Saudi Arabia Sets Stage For Inaugural Hima Protected Areas Forum In April 2024

Saudi Arabia is poised to host the first-ever Protected Areas Forum, known as 'Hima', a pivotal event focusing on the conservation of natural habitats and wildlife. Scheduled from April 21-24, 2024, in Riyadh, this forum is under the auspices of Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadli, Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, and Chairman of the National Center for Wildlife (NCW). This gathering signifies a major step in the Kingdom's commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability, drawing participants from both local and international spheres.

The forum's agenda is packed with panel discussions and presentations by leading global experts in protected area management. It aims to be a melting pot for representatives from various sectors including educational institutions, major projects, companies, and non-profit organizations. Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of NCW, regards the Hima forum as evidence of Saudi Arabia's leadership in global environmental initiatives and its strategic alignment with NCW's mission to oversee the wildlife sector.

One of the forum's highlights is the Kingdom's ambitious 30x30 goal, which seeks to protect 30% of its land and sea areas by 2030. This initiative was announced as part of the Green Saudi Initiative and aligns with global biodiversity and environmental sustainability goals. The roadmap towards achieving this includes specific targets for land and marine protection by 2025 and 2030.

Dr. Qurban emphasized the importance of international collaboration in enhancing the planning and management of protected areas. Such cooperation is crucial for effective conservation efforts that have broad environmental, social, and developmental benefits. Since its inception in 2019, NCW has been at the forefront of addressing challenges facing wildlife and marine ecosystems in Saudi Arabia. With a vision for thriving wildlife and biodiversity, NCW's efforts are geared towards preserving environmental systems while promoting community engagement for long-term sustainability.

The Hima forum represents a significant stride in advancing environmental conservation efforts within Saudi Arabia and beyond. By fostering collaboration, sharing expertise, and setting ambitious conservation goals, the Kingdom is well-positioned to make a substantial impact on biodiversity preservation and environmental sustainability for future generations.

With inputs from SPA