LONDON: Saudi Arabia has been selected to host the Music Cities Awards in 2024, an annual global competition that honors ‘outstanding applications of music for economic, social, environmental and cultural development.’ About 100 music experts are expected to participate in the event, which will take place from Nov. 14 to 16 next year at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, the Saudi Music Commission said on Thursday. In addition, the Saudi Center for Music will host a six-week, intensive music-education program. The hosting of the awards reflects the Ministry of Culture’s efforts to boost international cultural exchanges in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan to develop and diversify the Kingdom’s economy, officials said.