Ministry of Culture to promote, develop Saudi identity: Prince Badr

Saudi Arabia’s new Ministry of Culture plans to promote and develop the Kingdom’s vast culture and identity, said Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud in his latest interview with Al Arabiya TV.

“Our goals are in line with Vision 2030, which is to promote and develop our culture— a strategy we were lacking before,” he said. “We will support the talents of our youth in all areas of culture within the Kingdom. Intellectuals will have a big role to play in this ministry.”

Prince Badr was appointed as Minister of Culture by royal decree on Saturday. The ministry’s duties are separate from that of the already-active Ministry of Information.

Prince Badr previously served as chairman of media conglomerate Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG), which owns 51 percent in Argaam. He resigned from his post after he was named Minsiter of Culture. He also served as governor of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula – a post he has held since the commission was created in July last year to oversee archaeological and tourism projects in Al-Ula area of Madinah province.