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UAE’s Salem Al Qassimi Stresses Culture’s Role in Sustainable Development

UAE Minister of Culture Shaikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi. WAM
UAE Minister of Culture Shaikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi. WAM
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UAE’s Salem Al Qassimi Stresses Culture’s Role in Sustainable Development

UAE Minister of Culture Shaikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi. WAM
UAE Minister of Culture Shaikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi. WAM

UAE Minister of Culture Shaikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi emphasized the UAE's commitment to integrating culture into sustainable development and climate action, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

The Minister's remarks came during his participation at the G20 Culture Ministers' Meeting in Salvador, Di Bahia, Brazil, WAM said Wednesday.

Addressing the meeting, Al Qassimi said that the UAE has been galvanizing global cooperation to mainstream culture as a key enabler of sustainable development. He also stressed the UAE's leading role in promoting a culture of climate action and as a lever for inclusive and equitable economic growth.

"Culture not only preserves heritage but also provides innovative solutions to complex global issues, including climate change. As we face an evolving climate, culture strengthens our resilience against these challenges,” he said.

The Minister highlighted the UAE and Brazil's joint efforts in creating the Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action (GFCBCA) and the support the group has received since its launch at COP28 last year.

"This coalition symbolizes our dedication to addressing climate challenges through a cultural lens, and we are grateful to the many partners who have joined this mission. We are especially proud that both the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience and the GFCBCA were included in the declaration, highlighting the importance of integrating cultural and resilient approaches to climate action on a global scale," he added.

The Minister also pointed out that measuring the contribution of the cultural and creative industries is of utmost importance as it is essential to tailor regulations and incentives that nurture the creative sector. "Data insights reveal emerging trends, consumer preferences, and areas for innovation."

"We are working with global partners to bolster mechanisms to collect data from the creative sector and leverage it to guide the future direction of CCI. Our dedication to nurturing creativity is not only about economic growth but about securing the legacy and identity of our communities for generations to come," WAM quoted him as saying.

A delegation from the Ministry of Culture actively participated in the fourth Culture Working Group (CWG) meeting. The UAE contributed to discussions on four priority areas: Protection and Restitution of Cultural Property, Harnessing Living Heritage for a Sustainable Future, Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries, and Leveraging Digital Technologies for Culture, all of which informed the G20 Culture Ministers' Declaration.

By focusing discussions on culture in the four topics above, the countries gathered in the G20 Culture Working Group will be able to deepen their understanding of the challenges and possibilities of culture in a constantly changing world. The panels were designed to provide countries with the means to improve their public policies and national actions.

The CWG discussions are expected to foster new degrees of understanding and partnerships between countries, advancing principles such as promoting peace, sustainable and inclusive development, dialogue, and common understanding for the benefit of all.

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Culture

Saudi Coffee Remains Key Crop and Cultural Treasure during Ramadan

The ministry encourages consumers to choose national coffee products for their nutritional value - SPA
The ministry encourages consumers to choose national coffee products for their nutritional value - SPA
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Saudi Coffee Remains Key Crop and Cultural Treasure during Ramadan

The ministry encourages consumers to choose national coffee products for their nutritional value - SPA
The ministry encourages consumers to choose national coffee products for their nutritional value - SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has confirmed that Saudi coffee is a key national agricultural crop and an important cultural legacy, especially during Ramadan.

Coffee cultivation thrives in the southwestern and southern highlands, benefiting from a favorable climate and fertile soil.

Regions such as Jazan, Aseer, Al-Baha, Makkah, and Najran host over 1.3 million productive coffee trees, yielding more than 870 tons of coffee annually, according to SPA.

Jazan leads with over 966,000 trees producing more than 642 tons. Aseer has more than 243,000 trees yielding around 175 tons.

Al-Baha boasts about 72,000 trees; Makkah has over 12,000 trees yielding more than 10 tons; and Najran has over 9,000 trees producing over seven tons.

The ministry encourages consumers to choose national coffee products for their nutritional value, emphasizing that supporting local agriculture promotes farmer livelihoods and enhances food security in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

Culture

Red Sea Museum Opens 'Sunken Treasures' Exhibition to Highlight Maritime Heritage

Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, is investing in world-class cultural infrastructure that serves both local communities and international visitors. SPA
Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, is investing in world-class cultural infrastructure that serves both local communities and international visitors. SPA
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Red Sea Museum Opens 'Sunken Treasures' Exhibition to Highlight Maritime Heritage

Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, is investing in world-class cultural infrastructure that serves both local communities and international visitors. SPA
Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, is investing in world-class cultural infrastructure that serves both local communities and international visitors. SPA

The Red Sea Museum celebrated the opening of 'Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea' exhibition on Wednesday in an event that brought together cultural leaders, researchers, and community partners in Historic Jeddah.

The exhibition is now open to the public through May 29.

The opening ceremony featured a panel discussion on maritime heritage and underwater archaeology, bringing together leading experts. The discussion explored the critical processes of discovery, documentation, and conservation that transform submerged cultural heritage into valuable historical knowledge, highlighting collaborative efforts between the Heritage Commission, Historic Jeddah Program, and various archaeological missions working along the Saudi coast of the Red Sea to safeguard this vital heritage for future generations.

Guests then embarked on an exclusive curator-led tour with Director of the Red Sea Museum Eman Zidan, and Co-Director, Saudi-French Archaeological Mission in Farasan Dr. Solène Marion de Procé, who guided visitors through the exhibition's thematic sections exploring how shipwrecks became archives of history and eventually transformed into living coral reefs.

The museum exemplifies how historic artifacts and contemporary cultural conservation work hand in hand. SPA

The evening concluded with a Ramadan reception, reflecting the museum's commitment to creating cultural programming that honors the spirit of the holy month while celebrating the launch of this significant exhibition.

The opening of Sunken Treasures represents a significant moment for the Red Sea Museum as Saudi Arabia's first institution dedicated specifically to the Red Sea's maritime history, cultural heritage, and biodiversity.

Housed in the restored Bab Al Bunt building, a structure that has welcomed travelers arriving by sea for generations, the museum exemplifies how historic artifacts and contemporary cultural conservation work hand in hand.

Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, is investing in world-class cultural infrastructure that serves both local communities and international visitors while positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in museum innovation, research, and public engagement.

Culture

Old Houses in Al-Baha: A Living Architectural Heritage of Ramadan

Several residents of Al-Baha Region are reviving the atmosphere of Ramadan iftar in old houses. (SPA)
Several residents of Al-Baha Region are reviving the atmosphere of Ramadan iftar in old houses. (SPA)
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Old Houses in Al-Baha: A Living Architectural Heritage of Ramadan

Several residents of Al-Baha Region are reviving the atmosphere of Ramadan iftar in old houses. (SPA)
Several residents of Al-Baha Region are reviving the atmosphere of Ramadan iftar in old houses. (SPA)

Several residents of Al-Baha Region are reviving the atmosphere of Ramadan iftar in old houses, in a scene that reflects deep attachment to architectural heritage and embodies the spirit of simplicity lived by their forefathers. These traditional homes transform into spaces alive with memories, recalling the features of traditional life, its social values, and architectural authenticity.

The stone and mud houses found across the region’s governorates, including Al-Aqiq Governorate, represent a model of traditional architecture that relies on natural materials such as clay, stone, and wood. These homes are centered around an inner courtyard that once brought family members together for iftar in an atmosphere of serenity and tranquility.

The house whose owners have revived the Ramadan iftar experience is located in the village of Lif in Al-Aqiq Governorate, Al-Baha Region. It is one of the heritage homes held in high regard by the local community for its historical and architectural value, the Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday.

Citizen Mohammed Al-Ghamdi explained that he rehabilitated his family’s old house, which was built more than 40 years ago, noting that they once relied on kerosene lamps and lanterns for lighting.

He said, “Our iftar was simple, consisting of Saudi coffee, dates, milk, and bread. We would gather in the courtyard of the house, our voices rising in supplication before the Maghrib prayer adhan, in an unforgettable scene.” He emphasized that restoring old houses helps preserve identity and architectural heritage, while safeguarding the memory of the place and the stories of its people.

Specialists in architectural heritage affirm that preserving such houses represents an important cultural and tourism asset as it helps highlight local identity and document social life patterns that have shaped the region’s community, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, when values of harmony and solidarity are most evident.

The old houses of Al-Baha remain living witnesses to an important historical era and a source of inspiration for younger generations to recall the meanings of simplicity and authenticity, while reinforcing pride in national heritage on various occasions.