Riyadh: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) have signed a strategic cooperation agreement aimed at establishing a unified national framework for collaboration in scientific research, development, and innovation. The agreement is intended to support AlUla's strategic direction and reinforce its position as a global destination for heritage, culture, and sustainable tourism.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the agreement was signed by President of KACST Dr. Munir Eldesouki and Chief Executive Officer of the RCU Abeer AlAkel in the presence of several officials from both entities. The agreement focuses on the protection of the Arabian leopard as one of the key pillars of biodiversity conservation in AlUla, through the implementation of a genome study project and the development of high-quality reference genomes, and the analysis of the genetic diversity of several Arabian leopards in both the wild and captivity. These efforts support national initiatives to conserve this endangered species and strengthen its reintroduction programs.
The areas of cooperation also include environmental sustainability, environmental protection and restoration, and the application of circular economy solutions, as well as capacity building and skills development, and support for entrepreneurship, innovation, and startups. It also covers energy and sustainable industries linked to heritage and the environment, along with agricultural innovation and water resources management, including water treatment technologies and their reuse in afforestation projects.
The partnership also includes exploring initiatives in AI, IoT, the digital economy, and creative industries, which will contribute to enhancing heritage site management, improving visitor experiences, and developing local communities. This agreement represents a significant addition to the national partnership ecosystem led by the RCU in collaboration with leading research and scientific institutions, most notably KACST as the national laboratory. It is part of the RCU's efforts to strengthen AlUla's position as a global hub for human heritage, environmental sustainability, and innovation, contributing to the achievement of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.