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Royal Commission for AlUla and UNESCO announce partnership to share Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage with the world

– Recently signed in Paris, the new agreement is part of RCU and UNESCO’s inclusive cultural development plan to engage with local and worldwide communities
– Newly announced partnership acts as a roadmap to showcase the introduction of Saudi Arabia and AlUla’s physical and intangible heritage on the global stage
– Partnership to set new benchmark in heritage conservation, education & capacity building, nature and creative arts in AlUla
PARIS, Nov. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) today signed a long-term strategic partnership with UNESCO to preserve and promote a cultural landscape of outstanding natural and historical significance in North-West Saudi Arabia.
Signed at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the agreement accelerates the ongoing cultural and socio-economic renaissance of AlUla by further protecting its historical, natural and cultural sites as well as its local culture, by fostering capacity building and knowledge transfer with experts from around the world joining RCU efforts to transform AlUla into a benchmark destination for heritage, nature, arts & culture.
The partnership was signed by HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah Al-Saud, Governor of RCU and Minister of Culture of Saudi Arabia, with Audrey Azoulay, Director General, UNESCO; HH Princess Haifa AlMogrin, Ambassador, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, and Amr AlMadani, CEO of RCU.
Audrey Azoulay, Director General, UNESCO declared: “The relationship between Saudi Arabia and UNESCO builds on a long history that extends back to 1946, when the Kingdom became a Member State of our Organization. Today, cooperation between UNESCO and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is taking another important step forward, with a view to accompanying a major transformation of the AlUla region.”
HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah Al-Saud, Governor of RCU and Minister of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said: “It is the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, to transform AlUla into a global destination for heritage, nature, arts & culture. The signing of this first-of-its-kind agreement is another significant moment in our journey towards reaching these ambitions and building upon the enduring relationship that exists between Saudi Arabia, RCU and UNESCO. Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plans and UN Sustainable Development Goals, this partnership will connect AlUla’s past, present and future by harnessing the power of education, science and culture to act as a catalyst for sustainable development model and long-lasting change.”
HH Princess Haifa AlMogrin, Ambassador, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is home to some of the most unique and culturally significant heritage sites, of which AlUla is the most iconic and inspiring. As a global institution that celebrates and protects cultural and heritage diversity, UNESCO will be instrumental in helping to advance RCU’s commitment to fulfil the potential of the AlUla region, its people, landmarks and natural environment through diverse development and economic programmes that reflect Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and UNESCO’s efforts towards Sustainable Development.”
Amr AlMadani, CEO of RCU said: “Mutually beneficial partnerships and alliances are essential to our strategy and demonstrate an open and engaged dialogue that amplifies AlUla’s heritage status and show culture’s capacity to be an engine for sustainable and long-term development. The alignment of RCU, UNESCO and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is powering growth, fostering intellectual, cultural and scientific exchange and enabling wisdom to grow on a global scale in full alignment with the 17 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Our motive for protecting and evolving AlUla is to help bring it to the world, to develop shared knowledge, grow understanding of AlUla’s past and anticipation of its future by establishing it as a destination of global prominence for visitors and residents alike, in partnership with UNESCO.”
AlUla tells the story of 200,000 years of human history. It has been home to ancient civilisations, including the Dadanties, Lihyanites and Nabateans who each left their indelible imprint on the area, most clearly preserved in grand tombs carved into the mountains.
The partnership will see the implementation of knowledge-based initiatives to transform sustainably and responsibly the cultural, heritage and natural landscape of AlUla and establish this vast swathe of north-west Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest living museum.
AlUla’s development will establish it as a unique destination home to a culturally rich local population who are empowered to interact with and inspire visitors through informed story telling.
Leading academics from across the globe will be invited to explore AlUla through immersive opportunities designed to unlock the secrets of ancient languages and societies that are captured in time in AlUla.
RCU will work alongside UNESCO and global experts on key programmes including:
Memory of the World, focused on the preservation of documentary heritage. UNESCO-Kingdoms Institute Fellowships Programme, for researching, preserving, promoting and transmitting heritage. The jewel in Saudi Arabia’s heritage crown, AlUla is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan to unlock its vast cultural, tourism and economic potential. UNESCO and Vision 2030’s Agenda for Sustainable Development are strategically aligned to promote education, culture and science as a powerful platform to stimulate economic opportunities, job creation and growth.
Spanning the next five years and focused on 10 programmes, the new partnership includes the listing of new natural and cultural sites under UNESCO’s taxonomy to protect and promote local heritage and natural landscape and ecosystems. Key sectors that will shape this include heritage conservation, education and capacity building, nature and creative arts, with local people as the main beneficiaries of AlUla’s development.
Helping to open up the long-hidden potential, knowledge and unique culture that make up Saudi Arabia’s identity and heritage, AlUla will act as a laboratory for sustainable development models and conservation practices while also enabling UNESCO to increase its footprint in the region.
The agreement builds on a long history of collaboration between Saudi Arabia and UNESCO that extends back to 1946 when the Kingdom was one of 20 countries to ratify the UNESCO constitution. Over the years this relationship has continued to thrive and develop in both directions; UNESCO designated Hegra in AlUla as Saudi Arabia’s first World Heritage Site in 2008, KSA became a member of UNESCO’s Executive Committee in 2019 and was elected to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee for the first time in 2020.
Note to editors:It is always AlUla / not Al-Ula
About the Royal Commission for AlUlaThe Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in north-west Saudi Arabia. RCU’s long-term plan outlines a responsible, sustainable, and sensitive approach to urban and economic development, that preserves the area’s natural and historic heritage, while establishing AlUla as a desirable location to live, work, and visit. This encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, tourism, culture, education, and the arts, reflecting a commitment to meeting the economic diversification, local community empowerment, and heritage preservation priorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme.
About UNESCOUNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture. UNESCO’s programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
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Casio India launches music education CSR initiative in partnership with Manzil Mystics to empower young musicians and students from underserved communities

PATNA, India, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Japan, has announced the launch of a new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on music education and livelihood creation. In partnership with Delhi-based non-profit organisation Manzil Mystics, the initiative aims to promote skill-based musical training and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for children and musicians from underserved communities.

As a company deeply rooted in the music industry through its Electronic Musical Instruments portfolio, Casio India has consistently championed the role of music in education and creativity. Building on this legacy, the newly launched initiative seeks to integrate structured music learning into community spaces and schools while enabling aspiring musicians to develop professional skills in the performing arts and media ecosystem.Under this collaboration, the program will focus on providing structured musical training through Casio electronic keyboards, alongside curriculum-based modules designed to develop practical skills that can translate into future music education. The initiative will particularly target underprivileged students studying in government schools and young musicians from low-income communities, enabling them to access high-quality music education and professional development opportunities.Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Takuto Kimura, Managing Director, Casio India, said, “At Casio, we believe that music has the power to inspire creativity, build confidence, and transform lives. Through this CSR initiative, we aim to make music education more accessible to children and young artists from underserved communities. By partnering with Manzil Mystics, we hope to nurture musical talent while creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to build sustainable careers in the creative industry.”The event commenced with a welcome address for the Casio India leadership team and representatives from Manzil Mystics, followed by a felicitation ceremony recognising key contributors and educators associated with the initiative. The program highlighted the role of music as a powerful tool for learning and creative development among young students. As part of the event, Casio India also facilitated the students with instruments from its range of electronic musical keyboards, enabling them to begin their training and supporting the broader objective of promoting skill-based music education among children from underserved communities.Through this initiative, Casio India aims to equip young learners with vocational skills in music, encourage creative expression, and support aspiring artists in pursuing sustainable careers as educators, performers, and creative professionals. The program also seeks to foster an inclusive ecosystem that celebrates India’s diverse musical traditions while preparing artists for opportunities in the country’s rapidly expanding media and entertainment industry.About Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd:Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd. (CIC) is the Indian subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Casio India has established a dynamic presence in the Indian market since 1996, emerging as a leading and cherished consumer goods manufacturer. Casio India’s range of products include sales and marketing of Timepieces, Electronic Musical Instruments, Desktop Calculators and Scientific Calculators.Setting the benchmark for excellence, Casio India is dedicated to embodying the spirit of innovation and quality that defines the Casio legacy. With a strong commitment to its corporate creed of ‘creativity and contribution,’ Casio has consistently translated this ethos into the creation of innovative products making a positive impact on society.For more information, visit https://www.casio.com/in/Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937791/CSR_Event_Casio_India.jpg 

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NYUCT Design Labs launches Edible Ventures™, a first-of-its-kind, full stack design and development cell for food & restaurant brands

MUMBAI, India, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NYUCT Design Labs, India’s first Venture Design and Experience Innovation Collective, announced the launch of Edible Ventures™, a first-of-its-kind, full stack Design and Development Cell for culinary ventures, restaurants and premium experiences.

This turnkey development cell works as a strategic growth partner with hospitality chains, founders or chef-entrepreneurs, brands and institutions, to design, build, launch, and scale food ventures, restaurant brands & experiences through an integrated, end-to-end approach.With researchers, food scientists, product developers, menu engineers, architects & spatial designers, business designers, branding experts, experience designers, and a community of makers, Edible Ventures™ ensures that agile development of food ventures and brands is seen as a system design rather than as fragmented components. This ensures that the original ideas of founders and clients transform into profitable, desirable and scalable food businesses, without losing cultural depth, operational clarity, branding rigour or execution discipline.An industry-focused, specialized cell, Edible Ventures™ is helmed by a team that has deep, hands-on experience. It is designed to help food investors, entrepreneurs & hospitality businesses move from intent to last mile business execution with an integrated cell that leaves nothing off the menu when building a food venture or reimagining it.Edible Ventures™ is currently working with a spectrum of clients, including luxury hospitality chains, food entrepreneurs, and distillers, to develop unique experiences and brands. It is also engaged with a few state governments to help them in building capabilities in culinary tourism, revivalism of lost cuisines, and conceptualise unique visitor experiences around food, community & culture. Having venture designed for Himmaleh Distillery (Kumaon&I, Bandarful, Neoli, Darma), positioned and designed brands for luxury hospitality chains, incubated micro-ventures like Dongaon Local Ghee and currently incubating a social agro-led brand and venture at Ratnagiri with a community of 1000 women, the team considers food as not only a very valuable heritage of the country but also a means to unlock entrepreneurship.Addressing structural gaps in the system, Edible Ventures™ works as a strategic growth and design partner in a format where sourcing, menus, operations, spaces, brand, experience, and economics are designed together rather than assembled in fragments.”The business of food isn’t just about flavour or service. Edible Ventures is a unique, turnkey venture development cell to help food businesses and brands move from instinct-driven decisions to intentional, well-designed ventures and premium experiences. It’s about system design, and how original concepts & ideas can translate into high quality experiences and brands that drive growth and leverage our unique culinary heritage,” said Manojeet Bhujabal, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at NYUCT Design Labs.Edible Ventures™ works as a strategic development partner with the following areas of focus:Collaborates with large hospitality chains, real estate businesses to create and design new restaurant brands. innovations and experiences with an agile approach, supported by a maker community.Enables food entrepreneurs and chef-preneurs to build, brand and scale right with professional expertise in product development, design, branding, marketing, digital applications and agile innovations.Helps brands with market positioning & development, and creates innovations and experiences.Helps state governments and tourism departments to develop strategic capabilities, shape their culinary heritage, build local brands and design experiences for visitors.Unlike traditional consultants or creative houses, the work of Edible Ventures™ spans the full spectrum of a food venture – from product research, opportunity mapping and shaping concepts to aligning food-to-table realities, designing operations, branding and experience design, to building systems that can scale across formats, locations, or time.Dr. Samir Mulaokar, Patron Chef, Operations Lead and Partner at Edible Ventures™, added, “A well-designed food venture doesn’t just launch. It builds an ecosystem of desire, authenticity, consistency, and repeatability. What’s often missing in the food and hospitality industry is continuity between idea, execution, and scale. Edible Ventures bridges that gap by integrating creative thinking with operational excellence and brand focus.”With Edible Ventures, NYUCT Design Labs partners with founders and hospitality chains seeking to build new ventures and food experiences for longevity and scale. It is a specialized extension of NYUCT Design Labs’ Venture Design and Innovation practice, bringing the firm’s multidisciplinary, maker-led approach into the food and hospitality domain. NYUCT Design Labs has previously worked across ventures that intersected food, culture, experience design and brand development such as Outpost 12 in Kanha, Himmaleh Spirits and more. Its partners and leads have created luxury experiences and F&B brands that have wooed global audiences.Says Partner and Hospitality Lead, Shifaali Sinha, who has led large-scale growth mandates at Taj, Marriott, and amã Stays & Trails, “We partner with founders and institutions building future-ready food businesses, shaping premium brands that are commercially robust, strategically positioned, and designed for long-term relevance.”Food and dining are the new adventures, for both residents and travellers. The world over and including in India’s bustling metropolitan cities, a culinary revolution is unfolding with both large brands and startups reimagining the gastronomic landscape. From delectable snacks to artisanal beverages, and from hyperlocal restaurants to the revival of heritage cuisines, the entrepreneurial landscape is buzzing with ideas, local flavours and innovative experiences.India’s food services market estimated at $66 billion is estimated to reach anywhere between $110- $125 billion by 2030 (Source: ‘How India Eats’ by Kearney). The Online Food Delivery market in India was estimated to be US$43.78bn in 2024 and projected at US$91.88bn by 2029 with expected CAGR for 2024-2029 of 15.98%.Urban residents and food loving audiences with rising disposable incomes are looking at more premium food and dining experiences, rediscovering heritage cuisine and expecting more immersive restaurants. The addressable customer base is expected to grow to 43 crores from the current 34 crores. Such a large TAM, strong growth, surge in cloud kitchens and increasing penetration of distribution with players like delivery platforms (Zomato made 640 million deliveries across 800 cities in 2022-2023), makes this an extremely exciting investment space.Be it luxury restaurants, new hospitality formats, local food brands, menu innovations, digital transformation or exceptional curated experiences and pop ups, the action is intense and the seek for new adventures is real.Businesses or founders looking for the right strategic partner to design and develop their dream venture or brand can reach out to Edible Ventures™ at https://www.edibleventures.co/contact.html. For media inquiries, please contact wakeup@nyuct.com. For more information on Edible Ventures™ visit www.edibleventures.co.About NYUCT Design LabsNYUCT Design Labs is a full stack Design & Innovation firm, venture development studio and makers-community. For new ventures, experiences and futures.It helps businesses, institutions & founders, transform exponential ideas into launch-ready ventures, brands, products, experiences, and platforms. From blueprint to launch.Its work spans multiple sectors and industries including retail, luxury, finance, government, tourism, hospitality, real estate, travel and discovery, healthcare, lifestyle, and the impact sector.Helmed by multidisciplinary professionals with a collective industry experience of more than 188 years, lived between a world of business and creativity, it understands both scale and agility. Along with a diverse makers community, it stays mission-central about unlocking innovation for forward thinking organizations and founders, helping them move from concept to market with clarity and speed.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937739/Edible_Ventures_NYUCT_Design_Labs.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937740/Edible_Ventures_Logo.jpg 

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Design POV Returns to Mumbai with its second edition ‘Sense and Sensibility’ – A Celebration of Immersive, Multi-Sensory Design

15 – 17 May 2026 | Jio World Convention Centre, MumbaiMUMBAI, India, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Design POV returns to Mumbai from 15 to 17 May 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre with its highly anticipated second edition, anchored in the theme ‘Sense and Sensibility’. Building on a successful debut in 2025 that welcomed over 7,000 visitors and featured more than 75 brands and 18 studios, the platform expands this year with deeper curation and a bold exploration of immersive, multi-sensory design.

Founded by Asif Sataar and Gagan Bhatia, Design POV was conceived as a curated environment that moves beyond the conventional exhibition format. While the show speaks through the medium of architecture, it champions all disciplines of design that contribute to a lived space, from interiors and material innovation to lighting, surfaces, furniture and spatial storytelling.”As an industry, we are often conditioned to prioritise what a space looks like because that is how most briefs are framed,” says Asif, Co-Founder, Design POV. “With Sense and Sensibility, we are consciously shifting the lens toward how a space is experienced. Texture, sound, atmosphere and emotion are not secondary layers, they are fundamental to how people connect with a space.”The 2026 edition examines what designing beyond sight truly means, inviting participants to engage all five senses and shape emotional connection within space. From tactility and acoustics to material experimentation and spatial storytelling, the focus shifts from how a space looks to how it feels. It invites brands, studios, artists and designers to present fully realised environments where these elements converge, encouraging deeper engagement beyond surface aesthetics.”From the outset, our intention was to create a setting where design is not simply displayed, but truly inhabited,” adds Gagan, Co-Founder, Design POV. “Each edition strengthens that ambition through sharper curation, stronger collaborations and immersive environments that allow people to connect meaningfully with design.”Positioned at the intersection of commerce and creativity, Design POV offers industry professionals and discerning audiences a space to engage directly with the evolving future of design.Highlights of Design POV 2026 include immersive brand pavilions, experiential installations, new product launches, and curated design studio showcases. Participating design studios include ADND Studio, Abin Design Studio, Alara Studio, Baldiwala Edge, DSP Design Associates, Design Hex, Jannat Vasi Interior Design, Sanjay Puri Architects, Shroffleon, Studio Archohm, and Talati & Partners LLP., among others, while exhibiting brands include Blanc White, Kuche 7, Neytt Homes, Sunroof, and Woven Legacy. Across furniture, lighting, surfaces and textiles, exhibitors will unveil new collections, experimental materials and limited-edition collaborations created exclusively for Design POV 2026.The second edition of Design POV 2026 will take place from 15 to 17 May 2026 at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.For more information, visit www.designpovindia.com and follow @designpov.india on Instagram.About Design POV Design POV is an immersive design platform that celebrates unconventional perspectives and collaborative creation. Conceived as a space where architecture, art, and business intersect, Design POV reimagines how design is experienced moving beyond static showcases to fully realised, functional environments. Following a successful debut edition in 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, Design POV returns in May 2026 with an expanded vision and deeper interdisciplinary collaboration.At the heart of the platform is The ‘Core’, a curated collective of leading architecture and design studios invited to explore a central theme through unconstrained spatial expression. These studios collaborate with participating brands and build partners to create immersive installations that demonstrate design in context, not isolation.Design POV brings together architects, designers, brands, artists, and discerning audiences including homeowners, industry leaders, and the design curious. Through installations, panels, workshops, and live interactions, the platform fosters dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2934542/Design_POV_2026.jpg 

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