The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALESCO) and the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed, on September 16, 2026, in Riyadh, an Executive Programme on the “Exchange of Expertise Related to Intangible Cultural Heritage.”

 The signing was attended by Dr. Humaid Al-Nofali, Director of Culture at ALESCO, and Dr. Maha Abdullah Al-Senan, Deputy Minister of Culture for Research and Cultural Heritage at the Saudi Ministry of Culture.

The Executive Programme provides for the joint organization of a scientific symposium on the exchange of expertise in methodologies, policies, and practices for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in Arab countries. It also includes efforts to promote living heritage practices from Arab countries on the global stage and to strengthen partnership, cooperation, and coordination in projects of mutual interest.

The signing of the Executive Programme builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Culture and ALESCO in 2022. It reflects the two sides’ commitment to expanding cultural cooperation and strengthening partnerships that contribute to preserving intangible cultural heritage, supporting its sustainability, and safeguarding it for future generations.