Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change

 Riyadh event highlighted the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change, coinciding with International Museum Day. (Supplied)
Riyadh event highlighted the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change, coinciding with International Museum Day. (Supplied)
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Updated 18 May 2025
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Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change

Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change
  • Cultural objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in focus at three-day event

RIYADH: In recognition of International Museum Day, the National Museum of Riyadh hosted, a cultural event under the theme: “The future of museums in rapidly changing societies.”

The event, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Museums Commission, ran from May 15 to 17 and highlighted the role of museums in social change, innovation and youth engagement.

The program included workshops, debates, performances and interactive activities, all aligned with the cultural goals of Vision 2030.

A special session took place with Princess Haifa bint Mansour bin Bandar, president of the Saudi National Committee of the International Council of Museums.

During this open discussion, Princess Haifa emphasized the importance of considering the specific situation of museums depending on their location and level of development. While some institutions demonstrate real dynamism, others are struggling to keep up.

“The efforts to modernize and renovate certain museums are clear. However, other museums face challenges in trying to catch up,” she said.

She stressed the need to revise the legislative framework and encourage private investment to support growth in the sector:

“Our museum system is currently being reviewed, and legislation is needed that encourages investment. Supporting the creation of museums in smaller buildings helps to facilitate funding.”

Regarding the frequent criticisms of so-called “traditional” museums, she offered a more nuanced view.

“There are traditional museums that are changing and remain popular, which proves they still serve the public. Sometimes, traditional museums fail to attract the public, even more so than innovative museums.”

She also referred to the significant transformations underway in the Kingdom, supported by a government body dedicated to the museum sector.

“We are in the midst of a radical transformation with a body entirely dedicated to museums, that supports positive change and offers opportunities for progress.”

As the longstanding head of the Saudi ICOM committee, Princess Haifa reminded the audience that Saudi Arabia is actively involved in international dialogue and decision-making:

“This year, we participated in the revision of a code of ethics established in previous years to recognize what constitutes a museum. We are currently translating certain museological references into Arabic.”

Human resources were another key focus of her speech. She identified several obstacles, especially language barriers and the lack of specialized training.

“The first challenge is the language factor. Frankly, we must acknowledge these issues, particularly the importance of the English language,

“We absolutely need specialized schools, partnerships with universities, training opportunities in our field, and specializations such as museum management and exhibition security.”

Despite the challenges, she expressed optimism, welcoming ongoing partnerships with Saudi universities — particularly in the Eastern Province — and the creation of new professional qualifications.

“This is a diploma that is about to become a master’s degree. Museums are not merely storage spaces; they were designed to be places of restoration and rehabilitation. Today, they have become vital centers offering programs for all segments of society.”

In the context of cultural and social transformation, the ongoing reflection on the role of museums in Saudi society reflects a clear ambition: to transform museums into vibrant, inclusive and forward-looking institutions.

Reporting to the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Museums Commission is a public body whose mission is to develop, modernize, and supervise museums throughout the Kingdom, whether public or private.

It supports the creation of new museums, promotes heritage, encourages innovation — particularly in the digital space — and fosters cultural education.


Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee meets French foreign minister in Paris for Gaza talks

Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee meets French foreign minister in Paris for Gaza talks
Updated 6 sec ago
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Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee meets French foreign minister in Paris for Gaza talks

Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee meets French foreign minister in Paris for Gaza talks
  • The delegation at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs was led by Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan

PARIS: Senior members of the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee met on Friday with French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris to discuss the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip and efforts to advance peace in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The delegation at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs was led by Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, alongside the Jordanian and Egyptian foreign ministers Ayman Safadi and Badr Abdelatty.

The talks focused on coordinated international efforts to end the war on Gaza, ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, and halting ongoing violations by Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people and the occupied territories, breaches described as contraventions of international law and humanitarian norms, SPA added.

Discussions also covered ways to intensify joint diplomatic action to promote a just and lasting peace, with an emphasis on the implementation of the two-state solution in line with international resolutions.

The meeting further addressed preparations for a high-level international conference on the two-state solution, scheduled to be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York this June.

The event will be jointly chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France.

The Saudi delegation also included Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan, an advisor to Prince Faisal.


Saudi fund unveils handicraft investment accelerators

Saudi fund unveils handicraft investment accelerators
Updated 6 min 4 sec ago
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Saudi fund unveils handicraft investment accelerators

Saudi fund unveils handicraft investment accelerators
  • Nama’ initiative launched in partnership with Ministry of Culture and Quality of Life Program

RIYADH: Nama’ Accelerators, a pioneering initiative to foster the growth of cultural enterprises, has been launched by the Saudi Cultural Development Fund in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Quality of Life Program.

The project, featuring a comprehensive training and development program, will include several sector-specific tracks. The first of these is the flagship handicrafts track, with the aim of amplifying the economic, social and creative impact of the 2025 — Year of Handicrafts initiative.

It targets micro, small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to expand across 11 diverse fields within the sector, including pottery, textiles and woodworking.

Benefits on offer include specialized training in modern craft techniques, intensive workshops on marketing and business management, and improved market access both locally and internationally. It also provides financial incentives to support sustainable growth and expansion.

Through this inaugural track, Nama’ Accelerators intends to transform the Kingdom’s rich artisanal heritage into sustainable economic ventures that foster community development, encourage innovation within the handicraft industries and enrich the national identity.

The Cultural Development Fund seeks to advance the handicrafts sector by maximizing its economic and social impact, fostering innovation across its diverse fields, and cultivating an entrepreneurial ecosystem that nurtures creativity and growth.

The Cultural Development Fund (CDF), in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Quality of Life Program — a key component of Saudi Vision 2030—has unveiled “Nama’ Accelerators.” (Supplied)

Nama’ Accelerators represents a strategic milestone in the fund’s ambition to position itself as the financial center of excellence for the cultural sector. As a key financial enabler for entrepreneurs and enterprises, it fuels the sustainable and profitable growth of their ventures. 

The initiative also strengthens the fund’s collaboration with key players across the cultural ecosystem, supporting its continued progress toward fulfilling the objectives of the National Culture Strategy within Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 framework.

Khalid Al-Baker, CEO of the Quality of Life Program, told Arab News: “Promoting and sustaining national culture hinges on transforming the cultural sector into an economically productive industry. This transformation involves expanding cultural offerings — including cultural days, events, and activities — and streamlining the permit issuance process for cultural projects.”

He added that, as part of the Quality of Life Program’s efforts to fulfill Vision 2030’s objectives: “We have implemented programs targeting these key pathways, including the launch of Nama’ Accelerators.” 

Nama’ Accelerators will actively elevate the role of handicrafts in society, transforming them from museum artifacts into a vibrant, economically sustainable sector. The initiative promotes creativity and innovation while safeguarding a living cultural heritage for current and future generations, Al-Baker said.
 


Saudi Signage Expo has grown to meet demands of an evolving market 

Saudi Signage Expo has grown to meet demands of an evolving market 
Updated 32 min 17 sec ago
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Saudi Signage Expo has grown to meet demands of an evolving market 

Saudi Signage Expo has grown to meet demands of an evolving market 
  • Sustainability a key pillar as exhibitors unveil products designed with recyclability and circular economy principles in mind

RIYADH: The Saudi Signage and Labelling Expo, the Middle East’s leading event for the digital, print, graphic and imaging sectors, has grown significantly to meet the demand of an evolving signage sector in the Kingdom meeting circular economy principles.

Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the expo held at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center from May 20-22, Mutaz Al Mazari, event director at dmg events, organizer of the expo, said: “We are proud to bring the expo to Riyadh as the largest event for signage, labelling, paper and packaging industries in the Middle East.

“Since its launch last year, it has grown significantly to meet the demand of a rapidly evolving signage sector in the Kingdom.”

With a bigger exhibition space and more than 150 exhibitors from more than 15 countries, this year’s expo offered opportunities for buyers to connect directly with suppliers, manufacturers and solution providers in Saudi Arabia’s booming signage, labelling and packaging industries, supporting the country’s Vision 2030 for economic diversification and sustainability regulations, Al Mazari said.

Mutaz Al Mazari, Event Director, dmg events. (AN photo by Rashid Hassan)

The event also supported the region’s broader ambitions by encouraging knowledge exchange, promoting local production capabilities and enabling new commercial partnerships.

Visitors this year discovered a wide range of solutions tailored to the Kingdom’s rapidly growing sectors, including retail, healthcare, entertainment and more.

“With Saudi Arabia’s signage market projected to reach $492 million by 2027, the demand for high-quality, future-ready visual communication tools has never been greater,” Al Mazari said.

From procurement professionals to systems integrators and business owners, the expo provided direct access to the latest digital signage systems, labelling solutions and printing technologies to meet evolving consumer needs.

Attendees gained valuable insights through live demos, engaged with new products and services, as well as know-how of systems and solutions that would help them make informed decisions for upcoming projects and future investments, all aligned with the broader Vision 2030 goals.

This year’s expo was much bigger than the launch year. Building on the positive response from 2024, live demonstrations this year played a major role. Additionally, features such as car wrapping and the debut of Label It, a fast-paced labelling competition offered hands-on experiences and tailored networking opportunities beyond traditional exhibitions.

On supporting Saudi Vision 2030 goals, particularly in economic diversification, local production and sustainable development, Al Mazari said: “Saudi Signage and Labelling Expo and Saudi Paper and Packaging Expo facilitated the growth of the domestic signage and printing sector supporting the Kingdom’s economic diversification strategies under Vision 2030.

“The events connected international solution providers with local manufacturers, distributors and end-users seeking to localize supply chains and expand their services,” he added.

The event spotlighted innovations in sustainable printing, recyclable packaging and energy-efficient signage systems, all aligning with the country’s long-term environmental goals, Al Mazari noted.

As Vision 2030 accelerates investments in smart cities, retail infrastructure and tourism destinations, the technologies on display at the expo will help businesses meet modern design and communication standards while lowering their environmental footprint, he said.

Moreover, sustainability was one of the key pillars of this year’s event. Across both signage and packaging segments, exhibitors unveiled products designed with resource efficiency, recyclability and circular economy principles in mind.

With a key focus on paper recycling and waste equipment, the product sectors highlighted a shift toward greener, smarter production.

“We saw a noticeable shift towards digital signage systems that reduce material usage and extend product lifecycle value, an important step for businesses aiming to move away from traditional print-heavy methods. Exhibitors such as Caravan and Alyanabie Company for Advertising Manufacturing, Gulf Sparrows Trading Company – BlueRhine and National Signage Industrial Company for Energy Efficiency responded to this demand by showcasing technologies that combine sustainability with long-term performance, helping businesses stay aligned with evolving regulations and customer expectations,” Al Mazari said.


 


Recognizing Palestinian state is a ‘strategic necessity’ Saudi Arabia tells UN

Recognizing Palestinian state is a ‘strategic necessity’ Saudi Arabia tells UN
Updated 52 min 11 sec ago
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Recognizing Palestinian state is a ‘strategic necessity’ Saudi Arabia tells UN

Recognizing Palestinian state is a ‘strategic necessity’ Saudi Arabia tells UN
  • The Kingdom and France prepare to co-chair conference next month designed to hasten implementation of two-state solution
  • Foreign ministry’s Manal Radwan tells preparatory meeting recognizing Palestine would mark beginning of peace in the Middle East

LONDON: Recognizing the state of Palestine is a “strategic necessity” that would mark the beginning of peace in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia told a UN meeting on Friday.

The comments came as the Kingdom and France prepare to co-chair a global conference next month designed to hasten the implementation of a two-state solution to end decades of conflict between Israel and Palestinians.

The effort has gained further support this week as the devastating toll of Israel’s resumed assault on Gaza sparked international anger.

Speaking at a UN General Assembly meeting in preparation for the conference, co-chair Manal Radwan, counsellor at Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry, said that a just solution to the Palestinian question was not only a moral and legal imperative, but “the cornerstone of a new regional order based on mutual recognition and coexistence.”

“Regional peace begins with recognizing the state of Palestine, not as a symbolic gesture, but as a strategic necessity,” she said.

“It is the only way to eliminate the space exploited by non-state actors and replace despair with a political horizon, grounded in rights and sovereignty, ensuring security and dignity for all.”

The high-level conference is scheduled to begin on June 17 at the UN headquarters in New York and aims to urgently adopt concrete measures toward the implementation of the two-state solution.

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said this week that the conference was meant to rally the world to recognize a Palestinian state.

Palestine is officially recognized by 147 of the UN’s 193 member states and has observer status at the UN but is not a full member. 

More than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel unleashed its military operation in Gaza after the October 2023 Hamas-led attack killed 1,200 people.

As the death toll and suffering in Gaza has increased, more nations have moved to recognize Palestine, including Ireland, Norway and Spain last year.

President Emmanuel Macron has said that France would probably recognize Palestine at the June conference and the UK is in discussions about a similar step.

This week, France, Britain and Canada called on Israel to halt its military offensive on Gaza and a remove its restrictions on humanitarian aid.

Israel has recently launched an expanded operation in Gaza, aiming to seize full control of the territory and cut off all aid for several months.

Radwan said that the meeting on Palestine’s future came at a moment of “historic urgency” with Gaza “enduring unimaginable suffering” and civilians continuing to pay the price of a war “that must end immediately.”

“Despair grows deeper by the day, and yet, this is precisely why we must speak not only of ending the war, but of ending a conflict that has lasted for nearly eight decades,” she said.

She said that Saudi Arabia was honored to stand with other nations committed to the diplomatic effort to bring “real, irreversible and transformative change, to ensure, once and for all, the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine.”

“The only way to prevent the reoccurrence of violence, terrorism and atrocities is to implement the two-state solution, including through the support of a robust multilateral framework,” she added.

French presidential adviser for the Middle East and North Africa, Anne-Claire Legendre, said that a political solution to the conflict was a matter of urgency.

“The June conference must mark a transformative milestone for the effective implementation of the two-state solution,” she said.

“We must move from the end of the war in Gaza to an end of the conflict. Faced with the facts on the ground, the prospects of a Palestinian state must be maintained.”


King Salman orders hosting of 1,300 pilgrims from 100 nations for Hajj this year

King Salman orders hosting of 1,300 pilgrims from 100 nations for Hajj this year
Updated 23 May 2025
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King Salman orders hosting of 1,300 pilgrims from 100 nations for Hajj this year

King Salman orders hosting of 1,300 pilgrims from 100 nations for Hajj this year
  • The program is overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance

RIYADH: King Salman has issued a royal directive to host 1,300 male and female pilgrims from 100 countries to perform Hajj this year under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation.

The program is overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, who is general supervisor of the program, expressed his gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and praised the directive as a testament to the leadership’s dedication to serving the causes of the Islamic nation and a reaffirmation of the Kingdom’s position in the Islamic world.

Al-Alsheikh said that following the royal directive, the ministry mobilized all of its resources and capabilities to deliver the highest quality services to guests. 

A comprehensive implementation plan has been prepared, encompassing faith-based, cultural and educational programs, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

These include organized visits to key Islamic and historical landmarks in Makkah and Madinah, as well as meetings with prominent scholars and imams of the Two Holy Mosques, all aimed at enriching the pilgrims’ spiritual and intellectual experience.

Al-Alsheikh said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation was designed to strengthen bonds with religious, scholarly and intellectual leaders across the Islamic world, while fostering cultural exchange and advocacy. 

Since its inception in 1996, the program has hosted about 65,000 pilgrims from 140 countries. 

The ministry has provided these guests with a range of logistical, religious, health and cultural services, from their nomination through to their return to their home countries after completing the Hajj rituals.

Al-Alsheikh said that this hosting initiative showed the Kingdom’s commitment to serving Islam and Muslims. 

The program aligns with the Kingdom’s vision to deepen its ties with Islamic nations and enhance its positive presence on the global stage, contributing to the achievement of Saudi Vision 2030’s Islamic and humanitarian goals.