Horizon ALULA
Governance

Jean-Yves Le Drian
This year, the AlUla project celebrates 5 years of particulary fruitful Franco-Saudi cooperation, guided by a demanding ambition in terms of sustainable development. A series of decisive milestones have been achieved in all the fields covered by the project, with the aim of making this region with its exceptional heritage one of the Kingdom’s cultural capitals and a world-class tourist destination.
News
Saudi Arabia and France signed an intergovernmental agreement in April 2018 on the sustainable development of the AlUla region and its transformation into a world-class cultural and tourism destination. As a result of this agreement, the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) was created to mobilize all French know-how (experts, operators, companies) and to support…
Read MoreDuring the 7th edition of the FII Forum, a partnership valued at 159 million SAR was concluded between the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the French group Thales. This contract aims to implement advanced protection of key areas, historical sites, and buildings in AlUla, utilizing continuous surveillance integrated into the RCU’s digital platforms. Part of an agreement between Saudi Arabia and France, this partnership demonstrates the ambition to make AlUla a leading cultural and touristic destination on an international scale. With Thales, state-of-the-art security systems will be deployed to ensure optimal protection of AlUla’s cultural and historical treasures. This new agreement thus reinforces AlUla’s positioning on the global cultural and touristic scene.
Read MoreThe Royal Commission for AlUla in Saudi Arabia has signed a major strategic partnership with the French group Alstom, a global leader in integrated transport systems. The agreement involves the creation of 22.5 km of immersive tramway, linking the heritage sites of AlUla, the historic cities of the oasis, and contemporary urban centers. This project is part of an intergovernmental agreement signed between Saudi Arabia and France in 2018 aimed at transforming AlUla into a global cultural and tourist destination, while respecting the preservation of the environment and inclusivity of the local population. The low-carbon tramway will provide sustainable transport and an authentic visual experience for visitors.
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