On World Cities Day, Riyadh Joins UNESCO Design Cities, Cements Innovation Hub Status

   Riyadh, October 31, 2025, SPA -- On World Cities Day, the Architecture and Design Commission announced that Riyadh has officially joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Design, a significant achievement confirming the city's growing status as a major regional hub for creativity and innovation.
   This inclusion is the result of integrated efforts led by the Architecture and Design Commission, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with various governmental, academic, nonprofit, and private sector entities. The comprehensive nomination file successfully highlighted the dynamism and diversity of the design scene in the Saudi capital, encompassing architecture, urban design, industrial and interior design, product design, and digital design.
   Architecture and Design Commission CEO Dr. ‏Sumayah Al-Solaiman‏ emphasized that Riyadh's inclusion represents a historic step, reflecting the Kingdom's ambition to make the capital a global model for leveraging creativity to serve urban and cultural development. She noted that this international recognition is a direct result of the national architecture and design strategy, which aims to build an environment conducive to innovation and empower Saudi talent.
   The commission seeks to solidify Riyadh's position as a global capital of design and a model for architecture and design. This will be achieved through initiatives and programs that support creative practices, enhance cooperation across sectors, and empower Saudi creatives, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Al-Solaiman‏ stressed the importance of design as a vital tool for sustainable development and improving quality of life.
   Riyadh's selection reflects its status as a creative city that seamlessly combines authenticity and innovation, representing a model for sustainable cultural development rooted in design. The city boasts a unique architectural landscape that blends modernity and tradition, contributing to a distinctive urban and design identity.
   Through this inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, the Architecture and Design Commission aims to highlight the Kingdom's position as a leading global destination for urban innovation and creativity, and to enhance its presence on the global design map. It also seeks to empower Saudi designers and architects to exchange international expertise and refine their skills by connecting them with leading global cities in this field.
   -- SPA