FRENCH PARTNERSHIP

The Royal Commission for AlUla announced on April 10th, 2018 the signing of a historic agreement of cooperation as part of the ambitious development project of AlUla.
A region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in northwest Saudi Arabia, AlUla is home to the Nabataean city of Hegra, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.

In the presence of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, and Gérard Mestrallet, Special Envoy of the French President for AlUla, the intergovernmental agreement was signed by His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al-Saud, Governor of AlUla, and Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic.

AlUla is a symbol of the Saudi commitment to pioneer a model of sustainable cultural tourism, with a vision and programme created with international and local communities. AlUla’s unique cultural, historical, natural and archaeological treasures will be revealed to the world in this ambitious tourism project for the Kingdom.

• The Saudi French cooperation for AlUla is a living embodiment of the augmented relationship between Saudi Arabiaand France.
• Saudi Arabia aims to develop, by means of its Vision 2030 program, dialogue between nationals and cultures, creatingaccessibility to the world.
• AlUla represents an authentic history of exchange and interaction between cultures, that goes back for 4,000 years.
  Home to Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area dates back to the Nabataean civilization, which governed this important crossroads on the Incense Route, connecting the Arabian Peninsula to Mediterranean Europe, Africa and Asia.
• By means of Vision 2030, this project aims to open the Kingdom to the world while still respecting Saudi’s historic and cultural roots and enabling the development of both the tourism sector and cultural sector.
• Saudi Arabia is notably committed to protecting its archaeological, architectural, cultural, artistic and natural heritage, and wishes to develop and promote the unique historical gems of AlUla. Therefore, the partnership of AlUla will be carried out with a deep commitment to sustainability.

France is one of the most natural partners to reveal AlUla and the Nabatean city of Hegra, which has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2008.

• France has a long-standing commitment to Saudi Arabian archaeology.
• France is one of the leading countries for culture; it is a major tourist destination and is renowned for its quality of life.
• Saudi Arabia’s willingness is to partner with the world’s best-in-class experts while placing local population at the very
  heart of the development dynamics.
• Partnering on the development of AlUla will renew, strengthen and deepen the relations between both nations.

Saudi Arabia and France are committed to achieving concrete projects benefiting both countries.

Both Saudi Arabia and France share a joint political willingness to protect and promote world heritage and environment, support sustainable tourism, cultural and educational programme, and promote openness to the dialogue between the cultures.

Both parties are enthusiastic to protect, develop, and promote the great historical sites of AlUla – such as but not limited to the archaeological site of Hegra. From this common will, two concrete outcomes are already established:

• An intergovernmental agreement related to the cultural, heritage, natural, tourism, human and economic development of the AlUla county between both States.
• An MoU between the Royal Commission for AlUla and France’s leading international academic and vocational public institutions, Campus France to welcome AlUla’s students.

• Situated at an ancient meeting point of civilisations, the AlUla valley is built on a history of exchange between cultures.
• AlUla represents an authentic example of exchange and interaction between cultures, that goes back for 4,000 years, encompassing the Nabataean civilization which governed this important crossroads on the Incense Route, connecting the Arabian Peninsula to Mediterranean Europe, Africa and Asia.
• It is Saudi Arabia’s ambition that today’s global cultures and industries will meet on the ancient trade route, with AlUla as a world destination for creative collaboration and visitor experience.
• The Royal Commission for AlUla is pioneering a model of sustainable cultural tourism, with a vision and programme created with both international and local communities.
• AlUla’s unique cultural, historical, natural and archaeological treasures will be revealed to the world in the most ambitious tourism project in Saudi Arabia’s history.

• The development of AlUla will reflect the commitment to cultivating international collaboration, exchanges and tourism - as outlined in Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s blueprint for future generations.
• Saudi Arabia and France share a profound commitment to protecting and promoting world heritage and culture as a driver for international tourism. A joint ambition to support responsible tourism, safeguard the environment and invest in world class cultural and education programmes for all is the basis of this mutual respect and open dialogue between nations. This will manifest through: effective sustainability practices to protect AlUla’s local ecology and natural assets, responsible tourism practices and a sensitive infrastructure development programme.
• Archaeological and architectural heritage preservation throughout AlUla.
• Unlocking grassroots AlUla and Saudi craft and making techniques, working on an economic model for sustaining authentic local culture and traditions.
• In addition to this strategic partnership at the State level, RCU is also partnering with France’s leading international academic and vocational programme, Campus France and with the Arab World Institute to produce a major exhibition in 2019.

• France has been invited to collaborate with RCU on specific cultural and artistic projects in AlUla, in accordance with the objectives of Vision 2030 and with the long-term goal therein to create a self-sufficient and skilled Saudi workforce.
• AlUla will become the benchmark for the training, education and skills development of the next generation of Saudi nationals – in creative production, contribution to arts and culture, heritage, international tourism, and associated industries as stated in Vision 2030.
• RCU intends to set up a global standard of excellence in the protection of heritage, the development of culture and a sustainable, empowered, community - led ecosystem in AlUla.
• To engage the locals as stakeholders in the protection of AlUla and the primary guardians of their home and heritage.
• To promote community advocacy as a method for the protection of the natural, cultural, and historical assets of AlUla.
• To instil a sense of community cooperation, civic duty and responsibility towards AlUla and its heritage.