The inaugural Cultural Investment Conference 2025 kicked off at the King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh on Monday under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture, the event brought together over 1,500 participants and more than 150 speakers, including high-level decision-makers as well as cultural and investment leaders from the Kingdom and around the world.
In opening remarks, Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan announced the imminent launch of the Riyadh University of Arts, which is intended to serve as a cornerstone of creative education and innovation, in partnership with leading international academic and cultural institutions.
He shared the ambitious goal of positioning the university among the world’s top 50 institutions specializing in arts and culture. This effort reflects the wise leadership’s ongoing support and commitment to building national cultural capabilities.
He highlighted the sector's remarkable progress since the launch of Vision 2030, stating that the Saudi cultural sector has undergone a historic transformation. Its contribution to the gross domestic product has risen to 1.6%, the number of employees has increased to 234,000, and the value of financial support flowing to the sector reached approximately $2 billion in 2024. In addition, infrastructure investments have achieved record levels, exceeding SAR81 billion.
Underscoring the strategic role of the private sector, the minister announced that the conference would facilitate the signing of 89 agreements with an estimated total value of SAR5 billion.
The two-day conference will feature over 38 dialogue sessions and workshops. Prominent Saudi and international figures participating include Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim, and global leaders, such as Sotheby's CEO Charles Stewart and Art Basel CEO Noah Horowitz.
Discussions will cover the latest trends in cultural investment, successful international experiences in financing creative industries, strategies to reduce investment risks, and the exploration of emerging markets. Specific topics include the role of artificial intelligence and interactive technologies in cultural financing, the importance of philanthropy in supporting growth, creative entrepreneurship, and global cultural investment funds.
The conference serves as a leading global platform to present culture as an attractive investment opportunity, directly supporting the Vision 2030 goals to diversify the national economy and strengthen Riyadh's position as an international capital of culture and investment.
