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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, Syria Underline Depth of their Cultural Ties

Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)
Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Syria Underline Depth of their Cultural Ties

Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)
Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and Syria underlined the strength of their cultural relationship during high-level meetings held in Damascus on Thursday, on the sidelines of the opening of the Damascus International Book Fair 2026, where the Kingdom is participating as guest of honor.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa received Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan at the Conference Palace in the capital.

Earlier the same day, Prince Badr met with his Syrian counterpart, Minister of Culture Mohammad Yassin Saleh, during an official visit to attend the fair. T

he Saudi minister congratulated Syria on hosting the exhibition and expressed his wishes for continued prosperity, progress, and stability for the Syrian government and people.

Both meetings highlighted the depth of cultural relations between the two countries, the importance of expanding joint cultural cooperation across various fields, and the alignment of positions on issues of mutual interest in a way that serves both nations.

The Saudi delegation included senior officials and advisers, among them representatives from the Royal Court, the Ministry of Culture, and the King Abdulaziz Public Library, reflecting broad institutional engagement in the visit.

In the evening, Prince Badr attended the opening ceremony of the fair’s special session, held under the patronage and in the presence of al-Sharaa. The event drew wide official and cultural participation, including Arab ministers, political and intellectual figures, and a distinguished group of writers and cultural figures.

In a post on the X platform, Prince Badr thanked “our brothers in Syria for their generous hospitality and their efforts in organizing the Damascus International Book Fair.”

The minister also inaugurated the Kingdom’s pavilion at the fair in the presence of the Syrian minister of culture and the Qatari minister of culture.

Saudi Arabia’s guest-of-honor participation continues until Feb. 16 and reflects its growing prominence and leadership in the Arab and global cultural landscape.

This participation aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which places culture at the heart of national development, viewing it as a space for dialogue, a bridge for civilizational communication, and a tool for strengthening ties among Arab peoples.

The Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is leading the Kingdom’s participation, highlighting the development of the cultural sector and reaffirming the central role of books as carriers of knowledge and awareness.

The Saudi pavilion boasts a comprehensive cultural program featuring intellectual seminars, poetry evenings, a manuscript exhibition, traditional Saudi fashion displays, hospitality corners, archaeological replicas, and performing arts that express the depth of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage.

On the sidelines of the visit, Prince Badr, accompanied by Minister Saleh, toured the National Museum of Damascus, which houses rare artifacts spanning prehistoric eras, ancient Syrian civilizations, classical and Islamic periods, as well as traditional and modern art.

Culture

UNESCO Honors Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi as Thousands Flock to Al-Ahsa Festival

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
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UNESCO Honors Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi as Thousands Flock to Al-Ahsa Festival

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA

The third edition of Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi Festival is drawing thousands of regional and international visitors to Ibrahim Palace in historic Al-Hofuf.

Organized by the Heritage Commission, this year’s festival celebrates the inscription of the Bisht on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The event showcases Al-Ahsa’s centuries-old tradition of hand-weaving and gold embroidery, a craft passed down through generations of local families, SPA reported.

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige.

With UNESCO's participation and representatives from six countries, the festival has evolved into a global platform for cultural dialogue, cementing the Bisht’s status as a world-class cultural treasure.

Culture

Saudi, Syrian Culture Ministers Tour National Museum of Damascus

The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
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Saudi, Syrian Culture Ministers Tour National Museum of Damascus

The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and his Syrian counterpart, Mohammed Yassin Saleh, have toured the National Museum of Damascus during the Kingdom’s participation as guest of honor at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair.

The ministers observed on Thursday the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art.

A particular focus was placed on the Arab-Islamic wing, featuring significant artifacts from the Umayyad period.

The Kingdom's participation as guest of honor at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair, which runs until February 16, stems from the role culture plays within Saudi Vision 2030.