In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leadership in the field of knowledge economy and investment in human capital, the city of Jeddah is preparing to host an exceptional global event, the 19th Asian Conference on Talent and Creativity 2026. This prominent event will launch on Saturday, February 7, 2026, under the generous patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan, at the University of Business and Technology, and will continue for five days full of scientific and research activity.

A global event of exceptional standards

This conference marks a pivotal moment in the history of talent development, as it will witness the official launch of the first global index for measuring and assessing talent—an unprecedented international initiative aimed at establishing precise standards for monitoring and developing creative abilities. This international forum brings together a distinguished group of leaders, experts, and researchers representing more than 40 countries, making it a global platform for exchanging experiences and perspectives.

The conference's scientific program includes figures that reflect the magnitude of the event, including:

• More than 100 sessions and keynote speeches.
• 350 peer-reviewed scientific contributions.
• Participation of 1200 international speakers and experts.
• 30 accompanying seminars covering various aspects of talent and creativity.

Vision 2030 and the future of gifted education

Under the theme "Towards the Future: A Vision for Gifted Education 2050," this conference aligns directly with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the Human Capital Development Program. The Kingdom is no longer content with nurturing gifted individuals domestically; it has moved to a position of global leadership in this field. This conference builds upon a rich history of Saudi achievements on the international stage and reflects the Ministry of Education's efforts to create a competitive educational environment that fosters a culture of innovation.

This edition of the conference is of particular importance given the rapid transformations the world is witnessing in the fields of artificial intelligence and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which makes the need urgent to discover and nurture talents according to modern scientific methodologies, which is what the new global index seeks to achieve.

Strategic partnerships and quality initiatives

The conference features a series of accompanying activities aimed at empowering youth, including an enrichment camp for gifted students and an educational innovation hackathon. The event is held under the auspices of the Asian Federation for Giftedness and Creativity, in strategic partnership with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), a global leader in this field, as well as partnerships with the Salem Bin Mahfouz Charitable Foundation, Fitaihi Holding Group, and organizing partner "Zakaat," with support from the Ministries of Education and Culture.

National leadership and competencies

To ensure the conference reflects the Kingdom's stature, a high-level supervisory committee was formed, chaired by Dr. Abdullah bin Sadiq Dahlan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Business and Technology. The committee includes prominent national figures, among them His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Mishari Al Saud, Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Awad, Dr. Wiam bin Hosni Tunisi, Dr. Ziyad bin Abdullah Al-Drees, Professor Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Jughaiman, Engineer Sami bin Omar Al-Hussain, and Dr. Laila Ahmed Jamjoom.

Commenting on the event, Dr. Abdullah bin Sadiq Dahlan affirmed that the Kingdom’s hosting of the conference reflects its firm commitment to supporting excellence and creativity, noting that talent has become a strategic element in the equation of sustainable development, and that the conference will contribute to shaping the future of gifted education globally and building competitive knowledge societies.

His Excellency the Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Mr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, issued a ministerial decree appointing Mr. Mohammed Al-Rasasmeh as the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. This strategic step comes as part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to develop its communication system and enhance effective communication channels with all segments of society and various media outlets.

Media skills and academic expertise

The new spokesperson, Mohammed Al-Rasasmeh, possesses a strong academic and professional background that qualifies him to lead the ministry's media strategy at this crucial juncture. Al-Rasasmeh holds a master's degree in media and strategic communication, reflecting a combination of in-depth theoretical knowledge and modern communication practices. He also has a wealth of accumulated practical experience in media work and corporate communications, making him a valuable addition to the ministry's team.

The objectives of the assignment and unifying the media discourse

The ministry explained that this directive comes in support of its ongoing efforts to regulate and unify its media messaging. The decision aims directly to:

• Enhancing the Ministry's communication presence across various platforms.
• Enabling the public and the media to access accurate and reliable information.
• Highlighting the development initiatives and projects launched by the ministry.
• This reflects the vital role the ministry plays in developing the municipal and housing sectors.

General context and importance of institutional communication

This decision is particularly important given the significant transformations taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing is one of the service providers most directly impacting the daily lives of citizens and residents, whether through municipal services and urban development or through housing programs and support initiatives. Therefore, having a highly qualified official spokesperson is essential to ensuring transparency, rapid response to inquiries, and clear communication of facts to the public.

The implications of the decision on the local scene

The appointment of these communicators is expected to enhance interaction between the ministry and its beneficiaries. Strategic communication extends beyond simply disseminating news; it encompasses building trust, explaining new policies, and promoting the investment and development opportunities offered by the ministry. This approach reinforces the concept of effective government, which prioritizes communication with the public, positively impacting the quality of life and services provided in Saudi cities.