Aseer Region Development Authority

In a step that reflects the depth of cultural cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Italian Republic, and under the direction of His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Aseer Region and Chairman of the Aseer Development Authority, the Aseer Development Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ASSORESTAURO, the Italian Association specialized in architectural, artistic, and civil restoration, to establish a long-term framework for cooperation in the protection, preservation, and restoration of cultural heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The agreement was signed during the Restoration Exhibition in Ferrara, Italy, in coordination with the Heritage Commission and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Authority by Acting CEO Dr. Amr Alomari, while the Italian side was represented by ASSORESTAURO Director Andrea Gritti. The MoU aims to strengthen international cooperation in protecting and restoring historical sites, heritage villages, and cultural assets, with a focus on sustainable development and the exchange of specialized expertise.

The memorandum focuses on implementing specialized training programs for capacity building and technical knowledge transfer, exchanging expertise in the restoration sector, developing applied projects and pilot sites for modern restoration techniques, organizing technical visits and professional exchange programs in Italy, and jointly participating in international conferences, exhibitions, and events dedicated to the preservation and conservation of cultural heritage.

This step represents a continuation of “The Ascent of Aseer” journey and reflects the Authority’s efforts to strengthen the role of architectural and cultural heritage as a developmental pillar that contributes to preserving local identity, enhancing the quality of the tourism experience, and developing specialized professional capabilities in the restoration and conservation of historical sites.

Acting CEO of the Aseer Development Authority, Dr. Amr Alomari, stated that this agreement, which comes under the umbrella of cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Italian Republic and under the direction of His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, represents a qualitative step within #TheAscentOfAseer toward safeguarding the region’s architectural and cultural identity. He noted that the agreement reflects the Authority’s commitment to adopting international best practices in preserving and rehabilitating heritage assets, ensuring their sustainability and transforming them into active contributors to cultural, economic, and tourism development, in coordination with the Heritage Commission and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He added:

“Aseer is home to a unique architectural and cultural legacy that forms an integral part of its national and human identity. Through this partnership with ASSORESTAURO, we seek to transfer specialized knowledge, empower national talents, and develop advanced restoration models that contribute to preserving the authenticity of historical sites while maximizing their developmental impact, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and reinforcing Aseer’s position as a year-round global destination.”