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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 Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture

Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture
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Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture

Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture

The Saudi Ministry of Culture and the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport have announced the year 2029 as the official Saudi-UK Year of Culture, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday. The announcement follows an official visit by Britain’s Prince William to Saudi Arabia this week.

For nearly a century, formal relations between Saudi Arabia and the UK and Northern Ireland have evolved into a multifaceted international relationship that has expanded across culture, education, and innovation, reflecting shared values and a mutual commitment to long-term cooperation.

In recent years, cultural exchange has emerged as a cornerstone of Saudi-British relations, driven by joint initiatives in heritage conservation, visual and culinary arts, architecture, and higher education.

This ongoing expansion of cultural exchange lays the foundation for the Saudi-UK Year of Culture 2029, a year-long program celebrating creative dialogue and the shared heritage of Saudi Arabia and the UK, while deepening cultural ties for generations to come. It will also be a great opportunity for young people in both countries to connect in new ways.

Supported by Saudi Vision 2030 and the United Kingdom’s continued promotion of cultural innovation and creativity, the Saudi-UK Year of Culture 2029 will be an important milestone for both countries.

Culture

Prince William Visits Historic, Natural Sites in AlUla Accompanied by Saudi Culture Minister

The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development. (SPA)
The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development. (SPA)
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Prince William Visits Historic, Natural Sites in AlUla Accompanied by Saudi Culture Minister

The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development. (SPA)
The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development. (SPA)

Britain’s Prince William visited a number of historic, natural, and cultural sites in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla, accompanied by Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

During his tour, Prince William reviewed a number of environmental initiatives at Sharaan Nature Reserve, including ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts. He was briefed on programs to rehabilitate natural habitats, restore ecological balance, and reintroduce species such as the Arabian oryx and mountain ibex, contributing to long-term goals for the recovery of the Arabian leopard in its natural environment.

He received an overview of the history of AlUla Old Town and the Incense Road, and the role of culture and arts as a bridge for cultural exchange between the two countries. The visit included viewing artworks at AlUla Arts Festival 2026.

Prince William met with Saudi youths participating in joint cultural programs and initiatives between the two countries. The visit also featured a tour of AlUla Oasis Cultural District.

The visit highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership between the Royal Commission for AlUla and British cultural institutions within an organized framework of cooperation encompassing cultural, educational, and environmental entities, supporting balanced and sustainable development in AlUla and reinforcing its status as a global destination for heritage, culture, and nature.

Culture

Workshop Held to Develop Cultural Heritage Documentation, Digital Archiving Guide in Saudi Arabia

The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA
The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA
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Workshop Held to Develop Cultural Heritage Documentation, Digital Archiving Guide in Saudi Arabia

The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA
The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Culture organized a specialized workshop to review and develop the third edition of the Cultural Heritage Documentation and Digital Archiving Guide in the Kingdom.

The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners, as part of the center’s efforts to standardize methodologies for documenting and archiving cultural heritage and to enhance institutional practices for managing national cultural memory.

The workshop forms part of the Ministry of Culture’s ongoing efforts to establish national standard frameworks for the management and digital documentation of cultural heritage, strengthen integration among entities, and equip practitioners with the necessary tools and methodologies.

These efforts reinforce the role of the Saudi cultural memory center in preserving the Kingdom’s cultural memory and support the objectives of the National Culture Strategy under Saudi Vision 2030.