Buraidah Joins UNESCO Creative Cities Conference in Portugal

Buraidah, the capital of the Qassim region, is representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the annual conference of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), taking place in Braga, Portugal, from July 1 to 5, 2024. The participation, announced by the Saudi Press Agency, highlights the city’s growing role in global cultural exchange following its selection as a UNESCO Creative City in 2021. The conference is organized by UNESCO in collaboration with Braga, which has held the designation of Portuguese Creative City for Media Arts since 2017.

Context and Background

Buraidah’s inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2021 marked a milestone for the Qassim region, recognizing the city’s commitment to culture and creativity as drivers of sustainable development. The UCCN now connects more than 350 cities worldwide that invest in creativity across seven fields, including gastronomy, literature, media arts, and crafts. For Buraidah, the network membership has opened avenues for international collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the promotion of local heritage on a global stage. The annual conference serves as the network’s principal gathering, where member cities exchange policies and best practices while forging new partnerships.

Key Details

Mohammed Al-Hanaya, Secretary-General of the Qassim Chamber, is leading the Buraidah delegation at the conference. In remarks carried by the Saudi Press Agency, he expressed gratitude to the Governor of Qassim for his continuous support of Buraidah’s creative city file and for his consistent appreciation of the Chamber of Commerce, its board of directors, and its executive team. Al-Hanaya praised the governor’s close follow-up of the chamber’s various activities, events, and programs, underscoring the collaborative approach that has driven the city’s cultural strategy.

This year’s conference is held under the theme “Bringing Youth to the Table for the Next Decade.” According to Al-Hanaya, the gathering represents an opportunity to exchange innovative policies and good practices, create cultural and professional integration among member cities, and enhance cooperation through the UNESCO Cities Platform to ensure greater harmony. The theme reflects a global shift toward empowering young people as active participants in cultural and creative industries, a priority that resonates with Saudi Arabia’s own youth-focused initiatives.

International Impact and Cooperation

Buraidah’s participation in Braga places the city alongside a diverse network of creative hubs from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The conference facilitates bilateral meetings, thematic workshops, and plenary sessions designed to strengthen ties between cities and unlock joint projects in areas such as digital storytelling, crafts, and cultural tourism. For Saudi Arabia, such engagement reinforces its position as a bridge between cultures and a proactive member of international cultural governance. It also offers a platform to showcase the Kingdom’s rich heritage and modern creative economy, aligning with broader efforts to attract global attention and visitors.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Kingdom’s participation in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network aligns closely with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national transformation strategy, which seeks to diversify the economy, empower youth, and promote cultural exchange as part of a vibrant society. By supporting Buraidah’s active role in the network, the Qassim Chamber and local authorities are contributing to the Vision’s goals of enhancing quality of life, fostering international partnerships, and positioning Saudi cities as global centers of creativity and innovation. As Buraidah continues to engage with peers in Portugal and beyond, it exemplifies the Kingdom’s commitment to building a prosperous, outward-looking future rooted in its cultural identity.

20 Questions

Q1. What event is Buraidah participating in?

A1. Buraidah is participating in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network annual conference 2024, held in Braga, Portugal.

Q2. When did Buraidah become a UNESCO Creative City?

A2. Buraidah was selected as a UNESCO Creative City in 2021, joining a global network of cities that leverage creativity for sustainable development.

Q3. Who is representing Buraidah at the conference?

A3. Mohammed Al-Hanaya, Secretary-General of the Qassim Chamber, is representing Buraidah at the conference.

Q4. What is the theme of the 2024 conference?

A4. The theme is “Bringing Youth to the Table for the Next Decade.”

Q5. Where and when is the conference taking place?

A5. The conference is taking place in Braga, Portugal, from July 1 to 5, 2024.

Q6. Who organized the conference?

A6. The conference is organized by UNESCO in collaboration with Braga, a Portuguese Creative City for Media Arts since 2017.

Q7. What did Al-Hanaya express gratitude for?

A7. He expressed gratitude to the Governor of Qassim for his continuous support of Buraidah’s creative city file and his appreciation for the Chamber of Commerce.

Q8. What opportunities does the conference offer?

A8. It offers opportunities to exchange innovative policies and good practices, create cultural and professional integration among member cities, and enhance cooperation.

Q9. How does Buraidah’s participation benefit Saudi Arabia?

A9. It reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a bridge between cultures and showcases the Kingdom’s rich heritage and modern creative economy.

Q10. What is the UNESCO Creative Cities Network?

A10. The UCCN is a network of cities worldwide that invest in creativity across fields like gastronomy, literature, media arts, and crafts as drivers of sustainable development.

Q11. How does this align with Vision 2030?

A11. It aligns with Vision 2030 goals of diversifying the economy, empowering youth, and promoting cultural exchange as part of a vibrant society.

Q12. What role does the Qassim Chamber play?

A12. The Qassim Chamber supports Buraidah’s creative city initiatives and facilitates its participation in international cultural events.

Q13. Why is the youth theme significant?

A13. It reflects a global shift toward empowering young people as active participants in cultural and creative industries.

Q14. What are the expected outcomes of the conference?

A14. Expected outcomes include strengthened ties between cities, joint projects in digital storytelling, crafts, and cultural tourism.

Q15. How many cities are in the UCCN?

A15. The UCCN connects more than 350 cities worldwide.

Q16. What is Braga’s designation in the network?

A16. Braga is a Portuguese Creative City for Media Arts since 2017.

Q17. What does Buraidah hope to achieve at the conference?

A17. Buraidah aims to exchange best practices, build partnerships, and promote its cultural assets on a global stage.

Q18. How does the conference promote cultural integration?

A18. It facilitates cultural and professional integration among member cities through workshops, meetings, and collaborative sessions.

Q19. What is the significance of Buraidah’s selection in 2021?

A19. It marked a milestone for the Qassim region, recognizing the city’s commitment to culture and creativity as drivers of sustainable development.

Q20. What future steps will Buraidah take after the conference?

A20. Buraidah will continue to engage with the UCCN, implementing insights gained to further its cultural and creative initiatives in line with Vision 2030.

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