The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and the Royal Commission for AlUla have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at advancing cooperation in heritage, arts and sustainable cultural development. The agreement was formalized in Riyadh during the Cultural Investment Conference and marks a key step in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to position AlUla as a global cultural destination.
The MoU was signed by Vice Minister of Culture Hamed Fayez and RCU CEO Abeer AlAkel. According to the Ministry of Culture, the agreement is intended to enhance the presence of Saudi cultural identity in AlUla, which officials describe as an “open-air museum” that blends natural landscapes with thousands of years of history.
RCU said the partnership reflects Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 cultural ambitions and will help integrate expertise at national and global levels. AlAkel described the agreement as a fundamental step for cultural development in AlUla, one that is expected to stimulate the knowledge-based economy and broaden opportunities for cultural entrepreneurs.
Areas of Cooperation
Under the terms of the agreement, the two entities plan the following:
- Develop long-term cultural infrastructure and planning for AlUla.
- Coordinate festivals, events and initiatives across fields such as cinema, music, culinary arts, design, libraries and visual arts.
- Expand professional and educational programs to nurture Saudi talent and increase international participation in the cultural sector.
- Support community-focused initiatives while encouraging investment in creative industries.
Officials emphasized that the cooperation is designed to drive inclusive economic growth while ensuring the continuity and sustainability of cultural activities.
Building on Previous Work
The Ministry of Culture and RCU have already collaborated on several initiatives, including the Wadi AlFann Dialogue, the AlUla Future Culture Summit and the 2023 AlUla World Archaeology Summit. They have also supported the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques and the expansion of cultural programming across AlUla.
For luxury travel advisors, the announcement underscores AlUla’s growing importance as a destination that pairs heritage preservation with cultural innovation. The agreement is expected to further enhance the region’s tourism appeal through more diverse cultural content, festivals and international programming.
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