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Ahmed Al Mazeed: We Seek to Build Bridges of Communication with the People of the World

CEO of the Saudi General Authority for Culture, Eng. Ahmed bin Fahd Al Mazeed (Asharq Al-Awsat)
CEO of the Saudi General Authority for Culture, Eng. Ahmed bin Fahd Al Mazeed (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Ahmed Al Mazeed: We Seek to Build Bridges of Communication with the People of the World

CEO of the Saudi General Authority for Culture, Eng. Ahmed bin Fahd Al Mazeed (Asharq Al-Awsat)
CEO of the Saudi General Authority for Culture, Eng. Ahmed bin Fahd Al Mazeed (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The CEO of the Saudi General Authority for Culture, Eng. Ahmed bin Fahd Al Mazeed, said the Authority, which was established by a royal decree in 2016, was working in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to develop culture, provide platforms for creative people to express their ideas and aspirations, and to make culture a key element of communication between the people.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al Mazeed said the General Authority for Culture, which is affiliated to the Social and Economic Council, was financially and administratively independent, and provided a unified platform for the various cultural activities and events taking place in the Kingdom under one umbrella, thus contributing to accelerating the work pace.

He added that since its inception, the Authority has been developing ambitious strategic plans and a clear vision to enrich the Saudi cultural scene.

“The General Authority for Culture is developing ambitious strategic plans and a clear vision and working on a steady pace since its inception, to enrich the Saudi cultural scene and create the cultural momentum required to highlight Saudi identity, ancient civilization and homeland belonging,” Al Mazeed said.

He added that Vision 2030 has given special attention to culture, as one of the essential components “to create a vibrant society and environment.”

“During this short period of time, the Authority has succeeded in organizing many cultural events in the Kingdom and some countries of the world, notably the Saudi cultural days in France, Britain, America and Tajikistan, to highlight Saudi creativity and the true and bright face of the Saudi culture abroad,” he stated.

Al Mazeed also spoke about the Saudi Film Council, within an initiative to support five cultural sectors, namely literature, movies, theater, music and visual arts.

“The establishment of this Council is a first step in supporting the film and creative content industry in the Kingdom," he said.

"We are confident that the cultural diversity and creative energy of Saudi youth will enhance the Kingdom’s competitiveness in this field and contribute to the creation of a vibrant and commercially successful film and content industry,” he added.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.