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TASHKENT: Leaders from Saudi hotspots such as AlUla and Jeddah joined fashion icon Naomi Campbell and other influential figures at a special conference in Uzbekistan focused on the creative economy.
Held in Tashkent from Oct. 2 to 4, the forum is a platform for industry leaders to engage in critical discussions on sustainable development and innovation within the realm of artistic practice.
The 4th World Conference on Creative Economy witnessed a strong Saudi presence as it seeks to foster collaboration under the theme: “Inclusively Creative: A Shifted Reality.”
Despite being unable to attend in person due to unrest in the Middle East and North Africa region, Princess Nourah Al-Faisal – a key figure in the Kingdom’s creative community – emphasized the importance of these discussions and the conference, calling it “an exciting and important platform.”
Speaking exclusively to Arab News, she said: “It’s extremely important that, at a time like this, people come together to talk about creativity, youth empowerment, and the sustainability of the creative economy to develop a better world for future generations.”
She added: “I am just so sorry that I was unable to make it. It’s such an exciting event, an important event to have, and so many important discussions and dialogues are taking place.”
Jeroen Frumau, the lead consultant for Al-Faisal’s consulting service, Adhlal, stepped in to elaborate on her work during a panel discussion titled “Creative and sustainable — visions for the world that works for people and planet.”
Nora Al-Dabal. Supplied
The Director of Arts and Creative Planning at the Royal Commission for AlUla, Nora Al-Dabal, spoke on an additional panel titled: “Innovation Engines — creative clusters, fab-labs and artist accelerators,” and she told Arab News why she wanted to be involved in these discussions.
“A lot of our work focuses on the Global South, and being here today with the creatives and the policymakers is very important,” she said, adding: “We do run a residency program in AlUla that is open for artists from all over the world. We strive to make sure it is inclusive.”
Renowned as one of the largest open living museums globally, AlUla, located in northwestern Saudi Arabia, has recently emerged as an important hub for creatives.
Ahmad Angawi, a prominent Saudi speaker and the founder of Zawiya 97— described as a “creative hub located in the heart of historic Al-Balad, Jeddah” — also shared insights on the Kingdom’s leadership in the creative economy.
“I was very pleased to see the Saudi presence here; we have Nora Al-Dabal from AlUla and, later, Mashael Al-Yahya from Misk Foundation,” Angawi told Arab News adding that while Princess Nourah Al-Faisal, was unable to attend, her planned presence shows “that we are already leading in the creative economy.”
Angawi’s work with the Al Makmad Foundation and Zawiya 97, along with decades of commitment to reviving traditional Saudi crafts, emphasizes the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving traditional arts while pushing for innovation.
“It’s always a pleasure to be here in Uzbekistan — it’s a rich history,” he said, adding: “We have a beautiful connection of exchange of culture between Uzbekistan and Saudi. It’s always a great pleasure to highlight and show the commonality between us and them.”
Angawi continued: “It’s a great time for creatives, for artists, for craftsmen, and for makers to be developing work … even the technology of AI is rooted in the crafts.”
Ahmad Angawi. Supplied
Saudi Arabia’s participation in WCCE 2024 reflects the country’s growing influence in the international creative economy, as the nation aligns its initiatives with global movements in sustainability, creativity, and cultural diplomacy.
As Angawi highlighted, forums focused on history, creativity, and innovation showcase the shared history and ties between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan, celebrating the rich cultural exchange that has spanned centuries.
Additional key participants in the WCCE included the adviser to the President of Uzbekistan, Saida Mirziyoyeva, among other influential figures.
The sessions addressed a wide range of topics such as the integration of AI in the arts, the future of creative education, and the potential for art and culture to contribute to diplomacy and urban development.
Gayane Umerova, chairperson of Uzbekistan’s Art and Culture Development Foundation, expressed excitement about the creative transformation taking place.
“We are living in a very exciting time for arts and culture,” Umerova said.
“Creators today are blurring the lines between business, arts, and technology, and WCCE comes at an opportune time for a global discussion on uplifting the next generation of creators,” she added.
A panel discussion at the event, which was held in Uzbekistan for the first time. Supplied
The conference also provided a glimpse into the future of the creative economy, a sector growing rapidly on a global scale. Cultural and creative industries currently generate around $2.3 trillion annually and contribute 3.1 percent to the worldwide gross domestic product, with projections indicating this could rise to 10 percent by 2030.
The discussions at WCCE – which was established in 2018 – highlighted the need for mindful collaboration across industries and sectors to ensure equitable growth, particularly as creative fields now increasingly intersect with technology and sustainability efforts.
Organized by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, Indonesia, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, and the World Intellectual Property Organization, the event aimed to explore new avenues for the creative economy.
This year’s WCCE, the first one in Uzbekistan, demonstrated the potential of the creative sector to ignite sustainable development, job creation, and cultural enrichment globally.
The next WCCE, which is a biennial, is set to return to its roots in Indonesia where the first event was hosted.