JEDDAH — Prince Badr bin Abdullah, Saudi Minister of Culture, met with Yemeni Minister of Media, Culture and Tourism Muammar Al-Eryani in Jeddah. He also praised the cooperation between the Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and the success of the Yemeni orchestra concert, which was held in Riyadh recently. The meeting discussed ways to enhance cooperation and cultural exchange between the two countries, in addition to discussing joint work with the Yemeni side in cooperation with organizations concerned with cultural affairs such as UNESCO. Saudi Arabia's initiative to preserve archaeological sites in Yemen was also reviewed, and Saudi Arabia's support for implementing projects and programs to protect and preserve heritage and cultural property in Yemen through the International Fund for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (ALIF) was emphasized. Prince Badr also met with Tunisian Minister of Cultural Affairs Amina Srarfi, they discussed strengthening strong cultural relations between Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, through cultural exchange via events and exhibitions, cooperation in the field of craft training, and the exchange of expertise in establishing and preserving the craftsmen's register. The meeting reviewed cooperation between the two brotherly countries, whether through the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee, or through long-term loans with the "Museum of World Cultures" in Saudi Arabia in cooperation with the Tunisian National Heritage Institute. The Tunisian side's participation in the second edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week "Banan" was also commended, in addition to highlighting the pioneering Tunisian experience in the fields of visual arts, films, and music. A cultural cooperation agreement was also signed between the Saudi and Tunisian Ministries of Culture, with the aim of enhancing cooperation in various cultural fields and sectors, contributing to the exchange of knowledge and experiences between the two countries, and developing joint cultural programs and initiatives. Prince Badr met with the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Benin, Jean-Michel Abimbola, and an agreement was signed between the two countries in a number of cultural fields, such as heritage, museums, films, theater and performing arts, fashion, music, libraries, traditional arts and crafts, and teaching the Arabic language, in addition to exchanging expertise related to cultural systems and policies, including the preservation of cultural heritage and combating illicit trafficking in cultural property. He also met with the Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, Nazarbekov Ozodbek Akhdovic, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation and cultural exchange in various cultural and artistic sectors. The meeting discussed areas of cooperation in various cultural sectors, especially in the field of traditional crafts and arts, regarding which a MoU was signed between the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts in Saudi Arabia and Moroccan Academy of Traditional Arts in October last year. Prince Badr also met with Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed, Chairman of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, The two sides discussed the cooperation and cultural exchange between the two brotherly countries in various cultural sectors. He also met with the Nigerian Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hanatu Musawa. Discussing the importance of enhancing cooperation in various cultural fields, including literature, music, films, and heritage, in addition to discussing joint work in cooperation with organizations concerned with cultural affairs such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), He also extended an invitation to the Nigerian side to participate in the Red Sea International Film Festival 2025. This was on the sidelines of the 13th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, hosted by Saudi Arabia in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Jeddah on Thursday.
