Ashraf AboArafe
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is participating in the “Camel Walk” being held in France today, Saturday, and organized by the French Federation for Camel Development in France and Europe in Paris to celebrate the United Nations’ decision to designate the year 2024 as the “International Year of Camels,” under the umbrella of the International Camel Organization, and under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Culture. And the Camel Club in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The event will witness the presence and participation of a number of international organizations and federations specialized in camels, representatives of government sectors, camel breeders, and those interested in this field, in order to introduce the international community to the “Year of the Camel 2024” initiative in the Kingdom, and its role in highlighting the value of camels as a cultural symbol that has been associated with Saudi society since ancient times. It still enjoys great prestige.
The march, which will be held for the third time in a row, will enter the streets of Paris for the first time since 1926 AD and pass the Eiffel Tower. It will end in front of the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, with the participation of more than thirty countries with more than fifty heads of camels, and exhibitors presenting the performing arts of their countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United States of America, and the United Arab Emirates. , Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Canada, India, the Kingdom of Morocco, Tanzania, Peru, Algeria, the Czech Republic, Pakistan, Tunisia, Austria, Spain, Burundi, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mauritania, France, Sudan, Chad, Angola, England, and Uganda.
Yesterday, accompanying dialogue sessions were held at the Château de Janvry Historical Center to present and exchange camel heritage and cultural aspects around the world, and focus on the contribution of each country to the International Year of Camelids 2024 AD. These accompanying activities ended with a reception for invited parties, representatives of international organizations and academic circles. Research centres, the private sector, delegations of participating countries, and the media.
The Kingdom participated in the launch of the International Year of Camelids 2024, which was launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as a culmination of its tireless efforts to pay attention to the camel sector, and based on its importance in achieving the goals of food security and economic growth.
Through its participation in this international event, the Saudi Ministry of Culture aims to contribute to the International Year of Camels, and to introduce the initiative of the Year of the Camel 2024 AD, and the important cultural and social heritage that camels represent in the Kingdom, in addition to educating public opinion about the economic and cultural value of camels, and highlighting their value in the lives of peoples. Participation also reflects the Ministry’s keenness to enhance international cultural exchange as one of its strategic goals under the umbrella of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
