PARIS: French and Saudi officials gathered in Paris on Friday at the French foreign ministry for discussions about advancing the AlUla development initiative.

The AlUla Committee, a joint initiative established under an intergovernmental agreement signed in April 2018, is the coordinating body for a range of ambitious projects being carried out by the Kingdom and France.

The projects focus on cultural preservation, tourism enhancement, economic growth, and environmental sustainability in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla region. The committee’s mandate includes overseeing the implementation and monitoring of the comprehensive 2018 accord, aimed at fostering broad-based progress in the area.

The French delegation at the meeting included senior figures from the ministries of European affairs and foreign relations, economy, and culture.

On the Saudi side, high-ranking officials from the culture, foreign, and investment ministries participated, along with representatives such as the president of the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) and the chairperson of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU).

French ministers Jean-Noel Barrot and Rachida Dati met with Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s culture minister, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Khaled Al-Faleh, investment minister.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, executive president of AFALULA, and Abeer Al-Akel, acting CEO of the RCU, also took part in the meeting.

The focus of the discussions was on assessing the state of the Franco-Saudi partnership and defining the future direction for AlUla’s development.

Participants reviewed collaborative projects that draw on French expertise, particularly in archaeological research — highlighted by the involvement of 120 French archaeologists and researchers in the region. Other focal points included cultural initiatives such as the Villa Hegra project, as well as advances in hospitality, transport and infrastructure.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the French Heritage Endowment Fund, which was established as part of the 2018 agreement, and reinforced its continued commitment to supporting heritage conservation and cultural initiatives tied to AlUla’s unique historical significance.

RIYADH: A landmark location in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region has been selected by UN Tourism as one if its best tourism villages 2024.

Abo Noghta and historic Tabab was chosen for its rich heritage, including ancient castles and forts.

The location was named alongside 54 other rural villages worldwide under the theme of “Rural Communities Shaping the Future of Sustainable Travel.”

In a statement, UN Tourism said that the Abo Noghta community has displayed a commitment to eco-friendly renovation techniques by recycling old materials, setting a remarkable standard for sustainable restoration across Asir.

This innovative approach has created new opportunities for the community to flourish, it added.

Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Tourism secretary-general, said that tourism can help rural communities to protect and value their rich cultural heritage while driving sustainable development.

“By leveraging their unique assets, these communities can foster economic growth, promote local traditions, and enhance the quality of life for their residents. We celebrate the villages that have embraced tourism as a pathway to empowerment and community well-being,” he said.

With a legacy of thousands of years in agriculture, Abo Noghta cultivates a diverse range of crops, from wheat and corn to fruit and vegetables. The community also excels in cattle rearing, making it a center for traditional and sustainable farming practices.

To preserve seeds for future planting, Abo Noghta employs a centuries-old technique that involves creating rock structures of varying depths known as “Al-mdafin.” These natural, cool storage spaces protect the seeds, ensuring they remain fresh and ready for the next season.

The best tourism village initiative resulted in 260 applications from more than 60 UN Tourism member states.

The initiative is part of UN Tourism’s rural development program aimed at encouraging development in rural areas, as well as combating depopulation and encouraging sustainable practices.

Previously, the villages were evaluated under nine key areas: cultural and natural resources; promotion and conservation of cultural resources; economic sustainability; social sustainability; environmental sustainability; tourism development and value chain integration; governance and prioritization of tourism; infrastructure and connectivity; and health, safety, and security.