Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Commitment to Global Cultural Collaboration

Saudi Arabia reiterated its dedication to promoting cultural diversity. SPA
Saudi Arabia reiterated its dedication to promoting cultural diversity. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Commitment to Global Cultural Collaboration

Saudi Arabia reiterated its dedication to promoting cultural diversity. SPA
Saudi Arabia reiterated its dedication to promoting cultural diversity. SPA

Saudi Arabia’s commitment to cultural collaboration and sustainable development was highlighted at the 5th G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting, where Deputy Minister of Culture for International Cultural Relations Eng. Fahad Abdulrahman Alkanaan delivered the Kingdom’s speech.

The ministerial meeting, held in Salvador, Brazil, under the theme “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,” provided Saudi Arabia an opportunity to reaffirm its dedication to advancing the global cultural agenda.

In his speech on behalf of Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Deputy Minister Eng. Fahad Abdulrahman Alkanaan expressed gratitude to the Brazilian Presidency, specifically acknowledging Minister of Culture Margareth Menezes, for their dedication to supporting the cultural track within the G20 framework.

“Saudi Arabia is honored to have initiated the first-ever G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting in 2020 during the Saudi Presidency, themed ‘The Rise of the Cultural Economy: A New Paradigm.’ This initiative underscores our belief in culture as a global public good, connecting our past, enriching our present, and shaping our future,” he said.

The G20 Culture Track was introduced in 2020 under Saudi Arabia’s Presidency, marking a transformative milestone in recognizing culture’s role in influencing economic growth, making it an essential part of the G20 agenda. Since then, Saudi Arabia has established a strong legacy within the G20 framework, and successive presidencies—Italy, Indonesia, India, and now Brazil—have expanded upon this foundation, broadening the cultural agenda’s scope and impact.

Aligning with this year’s G20 theme to foster social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience, Saudi Arabia reiterated its dedication to promoting cultural diversity, leveraging digital advancements, fostering a creative economy, and preserving cultural heritage.

Saudi Arabia emphasized the importance of preserving and protecting heritage sites worldwide. To support this mission, the Kingdom has launched several initiatives, including the establishment of a world-class center dedicated to the restoration and protection of underwater cultural heritage in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage locally and internationally.
Through these continued efforts, Saudi Arabia remains dedicated to the priorities of the G20 Culture Track, viewing culture as a vital contributor to sustainable growth. Prince Bader remarked, “We are confident that the collaborative efforts among G20 members will continue to elevate culture as a vital force for sustainable development, inspiring future generations to build a better world.”



Royal Commission for AlUla, UNESCO Launch Innovating Documentary Heritage Conference

Royal Commission for AlUla, UNESCO launch innovating documentary heritage conference. (SPA)
Royal Commission for AlUla, UNESCO launch innovating documentary heritage conference. (SPA)
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Royal Commission for AlUla, UNESCO Launch Innovating Documentary Heritage Conference

Royal Commission for AlUla, UNESCO launch innovating documentary heritage conference. (SPA)
Royal Commission for AlUla, UNESCO launch innovating documentary heritage conference. (SPA)

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), in partnership with UNESCO, launched its international conference titled “Innovating Documentary Heritage for Sustainable Development in AlUla and Saudi Arabia,” to be held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on April 29 and 30.

The conference is held under UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” program and will host leading experts, institutions concerned with historical memory, and cultural policymakers. It will discuss ways to utilize documentary heritage in supporting education, promoting cultural dialogue, and advancing sustainable development goals in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region.

Alongside the conference, an exhibition titled “Words on Memory: A Window into Saudi Arabia’s Documentary Heritage” is being held at UNESCO headquarters from April 28 to May 2. It will showcase archival materials and historical narratives of the Kingdom, in partnership with national memory institutions, for the first time internationally.

The initiative reflects RCU’s commitment to preserving AlUla’s natural and cultural heritage in support of Saudi Vision 2030 and to establishing AlUla as a regional center for cultural leadership and heritage-driven development.

The conference also extends RCU’s partnership with UNESCO under the “Memory of the World” program and the Kingdoms Institute, reaffirming their joint efforts in documentary heritage preservation, capacity building, and global knowledge exchange.