Paris- The Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate signed today a long-term partnership agreement with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), to develop the cultural natural environment, preserve the cultural depth of the region, and enhance mutual understanding about the global importance of heritage.

The agreement was signed by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate, Director-General of UNESCO, Adore Azoulay, and Her Highness Princess Haifa bint Abdulaziz Al Muqrin, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom to UNESCO and CEO of the Royal Commission for Amr Al-Madani Governorate, at the headquarters of UNESCO” in the French capital (Paris).

The agreement aims to achieve mutual benefit and enhance the cultural, social and economic development that Al-Ula is currently witnessing, by increasing efforts to protect its historical, natural and cultural sites, in addition to preserving its local culture. To achieve this, capacity building and knowledge transfer will be enhanced with experts from around the world, who will join the efforts of the Royal Commission for AlUla to transform AlUla into a reference destination for heritage, nature, arts and culture.

Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan stressed the importance of the agreement in the trip of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate to achieve the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Authority, to make Al-Ula a global destination for heritage, nature, arts and culture. .

He said, “The signing of this agreement, which is the first of its kind, is another important moment in our journey towards realizing these ambitions, and strengthening the permanent relationship that exists between the Kingdom and the Commission on the one hand, and UNESCO on the other,” noting that this partnership will link the past Al-Ula and its present with its future, by utilizing the power of education, science and culture, to make Al-Ula one of the models that stimulate sustainable development and achieve long-term transformation, in line with the plans included in “Vision 2030” and the United Nations sustainable development goals.

For her part, the Director-General of UNESCO, Adore Azoulay, said: “The relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UNESCO is based on a long history that began in 1946, when the Kingdom became one of our Organization’s member states. Today, cooperation between us is taking another important step forward, with the aim of keeping pace with the great transformation in the Al-Ula Governorate.

In turn, Princess Haifa Al Muqrin pointed out that the Kingdom is home to many of the most important culturally unique heritage sites, where Al-Ula is one of the most famous and most inspiring; As a global institution that celebrates and protects cultural and heritage diversity, UNESCO will play an important role in helping to strengthen the commitment of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate to realize the potential of the Al-Ula region and its people and explore its landmarks and natural environment, through various development and economic programs that reflect the “Kingdom’s Vision 2030”, and UNESCO’s efforts towards sustainable development.

In addition, Amr Al-Madani said: “We see partnerships and alliances based on knowledge exchange as a necessity to achieve our strategy, as it is based on constructive and open dialogue and joint interaction, in a way that contributes to doubling the importance of AlUla’s heritage status, and highlights its cultural capabilities, to be an engine for long-term sustainable development. “.

He stressed that the harmony of visions between the Commission and UNESCO, in line with the “Kingdom’s Vision 2030”, will promote intellectual, cultural and scientific exchange, and enable growth on a global scale, in full line with the seventeen sustainable development goals of the United Nations.

He pointed out that the main motive behind the efforts aimed at protecting and developing Al-Ula is to help present it to the world, in order to develop common knowledge, enhance understanding of Al-Ula’s past, and work to develop its future; This can be achieved by establishing it as a global destination for visitors and residents alike.

Al-Ula is characterized by a unique location, and bears great importance for telling the story of its chapters over 200,000 years of human history, in addition to that, it was home to ancient civilizations, including the “kingdoms of Dadan, Lehyan and the Nabateans”, civilizations that each left indelible imprints. On the face of the region, it is also clearly preserved in large tombs carved into the mountains.

The partnership will see the implementation of various knowledge-based initiatives to transform the natural cultural environment and heritage depth of AlUla in sustainable and responsible ways, and to develop this vast area in the northwest of the Kingdom, to become the largest living museum in the world.

Prominent academics from around the world will be invited to explore AlUla, and the commission will provide them with immersive opportunities designed to help them unravel the mysteries of ancient languages ​​and societies unraveled in AlUla.

The Royal Commission for AlUla will work with UNESCO and global experts on key programs including:

Memory of the World focused on preserving documentary heritage.

Fellowship program through the Institute of Kingdoms and UNESCO, to research, preserve and promote heritage

Al-Ula occupies great importance within the heritage efforts of the Kingdom, and is part of the plan of the “Kingdom’s Vision 2030” to open the way for unleashing its vast cultural, tourism and economic potential. There is complete harmony between UNESCO’s agenda and “Vision 2030” on strategic sustainable development, in order to promote education, culture and science, and take it as a strong platform to stimulate economic opportunities, job creation and growth.

The new partnership extends for the next five years and focuses on ten programs and includes: Inclusion of new natural and cultural sites under the UNESCO designation to protect and promote local heritage, landscapes and ecosystems.

As for the main sectors that will shape this, they include heritage preservation, education and capacity building, nature and the creative arts, while the residents of the governorate will be the main beneficiaries of the development of AlUla.

To help showcase AlUla’s long-hidden potential, and highlight the unique knowledge and culture that shapes the Kingdom’s identity and heritage, AlUla will serve as a model for sustainable development and heritage preservation practices.

It is worth noting that the agreement is based on a long history of cooperation between the Kingdom and UNESCO, as the relationship between the two parties dates back to 1946, when the Kingdom was one of 20 countries that ratified the constitution of this UN organization; This relationship continued over the years, and witnessed prosperity and development in both directions. UNESCO listed Al-Hajar in Al-Ula as the first World Heritage site in the Kingdom in 2008, and the Kingdom became a member of its Executive Committee for the third time in 2019, and was elected as a member of its Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee for the first time in 2020.