Culture as the Next Global Goal - Saudi Arabia to Host UNESCO MONDIACULT 2029

A Defining Signal for the Next Decade

When UNESCO announced in Barcelona that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host MONDIACULT 2029, it resonated far beyond the world of cultural diplomacy. The decision reflects how Saudi Arabia has moved from participating in global cultural conversations to shaping the frameworks that define them.

Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan welcomed the announcement as recognition of the Kingdom's growing partnership with UNESCO and reaffirmed its commitment to embedding culture within sustainable development strategies worldwide.

For Saudi Arabia, this moment builds on a decade of consistent leadership. From supporting Mexico in relaunching MONDIACULT 2022 to chairing Arab regional consultations and convening the first-ever G20 Culture Ministers' Meeting during its 2020 presidency, the Kingdom has steadily expanded its cultural footprint. Each initiative has strengthened the foundation for what comes next - a new global era where culture performs as a measurable system of progress.

Global Policy Momentum: Culture as the Missing SDG

The announcement arrives alongside UNESCO's Global Report on Cultural Policies - Culture: The Missing SDG, developed through BOP Consulting's longstanding data partnership with UNESCO.

Drawing on 1,200 national reports and 200 case studies from 2019–2024, the report articulates a profound shift:

• "Culture is not a peripheral sector to be supported; it is a central force to be mobilized."

This insight reframes culture as a structural enabler of growth, innovation, and inclusion - one that warrants recognition as a dedicated Sustainable Development Goal in the post-2030 agenda.

It validates the philosophy that underpins Vision 2030: culture is not a complement to the economy, but its connective tissue - linking industries, skills, and global perception into a unified growth system.

From Policy to Practice: Aligning Global Vision with National Momentum

By hosting MONDIACULT 2029, Saudi Arabia steps into the center of this global reorientation. The conference will convene world leaders, policymakers, and cultural innovators to define how nations operationalize culture as an engine of sustainable development.

For the Kingdom, it represents an opportunity to:

• Translate national successes into a global policy model for creative-economy integration.
• Lead international discussions on cultural financing, IP protection, and public–private collaboration.
• Strengthen partnerships that expand Saudi culture's global reach while attracting investment and talent to the region.

It also reinforces a broader ambition - to position Riyadh as the epicenter of global cultural dialogue, a city where economic vision and cultural intelligence converge.