UNESCO and AlUla signed contract for cultural initiatives and fellowships; AlUla vision supports strategic collaborations in development in line with Vision 2030

The second phase of a cultural programmes agreement made in Paris in 2021 was just initiated by representatives of the Royal Commission for AlUla and the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation. The agreement was signed in conjunction with a steering group made up of organisations including the RCU, UNESCO, the Saudi National group for Education, Culture, and Science, and the Saudi permanent representation to UNESCO.

In accordance with UNESCO and the Al-Mamalek Institute, initiatives connected to creating an integrated cultural framework and creating a fellowship programme for the conservation of antiquities will be the major emphasis of part two of the agreement. Both programmes work to promote the arts, environment, education, and historical preservation.

The RCU UNESCO programme will offer technical assistance while putting a strong emphasis on fostering international ties and building capacity. In line with the AlUla vision and Saudi Vision 2030, it also aspires to emphasise cultural heritage and creativity as key components of AlUla's sustainable development strategy.

The two-year programme will put a focus on how creativity and heritage may be used to build sustainable sites and design a development strategy in AlUla that is based on cultural and social interaction. This year, AlUla will be home to the first fellows of the fellowship programme in antiquities protection, allowing scholars and heritage professionals to perform work focused on conservation, management, and knowledge sharing.