On 28 May 2025, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Netherlands, led by Chargé d’Affaires His Highness Prince Jalawi Al Saud, hosted a distinguished gathering at the Hotel Des Indes in The Hague to commemorate International Museum Day and World Heritage Day. The event brought together ambassadors, Dutch government officials—including from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture—members of the business community, students, and friends of Saudi Arabia for an evening dedicated to cultural dialogue and heritage diplomacy.
Following the opening remarks by Prince Jalawi, the program featured a keynote address by Dr. Faisal Al-Jubrin from the Saudi Heritage Commission, who outlined the Kingdom’s efforts in documenting and preserving its vast cultural landscape. A presentation by the Saudi Museums Commission followed, showcasing initiatives focused on museum development, public engagement, and heritage education.
The evening also included a compelling presentation on Al-Faw Heritage City, one of the most important archaeological and cultural sites in the Kingdom. Guests then had the opportunity to tour a curated exhibition from the Saudi Museums, featuring items and visuals that offered insight into Saudi Arabia’s historical depth and cultural diversity.
Dr. Al-Jubrin noted that the Heritage Commission has already completed the first phase of an extensive national cultural inventory, cataloging more than 10,000 cultural elements across six regions of Saudi Arabia. A second phase of this important initiative is already planned, aiming to broaden the scope and ensure comprehensive national coverage.
The event highlighted Saudi Arabia’s dedication to heritage preservation as a bridge for international cooperation. As Prince Jalawi stated:
And he added, “Museums serve as custodians of identity and knowledge, while World Heritage Day reminds us of our collective responsibility to protect cultural treasures for future generations.”
“We deeply value the strong cultural partnership between Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands, and we thank the Saudi Museums Commission and the Heritage Commission for their exceptional work in promoting our heritage internationally.”
The celebration concluded with an elegant reception dinner, reinforcing the spirit of hospitality and shared appreciation for cultural heritage.
The evening at Hotel Des Indes was not only a diplomatic and cultural success, but a clear reflection of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to building cultural bridges, elevating awareness of its heritage, and collaborating with international partners to protect and promote global cultural legacies.
