Arab News

LONDON: Saudi Arabia was elected Thursday as a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Kingdom’s accession to the committee was confirmed during UNESCO’s eighth General Assembly in Paris, being held September 10-12.

The Saudi delegation in the French capital is headed by Princess Haifa bint Abdul Aziz Al-Muqrin, the Kingdom’s permanent representative to UNESCO.

The election puts Saudi Arabia in a select group of countries that maintain membership of the three basic committees at UNESCO — the Executive Council, the World Heritage Committee, and now the intangible cultural heritage committee.

Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the National Committee for Education, Science and Culture, congratulated the Kingdom’s leadership for the election, which he said reflected the international community’s confidence in Saudi Arabia and its commitment to protecting local culture and heritage.

Having previously won membership on both UNESCO's Executive Board and the World Heritage Committee, Member States have now elected KSA for membership of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee. 🇸🇦🇸🇦🇸🇦

— بدر بن عبدالله بن فرحان آل سعود (@BadrFAlSaud) September 10, 2020