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Riyadh Joins UNESCO Design Cities, Cements Innovation Hub Status

A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AFP)
A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AFP)
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Riyadh Joins UNESCO Design Cities, Cements Innovation Hub Status

A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AFP)
A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AFP)

On World Cities Day, Saudi Arabia’s Architecture and Design Commission announced on Friday that Riyadh has officially joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Design, confirming the city's growing status as a major regional hub for creativity and innovation.

This achievement is the result of integrated efforts led by the Architecture and Design Commission, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with various governmental, academic, nonprofit, and private sector entities.

The comprehensive nomination file successfully highlighted the dynamism and diversity of the design scene in the Saudi capital, encompassing architecture, urban design, industrial and interior design, product design, and digital design.

Architecture and Design Commission CEO Dr. ‏Sumayah Al-Solaiman‏ emphasized that Riyadh's inclusion represents a historic step, reflecting the Kingdom's ambition to make the capital a global model for leveraging creativity to serve urban and cultural development.

This international recognition is a direct result of the national architecture and design strategy, which aims to build an environment conducive to innovation and empower Saudi talent, she added.

The commission seeks to solidify Riyadh's position as a global capital of design and a model for architecture and design. This will be achieved through initiatives and programs that support creative practices, enhance cooperation across sectors, and empower Saudi creatives, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Al-Solaiman‏ stressed the importance of design as a vital tool for sustainable development and improving quality of life.

Riyadh's selection reflects its status as a creative city that seamlessly combines authenticity and innovation, representing a model for sustainable cultural development rooted in design. The city boasts a unique architectural landscape that blends modernity and tradition, contributing to a distinctive urban and design identity.

Through this inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, the Architecture and Design Commission aims to highlight the Kingdom's position as a leading global destination for urban innovation and creativity, and to boost its presence on the global design map.

It aims to empower Saudi designers and architects to exchange international expertise and refine their skills by connecting them with leading global cities in this field.

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Culture

Saudi Coffee Utensils Reflect a Rich Heritage of Hospitality

The dallah, a traditional coffee pot used to serve coffee, is one of the most prominent symbols of Arab hospitality - SPA
The dallah, a traditional coffee pot used to serve coffee, is one of the most prominent symbols of Arab hospitality - SPA
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Saudi Coffee Utensils Reflect a Rich Heritage of Hospitality

The dallah, a traditional coffee pot used to serve coffee, is one of the most prominent symbols of Arab hospitality - SPA
The dallah, a traditional coffee pot used to serve coffee, is one of the most prominent symbols of Arab hospitality - SPA

Saudi coffee utensils form an integral set of tools associated with the various stages of coffee preparation and serving, from roasting the beans in the mehmasah, cooling them in the mibrada, and pounding them in the najr to boiling and serving the coffee in the dallah.

According to SPA, the mehmasah, traditionally made from iron or copper, is a utensil used to roast coffee beans over a fire or hot embers, while the mibrada is used to cool the roasted beans and prepare them for the next stage, and was traditionally made from local wood in various shapes and sizes.

The najr is used to pound and grind the roasted coffee beans, as well as cardamom and other ingredients. Its rhythmic sound has traditionally been associated with welcoming guests and signaling that coffee is being prepared in the gathering place.

The dallah, a traditional coffee pot used to serve coffee, is one of the most prominent symbols of Arab hospitality, and a strainer is used to remove coffee grounds and spices before serving.

Today, these utensils remain an important part of the tangible heritage of Saudi coffee, reflecting the craftsmanship of artisans who created practical tools for everyday use.

Culture

Security and History Dialogue 2026 Kicks Off in Riyadh with over 160 Speakers

The Security and History Dialogue 2026 conference begins Sunday in Riyadh with more than 160 speakers from within the Kingdom and abroad. (SPA)
The Security and History Dialogue 2026 conference begins Sunday in Riyadh with more than 160 speakers from within the Kingdom and abroad. (SPA)
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Security and History Dialogue 2026 Kicks Off in Riyadh with over 160 Speakers

The Security and History Dialogue 2026 conference begins Sunday in Riyadh with more than 160 speakers from within the Kingdom and abroad. (SPA)
The Security and History Dialogue 2026 conference begins Sunday in Riyadh with more than 160 speakers from within the Kingdom and abroad. (SPA)

Under the patronage of Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Security and History Dialogue 2026 conference begins Sunday in Riyadh with more than 160 speakers from within the Kingdom and abroad, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The conference is organized by the Ministry of Interior and themed Our History and Our Future: Security and Growth.

Running through September 8, the conference, a national platform for dialogue and intellectual and historical exchange, will review Saudi Arabia's journey in the fields of security and growth.

It will explore the Kingdom's experience and transformations from various perspectives, including security, politics, economy, society, culture, national identity, awareness, international relations, and institution building.

The conference program includes more than 65 dialogue sessions and interactive meetings, with the participation of more than 30 entities. It is expected to attract more than 5,000 visitors.

The program will address a range of topics, including the history of the Kingdom and the roots of its security; the personality of Founding King Abdulaziz; citizenship, identity, and national heritage; the Kingdom's role in security and peace; the future of security capabilities and international partnerships; artificial intelligence and future security; and the role of women, family, citizens, media, and security sectors in promoting awareness and stability.

It will also review local and international experiences and perspectives related to the Kingdom's history and transformations.

Culture

Red Sea Museum Concludes Six-Month 'Sunken Treasures' Exhibition

The galleries showcased underwater archaeological discoveries and Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to protect and document submerged cultural assets - SPA
The galleries showcased underwater archaeological discoveries and Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to protect and document submerged cultural assets - SPA
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Red Sea Museum Concludes Six-Month 'Sunken Treasures' Exhibition

The galleries showcased underwater archaeological discoveries and Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to protect and document submerged cultural assets - SPA
The galleries showcased underwater archaeological discoveries and Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to protect and document submerged cultural assets - SPA

The "Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea" exhibition concluded its six-month run at the Red Sea Museum in Historic Jeddah, offering visitors an educational journey into centuries of maritime trade, navigation, and pilgrimage.

Housed at the historic Bab Al-Bunt building since February 25, the exhibition highlighted the Red Sea's historical role as a vital trade artery connecting the Arabian Peninsula with the Mediterranean, Africa, and Asia.

Structured across four thematic zones, the galleries showcased underwater archaeological discoveries and Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to protect and document submerged cultural assets, SPA reported.

Among the exhibition's centerpiece displays was the 18th-century Umluj shipwreck, discovered submerged 20 to 22 meters deep amid coral reefs. Its recovered cargo—including commercial containers, pottery, coins, ceramics, and daily shipboard tools alongside antique navigational instruments and nautical maps—illustrated the vibrant human exchange that traversed regional waters.

Organized in collaboration with the Heritage Commission and the Historic Jeddah Program, the exhibition was also part of the summer season's cultural offerings, combining interactive public programming with scientific research to bolster cultural tourism and raise awareness of the Kingdom's underwater heritage.