Crossroads 2021

At the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the sustained harmony between humans and nature informs every step of the development of the AlUla region. This harmony informs our innovative and integrated approach to sustainability, encompassing environmental, cultural, economic, and social dimensions.

Through Crossroads, we will bring together “solution-driven” global experts across all sectors to challenge and fine tune ideas regarding sustainability, pertaining to the future growth of AlUla and the key elements of the Journey Through Time Masterplan.

Nick Baker, a renowned naturalist and TV presenter, led a 67-minute virtual panel highlighting the importance of wildlife protection and conservation in AlUla, a region celebrated for its stunning natural beauty. The discussion underscored the urgent need for sustainable conservation practices to restore and preserve the wildlife and their habitats, raising critical questions about the future of nature reserve management and conservation strategies in AlUla.

The panel featured insights from distinguished experts, including HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud, the Saudi Ambassador to the US and founder of Catmosphere; Dr Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace; Dr Max Graham, CEO of Space for Giants; Dr Hany Tatwany, Managing Director of the Arabian Leopard Fund; and Elisabeth Dodinet, Head of Botanical Resource and Product Development at AFALULA. They shared various concepts and best practices, addressing the imperative of large-scale nature conservation and the potential business case for it in AlUla.

Dr Maliha Hashmi, Executive Director of Health, Well-Being, and Biotech at NEOM, led a 65-minute virtual panel challenging conventional perspectives on sustainability. The discussion emphasised the need to blend ancient wisdom with modern innovations to forge new paths in sustainability, particularly drawing on 200,000 years of human history in AlUla to inspire and redefine our approach to sustainable development.

The panel featured insights from Alejandro Agag, a noted businessman and entrepreneur; Matteo Renzi, the former Prime Minister of Italy; William McDonough, an architect and leader in sustainable design; James Hardcastle, the Director of IUCN’s Green List; Carlos Duarte, a prominent figure in biological oceanography; and Gerard Mestrallet, Executive Chairman of AFALULA, the French Agency for AlUla Development. Together, they shared ideas and concepts, illustrating how the integration of historical insights and modern technology can revolutionise our approach to sustainability.