London: The Economic and Social Committee of the Saudi Arabia-UK Strategic Partnership Council convened a creative industries workshop in London. This workshop, held on Wednesday, was co-chaired by Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan Altouq from Saudi Arabia and Chris Bryant, Minister of State for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism for the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the workshop focused on exploring opportunities for strategic partnerships in the creative industries between Saudi Arabia and the UK. Central themes included cultural exchange, talent development within the creative economy, and the promotion of cultural heritage. The discussions aimed to identify key areas of cooperation, open new markets, and strengthen the creative sectors in both nations.

Participants placed significant emphasis on major events linked to Saudi Vision 2030, underscoring the importance of supporting these events through integrated policies, cultural programs, and technical support. Notable highlights of the discussions included Saudi Arabia’s upcoming hosting of Expo 2030 Riyadh and the FIFA World Cup 2034.

The workshop also delved into the economic development and innovation potential embedded in these large-scale events and cultural seasons, along with joint productions and licensing to bolster the film industry. Additionally, discussions covered the fields of theater, electronic games, political dialogues, think tanks, creative youth training, and exchange programs.

This workshop was part of the sub-sessions of the fifth meeting of the Economic and Social Committee, held under the umbrella of the GREAT FUTURES Initiative. The initiative, introduced in May 2024, is a key program of the Saudi Arabia-UK Strategic Partnership Council.