Riyadh, 28 September 2025 – Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Ministry of Culture today announced the agenda for the inaugural Cultural Investment Conference 2025, set to take place on 29–30 September at the King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh.
The landmark event will gather more than 100 distinguished local and international speakers and over 1,500 participants, including policymakers, investors, and leaders from the worlds of culture and finance, to chart bold new pathways for culture as a catalyst of sustainable economic growth.
The conference will be launched in the presence of His Highness Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Minister of Culture, alongside senior officials, global investors, and cultural pioneers.
World-Class Speakers and Thought Leaders
The two-day program will feature 38+ panel discussions and workshops headlined by leading voices in culture and investment, including:
Charles Stewart, CEO of Sotheby’s
Guillaume Cerutti, Chairman of Christie’s
Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel
Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman & CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment
Tarak Ben Ammar, Founder of Eagles Pictures
Lord Neil Mendoza, Chairman of Historic England
Saudi speakers include His Excellency Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, Vice Minister of Culture, and His Excellency Rakan bin Ibrahim Al-Touq, Assistant Minister of Culture, who will share the Kingdom’s vision for transforming culture into a powerful economic engine.
Three Core Pillars of Dialogue
The Cultural Investment Conference will explore opportunities for growth and collaboration through three strategic pillars:
Cultural Production – Examining culture’s role in job creation, tourism, regional development, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a global hub for cultural investment.
Advancing Cultural Capital – Highlighting innovative investment models and lessons from emerging markets to unlock new funding opportunities.
The Cohesive Power of Culture – Showcasing culture’s unique ability to strengthen social bonds and foster inclusive global exchange.
Strategic Partnerships
The event has attracted strong engagement from cultural institutions, government entities, and private-sector leaders. Key partners include:
The Cultural Development Fund, Cultural Assets Group, Ministry of Investment, Royal Commission for AlUla, King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), MBC Group, Al Madinah Region Development Authority, King Fahd Cultural Center, ALIPH Foundation, Art Jameel, Sotheby’s, ARTE COLLECTUM, Mung Investments, along with media partners China Media Group (CMG) and Al-Thaqafiya TV Channel.
Empowering the Kingdom’s Cultural Economy
The Cultural Investment Conference represents a pivotal step in positioning culture as a key driver of economic diversification, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s national identity, and expanding its cultural influence on the global stage. The event underscores Riyadh’s emergence as an international hub for culture and the creative economy, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing global cultural exchange.
