**Title:** Saudi Arabia Advances UNESCO Bid, Russia Ties

**Intro:** Saudi Assistant Culture Minister Rakan Al-Touq bolstered international cultural partnerships during the G20 Cultural Ministers’ Meeting in Varanasi, advocating for Riyadh’s bid to host UNESCO’s 2025 conference and discussing enhanced heritage preservation with UNESCO, while exploring a cultural cooperation agreement with Russia.

**Factbox:**
– **Who:** Rakan Al-Touq (Saudi Arabia), UNESCO’s Ernesto Ottone, Russia’s Sergey Obryvalin
– **Where:** G20 Cultural Meeting, Varanasi, India
– **Key Points:** Bid for UNESCO 2025 host; Saudi-Russia cultural MoU talks; UNESCO re-election support; joint heritage projects via SHPS. *(50 words)*

**Saudi Arabia Strengthens Global Cultural Ties at G20 Meeting in Varanasi**
*Historic discussions with UNESCO and Russia highlight heritage preservation and international collaboration.*

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**Varanasi, India** – In a pivotal moment for global cultural diplomacy, Saudi Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan bin Ibrahim Al-Touq engaged in high-level talks with UNESCO and Russian officials during the G20 Cultural Ministers’ Meeting, hosted by India under its 2023 G20 Presidency. Held in the ancient city of Varanasi, the meetings underscored Saudi Arabia’s proactive role in advancing international cultural cooperation and safeguarding humanity’s shared heritage.

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### **Saudi-UNESCO Collaboration: A Shared Vision for Cultural Sustainability**
Al-Touq’s meeting with Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture, centered on Saudi Arabia’s ambitious bid to host the **UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MUNDIAKLAT 2025)**. The Assistant Minister reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to UNESCO’s mission, stating Saudi Arabia’s readiness to lead global efforts in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.

Key discussion points included:
– **MUNDIAKLAT 2025**: Saudi Arabia’s aspiration to host the conference, aligning with its Vision 2030 goals to position the Kingdom as a hub for cross-cultural dialogue.
– **Heritage Preservation**: Strengthening joint initiatives, particularly through the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society (SHPS), to protect endangered global heritage sites.
– **Future Partnerships**: Expanding collaboration in digital archiving, capacity-building programs, and UNESCO-led projects such as the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund.

Al-Touq also expressed gratitude for UNESCO’s ongoing support, including its endorsement of Saudi-led projects like the *Year of Arabic Calligraphy 2023* and the *International Year of the Camel 2024*.

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### **Saudi-Russian Cultural Synergy: Building Bridges Through Art and History**
In a separate bilateral meeting, Al-Touq met with Sergey Obryvalin, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Culture, to discuss deepening cultural ties. The talks highlighted:
– **UNESCO Executive Board Re-Nomination**: Al-Touq thanked Russia for endorsing Saudi Arabia’s re-nomination to UNESCO’s Executive Board (2023–2027), a role critical to shaping global cultural policies.
– **Joint Cultural Initiatives**: Both nations explored collaborations in archaeology, museum exchanges, and film production, building on existing partnerships like the *Saudi-Russian Archaeological Mission* in Diriyah.
– **Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)**: Plans to finalize an MoU aimed at institutionalizing cultural exchanges, including artist residencies, literary festivals, and joint research on Silk Road heritage.

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### **A Strategic Step Toward Global Cultural Leadership**
These meetings underscore Saudi Arabia’s evolving role as a key player in global cultural governance. By leveraging platforms like the G20 and UNESCO, the Kingdom is positioning itself at the forefront of efforts to integrate cultural preservation with sustainable development.

**Why It Matters**:
– Hosting MUNDIAKLAT 2025 would amplify Saudi Arabia’s influence in setting the global cultural agenda.
– Partnerships with UNESCO and Russia align with Vision 2030’s goals to diversify the economy through cultural tourism and creative industries.
– The emphasis on heritage preservation reinforces Saudi Arabia’s commitment to global solidarity in protecting humanity’s collective memory.

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**Looking Ahead**
As the G20 Cultural Ministers’ Meeting concluded, Saudi Arabia’s proactive engagements signal a transformative era for its cultural diplomacy. With eyes set on MUNDIAKLAT 2025 and beyond, the Kingdom continues to bridge civilizations, fostering a future where culture drives sustainable progress.

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*WordPress Tags: Saudi Arabia, UNESCO, G20 2023, Cultural Diplomacy, Heritage Preservation, MUNDIAKLAT 2025, Saudi-Russia Relations*
*Categories: Global Culture, Heritage News, International Relations*

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**15 FAQs on Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Diplomacy at the G20 Meeting in Varanasi**

1. **What was the objective of Saudi Assistant Minister Al-Touq’s meetings in Varanasi?**
The meetings aimed to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s cultural ties with UNESCO and Russia, discuss hosting UNESCO’s MUNDIAKLAT 2025, and explore bilateral cultural collaborations during India’s G20 Cultural Ministers’ Meeting.

2. **Who attended the meetings with Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Culture Minister?**
Attendees included UNESCO’s Ernesto Ottone Ramirez and Russia’s Deputy Culture Minister Sergey Obryvalin, focusing on heritage preservation and Saudi Arabia’s UNESCO re-nomination bid.

3. **How did the G20 Cultural Ministers’ Meeting relate to these discussions?**
The meetings occurred alongside India’s 2023 G20 Presidency event, providing a platform for Saudi Arabia to advance international cultural partnerships and UNESCO engagements.

4. **What is MUNDIAKLAT 2025, and why does Saudi Arabia want to host it?**
MUNDIAKLAT 2025 is UNESCO’s World Conference on Cultural Policies; Saudi Arabia seeks to host it to showcase its commitment to global cultural sustainability and heritage leadership.

5. **How is Saudi Arabia supporting UNESCO’s cultural initiatives?**
The Kingdom pledged unwavering support for UNESCO projects, emphasizing heritage preservation, sustainable development, and collaborative programs like those with the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society (SHPS).

6. **What role does the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society play in UNESCO collaboration?**
SHPS partners with UNESCO on heritage protection projects, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s efforts to integrate national initiatives with global cultural preservation frameworks.

7. **Why did Al-Touq thank Russia’s Deputy Culture Minister?**
He acknowledged Russia’s endorsement of Saudi Arabia’s re-nomination to UNESCO’s Executive Board (2023–2027), highlighting diplomatic support for shared cultural governance goals.

8. **Which cultural sectors were discussed for Saudi-Russia cooperation?**
Discussions covered joint programs in heritage conservation, cultural exchange, and potential agreements like a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalize collaborative projects.

9. **What is the significance of a Saudi-Russia cultural MoU?**
The MoU would institutionalize partnerships, enabling structured cultural exchanges, joint initiatives, and resource-sharing to enhance bilateral relations and global cultural impact.

10. **How might Saudi Arabia’s UNESCO Executive Board re-nomination influence its policies?**
Securing the seat would amplify Saudi Arabia’s role in shaping global cultural agendas, aligning with Vision 2030 goals to promote heritage and cross-cultural dialogue.

11. **What were the key themes of the 2023 G20 Cultural Ministers’ Meeting?**
The meeting emphasized sustainable cultural development, heritage protection, and multilateral cooperation, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s focus on global cultural governance.

12. **How does Saudi Arabia plan to enhance global heritage preservation?**
Through UNESCO partnerships, hosting international conferences like MUNDIAKLAT 2025, and leveraging platforms like the G20 to advocate for collaborative preservation frameworks.

13. **What outcomes are expected from Saudi-Russia cultural talks?**
Potential outcomes include joint exhibitions, expert exchanges, and co-developed heritage projects, fostering mutual cultural understanding and technical cooperation.

14. **Why is hosting MUNDIAKLAT 2025 strategically important for Saudi Arabia?**
It positions the Kingdom as a global cultural hub, reinforces its soft power, and aligns with Vision 2030’s goals to diversify the economy through cultural investments.

15. **Which specific projects does SHPS undertake with UNESCO?**
SHPS collaborates on heritage site conservation, capacity-building workshops, and digital archiving initiatives to protect Saudi and global cultural assets sustainably.

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**Conclusión:**
Los encuentros liderados por Rakan bin Ibrahim Al-Touq en Varanasi reflejan el creciente compromiso de Arabia Saudita con la cultura como pilar de desarrollo sostenible y cooperación internacional. Al buscar albergar MUNDIAKLAT 2025 y fortalecer lazos con actores clave como UNESCO y Rusia, el Reinoúo consolida su posición como puente entre civilizaciones y custodio del patrimonio global. Estos diálogos no solo refuerzan su liderazgo cultural, sino que también trazan una hoja de ruta para proyectos transfronterizos que beneficiarán a generaciones futuras.

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**Agradecimientos:**
Este espacio reconoce el esfuerzo de todos los actores involucrados en estos diálogos, especialmente a la UNESCO por su labor en la protección del patrimonio mundial, al gobierno ruso por su apoyo estratégico, y a la India por su anfitrionía durante la Reunión de Ministros de Cultura del G20. La colaboración internacional sigue siendo la clave para un futuro culturalmente resiliente. 🌍✨

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