Saudi industry leaders unite with global icons in Uzbekistan to discuss growth of economy

TASHKENT, Oct 03 (Arab News): Industry leaders from Saudi Arabia joined fashion icon Naomi Campbell and other prominent figures at a pivotal conference in Uzbekistan dedicated to the creative economy.
Taking place in Tashkent from Oct. 2 to 4, the forum serves as a platform for members of the global creative community to engage in essential discussions on sustainable development and innovation within artistic practices.
The conference also highlighted the promising future of the creative economy, a sector rapidly expanding worldwide. Currently, cultural and creative industries generate approximately $2.3 trillion annually and contribute 3.1 per cent to the global GDP, with projections suggesting this could rise to 10 per cent by 2030.
Organized by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, Indonesia, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, and the World Intellectual Property Organization, this year's event aimed to explore new avenues for the creative economy.
The 4th World Conference on Creative Economy showcased a robust Saudi presence, aimed at fostering collaboration under the theme: "Inclusively creative: A shifted reality."
Nora Al-Dabal, executive director for Arts and Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla, participated in another panel, "Innovation engines - creative clusters, fab-labs, and artist accelerators."
She shared her motivation for being part of the discussions: "A lot of our work focuses on the Global South, and being here today with the creatives and the policymakers is very important."
Al-Dabal added: "We do run a residency program in AlUla that is open for artists from all over the world. We strive to make sure it is inclusive."
AlUla, renowned as one of the largest open living museums globally, has recently emerged as a significant hub for creatives in northwestern Saudi Arabia.