Crossroads 2021 | The Royal Commission for AlUla

Sustainability and Growth

Reimagining How We Think About Sustainability

At the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the sustained harmony between humans and nature informs every step of the development of the AlUla region. This harmony informs our innovative and integrated approach to sustainability, encompassing environmental, cultural, economic, and social dimensions.

Through Crossroads, we will bring together “solution-driven” global experts across all sectors to challenge and fine tune ideas regarding sustainability, pertaining to the future growth of AlUla and the key elements of the Journey Through Time Masterplan.

Sustainable Nature Conservation

Nick Baker, a renowned naturalist and TV presenter, led a 67-minute virtual panel highlighting the importance of wildlife protection and conservation in AlUla, a region celebrated for its stunning natural beauty. The discussion underscored the urgent need for sustainable conservation practices to restore and preserve the wildlife and their habitats, raising critical questions about the future of nature reserve management and conservation strategies in AlUla.

The panel featured insights from distinguished experts, including HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud, the Saudi Ambassador to the US and founder of Catmosphere; Dr Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace; Dr Max Graham, CEO of Space for Giants; Dr Hany Tatwany, Managing Director of the Arabian Leopard Fund; and Elisabeth Dodinet, Head of Botanical Resource and Product Development at AFALULA. They shared various concepts and best practices, addressing the imperative of large-scale nature conservation and the potential business case for it in AlUla.

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Destination Development

Anita Mendiratta, a special adviser to the Secretary General of UNWTO, moderated a 73-minute virtual panel discussing the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry. The pandemic has highlighted the need for destination development to be economically, socially, and ecologically sustainable while also addressing the urgent need for stakeholders, including governments and corporations, to boost revenues in the post-pandemic world.

The panel featured insights from Issam Abousleiman, GCC Director for the World Bank; Iwona Blazwick, OBE, Director of the Whitechapel Gallery in London; Zahi Hawass, UNWTO ambassador; Dr Massimo Osanna, Director General of Museums of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage in Italy; Melanie D’Souza, Executive Director of Destination Marketing at RCU; and Jose Ignacio, Kingdoms Institute Executive Director at RCU. They shared concepts and ideas on navigating the challenges and opportunities in tourism, emphasising sustainable development and revenue replenishment in the sector.

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Coexistence with Nature

Dr Maliha Hashmi, Executive Director of Health, Well-Being, and Biotech at NEOM, led a 65-minute virtual panel challenging conventional perspectives on sustainability. The discussion emphasised the need to blend ancient wisdom with modern innovations to forge new paths in sustainability, particularly drawing on 200,000 years of human history in AlUla to inspire and redefine our approach to sustainable development.

The panel featured insights from Alejandro Agag, a noted businessman and entrepreneur; Matteo Renzi, the former Prime Minister of Italy; William McDonough, an architect and leader in sustainable design; James Hardcastle, the Director of IUCN’s Green List; Carlos Duarte, a prominent figure in biological oceanography; and Gerard Mestrallet, Executive Chairman of AFALULA, the French Agency for AlUla Development. Together, they shared ideas and concepts, illustrating how the integration of historical insights and modern technology can revolutionise our approach to sustainability.

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Partner With Us

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Journey Through Time

Explore the Journey Through Time masterplan, preserving AlUla's cultural heritage while paving the way for sustainable growth.

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The Kingdoms Institute

Committed to becoming a world-class scientific centre for archaeological and conservation research, the Kingdoms Institute is dedicated to the study of the history and prehistory of the Arabian Peninsula.

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Procurement

Register now to be invited to our procurement process across regeneration, sustainable infrastructure, sustainable tourism, mobility, and residential and commercial development.

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