Dr. Sumaya Al-Sulaiman is CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Architecture and Design Authority.

Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan appointed Al-Sulaiman as CEO of the authority, which was launched as part of 11 new cultural bodies operating under the ministry.

She is considered to be a specialist in the field of architecture, obtaining a doctorate in the subject from the UK’s University of Newcastle in 2010.

She received the Ibn Khaldun Fellowship at MIT, in addition to completing several courses and programs at the same institute.

In 2017 Al-Sulaiman was appointed dean of the College of Design at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University. She is also a member of the Municipal Council of the Eastern Province Municipality.

She oversaw the Kingdom’s first national pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale.

The authority’s functions include developing the sector’s strategy, laying down related regulations, licensing relevant activities, encouraging investment in the field, providing training courses, professional programs, supporting intellectual property rights in related fields, and other organizational functions.

It will implement the ministry’s plans for architecture and design by creating an innovative field that highlights Saudi architectural style and developing it to reflect pride in national identity as an important part of the Vision 2030 reform plan.

The other authorities cover literature, publishing and translation; fashion; film; heritage; visual arts; museums; theater and performing arts; libraries; music; and culinary arts.