The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has formed a strategic partnership with the UK, focusing on areas like culture, media, heritage, and tourism, in line with Saudi Vision 2030. The collaboration aims to enhance cooperation, foster knowledge exchange, and strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two nations."
AlUla, December 12, 2024 – In a significant move to foster cross-cultural ties and create new opportunities across several key sectors, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has unveiled a strategic partnership with the United Kingdom. This initiative is designed to deepen collaboration between the two nations in areas including culture, media, sport, heritage, and tourism, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The partnership highlights a tripartite collaboration involving RCU, the UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Department for Business and Trade, underscoring the Kingdom's commitment to diversifying its economy and bolstering international cooperation.
The newly formed partnership will focus on strengthening various fields such as tourism, hospitality, cultural preservation, and arts, providing significant opportunities for knowledge exchange and mutual growth. A key part of this collaboration is the expansion of AlUla’s educational and cultural landscape. The partnership will see more than 42 institutions coming together to offer vocational training programs that will equip the AlUla community with the skills necessary to thrive in diverse sectors. These programs aim to foster the capabilities of the local workforce, empowering them to play an integral role in the region’s development.
Additionally, the Royal Commission for AlUla has further enhanced its international ties with the British Council, marking its 90th anniversary. This collaboration aims to accelerate the UK's involvement in AlUla through various initiatives, including culture, training, and research. Earlier this year, the RCU also entered into an agreement with the British National Archives to strengthen their collaboration on cultural heritage preservation and archival management, reinforcing the Kingdom’s efforts to safeguard and document its rich history.
The partnership will also focus on the comprehensive regeneration of AlUla, transforming it into what will be known as the world’s largest living museum. This endeavor will celebrate and preserve the historic monuments, social traditions, and breathtaking landscapes of northwest Arabia. The collaboration with British institutions aims to foster a dynamic exchange of expertise that will ensure AlUla’s cultural and historical heritage is both protected and celebrated on the global stage.
Abeer AlAkel, Acting CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla, emphasized that this partnership not only strengthens the long-standing relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, but it also plays a crucial role in enhancing AlUla’s position as a leading cultural, tourism, and investment hub. She stated, “By creating fresh opportunities for knowledge exchange, AlUla’s regeneration will continue to gather momentum, providing exciting prospects for the local community and fostering international cross-cultural engagement.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that the UK is committed to protecting the cultural heritage of AlUla by leveraging British expertise. He highlighted the significance of such collaborations in fostering deeper economic ties, which will unlock growth and create new opportunities both within the UK and internationally.
This partnership marks the continuation of RCU’s expanding network of international collaborations, which already includes China, France, and Italy. It builds on a 2022 agreement between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and the UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which set the framework for cooperation in areas such as museum management, heritage site preservation, and the promotion of arts, film, music, and literature.
Through this strategic partnership with the United Kingdom, AlUla is poised to continue its trajectory as a globally recognized cultural destination, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s broader goals of economic diversification, cultural exchange, and sustainable development under Vision 2030.