KSA's Ministry of Culture signs cooperation agreement with TikTok
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture has signed a cooperation agreement with TikTok, aiming to strengthen collaboration across multiple fields and to empower Saudi Arabia's cultural and artistic sectors by harnessing digital technology. The partnership seeks to enrich cultural experiences and raise public awareness of the Kingdom's cultural and heritage values.
The agreement was formalised during a ceremony held at the Ministry's headquarters in Riyadh. Deputy Minister of National Partnerships and Talent Development Noha Kattan signed on behalf of the ministry, while Dr Hatem Samman, CEO of Government Relations and Public Policy at TikTok in Saudi Arabia, represented the digital platform. The agreement establishes a framework for joint initiatives that serve the community, reinforce cultural and social values aligned with the National Culture Strategy under the Kingdom's Vision 2030, and organise workshops and training programmes aimed at nurturing Saudi artistic talent and supporting cultural events across the Kingdom.
This collaboration is part of the Ministry's broader efforts to engage with digital platforms to advance the Saudi cultural scene and promote the Kingdom's national identity. By embracing rapid digital transformation, the Ministry seeks to forge partnerships across public, private, and non-profit sectors to further these goals.
Through this strategic cooperation, the Ministry of Culture and TikTok will work together to enhance cultural and creative content, support Saudi talents in various artistic fields, highlight the Kingdom's cultural and social contributions, and celebrate its heritage, all in line with the objectives of the National Culture Strategy and Vision 2030.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
2 hours ago
- Arabian Business
UAE leaps 27 spots to 16th in global Government Support Index 2025
The UAE achieved a major milestone in global competitiveness, advancing to 16th place worldwide in the 2025 Government Support Index, one of the key indicators featured in the International Institute for Management Development's (IMD) World Competitiveness Yearbook. The ranking represents a remarkable 27-place improvement from the UAE's 43rd position in 2024. The Government Support Index measures the value of government support as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). UAE competitiveness It serves as a benchmark for the efficiency of public financial resource management and a country's ability to stimulate economic growth through effective public spending. The Ministry of Finance said the UAE's rapid rise reflects the efficiency of its fiscal policies and ongoing efforts to strengthen the effectiveness of public expenditure. This progress has been achieved through close coordination between the federal government and local financial departments, advancing financial analysis tools and optimising resource allocation. The Ministry added that continued improvements in financial data quality, sustainability practices, and fiscal balance are central to the UAE's long-term strategy. These measures not only enhance global competitiveness but also support the country's commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Ministry said: 'We aspire to rank among the world's top ten in the Government Support Index by 2026, guided by the vision of our wise leadership and the dedication of our national teams. 'We will continue to embed a results-driven approach based on effective public spending and financial sustainability to drive the nation's growth.' According to the IMD Yearbook, the UAE ranked among the world's top 10 in several competitiveness indicators, underscoring its strong fiscal framework: 1st place globally in both venture capital and collected personal income tax as a percentage of GDP 2nd in corporate profit tax rate 3rd in government budget surplus/deficit ($bn) 4th in both decline in indirect tax revenues and decline in consumption tax rate 5th in taxes collected on capital and property 6th in public finance 7th globally, 1st regionally in government expenditure as a percentage of GDP 9th in real growth of government consumption expenditure These achievements highlight the UAE's ability to balance fiscal transparency, economic sustainability, and global competitiveness, reaffirming its position as a leading international hub for investment and innovation.
Arabian Post
3 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Slang from TikTok and YouTube Gets Permanent Home
Cambridge Dictionary has added over 6,000 entries to its online lexicon this year, including the slang 'skibidi,' alongside other terms that reflect internet-era linguistic shifts. Lexical programme manager Colin McIntosh emphasised that each word chosen shows signs of enduring use, based on analysis via the Cambridge English Corpus containing more than two billion instances of written and spoken English. 'Skibidi' entered the dictionary with a flexible definition — it can mean 'cool' or 'bad,' or serve as a humorous placeholder with no inherent meaning, often used for emphasis or amusement, as in 'What the skibidi are you doing?'. The term traces its origins to Skibidi Toilet, a surreal animated YouTube series that has become a viral phenomenon, especially among Generation Alpha. The inclusion underscores the influence of internet culture—notably TikTok, YouTube, and meme communities—on the evolution of English. Also joining the lexicon are 'tradwife,' 'delulu,' 'mouse jiggler,' and 'forever chemical.' 'Tradwife' describes a woman embracing traditional homemaking roles and often sharing her lifestyle on social media; 'delulu' is a shortened form of 'delusional,' used to playfully describe belief in fantasies over reality; 'mouse jiggler' refers to software or a device that simulates computer activity during remote work; and 'forever chemical' denotes persistent environmental pollutants. ADVERTISEMENT Public reaction has been mixed. Some commentators mocked the inclusion of 'skibidi,' with one remarking that it turns the English language into a 'TikTok comment section'. Artist Lee Escobedo described 'skibidi brain-rot' as embodying a generation fluent in irony yet starved for meaning, suggesting the term illustrates chaotic digital culture dominating young minds. Despite criticism, supporters argue that dictionaries must evolve with usage. The Cambridge Dictionary's selection process relies on frequency, context, and longevity signals in its corpus, ensuring that only words with staying power are added. These additions also shine a light on broader linguistic trends. Beyond slang, entries like 'broligarchy,' 'snackable,' and '15-minute city' reflect shifts in political and cultural conversations. The inclusion of 'mouse jiggler' and 'work spouse' reveal how post-pandemic work culture has shaped everyday language. Cambridge Dictionary's move highlights the increasing permeability between internet subcultures and formal language. Tracking these developments offers insight into evolving communication patterns.
Channel Post MEA
4 hours ago
- Channel Post MEA
Lenovo Announces New Appointments and Regional Headquarters in Riyadh
Lenovo today announced the appointment of its executive leadership team for Saudi Arabia, marking a key milestone in the company's regional growth strategy and its plans to establish Regional Headquarters (RHQ) in Riyadh. Set to be located in the iconic Al Majdoul Tower, the RHQ highlights Lenovo's long-term commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and advancing the Kingdom's digital transformation and economic diversification agenda. This announcement forms part of Lenovo's strategic collaboration with ALAT , a Public Investment Fund (PIF)-owned company, aimed at accelerating Lenovo's ongoing transformation and further expanding its global manufacturing footprint. As part of this collaboration, Lenovo and ALAT broke ground in February 2025 on a 200,000 sqm advanced manufacturing facility in the 'Riyadh Integrated' area of the city operated by Special Integrated Logistics Zone (SILZ), which is expected to begin producing millions of 'Saudi Made' devices by 2026. In parallel, Lenovo is progressing plans to establish its RHQ in Riyadh. The RHQ will support Lenovo's broader regional strategy, including investments in a flagship retail space, VIP customer center, R&D, marketing, and strategic partnerships across Saudi Arabia. The headquarters will be in the prestigious Al Majdoul Tower which is already home to a number of PIF entities, government entities, and tech companies. Strategic Appointments to Drive Regional Growth Lenovo has appointed Lawrence Yu as Head of Regional Headquarters, whilst Giovanni Di Filippo has been appointed as Vice President & General Manager for Lenovo Saudi Arabia, and Zoran Radumilo has been appointed Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Lenovo Saudi Arabia. Mr. Lawrence Yu, who has worked for Lenovo for 15 years, played a pivotal role in the completion of Lenovo's strategic partnership with ALAT and the planning of the Riyadh manufacturing site. Previously serving as General Manager of Lenovo Retail Solutions globally, Mr. Yu led the division to record-breaking performance, achieving 40% annual revenue growth over five years. Under his leadership, the division also earned the prestigious Edison Award for Commercial Technology, only the second time in Lenovo's history. Mr. Yu, who holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, has also worked closely with Lenovo's Chairman and CEO during a transformative period for the company, contributing to major strategic deals and global expansion. In his current role, he oversees Lenovo's regional headquarters, ALAT partnerships and manufacturing milestones, driving the company's footprint in alignment with Saudi Arabia's industrial and digital ambitions. Di Filippo assumes responsibility for all business units within Lenovo Saudi Arabia, including the Intelligent Devices Group (IDG), Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), and Solutions & Services Group (SSG). With a proven track record as President of EMEA ISG, where he led market share growth from 6% to 14%, Mr. Di Filippo will spearhead Lenovo's hypergrowth strategy in the Kingdom, fostering cross-portfolio synergies and advancing the company's regional sales organization. Mr. Radumilo brings over 25 years of global enterprise technology leadership to his role as CTO. His expertise spans AI, cloud, and software solutions, with a strong focus on emerging markets. Prior to joining Lenovo, he served as President of Global Emerging Markets and EMEA South & LATAM at industrial AI and software company IFS, contributing to the company's growth from a USD 1 billion to USD 10 billion valuation. At Lenovo Saudi Arabia, Mr. Radumilo will lead sector-specific go-to-market strategies across key verticals including government entities, energy, telecommunications, smart cities, and financial services. Establishing a Regional Hub for Innovation and Manufacturing The leadership appointments coincide with Lenovo's plans to establish regional headquarters in Riyadh. The RHQ will be located in Al Majdoul Tower in Riyadh. The tower, known for its iconic architecture and advanced infrastructure, reflects Lenovo's commitment to operational excellence and innovation. Al Majdoul Tower is home to several PIF entities, as well as the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and Humain, placing Lenovo at the center of Saudi Arabia's innovation and industrial transformation landscape. The headquarters not only enhances Lenovo's operational capabilities in the Kingdom, but also reinforces its commitment to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 by fostering innovation, collaboration, and regional leadership from a central, future-ready location. 'The confirmation of Al Majdoul Tower as the future location of Lenovo's Regional Headquarters, alongside the appointment of our new executive leadership team for Saudi Arabia and RHQ, marks a major milestone in our regional strategy,' said Matt Dobrodziej, Senior Vice President & President, Lenovo EMEA. 'Through our strategic partnership with ALAT and investment in advanced manufacturing, we are proud to contribute to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 by supporting industrial diversification, accelerating digital transformation, and enabling sustainable economic growth. Our initiatives in Saudi Arabia, including the RHQ, flagship retail space, and the Riyadh-based manufacturing facility are projected to contribute up to USD 10 billion to non-oil GDP by 2030, reinforcing our commitment to the Kingdom's long-term development.'
