Jeddah, February 13, 2025 – In a landmark event for cultural diplomacy, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the Minister of Culture of Saudi Arabia, officially opened the 13th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World on Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jeddah. This prestigious conference, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is being organized in cooperation with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), a key organization dedicated to promoting cultural cooperation across the Islamic world.
In his opening address, Prince Badr expressed Saudi Arabia’s pride in presiding over this significant conference, underscoring the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening cultural ties within the Islamic world. He emphasized that the conference’s primary objective is to foster collective collaboration and empower culture as a central pillar for achieving both social and economic development. The discussions and initiatives emerging from the conference, he said, will contribute to a greater understanding of how culture can be harnessed to build resilient societies and sustainable economies.
Prince Badr highlighted that Saudi Arabia views culture as an essential foundation for societal development, with a key role in shaping national identity and promoting unity. The Kingdom has long recognized the power of cultural exchange to foster connections among people, and it is committed to leveraging its leadership role to enhance cultural ties within the Islamic world. By doing so, the Kingdom seeks to position culture as a powerful driver of economic and social progress.
The Minister also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s ongoing support for ICESCO’s mission to empower intellectuals, writers, and cultural practitioners from Islamic countries. He stressed that the Kingdom is dedicated to providing opportunities for increased participation in cultural events, conferences, and research projects, creating a vibrant platform for intellectual and artistic exchange within the region. This support aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader vision to elevate the role of culture in advancing the Kingdom's socio-economic development and its position on the global stage.
As the host country for the 13th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World 2025, Saudi Arabia is reinforcing its commitment to cultural leadership and fostering international cooperation in the arts, heritage, and cultural preservation. The conference is expected to yield valuable discussions on cultural policies, initiatives to strengthen cultural identities, and strategies to promote cultural diplomacy.
The Kingdom’s role as the presiding nation for this important gathering signifies not only its leadership in the cultural sector but also its broader efforts to advance cultural development as a key element of its Vision 2030 objectives. By empowering culture as a vital tool for economic diversification and global engagement, Saudi Arabia continues to assert itself as a central player in shaping the future of the Islamic world’s cultural landscape.