Protecting vegetation cover in Saudi Arabia: Documenting 492 forests and training personnel
Strategic partnership to promote environmental sustainability
In a pivotal step towards achieving environmental sustainability goals, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has revealed significant achievements of its Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification has resulted in the accurate documentation and mapping of 492 forests, covering a vast total area of 613,000 hectares. This natural resource is distributed across five vital regions: Al-Baha, Asir, Jazan, Makkah, and Madinah, providing a solid foundation for addressing climate challenges and supporting biodiversity.
General context: Within Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative
These efforts are part of the broader framework adopted by the Kingdom within Vision 2030, which places environmental protection and sustainability at the heart of its priorities. This project represents a cornerstone in achieving the ambitious goals of the "Saudi Green Initiative," which aims to plant 10 billion trees within the Kingdom and contribute to planting an additional 40 billion trees in the Middle East. Accurately surveying existing forests, assessing their condition, and pinpointing their locations is the first and essential step to ensure the success of future rehabilitation and afforestation plans, transforming deserts into green spaces.
Project importance and expected impact
These natural resources are of paramount environmental and economic importance. Locally, forests contribute to preserving the Kingdom's unique biodiversity, regulating water resources, and absorbing carbon, thus mitigating the effects of climate change. They also support the local economy by providing non-wood products such as honey and medicinal herbs, and open up promising opportunities for ecotourism, attracting visitors seeking stunning natural landscapes. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom's success in protecting and developing its vegetation cover serves as a model for combating desertification, a phenomenon threatening vast areas of the region and the world. These efforts also contribute directly to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 15 on "Life on Land.".
Building national capacities and developing infrastructure
The project's achievements extended beyond mere inventory and documentation to include human and institutional capacity building. A total of 175 employees from relevant agencies received training through 10 specialized courses, encompassing practical programs and field visits to learn about international best practices. At the institutional level, the General Directorate of Forests was established under the umbrella of the National Center for Vegetation Development, and the first national geographic database was launched to support evidence-based decision-making. Field efforts also included a thorough assessment of 18 degraded forest sites covering more than 20,000 hectares, paving the way for their rehabilitation and the restoration of their vital ecosystems.
Challenges and future vision
Despite these achievements, the FAO report highlighted remaining challenges that require concerted efforts, most notably limited data, the need to strengthen governance, and addressing environmental risks such as forest fires, the spread of invasive plant species, and water scarcity. The focus in the next phase will be on expanding the restoration of degraded lands, integrating fire management plans into national strategies, enhancing scientific research, and empowering local communities to actively participate in natural resource management, to ensure a sustainable balance that serves the environment, the economy, and society.
