On 23 June 2026, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) hosted an official reception and art exhibition at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter to commemorate World Refugee Day. The event brought together high-level dignitaries, including HRH Princess Nouf Al Saud, ambassadors, government representatives, humanitarian partners, and members of the diplomatic community. The exhibition showcased a diverse collection of artworks by Saudi and resident artists, reflecting themes of resilience, hope, belonging, and solidarity with people forced to flee their homes.
Dr. Khaled Khalifa, Senior Advisor and UNHCR Representative, GCC
During the event, Dr. Khaled Khalifa, Senior Advisor and UNHCR Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, emphasized the importance of solidarity and shared responsibility in responding to unprecedented levels of forced displacement worldwide. He highlighted UNHCR’s strong partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its fruitful cooperation with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and the Saudi Fund for Development, whose contributions have supported millions of refugees and displaced people globally. Dr. Khaled noted that World Refugee Day serves not only as an opportunity to shed light on the challenges faced by refugees and to honor their resilience, but also to recognize the commitment of governments and partners in advancing humanitarian responses and translating compassion and solidarity into tangible impact that preserves dignity and transforms lives.
The exhibition’s curator, Dr. Mariam AlEissa, underscored the power of art as a bridge for human connection and understanding. In her remarks, she highlighted how art transcends language and cultural barriers, allowing audiences to engage with the stories, struggles, and aspirations of refugees through a uniquely human lens. She praised the participating artists for using their creativity to amplify messages of hope, empathy, and coexistence, and commended both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its leading humanitarian role and UNHCR for its global efforts to protect and support refugees and displaced communities.
The event concluded with remarks by Dr. Nadjia Hafsa, Deputy Representative of UNHCR in Saudi Arabia, who expressed her appreciation to the artists and partners whose contributions made the exhibition possible. In recognition of their participation and commitment to promoting solidarity through art, Dr. Hafsa presented certificates of appreciation to the participating artists. Guests were then invited to join a guided tour of the exhibition, where they engaged directly with the artworks and artists, further reinforcing the role of culture and creativity in fostering empathy, inclusion, and support for people forced to flee their homes.
