Speaking to reporters after signing a partnership agreement with Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja, Prince Sultan highlighted the remarkable progress achieved by the Saudi media under Khoja’s leadership.

The agreement was signed to get the ministry’s support for the first international conference on architectural heritage in Islamic countries, which will be held in Riyadh from May 23 to 28.

“This conference will be an important event with a variety of programs and with the participation of several government departments,” the prince said, adding that it requires good media coverage to project the state’s efforts to preserve national heritage.

Prince Sultan disclosed plans to hold a heritage day at Saudi schools and universities to coincide with the conference and hoped the Saudi media would highlight these events.

“I appreciate the efforts of Dr. Abdul Aziz Khoja to bring about qualitative change in the Saudi media on the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. Being a former staff of the ministry I am very happy at these changes,” he said.

Prince Sultan emphasized the need for a strong media to confront contemporary challenges. “We appreciate the great responsibility demonstrated by the ministry in this regard,” he added.

He stressed the ministry’s role in enlightening the public on the importance of protecting national heritage. “Preserving national heritage is not only the responsibility of the state but also that of every citizen of this country.”

After signing the agreement, Prince Sultan, accompanied by Khoja, toured the ministry’s various departments including TV studios. The signing ceremony was attended by Abdullah Al-Jasser, deputy minister for media affairs, and Abdullah Al-Hussein, director general of the Saudi Press Agency.

Under the agreement, the ministry will invite Saudi and foreign media persons and organizations to cover the conference, host foreign media persons and facilitate them visiting different regions of the Kingdom. Saudi TV channels and the SPA will focus on the conference’s events with the Cultural Channel giving live coverage. It will also contribute to the publication of an illustrated book on the Kingdom’s architectural heritage.