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Cultural heritage is significant in Saudi Arabia, contributing significantly to the country’s economy by preserving sites, music, art, food, and more.

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia states, “Arab traditions play an important role in Saudi life. These age-old traditions have evolved over the millennia and are highly regarded. They include generosity and hospitality, which every Saudi family offers to strangers, friends, and family.”

In celebration of this cultural richness, the Culinary Arts Commission has launched an initiative titled “The International Food Atlas and Digital Platform for Preserving, Promoting, and Transmitting Foodways to Tomorrow’s Generations.”

Endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the initiative aims to preserve and document the cultural heritage of the Kingdom, offering its transmission to future generations.

Scheduled for launch during the eighteenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Botswana in December, the initiative aims to uphold the local community’s identity.

The digital platform will encourage the registration of traditional food from local communities in various member states. The overarching objective is to share the experiences of the Gulf states and make them accessible to other member states.