In May 2024, UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer delivered an inspiring keynote at the GREAT Futures summit in Riyadh. She spoke about Saudi Arabia’s remarkable cultural transformation under Vision 2030, and how the UK can be part of that journey.
Her message was clear: this is about more than policy. It’s about people, partnerships and the opportunities that creativity can unlock.
A Kingdom on the Move
Saudi Arabia has seen extraordinary change in the past decade. Culture, heritage, sport and tourism are at the heart of this transformation, with new festivals, exhibitions and creative platforms drawing global attention. The ambition is bold, to create jobs, boost quality of life and share Saudi talent with the world.
From film and music to design and museums, Vision 2030 is shaping a thriving cultural landscape. Places like AlUla, rich with history, are becoming global centres for creativity, with major investments in film and the arts already bearing fruit.
The UK’s Role
The UK is proud of its creative industries, a sector worth over £124 billion and home to world-leading talent in film, music, design and more. As Lucy Frazer reminded us, culture has always been one of Britain’s greatest strengths, from Shakespeare to today’s thriving creative economy.
That expertise makes Britain a natural partner for Saudi Arabia as it grows its own cultural industries. Already, collaboration is underway, from British Esports working with the Saudi Esports Federation, to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera in Riyadh, to new museum partnerships with SOAS and the Science Museum Group.
The British Council is also playing its part, most recently showcasing UK short films at the Saudi Film Festival, creating new opportunities for dialogue between filmmakers and audiences.
Looking Ahead
These partnerships are just the beginning. Together, the UK and Saudi Arabia can build on a shared ambition: to invest in creativity, strengthen cultural exchange and open new doors for young people in both countries.
As Lucy Frazer said in Riyadh, events like GREAT Futures are a chance to shape the next chapter in UK–Saudi relations, one defined by collaboration, innovation and cultural connection.
