The opening ceremony of the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, organized by the Ministry of culture, was held at the "historical square Palace" in the center of Riyadh.
Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of culture of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and chairman of the National Committee for Education, Culture and science, opened the events on Saturday with a speech in which he stressed the kingdom of Saudi Arabia's belief in the importance of heritage as a cultural treasure and human heritage and knowledge, pointing to the kingdom's work with its partners in UNESCO to support many decisions seeking to build solid foundations for human capabilities in the fields of heritage and antiquities, and to support World Heritage sites and preserve them, by adopting a capacity-building strategy for heritage workers for the next ten years, as well as the establishment of the Saudi fund at UNESCO with the aim of financing and supporting Related programs and projects around the world.

During his speech, His Highness expressed his hope that the participants will contribute together to enable cooperation and sustainability to preserve and preserve World Heritage sites in the countries of the world, build common visions, provide enablers, and cooperate in charting new paths for Strategic Partnerships.

He pointed out that the kingdom is hosting this expanded session, in light of the unlimited support enjoyed by the cultural sectors by the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister-May God protect them-.

His Highness praised the efforts of the "UNESCO" and all international centers to contribute to the preservation and preservation of natural and cultural heritage around the world and to unlock the development potentials of Education, Culture and science to achieve the goals of sustainable development.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of ICCROM, the president of ICOMOS, along with senior representatives of the participating countries, heads of participating delegations and a selection of international, regional and local experts, researchers and specialists in the field of heritage and culture, which presents one of the largest opening events; to reflect vibrant visual scenes with rich paintings of Saudi heritage and its diverse culture, as the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is home to rich heritage and cultural diversity and a destination for many World Heritage sites, which represent ancient civilizations evidenced by modern archaeological discoveries, it includes six World Heritage sites UNESCO-al-Hajar archaeological site, Al-Turaif neighborhood in historical Diriyah, historical Jeddah, Makkah Gate, rock art in Hail region, Al-Ahsa Oasis, Cultural fever area, as well as the nomination of one site in the kingdom; for adoption at this year's meeting.

It is noteworthy that the kingdom is hosting this year the meeting of the "World Heritage Committee" in Riyadh at its forty – fifth expanded session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, in its capacity as the current chairman of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee from September 10 to 25.