Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahsa chaired a UNESCO Creative Cities Network meeting in Gabrovo, Bulgaria, advancing cultural cooperation as the kingdom deepens its soft power engagement across international institutions. Al-Ahsa Mayor Essam Al-Mulla outlined the city's experience in using culture and creativity to support sustainable development, strengthen social cohesion and build bridges between peoples and cities.
The meeting brought together representatives from 20 cities in the network's Crafts and Folk Art subnetwork, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Al-Ahsa joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network 11 years ago through an initiative by Al-Ahsa municipality.
Cultural Preservation Meets Economic Strategy
According to UNESCO, Al-Ahsa preserves about 50 traditional crafts and folk art practices, including palm-based textiles, pottery, weaving and joinery, which support its economy through markets and cultural festivals. This isn't mere heritage preservation — it's a deliberate economic development strategy that leverages cultural assets for community resilience and commercial growth.
Speaking during the meeting, Al-Mulla addressed culture and innovation, technology and human skills, investment in the future and cooperation among creative cities. He highlighted the role of cultural creativity in preserving identity and strengthening community ties — themes that resonate beyond Saudi Arabia in a region where rapid modernization often clashes with traditional social structures.
Al-Mulla said Al-Ahsa's approach was rooted in cultural resilience, extending beyond heritage protection to developing ways to preserve, practice and pass on traditions to future generations while adapting to change. Technology and artificial intelligence offered opportunities to develop traditional skills and knowledge, and open new avenues for artisans, he added.
Technology as Cultural Amplifier
Al-Mulla said technology should complement rather than replace heritage, helping craftspeople innovate, document their work and reach wider audiences and markets while preserving the authenticity and identity of their crafts. Investment in culture and creativity was also an investment in people and human relationships that strengthens belonging, communication and social cohesion, he added.
This vision reflects Saudi Arabia's broader modernization drive under Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy beyond oil while maintaining cultural continuity. The approach stands in contrast to models that treat tradition and modernity as incompatible.
Ibrahim Al-Shubaith, coordinator of Creative Al-Ahsa and lead coordinator of the network's Crafts and Folk Art cluster, described culture as a form of soft power for peace, as well as an effective means of fostering understanding and bringing communities closer together. He highlighted the importance of coordinating efforts and exchanging experiences to develop the crafts and folk art sector, and strengthen its contribution to sustainable cultural development.
The meeting aimed to expand cooperation and knowledge-sharing among member cities and advance joint work in crafts and folk art, reinforcing the role of culture and creativity in shaping cities' futures.
Why This Matters:
Saudi Arabia's leadership role in UNESCO cultural networks signals the kingdom's strategic investment in soft power diplomacy — a shift from its historical reliance on energy resources and religious authority. Al-Ahsa's model demonstrates how cultural preservation can serve economic development goals while strengthening social cohesion in rapidly changing societies. For the broader Middle East, where conflicts often overshadow cultural achievements, this approach offers an alternative narrative: tradition as a foundation for innovation rather than an obstacle to progress. The integration of technology with heritage crafts also addresses a practical challenge facing artisan communities worldwide — how to compete in global markets without losing authenticity. As regional powers compete for influence through military proxies and political alliances, cultural diplomacy provides a lower-cost, higher-legitimacy path to international standing.