Prince Raqan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz took the helm of what is widely regarded as the kingdom’s crown jewel following the issuance of a royal decree appointing him governor of Diriyah.
The appointment was made as part of a series of royal decrees issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, on Thursday, highlighting the strategic importance of Diriyah at a critical juncture in its transformation.
Diriyah occupies a unique place in Saudi history as the birthplace of the Saudi state and a powerful symbol of national unity. An ambitious development program is currently reinventing the area into a world-renowned cultural destination, reflecting its historic role as a commercial hub and a thriving center of learning and culture.
Prince Raqan bin Salman’s appointment coincides with a defining moment for the province, which is transforming from the historic capital of the early Saudi state into a world-class cultural and tourism destination designed for the 21st century.
Prince Rakan was born in 1997 as King Salman’s youngest son. He holds a bachelor’s degree in law from King Saud University in Riyadh and brings a legal background to his role in blending cultural heritage preservation with modern governance.
His leadership comes amid unprecedented momentum in the development of Diriyah. Diriyah is no longer seen as just a historic site, but is now a vast integrated development area with the ambition to attract up to 100 million tourists a year by 2030.
At the forefront of the new governor’s agenda is a portfolio of landmark projects, most notably the multi-billion dollar Diriyah Gate development. The project includes the historic At to Life district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and includes extensive plans to strengthen Diriyah’s position as a global hub for arts, culture and international experiences.
