At SGI Talks, Royal Reserves CEOs Highlight the Vital Relationship Between Humans and Nature

Riyadh, December 07, 2024, SPA -- The third day of the Saudi Green Initiative Talks (SGI Talks) featured the participation of Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority CEO Dr. Talal Al-Harigi, and of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority CEO Andrew Zaloumis.
In the session titled “From Desert to Sanctuary: Rewilding Efforts to Restore Saudi Arabia’s Wildlife”, the two CEOs discussed the Kingdom's strategy to protect the environment and the essential relationship between humans and nature.
Also addressed were the efforts to establish nature reserves that contribute to the preservation of natural habitats throughout the Kingdom.
Zaloumis said that Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, which covers 1.8% of the total area of the Kingdom, hosts 50% of the native species living in the region in 15 diverse ecosystems, including volcanic mountains, wetlands, and seas.
“We are currently in the fourth phase of environmental assessment operations. Recently, we discovered the 800th wildlife species and added many new species to scientific references, as well as to the Kingdom’s records,” Zaloumis said.
Al-Harigi talked about the Kingdom's approach to land reclamation, a topic that aligns with the themes of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), hosted by Riyadh.
“First and foremost, natural habitats must be rehabilitated by working on land reclamation, where we can create suitable environments that ensure the growth and prosperity of native species in all forms, including plants, animals, and birds,” Al-Harigi said.
In this regard, Zaloumis said “it is amazing to see species that we thought were extinct. Thanks to land reclamation efforts and the restoration of natural habitats, we are now seeing species we never thought still existed. For example, wolves and hyenas used to live here, and they have returned to nature on their own”.
Both Al-Harigi and Zaloumis emphasized the importance of local community involvement in environmental conservation efforts under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, as part of Saudi Vision 2030 and SGI.
Zalomis said: “We have formed the first two all-female environmental ranger teams in the Middle East, and they are currently conducting monitoring patrols in the reserve with high efficiency, given their ability to communicate easily with women in the community.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Al-Harigi said “We launched a training program specifically for tour guides. Three women from the local community successfully completed the program and have become certified tour guides, currently providing tours.”
The SGI Talks are held daily, from 5 to 13 December, at 3 pm within the SGI Gallery, inside UNCCD COP16’s Green Zone.
Today’s session will consist of two parts, featuring “Mukuru Clean Stoves” founder and CEO Charlotte Magay, and Barakah app co-founder and CEO Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Saud.
-- SPA