The Saudi Ministry of Culture has signed a cooperation agreement with the popular social media platform TikTok.
The aim of the agreement is to highlight the talents of Saudi artists and creatives, showcase the country’s cultural and social role, and present Saudi culture and heritage to a global audience.
This initiative marks a significant step towards achieving the goals of the national cultural strategy under Saudi Vision 2030.
Under this agreement, several joint initiatives and programs will be launched, including efforts to promote cultural and social values for community service. The agreement also includes the organization of workshops, training courses, and activities to develop cultural and artistic skills, as well as support for cultural events held in Saudi Arabia.
According to the statement, the partnership aims to expand the cultural experiences of Saudi citizens through digital technology and to present the national cultural identity on modern platforms that align with the fast-paced digital era.
The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Culture’s headquarters in Riyadh. Representing the ministry was Neha bint Saeed Qattan, Deputy Minister for National Partnerships and Capability Development. Representing TikTok was Dr. Hatim Samman, Head of Government Relations and Public Policy in the Kingdom. Several senior officials from both the Ministry of Culture and TikTok were also present.
On the occasion, Neha Qattan stated that Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape is rapidly progressing, and the Ministry of Culture is actively collaborating with domestic and international, public, private, and non-profit entities to spotlight local talents. She emphasized that this partnership will provide young people with a powerful medium to express pride in their culture and heritage creatively and share it with the world.
Dr. Hatim Samman, TikTok’s Head of Government Relations in Saudi Arabia, stated that this partnership reflects TikTok’s commitment to promoting Saudi culture. He revealed that, according to a recent TikTok survey, 39% of Saudi users believe the platform has given them a means to express their cultural identity.
Samman added that this creative expression is gaining popularity not only locally but also globally. Many TikTok users are now inspired by Saudi culture and are interested in visiting the Kingdom. According to him, “Through the creative expression of Saudi citizens, people around the world can get a glimpse of Saudi culture on TikTok.”
