A visit by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s to Saudi Arabia has underscored the growing partnership between the two nations. Arriving in AlUla, a site of profound cultural and historical significance, Meloni’s visit highlighted the mutual ambition to strengthen ties across various sectors, with tourism and cultural collaboration taking centre stage.
Ms Meloni was warmly welcomed by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and other senior officials in AlUla, a region of immense historical and cultural significance. The visit marked a major step forward in the bilateral relationship between the two nations, celebrating a shared legacy and launching initiatives that reinforce cooperation in heritage, tourism, and cultural preservation.
Upon her arrival at AlUla International Airport, Prime Minister Meloni was greeted by key Saudi officials, including the Governor of the Madinah Region Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to Italy Prince Faisal bin Sattam bin Abdulaziz, and Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi. She was later received at the Winter Camp in AlUla by HRH the Crown Prince, where traditional Saudi folk performances were held to commemorate the occasion.
During her visit, the Italian Prime Minister explored AlUla’s rich heritage and culture at Bayt al-Sha’ar. Discussions between the two leaders covered a wide range of topics, including the deep-rooted historical ties between Italy and Saudi Arabia, the development of sustainable tourism, and regional and international cooperation. A highlight of the visit was the signing of an agreement to establish the Saudi-Italian Strategic Partnership Council, which aims to foster collaboration across diverse fields such as infrastructure, energy, defence, sport, entertainment, and tourism.
Celebrating AlUla’s role as a historical crossroads
As Abeer M. AlAkel, Acting CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), emphasised, “AlUla’s legacy as a crossroads of civilisations was founded upon its rich tradition of welcoming and hosting peoples from places far and wide across the ancient world. Rome, now modern-day Italy, was among the diverse destinations that enjoyed mutually beneficial links with AlUla as an important stopping point on the Incense Route. Hegra itself was known as a key urban hub within the Roman Empire’s ‘Limes Arabicus’ or ‘desert frontier’.”
This deep-rooted connection between AlUla and Rome underscores the enduring cultural and economic exchanges between the two regions, which were celebrated during Prime Minister Meloni’s visit.
Forging new partnerships with Italy’s cultural institutions
One of the key outcomes of the visit was the announcement of new partnership agreements between the Royal Commission for AlUla and two of Italy’s leading cultural institutions: the Rome-based Directorate for Museums and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. These partnerships aim to foster knowledge exchange, enhance artefact preservation, and further develop sustainable tourism in AlUla.
- The Directorate for Museums, which oversees Italy’s national network of museums, historic sites, and landmarks, will provide AlUla’s teams with access to world-class facilities and institutional expertise.
- The Archaeological Park of Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting two million visitors annually, shares remarkable similarities with AlUla and offers valuable insights into preserving heritage sites and promoting sustainable cultural tourism.
These partnerships are set to become integral to AlUla’s comprehensive regeneration efforts, as RCU continues to position the region as a global hub for culture, heritage, and discovery.
A shared vision for the future
The visit also highlighted the broader ambitions of the Saudi-Italian partnership. Prime Minister Meloni noted that the agreements signed during her visit amounted to approximately $10 billion and covered numerous sectors. “This is what the joint declaration we signed today foresees. It declares that our two nations can broaden their horizons and explore many new opportunities together,” she said. These agreements include both governmental collaborations and memorandums of understanding signed by public and private entities, focusing on areas such as heritage preservation, tourism, and cultural exchange.
The Italian delegation included notable figures such as Italian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Carlo Baldocci, Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister Fabrizio Saggio, and Military Advisor General Franco Federici. This high-level representation underlined Italy’s commitment to deepening ties with Saudi Arabia.
Cultural ties built over centuries
The relationship between AlUla, Saudi Arabia, and Italy, originally forged by traders, explorers, and travellers, has evolved into one of the most vibrant cultural partnerships of today. As Abeer M. AlAkel reflected, “This relationship has been carefully and deliberately nurtured through time. Today, it stands as one of our most important and valued cultural partnerships, developed, sustained, and cherished by people and places that, while separated by geography, are united by a shared history and a common vision for the future.”
Prime Minister Meloni’s visit to AlUla not only celebrated this shared history but also set the stage for an exciting future. By combining their strengths, Italy and Saudi Arabia are unlocking new possibilities for collaboration, innovation, and mutual growth, particularly in tourism and cultural heritage, while enhancing AlUla’s status as a leading global destination.
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