Latest news with #RCU
Asharq Al-Awsat
15-05-2025
- Science
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia's RCU, Arabian Leopard Fund Partner with Smithsonian to Protect Arabian Leopard
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the Arabian Leopard Fund announced a strategic partnership with the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to support international efforts to protect the Arabian leopard, one of the world's most endangered big cats. The agreement includes the loan of a pair of Arabian leopards to Washington, D.C. as part of a scientific program designed to enhance conservation efforts, promote genetic diversity, and raise global awareness about this rare species. The initiative is part of the RCU's broader strategy to expand its international collaboration network in environmental conservation, with the Arabian Leopard Fund playing a pivotal role in coordinating global efforts and directing joint scientific endeavors. The partnership combines the Smithsonian Institution's extensive scientific expertise with the breeding program for the Arabian leopard overseen by the commission, significantly enhancing the chances of survival for this critically endangered species and establishing a population outside its native habitat. Additionally, the collaboration will drive advanced scientific research on the Arabian leopard and facilitate the creation of the first exhibit of its kind for these big cats in the United States. It will help share their story with a global audience and stimulate community support for conservation programs. The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) is classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, reflecting the significant challenges it faces in its natural environment. The strategic project represents a practical and effective response to safeguard the future of this species, which is cherished in Saudi Arabia as an essential part of its natural heritage and environmental identity.
Arab News
15-05-2025
- Science
- Arab News
RCU, Arabian Leopard Fund partner with Smithsonian to protect Arabian leopard
ALULA: The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the Arabian Leopard Fund have partnered with the Smithsonian Institution to support international efforts to protect the Arabian leopard, the Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday. Under the agreement, RCU will lend of a pair of Arabian leopards to Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute as part of a scientific program designed to enhance conservation efforts, promote genetic diversity, and raise global awareness about this rare species. The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) is considered one of the world's most endangered big cats, with approximately only 120 left in the wild, including about 20 that are confined mostly to the Kingdom's isolated southwestern mountains of Asir and the Hijaz. At the RCU wildlife conservation facility in AlUla, there were 27 Arabian leopards as of last year, a senior official of the commission was quoted by a special Arab News report as saying In partnering with Smithsonian, the RCU aims to bolster its Arabian leopard breeding program and significantly "enhance the chances of survival for the critically endangered species and establishing a population outside its native habitat." The collaboration is also hoped to drive advanced scientific research on the endangered animal and facilitate the creation of the first exhibit of its kind for these big cats in the United States and "stimulate community support for conservation programs."
Asharq Al-Awsat
05-05-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
AlUla Languages Institute Launches Reviving Ancient Languages Program
The AlUla Languages Institute, affiliated with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), launched the Reviving Ancient Languages Program. The program aims to raise awareness of AlUla's linguistic heritage and enable residents to explore the region's rich history of languages and inscriptions. The program offers several specialized courses in ancient languages historically used in AlUla, including Aramaic, Thamudic, Dadanitic, Lihyanite, Musnad-al-Janubi, and Nabataean, as well as a course on the origins of writing. Registration for the program opened Sunday via the AlUla Languages Institute website. Through this program, RCU aims to offer learning opportunities to AlUla residents and strengthen their connection to their rich cultural heritage.
Zawya
01-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
‘AlUla giga project is driving Saudi Arabia's cultural renaissance'
The AlUla Giga Project is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, aiming to transform the ancient city of AlUla into a world-class cultural and tourism destination. Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is a Saudi government agency established by royal decree to oversee the sustainable development and preservation of AlUla. The development plan is spearheaded by Public Investment Fund (PIF)-owned AlUla Development Company and includes the construction of luxury accommodations, museums, cultural institutions, commercial and residential assets and destinations in collaboration with RCU and the private sector. RCU's Arts and Creative Industries Director Hamad Alhomiedan told Zawya Projects that the ancient Saudi city is establishing itself as a global destination for creativity and cultural exchange offering experiences that are deeply connected to the landscape, community, and heritage. Speaking in an interview ahead of his participation in the NEXT IN Summit in Madrid, organised by Acciona Living & Culture, he said AlUla and RCU's work in arts and culture focuses on building long-term, strategic initiatives that link artistic expression to place, support local creatives, and foster global collaboration 'The goal is to create a vibrant and dynamic district—where people can create, learn, connect, and grow contributing to Saudi Arabia's evolving cultural landscape," he noted. Alhomiedan is leading the development of landmark cultural assets such as the Arts Districts, Wadi AlFann, and the AlUla Contemporary Arts Museum. He pointed out that the Arts District is a central hub for fostering community connections, cultural enrichment, and personal growth and also encompasses creative assets - such as the Art Foundation, Design Space, and Madrasat Addeera – serving as a gateway into AlUla's cultural infrastructure. 'The Arts Academy gives artists the freedom to challenge themselves and elevate their practice. Our educational offerings act as a space for experimentation, pushing the boundaries of how we think and learn,' he said. On the other hand, the Contemporary Art Museum will be a flagship institution for AlUla's artistic legacy—showcasing 21st-century works from the Arab world and beyond, in dialogue with regional artists and AlUla's heritage setting while Wadi AlFann (Valley of the Arts) aims to establish a new global destination for monumental contemporary art, embedded in AlUla's desert landscape and geological formations. Alhomiedan emphasised that building a vibrant cultural sector requires different sectors working together—government, non-profits, academia, private partners, and local communities, with each bringing unique value to the table, whether it's expertise, networks, or resources. 'In AlUla, this collaborative spirit enables us to design cultural programmes that are inclusive, long-term, and grounded in local relevance. It helps us create platforms that support artists, inspire the public, and connect with global audiences in meaningful ways.' The RCU official said upcoming projects in AlUla will continue to reflect the region's distinctive balance of heritage and creativity, adding that the first permanent commissions in Wadi AlFann will be revealed soon, showcasing landmark works by leading international and regional artists. "We're also progressing with the expansion of Madrasat Addeera, as well as development of the Contemporary Art Museum and Cultural Oasis—projects that celebrate craft, design, and contemporary culture in immersive ways. These initiatives aim to tell a rich and evolving story of AlUla, offering insight into both the heritage and the creative spirit of Saudi Arabia,' he concluded. (Reporting by SA Kader; Editing by Anoop Menon)
Asharq Al-Awsat
29-04-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Royal Commission for AlUla, UNESCO Launch Innovating Documentary Heritage Conference
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), in partnership with UNESCO, launched its international conference titled 'Innovating Documentary Heritage for Sustainable Development in AlUla and Saudi Arabia,' to be held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on April 29 and 30. The conference is held under UNESCO's 'Memory of the World' program and will host leading experts, institutions concerned with historical memory, and cultural policymakers. It will discuss ways to utilize documentary heritage in supporting education, promoting cultural dialogue, and advancing sustainable development goals in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region. Alongside the conference, an exhibition titled 'Words on Memory: A Window into Saudi Arabia's Documentary Heritage' is being held at UNESCO headquarters from April 28 to May 2. It will showcase archival materials and historical narratives of the Kingdom, in partnership with national memory institutions, for the first time internationally. The initiative reflects RCU's commitment to preserving AlUla's natural and cultural heritage in support of Saudi Vision 2030 and to establishing AlUla as a regional center for cultural leadership and heritage-driven development. The conference also extends RCU's partnership with UNESCO under the 'Memory of the World' program and the Kingdoms Institute, reaffirming their joint efforts in documentary heritage preservation, capacity building, and global knowledge exchange.
