The Kingdom is a rich incubator of cultural heritage.

Culture embraces a wide spectrum extending from historical monuments and museums to living heritage practices and contemporary art forms. It leaves its mark on our lives in countless ways and helps us build inclusive, creative and adaptive societies. 
Protecting and preserving the world's cultural and natural heritage, and supporting creativity and vibrant cultural sectors, are key factors of addressing the challenges facing us today.

Such challenges include climate change, poverty, inequality, the digital divide and emergencies and conflicts that are more complex than ever before. It is also not possible to achieve the sustainability of any development in the absence of a strong cultural component. Moreover, a sustainable peace can only be achieved through development based on a human-centered approach relying on mutual respect and bridges of open dialogue extending between cultures.

Achievements of the Saudi National Commission for Culture:

  • The Kingdom’s presidency and hosting of the extended 45th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO for 2023.
  • Registration of Harees and engraving on metals.
  • Registering Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve in Najran region on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
  • Implementing all arrangements related to World Arabic Language Day at UNESCO in cooperation with the Prince Sultan Charitable Foundation and the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language.
  • Supporting the Kingdom in developing climate change policies on World Heritage in coordination with the relevant authorities and mobilizing support with countries to support the Kingdom’s approach in UNESCO.
  • Registering the city of Buraidah within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Al-Ahsa Exhibition at UNESCO.
  • Al-Ahsa Exhibition is an innovative city in the creative cultural field (Al-Ahsa Exhibition at UNESCO).
  • Launching the Culture Index project in the Arab and Islamic world.
  • Integration meeting with national agencies for capacity building (Experts Program). - Kingdom Heritage Award. - Activating the nominations committee for registration in the lists, programs and networks of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to complete the tasks assigned to it.
  • Registering the coral reefs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia coast overlooking the Red Sea/Gulf of Aqaba on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
  • The Saudi Fund for UNESCO, which includes the following initiatives:
  • - Creating the digital heritage platform.
  • - The Virtual Museum of Stolen Artifacts, in cooperation with UNESCO and the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
  • - Strengthening capacities to submit periodic reports under the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Africa.
  • - Developing a sustainable heritage ecosystem to serve economic and social development in Africa.
  • - The International Food Atlas and the digital platform to preserve, promote and transfer food practices to future generations.
  • - Strengthening the capacities of local communities in the field of sustainable heritage tourism (Latin American and Caribbean countries).

Workshops, seminars and conferences in sectors:

International meeting on the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the 2023 Convention entitled Heritage for Sustainable Development and Peace.

2023

Technical study workshop to review the system of monuments, museums and urban heritage.

2023

Green Heritage and Culture Forum, Sultanate of Oman- Salalah.

Sultanate of Oman - Salalah 2023

International ICOMOS mission to evaluate Al-Faw archaeological site, Wadi Al-Dawasir.

Wadi Al-Dawasir 2023

The Fifth Arab Regional Meeting on the Fourth Goal of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

2023