The AlUla region in northwest Saudi Arabia is home to over 200,000 years of human history, including several major civilizations, and a vibrant modern community amid a stunning landscape of deserts, mountains and oases. It is one of Saudi Arabia's most significant tourist destinations including its first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Nabataean tombs of Hegra. The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is currently developing AlUla as a world class tourist destination, smart city and cultural nexus of the Kingdom, with its own local community at the heart of a diversified economy. Attracted by and in support of this growth and potential, PwC Middle East has reaffirmed its commitment to the RCUs direction for the long-term development of the region, and to conserve, protect, and develop AlUla. AlUla's development is in-line with the wider Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia and its objectives to transform its cities with livability, smart design and sustainability as core principles alongside diversifying its economy away from oil towards greater resilience and sustainability. AlUla will play a key role in this diversification and cultural openness, becoming a flagship project in urban planning, sustainable ecosystems and balanced agriculture that preserves the natural and cultural landscapes, as well as empowering the local community with new economic opportunities and improved quality of life. PwC Middle East's engagement in AlUla to join in RCU's development of AlUla includes: • Opening an office in AlUla itself, encouraged by the growth of the region and greater regional and international transport connections. • Implementing two community outreach initiatives delivered by PwC's Academy, the learning and education business of PwC Middle East, in-line with RCU's own commitment to the people of AlUla: the Entrepreneurs Capacity Development Program and the Youth Capacity Development Program. Riyadh Al Najjar, KSA country senior leader at PwC Middle East said: "We are proud of our alliance in AlUla; and are delighted to take part, yet again, in supporting the Kingdom's transformation through achieving its Vision 2030 objectives. "We are working hand-in-hand with RCU to develop the local community through the recent opening of our office as well as the training programs we are offering on-ground. We look forward to what is yet to come." Amr Al Madani, CEO of Royal Commission for AlUla added: "We welcome PwC Middle East's latest engagement in AlUla and their shared commitment to empowering the community here — the true guardians and cultural heart of AlUla. "PwC's engagement is testament to the diversified, sustainable, and resilient economy developing here in AlUla, including the community in every sector and at every level. We are renewing and revitalizing AlUla's historic status as a global nexus and cultural crossroads, PwC Middle East's commitment is a further step along this path." — SG
