Riyadh: The “Hima” Protected Areas Forum and the accompanying exhibition, organized by the National Center for Wildlife in Riyadh, were officially inaugurated today by Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and Chairman of the Board of the National Center for Wildlife Engineer Abdulrahman AlFadli.
The event, held from April 21 to April 24, is the first of its kind in the region, and attracts local and international participants.
The forum’s agenda boasts a rich program featuring presentations and lectures by esteemed experts, scientists, and practitioners in the field of protected areas. Discussions will delve into the pivotal role of protected areas in Saudi Arabia in conserving nature and advancing the objectives of the National Environmental Strategy.
Among the key topics to be tackled is the harmonization of local and global efforts toward achieving the 30×30 goal, which aims to safeguard 30% of the Kingdom’s land and sea by 2030. The forum will also shed light on the historical significance o
f protected areas in Saudi Arabia, conservation practices rooted in ancient Arab culture, and the critical role of marine protected areas in preserving marine ecosystems.
Complementing the forum are workshops focusing on the importance of community engagement in protected areas and its impact on conservation efforts. Discussions will also touch on ecotourism in protected areas, the importance of innovation and technology in nature conservation, and the multifaceted economic and social benefits derived from protected areas.
The forum and exhibition have attracted a diverse array of participants, including representatives of local and international protected areas, educational institutions, major projects, companies, and non-profit organizations.
National Center for Wildlife CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban stressed the center’s pivotal role as the national authority for the wildlife sector. He said that the “Hima” forum aligns with the center’s strategic plan to enhance the national system of protected areas, in lin
e with the Kingdom’s overarching commitment to safeguard critical natural sites for biodiversity conservation.
He said the Saudi Green Initiative includes the ambitious target of protecting 30% of the Kingdom’s land and sea area by 2030, now a globally recognized objective under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
Underlining the importance of expanding and effectively managing protected areas, Qurban stressed their crucial role in environmental development, biodiversity enrichment, environmental degradation mitigation, ecosystem rehabilitation, carbon capture and storage, wetland protection, water conservation, groundwater replenishment, and biodiversity promotion.
He also underscored the broader benefits of protected areas, which extend beyond environmental considerations to encompass social and economic advantages such as bolstering food security, creating tourism and employment opportunities, serving as seed banks and food sources, and fostering significant private sector engagement.
Qurban sai
d the forum is a platform for global leaders in protected area management to transfer knowledge and communicate, to ensure that actions are in line with the established standards.
Since its creation in 2019, the National Center for Wildlife has been dedicated to implementing plans to address threats to terrestrial and marine wildlife, with a vision of fostering a flourishing and sustainable natural environment, biodiversity, and ecological systems.
The center’s mission centers on wildlife preservation, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem protection through community engagement in comprehensive and effective programs aimed at achieving environmental sustainability and maximizing social and economic benefits.
Source: Saudi Press Agency