First International Forum For Saudi Reef In Al-Ahsa To Promote Sustainable Development And Community Empowerment

The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA) will host the first International Forum for Saudi Reef from December 16-18 in Al-Ahsa. This event, under the patronage of Governor Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, aims to empower rural communities and enhance their role in sustainable development.

Dr. Maha Aldhahi, head of the Forum's Executive Committee, highlighted the significance of this event. She stated: "The forum is supported and enjoys the attention of Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, governor of Al-Ahsa." This initiative aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Saudi Vision 2030.

The forum seeks to strengthen rural communities by gathering global experts to address rural-to-urban migration. It will offer practical solutions for achieving sustainable rural prosperity. The event builds on the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (Reef Saudi), recognized by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization as a leading development program globally.

Reef Saudi supports over 77,000 agricultural projects, achieving more than 65% of its targets in key sectors within the Kingdom. This program plays a crucial role in advancing rural development and sustainability efforts across Saudi Arabia.

Eng. Ghassan Bakri, Secretary General of the Reef Saudi Program, emphasized that this program serves as an exemplary model for sustainable development. It addresses critical issues like food security, job creation, and cultural heritage preservation while fostering global partnerships.

The forum will focus on sharing best practices in sustainable agriculture and rural entrepreneurship. It highlights integrating traditional agricultural techniques with modern innovations to build a more sustainable future.

Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030

This inaugural forum aims to lay the groundwork for developing both local and global communities. MEWA's efforts through this event contribute significantly to building a more resilient future by balancing rural and urban development in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.

The forum represents a pivotal step towards empowering rural areas and enhancing their contribution to sustainable growth. By addressing key challenges and promoting innovative solutions, it seeks to create lasting impacts on both local and international levels.

With inputs from SPA