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Second Meeting of Saudi-French Committee for AlUla Hopes to Deepen Partnership

(From left to right) French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, Chairman of the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AfAlUla) Jean-Yves Le Drian, Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati. (SPA)
(From left to right) French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, Chairman of the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AfAlUla) Jean-Yves Le Drian, Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati. (SPA)
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Second Meeting of Saudi-French Committee for AlUla Hopes to Deepen Partnership

(From left to right) French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, Chairman of the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AfAlUla) Jean-Yves Le Drian, Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati. (SPA)
(From left to right) French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, Chairman of the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AfAlUla) Jean-Yves Le Drian, Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati. (SPA)

The Saudi-French Ministerial committee of the Intergovernmental Agreement of April 2018 related to cultural, environmental, tourism, human and economic development and to the promotion of heritage of the AlUla Governorate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia met for the second time in Paris on Friday

Chaired by Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, the meeting brought together Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, in addition to Acting CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla Abeer AlAkel.

The meeting was also attended by French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Antoine Armand, and Chairman of the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AfAlUla) Jean-Yves Le Drian.

During the meeting, the ministers commended the success of the ambitious and unique partnership that France and Saudi Arabia are conducting in AlUla. They welcomed the extensive cooperation that it has achieved in numerous fields, including with regards culture and human exchanges.

The committee members of the two governments discussed the major ongoing and future projects for Saudi-French cooperation in AlUla. They praised the progress of the Villa Hégra, a joint Saudi-French cultural institution dedicated to arts and culture for France and Saudi Arabia, as set out in the Intergovernmental Agreement signed by France and Saudi Arabia on December 4, 2021.

They welcomed the success of the archeological program in AlUla, which has brought together nearly 150 French researchers and archaeologists since 2018.

The representatives of the two governments also commended the launch of the partnership between the RCU and the Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne. They underlined their appreciation for the participation of French companies in the success of this partnership, particularly through the Tramway project conducted by ALSTOM, and the project for the Sharaan Resort designed by Jean Nouvel architectural firm and to be built by Bouygues.

Lastly, they underlined their commitment to working together to promote the bilateral partnership for AlUla to an even higher level. They expressed their desire to maximize, through their cooperation, the impact of this partnership for AlUla, reflecting its unique cultural and historical identity.

The members of the committee underlined AlUla’s significance as a cultural landmark and its role in preserving Saudi heritage.

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Culture

Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture

Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture
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Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture

Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture

The Saudi Ministry of Culture and the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport have announced the year 2029 as the official Saudi-UK Year of Culture, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday. The announcement follows an official visit by Britain’s Prince William to Saudi Arabia this week.

For nearly a century, formal relations between Saudi Arabia and the UK and Northern Ireland have evolved into a multifaceted international relationship that has expanded across culture, education, and innovation, reflecting shared values and a mutual commitment to long-term cooperation.

In recent years, cultural exchange has emerged as a cornerstone of Saudi-British relations, driven by joint initiatives in heritage conservation, visual and culinary arts, architecture, and higher education.

This ongoing expansion of cultural exchange lays the foundation for the Saudi-UK Year of Culture 2029, a year-long program celebrating creative dialogue and the shared heritage of Saudi Arabia and the UK, while deepening cultural ties for generations to come. It will also be a great opportunity for young people in both countries to connect in new ways.

Supported by Saudi Vision 2030 and the United Kingdom’s continued promotion of cultural innovation and creativity, the Saudi-UK Year of Culture 2029 will be an important milestone for both countries.

Culture

Prince William Visits Historic, Natural Sites in AlUla Accompanied by Saudi Culture Minister

The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development. (SPA)
The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development. (SPA)
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Prince William Visits Historic, Natural Sites in AlUla Accompanied by Saudi Culture Minister

The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development. (SPA)
The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development. (SPA)

Britain’s Prince William visited a number of historic, natural, and cultural sites in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla, accompanied by Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

During his tour, Prince William reviewed a number of environmental initiatives at Sharaan Nature Reserve, including ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts. He was briefed on programs to rehabilitate natural habitats, restore ecological balance, and reintroduce species such as the Arabian oryx and mountain ibex, contributing to long-term goals for the recovery of the Arabian leopard in its natural environment.

He received an overview of the history of AlUla Old Town and the Incense Road, and the role of culture and arts as a bridge for cultural exchange between the two countries. The visit included viewing artworks at AlUla Arts Festival 2026.

Prince William met with Saudi youths participating in joint cultural programs and initiatives between the two countries. The visit also featured a tour of AlUla Oasis Cultural District.

The visit highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership between the Royal Commission for AlUla and British cultural institutions within an organized framework of cooperation encompassing cultural, educational, and environmental entities, supporting balanced and sustainable development in AlUla and reinforcing its status as a global destination for heritage, culture, and nature.

Culture

Workshop Held to Develop Cultural Heritage Documentation, Digital Archiving Guide in Saudi Arabia

The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA
The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA
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Workshop Held to Develop Cultural Heritage Documentation, Digital Archiving Guide in Saudi Arabia

The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA
The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Culture organized a specialized workshop to review and develop the third edition of the Cultural Heritage Documentation and Digital Archiving Guide in the Kingdom.

The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners, as part of the center’s efforts to standardize methodologies for documenting and archiving cultural heritage and to enhance institutional practices for managing national cultural memory.

The workshop forms part of the Ministry of Culture’s ongoing efforts to establish national standard frameworks for the management and digital documentation of cultural heritage, strengthen integration among entities, and equip practitioners with the necessary tools and methodologies.

These efforts reinforce the role of the Saudi cultural memory center in preserving the Kingdom’s cultural memory and support the objectives of the National Culture Strategy under Saudi Vision 2030.