Hyderabad, Nov. 1 -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has named Madinah a Creative City for Gastronomy and Riyadh a Creative City for Design, reflecting Saudi Arabia's growing cultural and creative influence on the world stage.

This comes as UNESCO, on World Cities Day 2025, announced the inclusion of 58 new cities in its Creative Cities Network (UCCN), recognising their commitment to harnessing creativity for sustainable urban and cultural development.

Madinah: Culinary capital of tradition and innovation

Madinah's recognition marks it as the second Saudi city after Buraidah to receive UNESCO's Gastronomy title. The nomination was coordinated by the Culinary Arts Commission in collaboration...