UNESCO guests gather at Diriyah, the City of Earth

DIRIYAH — Prominent dignitaries, including members of the royal family, ministers, and heads of delegation, gathered to attend a landmark UNESCO VIP dinner at Bujairi Terrace’s amphitheater this week.

The 45th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, a series of events from the 10th to the 25th of September, brought together public and private sector representatives at Diriyah to discuss the preservation of heritage around the world.

On September 10, it was announced at the UNESCO Partners Forum that Diriyah, the City of Earth, would join the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability and social responsibility initiative. Diriyah will be a unique addition as a sustainable pedestrian city that celebrates culture and heritage. The UNESCO Partners Forum brought together business leaders to forge a path for greater private sector involvement in world heritage preservation.

Following the successful forum, VIP tours were conducted for visiting dignitaries. Welcomed by Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, guests toured At-Turaif, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that forms the historic center of the Diriyah masterplan development.

In addition, Robert “Bobby” Sager held signing sessions for the launch of his new book “Diriyah Face to Face”, which is set for release in October. Finding “faces” in the eroded mud brick patterns of Diriyah’s traditional Najdi architecture, the book explores the streets, palaces, mosques and landscapes of the 265-year-old city.

Inzerillo commented following the dinner: ‘The Diriyah masterplan is forging one of the world’s greatest cultural gathering places. Events such as these demonstrate how much progress we have already made toward that goal. Our beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site, At-Turaif, is an icon that draws millions to the heart of Saudi Arabia. We are always thrilled to welcome dignitaries and visitors to our magnificent city and showcase all that we have to offer.” — SPA