RIYADH — The Ministry of Culture has published the 5th edition of "The Cultural Status in Saudi Arabia 2023" report, titled "Sustainability in the Cultural Sector." The report highlights the developments, achievements, and challenges of Saudi Arabia's cultural movement over the past year, with a specific focus on sustainability. The report defines sustainability in the cultural sector as efforts to protect and preserve cultural and natural heritage from damage, deterioration, and extinction. It also emphasizes enhancing the economic viability of cultural activities and professions, while expanding cultural participation across diverse segments of society. Since its first edition in 2019, the State of Culture Report has monitored the contributions of the cultural sector, highlighting the economic impact and growth efforts within the creative economy. The 5th edition extends this focus to the intersection of culture and the environment, exploring how climate change threatens cultural heritage and reviewing initiatives aimed at mitigating these impacts. The report examines sustainability practices in cultural sectors such as fashion, architecture, design, and culinary arts, highlighting the challenges to widespread adoption and suggesting ways to enhance sustainable practices. It also addresses sustainable management of cultural heritage, the service of the Arabic language, and developments in infrastructure, regulations, and support mechanisms. Structured into five chapters, the report begins with "Management and Preservation," which assesses the sustainable management of cultural heritage. The second chapter, "Creativity and Cultural Production," measures the levels of cultural output across publishing, audio-visual media, arts, design, and performing arts, while also documenting awards won by Saudi creators. The third chapter, "Knowledge and Skills," covers advancements in cultural education and training, reflecting the importance of building cultural expertise. The fourth chapter, "Cultural Participation," explores how the cultural sector engages diverse communities, including through non-profit activities. Finally, the fifth chapter, "Creative Economy," analyzes economic indicators such as employment statistics, business growth, tourism, spending, and demand within the cultural sector. The 2023 Cultural Status Report serves as a comprehensive resource for those interested in the dynamics of Saudi Arabia's cultural landscape, providing a systematic analysis of the sector's achievements and challenges, supported by research and studies approved by the Ministry of Culture.
