On World Cities Day, UNESCO elevated Saudi Arabia’s cultural standing by naming Madinah and Riyadh to its prestigious Creative Cities Network. Madinah joins as a centre of gastronomy, becoming the Kingdom’s second city recognised for culinary excellence, while Riyadh secures its place as a hub of design. The announcement underscores both cities’ growing global influence and Saudi Arabia’s strategic drive to fuse creativity with sustainable development under Vision 2030.
Madinah: Culinary heritage meets global recognition
Madinah’s inclusion as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy reflects the city’s centuries-old culinary traditions and its status as a crossroads of culture, trade, and pilgrimage. The nomination was spearheaded by the Culinary Arts Commission, in collaboration with the Madinah Region Development Authority, the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the Madinah Region Municipality. Close coordination with local businesses specialising in gastronomy ensured the submission met UNESCO’s exacting standards.Known for its fertile volcanic soil and diverse agricultural produce, Madinah has cultivated a distinctive food culture shaped by historical trade routes and multiple civilisational influences. Souq Al-Tabbakhah, the Kingdom’s first culinary market, has become a central platform for local chefs and businesses, fostering entrepreneurship while preserving traditional recipes. Initiatives in the city now focus on documenting heritage cuisine, reducing food waste, and promoting sustainable local development.The designation positions Madinah as a centre of culinary innovation, enhancing its international profile and opening avenues for global collaboration. It aligns directly with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to solidify the Kingdom’s status as a global leader in cultural and creative industries.
Riyadh: Design and innovation at the forefront
Riyadh’s entry into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the design category highlights its emergence as a regional and global hub for architecture, urban, industrial, interior, product, and digital design. The Architecture and Design Commission led the city’s nomination, coordinating with government bodies, academic institutions, and private-sector partners.Dr Sumaya Al-Sulaiman, CEO of the Commission, described the recognition as “a historic step” in realising Riyadh’s ambition to become a global model for leveraging creativity in urban and cultural development. The accolade reflects the city’s implementation of the National Architecture and Design Strategy, which aims to empower local talent, foster innovation, and integrate design as a tool for sustainable growth and improved quality of life.Riyadh’s urban landscape combines heritage and modernity, supported by major design initiatives and research centres advancing architectural innovation. UNESCO’s recognition further validates the city’s strategy to inspire other urban centres and elevate Saudi designers to a global stage.
Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in the creative cities network
With the inclusion of Madinah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia now boasts five UNESCO Creative Cities:
- Al-Ahsa (2015): Crafts and folk art
- Buraidah (2021): Culinary arts
- Taif (2024): Literature
- Riyadh (2025): Design
- Madinah (2025): Culinary arts
Established in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network connects 350 cities across more than 100 countries, spanning eight fields: crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, music, and architecture. Its mission is to foster international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the integration of creativity into sustainable urban development.The addition of Madinah and Riyadh underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to embedding culture and creativity into the national development agenda, further strengthening its international visibility and influence.
