AlUla, UNESCO Highlight Documentary Heritage Role in Promoting Sustainable Development
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and UNESCO have launched “Innovating Documentary Heritage for Sustainable Development in AlUla and Saudi Arabia” Conference in Paris, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Taking place from April 29-30, 2025, the conference is part of the UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” program. It will bring together a host of experts and institutions concerned with historical memory, as well as cultural policymakers, to discuss the mechanisms of leveraging documentary heritage in supporting education, fostering cultural dialogue, and contributing to achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region.
Concurrently, the UNESCO headquarters is hosting an exhibition titled “Words on Memory: A Window into Saudi Arabia’s Documentary Heritage,” from April 28 to May 2, 2025. The exhibition showcases the Kingdom’s archival legacy and historical storytelling traditions, in partnership with national memory institutions.
This initiative aligns with RCU’s commitment to preserving AlUla’s natural and cultural heritage, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. It also aims to establish AlUla’s status as a regional hub for cultural leadership and heritage-driven development.
Meanwhile, the conference serves as an extension of the RCU’s partnership with UNESCO under the “Memory of the World” program and the Kingdoms Institute, underscoring their joint efforts in preserving documentary heritage, building capacities, and exchanging knowledge on a global scale.
