the international community to embrace its shared responsibility in addressing autism. As the first coalition of its kind, it will ensure autism becomes an international priority.”
She added, “The State of Qatar’s commitment to the causes of autism extends beyond its national border and is rooted in our belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive and lead a fulfilling life. On this occasion, I urge governments, stakeholders, and development partners to move beyond awareness and commit to concrete collective action, including the meaningful allocation of necessary resources.”
I welcome the launch of the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition, marking a milestone that shifts our efforts beyond awareness to collective action. This platform urges the international community to embrace its shared responsibility in addressing autism. As the first coalition of… https://t.co/EaHBKDJsG9
Sheikha Moza’s leadership has been instrumental in raising international attention to autism, with her 2007 proposal leading to the UN General Assembly’s adoption of World Autism Awareness Day, held annually on 2 April.
Through Qatar Foundation programmes, including the Renad Academy, and the newly launched Autism Strategy 2025-2035, Qatar continues to expand inclusivity, research, and support services for individuals with autism, setting a global example for collaboration and meaningful action.
Long before streaming took over, these film theatres shaped how the Arab world fell in love with cinema. Some still stand, holding stories of generations past.
In 1895, cinema was born. In the French coastal town of La Ciotat along the Mediterranean, the Lumière brothers screened ‘L’arrivée d’un train en gare de La Ciotat’ at the Eden Theatre – now considered the oldest purpose-built cinema still in operation. This moment marked the public birth of film as both an art form and a collective experience. And it didn’t stay in France for long. Crossing oceans and borders, it found new audiences around the globe. Everything started to change, rapidly, violently, and so quickly. Films stormed every means of expressionism out there and, in the process, changed how we literally view life.
The Middle East and North Africa – dreamy, reflective, and rich in storytelling, qualities that are evident in our folklore – embraced this new medium with open arms. In a time when much of the Arab world was under the plague of colonialism, a factor that ironically accelerated cinema’s arrival, films offered a glimpse of hope and a window into other possibilities. Film theatres began to appear, and audiences were obsessed with these ‘moving pictures’. Just a year after the Lumières’ screening, one of the earliest film showings in the world took place in Egypt, at the Zawani Café in Alexandria, in January 1896.
Since then, our love for cinema has been undeniable. The buildings that housed these films became places where we shared our deepest fears, hopes, and desires. So, we’ve taken the opportunity to rewind and take a look at some of the oldest film theatres across the Middle East and North Africa, from Al Maghreb to Egypt to the Levant, where some of these spaces still stand…
Diana Palace Cinema, Cairo
Originally opened in 1932 as Diana Palace, the cinema was once one of Cairo’s most luxurious and expansive movie theatres, with a grand hall that could seat up to 1,500 people. Designed by Italian architect Gaston Rossi, it quickly became a cultural fixture in the city. The building was damaged during the Cairo fire of 1952 but reopened in 1960 under a new name – Cinema Diana. Located at the intersection of Al-Alfi Street and Bustan Al-Dikka in the Azbakeya district of Downtown Cairo, the cinema has since shifted into the category of second-run theatres. Still, it remains one of the oldest standing film venues in Egypt, a familiar presence tied to the city’s deep-rooted cinematic history.
Empire Cinema, Beirut
Originally built as a hotel, the building was converted into a theatre in 1920 by George Haddad and Nicola Kattan, who saw its potential as a cultural space. Just nine years later, in 1929, it was transformed into a film theatre, r. Since then, it has screened countless films from around the world and has remained a cherished destination for generations of moviegoers. Today, Empire stands as one of the oldest surviving cinemas in Lebanon, and a witness to the country’s long love affair with cinema.
Cinema Rialto, Casablanca
Cinema Rialto is one of Casablanca’s most iconic landmarks, opened in 1929 during the French colonial era. Known for its striking Art Deco architecture and 1,350-seat hall, it was once the go-to spot for moviegoers in Morocco. Over the years, it hosted everything from blockbuster films to live performances by international stars like Edith Piaf and Josephine Baker. Though its popularity has faded with time and multiplexes, Cinema Rialto still stands—and occasionally screens films—offering a nostalgic glimpse into Casablanca’s cinematic golden age.
Cinema Dimashq, Damascus
Cinema Dimashq opened its doors in 1943 and quickly became a landmark in Damascus, bringing the magic of cinema to Syrian audiences. With 1,500 seats, it was one of the biggest single-room theaters in the Arab world. After shutting down in 2005, it made a comeback in 2009 as Cinema City – renovated, and rebranded. Today, it houses four mid-sized screening rooms and remains the only cinema in Syria that regularly screens new American and European releases.
Cinema Le Palace, Tunis
Cinema Le Palace, originally opened in 1903 as Politeama Rossini, was built as a theatre for Tunisia’s Italian community. Located on Avenue Habib Bourguiba in Tunis, the venue was converted into a furniture store in 1923, before later becoming a cinema. In 2002, the building’s historic façade was restored by the Association for the Protection of the Medina of Tunis as part of wider beautification efforts along the avenue. Today, it continues to operate as a movie theatre.
Ciné-Palace Theater, Marrakech
Built in 1926 by architect Serge Escharavil during the French protectorate, Ciné-Palace in Marrakech was the vision of Monsieur Friggeri, who dreamed of creating an artistic, multicultural cinema. Throughout the 1930s, it hosted renowned performers like Nat King Cole and Rita Hayworth. Often seen as Marrakech’s answer to France’s Eden Theatre, Ciné-Palace stood as a cultural hub for nearly four decades before closing in 1984, eventually overshadowed by the rise of luxury hotels.
Metro Cinema, Alexandria
Metro Cinema in Alexandria opened in 1950 as part of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer chain, bringing international films and studio prestige to the city’s growing cinema scene. It stood out for its sleek design and strong programming mix, showing both local and foreign titles. While it’s no longer the draw it once was, its presence remains part of Alexandria’s film-going history – less nostalgia, more cultural fixture.
Al Hussein Cinema, Amman
Cinema Al-Hussein opened in 1959 in downtown Amman, Jordan, and quickly became a major cultural hotspot. Designed by Egyptian architect Sayed Karim, it stood out for its bold Art Deco style and modern design. It screened major international films and was popular through the 1960s and ’70s. But with the rise of suburban cinemas and shifting city life, it eventually closed. Today, the building still stands – empty and neglected.
Saudi Arabia was elected to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during the organization’s 69th General Conference in Vienna on Friday.
The Kingdom will serve as a member of the 35-member Board for the next term, running until 2027, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg)
September 19, 2025
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The IAEA board is a key decision-making body, overseeing sensitive issues such as safeguards, which involve verifying the peaceful use of nuclear energy by States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The board also reviews the agency’s program, budget, and financial statements, and makes recommendations to the General Conference.
Saudi Arabia previously held a seat on the Board from 2022 to 2024.
Its election reflects international confidence in the Kingdom’s constructive role in promoting global cooperation and using atomic energy to support development and peace, SPA added.
