MEXICO CITY: Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan has participated in the opening of the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas, or ALIPH, in Mexico City. Titled “Culture for Peace,” ALIPH was held as part of the activities of the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development. ALIPH highlights a number of World Heritage Sites that have been endangered by conflicts. It also reflects the importance of heritage protection projects in creating job opportunities and strengthening community cohesion. On the sidelines of the UNESCO conference, Prince Badr met Niger’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Handicrafts Mohamed Hameed.  They discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and work on building a package of initiatives between cultural institutions to transfer expertise and introduce the cultures of  Saudi Arabia and Niger to each other, especially fashion, visual arts and music. The Saudi minister also met Iraq’s Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Hassan Nazim. During the meeting, they emphasized the depth of relations between the two countries and the importance of strengthening joint cultural cooperation. Prince Badr praised the work between Saudi and Iraqi teams specializing in heritage, in light of the growing cooperation between the Saudi Heritage Commission and the Antiquities and Heritage Authority in Iraq. The Saudi minister also held talks with Chad’s Minister of Culture and Promotion of Diversity Rirajim Dogona Bkasa. They discussed ways of cooperating in cultural fields, opportunities to create joint cultural initiatives, talent exchange programs between artistic and cultural institutions, holding artistic programs, seminars and events, transferring experiences, and introducing the cultures of the two countries. In his meeting with Jordan’s Minister of Culture Haifa Najjar, Prince Badr congratulated her on choosing Irbid as the Arab Capital of Culture in 2022. He praised the success of Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, and thanked the Jordanian minister for supporting the organization of Saudi Cultural Week in Jordan from Sept. 12-15, stressing the depth of relations between the two countries. During the meeting, they discussed ways of intensifying and deepening cultural cooperation, cultural exchange with Jordan in various fields, the exchange of visits and the holding of cultural activities.