Italy and Saudi Arabia sign $10B strategic partnership with major cultural agreements

During a state visit to Saudi Arabia, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to sign a $10 billion strategic partnership spanning energy, defense, transport, and culture. The cultural component includes a Memorandum of Understanding between Salone del Mobile Milano and Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture's Architecture and Design Commission to organize a satellite fair in the kingdom. Triennale Milano will advise on developing a Museum of Design in Saudi Arabia and co-organize exhibitions and training programs. The Italian Ministry of Culture confirmed two agreements between the Direzione Generale Musei and the Parco Archeologico di Pompei with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), focusing on archaeology, heritage conservation, and sustainable development of archaeological sites. Pompei will support the nascent Museum of Incense Road, and RCU will stage exhibitions in Italy. The deals follow a May 2023 memorandum signed in Venice. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli and Director General Massimo Osanna emphasized the strategic nature of the collaboration, which positions the Italian museum system as a unified international actor.