Latest news with #NationalEnvironmentStrategy
Arab News
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Environmental Week highlights Saudi Arabia's sustainability vision
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched Saudi Environment Week on Sunday, themed 'Our Environment is a Treasure,' to showcase the Kingdom's efforts in ecosystem protection and sustainable development. A highlight was the debut of the National Environmental Performance Index, a strategic tool to monitor environmental progress and guide policy. The event, inaugurated by Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli in Riyadh, brings together government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and local communities to promote eco-friendly practices and collective responsibility. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir also attended, with the event featuring environmental presentations, agreement signings, and children's performances to encourage positive environmental behavior. Activities include nationwide exhibitions, workshops on biodiversity and renewable energy, and forums for green innovations. The new index, which Al-Fadhli described as essential for informed decision-making, will track environmental metrics like air quality, water conservation, and biodiversity. It aims to align national development with ecological priorities, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's commitment to sustainable growth. Al-Fadhli stressed the Kingdom's leadership in sustainability, prioritizing natural resource protection and societal responsibility. He said that the index ensures accountability and progress as the country builds a greener future. Al-Fadhli toured the exhibition, featuring sections on vegetation cover, desertification control, biodiversity, waste management, meteorology, and environmental compliance. The exhibition also includes workshops highlighting Saudi Arabia's role in fostering environmental cooperation, raising awareness, encouraging private sector investments in sustainable projects, and advancing technology. The ministry emphasized that the newly introduced index serves as a nationwide monitoring tool, developed in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme. It is designed to align with government bodies, environmental organizations, and national centers, ensuring cohesion with Saudi Arabia's ecological priorities. Key goals include evaluating environmental health, identifying change drivers, and establishing an early detection system for sustainability challenges and progress. By tracking progress toward environmental targets, the ministry noted that the index identifies gaps for urgent action, enabling data-driven policy adjustments. Phase 1 focuses on five core areas linked to the National Environment Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030: wildlife conservation, green space expansion, waste management efficiency, pollution levels in air, soil, and water, and weather forecasting accuracy. Phase 2 will address emerging priorities, such as climate change metrics, reflecting their importance in long-term environmental planning. The ministry stressed that the index will provide policymakers with actionable insights, driving improvements in ecological resilience, public health, and quality of life for Saudi citizens. The National Fisheries Development Center has joined the celebrations of Saudi Environment Week. Riyadh Al-Fageeh, director general of the center, said: 'Our participation highlights the importance of preserving the environment, raising awareness, and strengthening quality of life goals. We aim to emphasize the role of institutions and individuals in maintaining ecological balance, aligned with Vision 2030.' He added: 'Saudi Environment Week reaffirms the Kingdom's commitment to protecting natural resources and leading regional efforts in sustainability. We encourage all citizens and residents to actively participate and contribute to a cleaner, greener future.'
Leaders
18-04-2025
- Science
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia, UK Collaborate on Marine Biodiversity Projects
Saudi Arabia's National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK's National Oceanography Center (NOC) in Riyadh to cooperate on marine biodiversity projects, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The pact seeks to enhance cooperation on maintaining the sustainability of marine environments and monitoring the health of sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles, dugongs, mangroves, seagrass, and other species. According to the MoU, both entities will conduct several studies to identify the impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems through advanced technologies designed to precisely track these activities and mitigate their potential harm. Furthermore, both centers will organize training workshops tackling how to protect marine and coastal wildlife and their habitats. The NCW's CEO Mohammed Qurban said the agreement would help converse wildlife, protect ecosystems, as well as restore ecological balance. 'Global collaboration is essential to achieve NOC's vision of gaining a deeper knowledge of the ocean to help every living thing on our planet flourish,' the NOC's Deputy Director Alex Rogers said. From rich tropical coral reefs and seagrass beds to deep-sea ecosystems, the seas around the Kingdom boast a wealth of biodiversity. 'The collaboration between NCW and NOC will generate critical data on the distribution of species and their ecosystem functioning,' Rogers added. The partnership stands as a testament to the Kingdom's commitment to boosting environmental development through the Saudi Vision 2030, the National Environment Strategy, and the Saudi Green Initiative. Related Topics: KAUST Secures Japan Prize for its Advanced Marine Ecosystem Research Saudi Arabia Discovers Remains of Marine Creatures 56 Million Years Old Saudi Arabia Launches First Coastal Tourism Insurance to Boost Marine Activities Short link : Post Views: 24
Gulf Insider
12-04-2025
- General
- Gulf Insider
25 Endangered Species Released Into Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Royal Reserve
A total of 25 endangered native species were released into the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve. The initiative was carried out by the National Center for Wildlife, in cooperation with the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority. This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts to breed and reintroduce endangered species into their natural habitats. The released animals included five Arabian oryxes, 15 sand gazelles, two steppe eagles, and three Egyptian vultures. This action aligns with the center's mission to reintroduce native species, restore ecological balance, and enrich biodiversity within natural reserves. The release marks a continuation of the center's nation-wide efforts to rehabilitate ecosystems and implement breeding programs for endangered species. These efforts contribute to the goals of the National Environment Strategy and support the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative, reflecting the Kingdom's vision for protecting natural resources and promoting their sustainability. 124 houbara bustards reintroduced into King Salman Royal Reserve The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has reintroduced 124 rare houbara bustards across the reserve. This comes as part of the authority's ongoing efforts to release numerous endangered species into natural habitats within the reserve, carefully monitoring their condition, and recording their data through a field team. The houbara bustard nests in open ground, forming a shallow, unlined hole, often located near a short shrub. Its length ranges from 55 to 75 cm. Male houbara bustards weigh between 1,800 and 3,200 grams, while females weigh between 1,200 and 1,700 grams. Its range of movement in search of food is 60 km per day, and it feeds on grains, plants, insects, and worms. The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve is the largest wildlife reserve in the Middle East, covering an area of 130,700 square kilometers. The reintroduction programs for endangered species confirm the authority's commitment to its ongoing efforts to enrich biodiversity and conserve species whose numbers have declined due to factors including environmental pressures and loss of vegetation cover.
Saudi Gazette
10-04-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
25 endangered species released into Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — A total of 25 endangered native species were released into the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve. The initiative was carried out by the National Center for Wildlife, in cooperation with the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority. This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts to breed and reintroduce endangered species into their natural habitats. The released animals included five Arabian oryxes, 15 sand gazelles, two steppe eagles, and three Egyptian vultures. This action aligns with the center's mission to reintroduce native species, restore ecological balance, and enrich biodiversity within natural reserves. The release marks a continuation of the center's nation-wide efforts to rehabilitate ecosystems and implement breeding programs for endangered species. These efforts contribute to the goals of the National Environment Strategy and support the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative, reflecting the Kingdom's vision for protecting natural resources and promoting their sustainability. 124 houbara bustards reintroduced into King Salman Royal Reserve The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has reintroduced 124 rare houbara bustards across the reserve. This comes as part of the authority's ongoing efforts to release numerous endangered species into natural habitats within the reserve, carefully monitoring their condition, and recording their data through a field team. The houbara bustard nests in open ground, forming a shallow, unlined hole, often located near a short shrub. Its length ranges from 55 to 75 cm. Male houbara bustards weigh between 1,800 and 3,200 grams, while females weigh between 1,200 and 1,700 grams. Its range of movement in search of food is 60 km per day, and it feeds on grains, plants, insects, and worms. The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve is the largest wildlife reserve in the Middle East, covering an area of 130,700 square kilometers. The reintroduction programs for endangered species confirm the authority's commitment to its ongoing efforts to enrich biodiversity and conserve species whose numbers have declined due to factors including environmental pressures and loss of vegetation cover.
Arab News
10-04-2025
- General
- Arab News
Endangered species find new home in Saudi royal reserve
RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife has released 25 animals from endangered species into the King Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve. The initiative, in partnership with the reserve's development authority, is part of a broader program to breed and reintroduce endangered species to their natural habitats. The animals — five Arabian oryx, 15 Arabian sand gazelles, two steppe eagles and three Egyptian vultures — have been released in an effort to reestablish native species in their natural environments, restore ecological balance and enhance biodiversity in Saudi Arabia's protected areas. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, said it was 'another step toward achieving our vision for wildlife development in the Kingdom.' He emphasized it demonstrated the center's commitment to breeding endangered species according to international standards, enhancing biodiversity and achieving environmental sustainability targets under Saudi Vision 2030. The program also reflects the center's dedication to collaborating with environmental partners to achieve common goals that reflected the Kingdom's efforts to balance economic development with the protection of natural resources. It continues the center's work in ecosystem rehabilitation and endangered species breeding, supporting the National Environment Strategy and Saudi Green Initiative. Qurban added the work also boosted tourism, created jobs and led to improved quality of life in local communities. The initiatives are implemented through specialized centers considered among the world's best in breeding and reintroduction, applying international standards and practices to ensure successful releases and ecological balance.
