French Partnership | The Royal Commission for AlUla

Partnership

A Transformational Agreement

France, a prominent cultural, tourism, and economic powerhouse, is the principal partner in the unique development journey of AlUla through a landmark intergovernmental agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Signed on 10 April 2018, in the esteemed presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Saudi-French intergovernmental agreement represents a long-term commitment to jointly drive the sustainable development of AlUla. This agreement is aimed at transforming AlUla into a globally renowned tourism destination while ensuring the preservation of its rich historical and cultural heritage.

France’s designation as a strategic partner for AlUla’s development was founded on multiple considerations, including its strong bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and its extensive expertise in cultural heritage preservation, tourism infrastructure development, and cultural tourism promotion. RCU aims to leverage French expertise in various domains, such as infrastructure, conservation, tourism, capacity building, and sustainability, while ensuring community engagement and an integrated approach to the unique development journey of AlUla.

Establishment of AFALULA

France has established the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) to work side by side with RCU in a co-construction framework, dedicated to the AlUla project. To support the delivery and manage the strategic direction of this collaboration, RCU’s Partnerships Department has established a steering committee and a high-level ministerial committee, consisting of six ministers from both countries. Aligned with the partnership’s goals, AFALULA has been instrumental in mobilising French expertise and supporting RCU in establishing strategic alliances with prominent French companies. These collaborations have yielded impressive outcomes, demonstrating the effective transfer of knowledge, skills, and technology across all critical domains of the AlUla development project.

Since 2019, the close collaboration between RCU and AFALULA has resulted in over 170 contracts being awarded to French companies, with a combined value surpassing US$200 million. In 2022 alone, we have commissioned 72 contracts worth US$35.8 million, fast-tracking the development of AlUla.

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Pompidou Centre

RCU and the Centre Pompidou in France have established a strategic cooperation programme for AlUla’s Arts and Creative Industries. This cooperation programme is based on the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the French Republic, signed in April 2018, related to the cultural, heritage, natural, tourism, human, and economic development of AlUla County in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The partnership is aimed at developing AlUla into a world-class tourist destination and a cultural destination for the world. The Centre Pompidou is expected to lend its experience, creativity, and wisdom as advisors and advocates for the unique contemporary art museum in AlUla, known as the Perspectives Galleries. The Perspectives Galleries will be a flagship art museum in the core of the innovative display dialoguing with the environment.

Sorbonne University

Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University and RCU have entered into a collaborative agreement focused on archaeology training and research. This partnership includes launching an international Master's programme in archaeology, conservation, and restoration, along with training workshops and field schools in AlUla, and establishing a Chair and a twin-sited research center in Paris and AlUla. Building on a long-standing collaboration in archaeology, this initiative aims to enhance educational and scientific exchanges, fostering capacity building and the preservation of cultural heritage, while reinforcing Franco-Saudi archaeological ties and supporting sustainable development in AlUla through AFALULA.