Saudi Arabia Roundup: Construction of world's largest building, robotic heart transplant, weather
Robotic heart transplant
Saudi surgeon Dr. Feras Khaliel has been honoured in Riyadh for performing the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. Recognised at the Global Health Exhibition, Khaliel received the Health Research Excellence Award for his role in advancing the hospital's robotic surgery program, which has completed over 400 procedures since 2019, Arab News reports. The innovative transplant, performed on a 16-year-old patient, marks a significant leap in cardiac surgery, offering benefits like reduced pain and recovery time.
Megacity Project
Saudi Arabia's $1 trillion megacity project, Neom, will utilise 20% of the world's steel supply to complete construction, according to project officials. Launched in 2017 in Tabuk Province, Neom features innovative concepts like The Line—a car-free city 170 km long powered by renewable energy. Although the project won't be fully completed until 2045, a central 5 km section is expected to be operational by 2030. Neom aims to diversify Saudi Arabia's economy under Vision 2030 and has already received $28.7 billion in funding, primarily for The Line. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman emphasises Neom's role in addressing urban livability and environmental challenges. According to Unilad, Initial plans included hosting nine million residents by 2030, but estimates have since been reduced to 300,000.
Hajj Village
Indonesian Minister Prabowo plans to establish a Hajj village in Saudi Arabia to centralise activities for Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Head of the Hajj Organizing Agency, Moch Irfan Yusuf, announced that this initiative aims to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for pilgrims. Currently, the agency is coordinating with the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah until the 2025 Hajj, with plans to operate independently by 2026. Prabowo also inaugurated several special envoys and advisors during a recent ceremony, Antara News reports.
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms are expected to persist across Saudi Arabia until Saturday, the General Directorate of Civil Defence has cautioned. The public has been encouraged to stay cautious and avoid flood-prone areas. The Makkah region may experience moderate-to-heavy rain, flash floods, and hailstorms, particularly affecting Taif, Maysan, Adham, Al-Lith, and Jeddah. Riyadh will see light-to-heavy rain, while other regions, including the Eastern Province and Najran, will also experience moderate-to-heavy rainfall. The National Centre for Meteorology notes that autumn typically brings rapid weather changes and relief from the heat, Arab News reports.
World’s largest building
Construction has begun on the 400-metre-high, cube-shaped Mukaab supertall skyscraper in Riyadh designed by AtkinsRéalis, which will be the world's largest building when completed. Designed as the centrepiece of the 19-square-kilometre New Murabba development in northwest Riyadh, Mukaab is now officially under construction with excavations underway, according to its development company. The developer, named New Murabba Development Company and funded by Saudi Arabia's central Public Investment Fund (PIF), said groundworks at the site are now 86 per cent complete, De Zeen reports.
