Saudi Culture Minister, MBC GROUP Sign Agreement to Operate Cultural TV Channel

Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan signed an agreement with MBC GROUP Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim. SPA
Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan signed an agreement with MBC GROUP Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim. SPA
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Saudi Culture Minister, MBC GROUP Sign Agreement to Operate Cultural TV Channel

Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan signed an agreement with MBC GROUP Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim. SPA
Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan signed an agreement with MBC GROUP Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim. SPA

Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan signed an agreement Wednesday with MBC GROUP Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim to launch and operate a television channel that celebrates Saudi cultural heritage to enhance the pioneering status of the Kingdom as the hub of culture in the region and meet the targets of the Saudi Vision 2030.

The planned channel will start streaming in September and will be broadcast on the MBC satellite package and on Shahid.net.

It targets both the intellectual elite and the wider public and will be broadcasting interactive programs on the Kingdom's rich cultural heritage 24/7.

The channel also seeks to increase Saudi content and presence in the global innovation system with unique programs of literature, poetry, theater, cinema, fashion, and culinary arts, targeting local and international audiences.

In addition to the channel, the agreement also stipulates the launch of a digital media platform specialized in producing video content for online platforms, as well as publishing articles, podcasts, and documentaries to expand the scope of work of local content creators and connect them with a network of experts in the field.

The establishment of the channel coincides with the Kingdom witnessing a Saudi Vision 2030-driven cultural renaissance to meet the ambitions of a new generation eager to keep pace with accelerated technological revolutions.



Pharrell Williams is Named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

US rapper, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams gives a speech after receiving the diploma as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts, Education and Entrepreneurship, at the UNESCO headquarters, in Paris on December 17, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)
US rapper, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams gives a speech after receiving the diploma as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts, Education and Entrepreneurship, at the UNESCO headquarters, in Paris on December 17, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)
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Pharrell Williams is Named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

US rapper, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams gives a speech after receiving the diploma as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts, Education and Entrepreneurship, at the UNESCO headquarters, in Paris on December 17, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)
US rapper, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams gives a speech after receiving the diploma as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts, Education and Entrepreneurship, at the UNESCO headquarters, in Paris on December 17, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)

Pop star and fashion designer Pharrell Williams was named UNESCO’s goodwill ambassador for artistic education and entrepreneurship on Tuesday in Paris, continuing his cultural dominance of the French capital as Louis Vuitton menswear artistic director and performer at Notre Dame Cathedral’s reopening earlier this month.
Williams said he hoped to “deepen that sense of unity and togetherness” in work that “evens the odds for marginalized communities.”
He also spoke about his impoverished youth, adding: “Growing up in Virginia, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be given an opportunity like this one."
The role of goodwill ambassador for the Paris-based UN cultural agency involves promoting its initiatives that include protecting indigenous cultures, advancing education and health care for women, raising awareness about genocide prevention and safeguarding cultural heritage, The Associated Press reported.
The UN agency said Williams will be “a mentor and role model for young creators, particularly in Africa, where UNESCO supports the development of cultural industries.”
Williams joins a list of goodwill ambassadors that includes US jazz musician Herbie Hancock, Brazilian artist Vik Muniz and Japanese filmmaker Naomi Kawase.
Williams has been particularly visible in Paris this year. Shortly before the Paris Olympics, his role as Louis Vuitton menswear designer took center stage during a star-studded event at UNESCO’s headquarters. The show, celebrating the beauty of human skin, featured models wearing garments in shades representing the diverse hues of humanity.
UNESCO leaders hope that Williams' global influence and deep connections to fashion and music will draw fresh attention to the agency’s work.
Williams is American, and his selection as goodwill ambassador also may be highlighting the readmission of the United States to UNESCO last year.
The US exit under President Donald Trump cited alleged anti-Israel bias within the agency. The decision followed a 2011 decision by UNESCO to include Palestine as a member state, which led the US and Israel to cease financing for the agency.
The US return under President Joe Biden was marked by a flag-raising ceremony attended by US First Lady Jill Biden.