Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced a new strategic partnership with the United Kingdom to deepen cross-cultural links between the two nations while creating opportunities in culture, media, sport, heritage, and tourism development.
Established along the principles of Saudi Vision 2030, the tripartite partnership will see RCU work closely with two UK Ministries – the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department of Business and Trade, empowering Saudi Arabia's goal to create a thriving economy that supports a vibrant society and ambitious nation by enhancing cooperation and knowledge exchange in tourism and hospitality fields, sports, and cultural ones including heritage preservation and restoration, research, education, and arts, the Commission said in a statement.
Key collaborations signed as part of the partnership will enrich AlUla's educational, cultural, and investment landscape and empower the community by providing access to more than 42 institutions, which will help to upskill members of the AlUla community, with vocational training programs focused on strengthening the capabilities of the local workforce across diverse sectors, said the statement.
A further collaboration has been announced between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the British Council as the organization marks its 90th anniversary. This collaboration aims to accelerate the UK's engagement with AlUla through culture, training, creative industries, and research initiatives, it added.
Earlier this year, RCU signed a partnership agreement with the British National Archives to collaborate on archival management and historical documentation. This agreement aligns with RCU's strategic goals of cultural heritage preservation and international collaboration.
"RCU's newest agreement with our UK partners further solidifies Saudi Arabia's long-running ties with Great Britain while bolstering AlUla's rapidly growing status as a destination for culture, tourism, and economic investment,” said RCU Acting CEO Abeer AlAkel.
She added: "By creating fresh opportunities to share valuable expertise, experience, and knowledge with our network of global colleagues, AlUla's comprehensive regeneration will continue to gather pace as it delivers exciting opportunities to uplift our community, promote international cross-cultural exchange, and welcome global visitors and businesses."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was pleased the UK is forging new partnerships with Saudi Arabia to protect the cultural heritage of AlUla. “Through deeper economic ties with key partners such as Saudi Arabia, we can unlock growth and new opportunities both at home and abroad to deliver change that is felt by working people in the UK."
