Starmer signs deals to share UK’s cultural expertise with Saudi Arabia

The UK government has made multiple partnership deals agreeing to share the country’s “top-tier” expertise in culture, heritage and tourism with Saudi Arabia.

Under arrangements still to be finalised, Historic England will cooperate with the Saudi Heritage Commission, with experts from both countries sharing their knowledge and skills to support the preservation of cultural landmarks in Saudi Arabia.

The partnership will see Historic England help develop training programmes for Saudi Arabian specialists in the conservation, restoration and rehabilitation of heritage buildings and monuments, as well as assist in developing a new strategy for protecting the country’s industrial heritage.

In a second deal, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Business and Trade will collaborate with the Royal Commission for the city of AlUla (RCU) in Medina province.

Over the next 11 years, the agreement aims to drive two million tourists annually to the area – home to the Hegra archaeological site – generating $32 billion for its economy.

Running for five years, the project also aims to develop local community skills in AlUla through training programmes, seminars and workshops and will see the UK share its knowledge and expertise in creative sectors, including music, theatre, cinema and fashion.

The deal with RCU was agreed on Monday (9 December) by Exports Minister Gareth Thomas and Arts Minister Chris Bryant.

DCMS said the alliance would enable the UK’s creative and cultural institutions to become “key stakeholders and points of contact” for RCU, representing a “significant commercial opportunity for those UK organisations, who stand to benefit from long-term working relationships, new business opportunities and increased visibility in Saudi Arabia, while also driving further tourism to the UK”.

Meanwhile, a further partnership has been agreed upon between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the British Council that DCMS said would “accelerate the UK’s collaboration” through “culture, training and research”.

‘Attracting investment for the UK’

The announcement comes as Starmer visits the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, seeking to attract investment for the UK.

DCMS said the Prime Minister hopes to pursue closer relations with both countries to “increase investment, deepen defence and security ties, and drive growth and opportunities at home and abroad”.

His plans appear to align with those of the previous government. Last year, former government Arts Minister Lord Parkinson visited Saudi Arabia for fresh talks over possible collaboration on arts and culture between the UK and Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, in February, the Science Museum, financially supported by DCMS, signed an agreement with the Ministry of Culture for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to create a “museums hub” in Riyadh.

The UK isn’t the only country looking to boost its cultural organisations through collaboration with Saudi Arabia. Last week, the Middle Eastern nation pledged €50 million towards the €262 million refurb of the Pompidou Centre in Paris as part of a broader ten-year cultural partnership between Saudi Arabia and France.

Under a partnership deal signed by Saudi Arabia and the Pompidou Centre last year, the French gallery will loan works to a new contemporary museum planned for AlUla.

‘A high-level art washing exercise’

Earlier this year, representatives of UK arts and culture organisations were censured for taking part in a government-backed trade mission to capitalise on business opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

Delegates, including the chief executives of the Royal Opera and Ballet, the National Theatre, the Southbank Centre and the Edinburgh International Festival, were criticised by campaigners, saying their attendance posed serious ethical questions amounting to a “high-level art washing exercise.”

Speaking to Arts Professional, James Lynch, co-founder of Fair Square, which campaigns for workers’ rights in the Gulf, said that the continuation of strengthened cultural and business links with Saudi Arabia under Labour was “confirmation that, although we have a new government in the UK, direction of travel with the Gulf is not going to change.

“This is a government that is focused on the growth agenda. And so anyone who thought that because we now have a government headed by a human rights lawyer, it would mean that human rights would somehow be at the centre of our relations with the Gulf, I think, is going to be disappointed.

“I think what we can expect with all the Gulf states is a continuation of the policy of at least the last 15 to 20 years, which is the prioritisation of trade, investment ties, energy ties, security and defence.

“DCMS is the ministry in the UK that is responsible for free media, so by partnering with Saudi Arabia, it does somewhat legitimise a regime that has absolutely no interest in free expression. And that is, I think, cause for concern.

“The reality is that human rights violations are still happening. I think we shouldn’t be naive about the fact that by participating in these sorts of partnerships, UK organisations will support a realignment of Saudi Arabia that obscures the fact that this is still a country in a human rights crisis and deep repression. “

‘Forging new partnerships’

Discussing the UK’s new cultural collaboration agreements with Saudi Arabia, Starmer said: “I’m pleased the UK is forging new partnerships with Saudi Arabia to protect the cultural heritage of AlUla by harnessing British expertise.

“Through deeper economic ties with key partners such as Saudi Arabia, we can unlock growth and new opportunities both at home and abroad to deliver change that is felt by working people in the UK.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “The UK is a world leader in cultural heritage and conservation. Our experts at Historic England are opening up a new frontier of international heritage cooperation as they work with their Saudi counterparts to safeguard some of the Middle East’s most significant cultural landmarks.

“These collaborations highlight the global influence of the UK’s culture and tourism sectors and the positive benefits of sharing our knowledge and skills with international partners.”

Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds added: “The UK has one of the best cultural, creative and educational offers and I’m delighted we are partnering with the Royal Commission for AlUla to support the enhancement of this beautiful heritage site.

“This collaboration will strengthen our partnership with Saudi Arabia and provide British service providers with an opportunity to showcase their expertise in an exciting and dynamic economy.”