Prince Sultan bin Salman: National Heritage Will Be the Biggest Driver of the Economy Under Vision 2030

Riyadh, October 5, 2024 — Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Special Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the non-profit Heritage Foundation, opened the foundation’s annual meeting on Friday under the theme “Confident Steps Toward the Future” at the Riyadh International Book Fair (RIBF) Theater. The event celebrated more than a quarter-century of the Heritage Foundation’s work documenting and preserving Saudi Arabia’s national heritage, and underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to culture and heritage as key drivers of economic growth under Vision 2030.

Context and Background

The annual meeting brought together princes, officials, and ambassadors to the Kingdom, reflecting the broad institutional support for heritage preservation in Saudi Arabia. The Heritage Foundation, established 28 years ago, has been at the forefront of documenting the nation’s history through book publishing, research, and archival work. Its initiatives align with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to promote culture and heritage as pillars of national identity and economic diversification.

Saudi Arabia has increasingly invested in cultural infrastructure, including the Riyadh International Book Fair, which serves as a platform for literary and cultural exchange. The event highlighted the foundation’s role in preserving the legacy of the Kingdom’s leadership, including the recent launch of the book “King Salman,” sponsored by Saudi Aramco, which chronicles the life of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Key Details

During the meeting, a documentary film showcasing the Heritage Foundation’s journey and milestones over more than 25 years was screened, followed by another film about the launch of the book “King Salman” at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran. Prince Sultan described the book as “a gift to the nation,” emphasizing its documentation of the life of King Salman alongside the founding King Abdulaziz and other Saudi kings.

Prince Sultan also discussed the documentary “Okath Al-Badr,” produced entirely by the Heritage Foundation with a new creative vision, which documents rare moments and stories of Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen bin Abdulaziz. He noted that the foundation has achieved continuous development since its establishment, contributing significantly to printing books, conducting research, and archiving historical photos to document the nation’s history.

In his remarks, Prince Sultan highlighted that the Riyadh International Book Fair is a testament to the Kingdom’s attention to culture and national heritage, which he said “will become the biggest drivers of the economy.” This statement underscores the growing recognition of the cultural sector’s potential to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification efforts.

Implications and Impact

The Heritage Foundation’s work supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals by preserving national heritage and promoting cultural awareness, which are essential for fostering a strong national identity and attracting cultural tourism. The foundation’s initiatives, such as the publication of “King Salman” and the production of historical documentaries, contribute to the documentation and dissemination of Saudi history, both domestically and internationally.

By emphasizing heritage as an economic driver, Prince Sultan’s remarks align with broader efforts to diversify the Saudi economy beyond oil. The cultural sector, including heritage sites, museums, and events like the Riyadh International Book Fair, has the potential to create jobs, stimulate tourism, and generate revenue. This approach is consistent with the Kingdom’s strategy to enhance its soft power and global cultural presence.

Furthermore, the attendance of ambassadors and officials at the meeting highlights the international interest in Saudi Arabia’s cultural initiatives. It also reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a hub for cultural diplomacy and exchange, fostering greater understanding and cooperation with other nations.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Heritage Foundation’s efforts are directly aligned with Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and promote cultural and recreational opportunities. By preserving and promoting national heritage, the foundation contributes to the Kingdom’s goal of increasing cultural participation and enhancing quality of life. As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in its cultural sector, heritage will play an increasingly vital role in driving economic growth and showcasing the Kingdom’s rich history to the world.

20 Questions

Q1. What event did Prince Sultan bin Salman open on Friday?

A1. Prince Sultan bin Salman opened the annual meeting of the non-profit Heritage Foundation, held under the theme “Confident Steps Toward the Future” at the Riyadh International Book Fair Theater.

Q2. What is the theme of the Heritage Foundation’s annual meeting?

A2. The theme is “Confident Steps Toward the Future,” reflecting the foundation’s forward-looking approach to preserving national heritage and its role in the Kingdom’s development.

Q3. How long has the Heritage Foundation been operating?

A3. The Heritage Foundation has been operating for 28 years, during which it has documented the nation’s history through books, research, and archival work.

Q4. What book launch was highlighted at the meeting?

A4. The meeting highlighted the launch of the book “King Salman,” an Heritage Foundation initiative sponsored by Saudi Aramco, which chronicles the life of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Q5. Where was the book “King Salman” launched?

A5. The book was launched at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, coinciding with the 94th National Day of Saudi Arabia.

Q6. Who is the book “King Salman” about?

A6. The book is about the life of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, as well as the founding King Abdulaziz and other kings of the Kingdom.

Q7. What documentary was mentioned by Prince Sultan?

A7. Prince Sultan mentioned the documentary “Okath Al-Badr,” produced entirely by the Heritage Foundation, which documents rare moments and stories of Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen bin Abdulaziz.

Q8. What has the Heritage Foundation achieved over the years?

A8. The foundation has achieved continuous development, including printing books, conducting research, archiving historical photos, and contributing to documenting the nation’s history for over a quarter of a century.

Q9. Why did Prince Sultan say the Riyadh International Book Fair is important?

A9. He said it is a testament to the Kingdom’s attention to culture and national heritage, which he believes will become the biggest drivers of the economy.

Q10. Who attended the annual meeting?

A10. The meeting was attended by several princes, officials, and ambassadors to the Kingdom, demonstrating broad support for the Heritage Foundation’s mission.

Q11. What did Prince Sultan call the book “King Salman”?

A11. He called it “a gift to the nation,” emphasizing its role in documenting the life of King Salman and the Kingdom’s leadership history.

Q12. How does the Heritage Foundation contribute to Vision 2030?

A12. By preserving national heritage and promoting cultural awareness, the foundation supports economic diversification and enhances national identity, aligning with Vision 2030 goals.

Q13. What economic potential does Prince Sultan see in heritage?

A13. He sees national heritage as a major economic driver, contributing to diversification, job creation, and tourism, in line with the Kingdom’s post-oil strategy.

Q14. What was the significance of the documentary about the Heritage Foundation?

A14. It showcased the foundation’s milestones and initiatives over more than 25 years, highlighting its role in documenting and preserving Saudi history.

Q15. What role does Saudi Aramco play in the book “King Salman”?

A15. Saudi Aramco sponsored the book, supporting the Heritage Foundation’s initiative to document the life of King Salman as part of its cultural contributions.

Q16. How does the Heritage Foundation document history?

A16. The foundation documents history through printing books, conducting research, archiving historical photos, and producing documentaries that capture important moments and stories.

Q17. What is the significance of the Riyadh International Book Fair?

A17. It serves as a platform for cultural exchange and highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to culture and heritage, attracting international participation and promoting literary works.

Q18. What message did Prince Sultan convey about the foundation’s future?

A18. He conveyed confidence in the foundation’s continued development and its growing role in preserving heritage and contributing to the Kingdom’s economic and cultural growth.

Q19. How does the foundation’s work impact Saudi society?

A19. It fosters national pride, preserves cultural identity, and educates future generations about the Kingdom’s rich history and leadership legacy.

Q20. What is the broader economic vision for heritage in Saudi Arabia?

A20. Heritage is seen as a key economic driver, contributing to tourism, job creation, and diversification, aligning with Vision 2030’s goal of reducing oil dependence.

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