The Cultural Investment Conference 2025 commenced today in Riyadh, under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, at the King Fahd Cultural Center. The conference is organized by the Ministry of Culture, with the participation of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, and features over 150 speakers and 1,500 participants, including leading decision-makers and cultural and investment figures from both the local and international sectors.
Riyadh University of Arts: A New Creative Project
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Culture announced the imminent launch of Riyadh University of Arts , which will be a cornerstone for creative education and innovation, aiming to enrich the cultural sector with national talent and strengthen partnerships with international academic and cultural institutions. He explained that the university aspires to be among the top 50 universities specializing in arts and culture worldwide, reflecting the wise leadership's support for the cultural sector and the Kingdom's desire to build robust cultural capabilities within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030 .
Significant leaps in the cultural sector
Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan pointed out that the Saudi cultural sector has witnessed a qualitative leap since the launch of Vision 2030, as its contribution to the GDP has increased to 1.6%, and the number of workers in it has reached 234,000, while the value of financial support directed to it has exceeded two billion dollars in 2024. Investments in its infrastructure have reached more than 81 billion riyals, reflecting the great momentum that the sector is witnessing.
The Minister of Culture affirmed that the private sector is a key strategic partner in the development of culture, noting that the conference will witness the signing of 89 agreements worth more than 5 billion riyals, which enhances the role of partnerships in driving cultural development.
Broad international participation
The conference will feature a distinguished lineup of international figures, including Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih and Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim, along with leaders of global institutions such as Sotheby's, Christie's, Art Basel, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. International experts in heritage, arts, and creative entrepreneurship will also participate, giving the conference a global dimension that reinforces the Kingdom's position as a hub for culture and investment.
Various sessions and workshops
The two-day conference features over 38 panel discussions and workshops covering the latest trends in cultural investment, showcasing successful international experiences in supporting creative industries, and exploring emerging markets and untapped sectors. Sessions will include topics such as artificial intelligence and interactive technologies, the role of philanthropy in supporting culture, and global cultural investment funds.
A global platform for Vision 2030
The conference, being held for the first time in the Kingdom, represents a leading global platform that explores the future of cultural investment and reinforces its role in building a sustainable creative economy, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and strengthen cultural identity. The conference also aims to present culture as an attractive investment opportunity through innovative financing models, building strategic partnerships, and empowering national talent, while promoting equity, inclusion, and cultural diplomacy.
Conclusion: Riyadh, the capital of culture and investment
Through these themes, the Cultural Investment Conference 2025 the Kingdom’s commitment to its leading role in driving global transformations in the field of the creative economy, and to establishing Riyadh as an international capital of culture and investment, reflecting its ambitious vision and its growing position in the global cultural and economic landscape.
