The Mayor of Al-Ahsa, the head of the delegation of Al-Ahsa creative Adel bin Mohammed Al-Melhem, said that Al-Ahsa keen to achieve the objectives in the preservation of creativity in handicrafts and folklore at the local level, through several projects and programs, which worked to sustain creativity, Which has given Al Ahsa its achievements over the past four years and it is the member of the Creative Cities Network in 2015 and the registration of Al-Ahsa Oasis as a World Heritage Site 2018, in addition that has been selected to be the Capital of Arab Tourism 2019.
This came during the opening of the 13th UNESCO Network of Innovative Cities from the Italian President Sergio Mattarella, which includes 180 cities from 72 countries, in a large ceremony hosting in Fabriano city, Italian, in a distinguished presence for the creative Al-Ahsa, represented by Adel bin Mohammed Al Melhem, Eng. Ahmed Al-Matar, and Eng. Ali Al-Sulaiman, where Al-Ahsa is participating in a special exhibition of handicrafts and folklore.
The opening ceremony included speeches by the UNESCO representative and city mayor of Fibriano, and it is concluding with a speech by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who said: "Confrontation, cultural dialogue and knowledge exchange are mutually enriching in the international community, benefiting everyone." Creative cities, to present their perceptions and ideas on the importance of integrating culture and creativity as important drivers in achieving the goals of sustainable development 2030 prepared by the United Nations.
On the sidelines of the opening ceremony, the head of Al Ahsa creative delegation, Eng. Adel Al Melhem, presented a souvenir to the Italian President, "Besht Hasawi", as one of the most important crafts and handicrafts in the world, to remain today a source of pride for handicrafts and a symbol of global creativity.
On this occasion, the mayor of Al-Ahsa expressed his thanks and appreciation for the wise leadership, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, for their unlimited support for Al Hasa and the other cities in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Mulhim also expressed his thanks and appreciation to Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince of the Eastern Region, and to His Deputy Prince Ahmed bin Fahad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and the Governor of Al-Ahsa Prince Badr bin Mohammed bin Jalawi for following up on this important file, considering Al-Ahsa as the first Saudi and Gulf city registered in the network of creative cities of UNESCO, at the initiative of Al-Ahsa municipality.
The Mayor of Al-Ahsa thanked the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi for his support, follow-up and encouragement of this file, which was instrumental in achieving this level.