LONDON: Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi minister of culture and governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla, discussed strengthening cultural exchange with France’s minister of culture, Rachida Dati, in Paris on Wednesday.

The Saudi-French cultural cooperation will establish a Saudi section in the Center Pompidou, which is undergoing refurbishment, and will reopen to the public in 2030, the Royal Commission for AlUla announced.

According to the agreement, the RCU will provide 50 million euros to support the renovation of the Center Pompidou. This initiative is part of a larger Saudi-French collaboration aimed at developing the Museum of Contemporary Art in AlUla, in the western Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, a cultural and artistic program will be established for the upcoming years until 2030, focusing on modern and contemporary Saudi artists and using resources from the Center Pompidou. The initiative will facilitate exchanges between cultural professionals from France and Saudi Arabia, the RCU added.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening culture as a bridge for international dialogue and advancing sustainable development, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RCU also announced the Arduna exhibition, scheduled to take place during the AlUla Arts Festival in January 2026. The event is organized in collaboration with Arts AlUla, the Center Pompidou and the French Agency for AlUla Development. It will include workshops and live performances to support emerging talent and enhance AlUla’s cultural landscape.

The RCU said that it was working to strengthen AlUla’s position as a global hub for creativity, where heritage, innovation and knowledge come together to inspire future generations, according to SPA.