Saudi Arabia — November 29, 2025 — On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Architecture and Design Commission, His Excellency Rakan Al-Touq, Assistant Minister of Culture, has officially inaugurated the first Riyadh edition of “Salone del Mobile.Milano.”
Held at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) from November 26 to 28, the event operates under the theme ‘Red in Progress’. It marks a significant milestone in the cultural and commercial partnership between Saudi Arabia and Italy, serving as a strategic prelude to a full-scale fair planned for Riyadh in 2026.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by His Highness Prince Nawaf bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Acting CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission (ADC); His Excellency Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy; Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano; and Matteo Zoppas, President of the Italian Trade Agency.
A Convergence of Cultures and Innovation The exhibition features 38 leading Italian brands, showcasing excellence in furniture, interiors, materials, lighting, and product innovation. In parallel, the Architecture and Design Commission is presenting its national initiative, ‘Designed in Saudi’, spotlighting emerging product designers and research collaborations with Saudi Arabian universities.
“Hosting the world’s leading design and furniture exhibition in Riyadh reflects Saudi Arabia’s rising position within the global design landscape,” said HH Prince Nawaf bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Acting CEO of the ADC. “Our architecture and design sector is rapidly expanding, creating new possibilities for companies, creators, and generations to come. Through this partnership, we aim to build a sustainable ecosystem where collaboration between Saudi Arabian and Italian designers drive innovation, knowledge exchange, and long-term opportunities.”
Celebrating Heritage and Craftsmanship The event includes a curated handicrafts pavilion by the Ministry of Culture, featuring:
- “In the Hands of the Artisan: Heritage and Story”: A series of visual stories spotlighting Saudi artisans.
- “Nasaj”: An artistic piece displayed in collaboration with the Royal Institute for Traditional Arts (WRTH), combining five traditional crafts to represent the depth of Saudi craftsmanship.
Knowledge Exchange and Future Trends The three-day cultural program features 13 talks and masterclasses led by experts from Saudi Arabia, Italy, and beyond. The program opened with a keynote titled “Shaping the Future of Design: Milan meets Riyadh”, featuring HH Prince Nawaf and Maria Porro.
“We believe great design emerges from dialogue, and today, Italian and Saudi Arabian designers are speaking to each other with curiosity, respect, and imagination,” said Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano. “Together, we are building a foundation for lasting partnerships that will help define the future of design.”
Workshops and panels throughout the event will address critical topics including:
- The influence of AI and technology on creative industries.
- Sustainable architecture and the evolution of housing patterns.
- The role of the public realm in activating urban life.
- Empowering the next generation of Saudi designers to transition from artisanal practice to the global market.
This inaugural edition follows a strategic partnership agreement signed earlier this year in AlUla between the Architecture and Design Commission and Salone del Mobile.Milano, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to cultivating international cultural exchange.
