Mahmiyah Forum Drives Research Efforts to Support Nature Reserves

As Saudi Arabia expands its network of protected areas under Vision 2030, a new initiative is working to make sure scientific research keeps pace with the needs of the Kingdom’s most important natural landscapes.

That goal sits at the center of the University of Jeddah Forum for Environmental Sustainability, known as Mahmiyah, a two-day gathering bringing together researchers, policymakers, environmental specialists and conservation authorities to explore how academic research can better support the management of Saudi Arabia’s royal reserves. Held under the patronage of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, adviser to King Salman and governor of Makkah Region, the forum opened Wednesday in Jeddah with the signing of seven memoranda of understanding involving several organizations, including the National Center for Wildlife. Held under the theme “Protecting a Legacy… Sustaining a Nation,” the event features 10 panel discussions across 10 key themes with 31 speakers, alongside an exhibition showcasing environmental innovations and conservation practices from reserve development authorities, government agencies, environmental associations and research centers.

Beyond the discussions and partnerships, organizers say the forum has a broader aim: building a research framework rooted in the realities of conservation work on the ground. Dr. Shatha Ibrahim Al-Qurashi, chair of the forum’s scientific committee, told Arab News the long-term goal is to build a research agenda grounded in the actual needs of the reserves, an approach she said would support joint initiatives aimed at protecting reserves, sustaining natural resources, strengthening biodiversity and supporting ecosystem restoration. She described the gathering as a scientific and dialogue platform meant to bring together expertise and relevant organizations to strengthen coordination around environmental and biodiversity sustainability.

The initiative also reflects a shifting view of the role universities can play in national development, with Al-Qurashi explaining that the idea rests on a belief that universities shouldn’t just produce knowledge but should apply scientific research and academic expertise directly in support of national priorities.

Asked why the inaugural forum focuses specifically on royal reserves rather than issues like water or energy, Al-Qurashi said the reserves sit at an intersection of conservation, development and innovation, touching on priorities ranging from biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration to ecotourism, community development, capacity building and emerging technology. She said the choice closely aligns with the environmental sustainability goals of Vision 2030, though it doesn’t mean other environmental issues matter less.

Saudi Arabia currently manages eight royal reserves through independent development authorities, overseen by the Royal Reserves Council, established by royal decree in 2018 and chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. These reserves play a central role in the Kingdom’s goal of protecting 30 percent of its land and marine areas by 2030, one of the flagship commitments under the Saudi Green Initiative and the National Center for Wildlife.

Speaking at the forum, National Center for Wildlife Vice President Ahmad Al-Boug highlighted progress made since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the 2030 protection target in 2021, noting that the share of protected land has risen from 4.2 percent before Vision 2030 launched to 18.3 percent today, while protected marine areas have grown from 2.5 percent to 16.2 percent. He said protected areas remain a vital tool for conservation, safeguarding seeds, biodiversity and ecosystems within their boundaries.

For organizers, reaching long-term conservation goals will take more than expanding protected territory; it will also require stronger links between research institutions and the agencies managing natural habitats. Al-Qurashi said the university’s role complements rather than duplicates the work already underway by reserve authorities, with the university contributing scientific and research capabilities, data analysis and technology development, while the responsible agencies bring field knowledge, implementation experience and an understanding of real priorities and needs. The value of that collaboration, she said, becomes clear when scientific knowledge meets field experience and research is directed toward genuine needs in ways that produce practical solutions.

Those practical outcomes sit at the heart of the forum’s ambitions. Rather than centering on a single research question, the event was designed as a platform for dialogue and cooperation, giving experts from different fields a chance to identify shared challenges and potential solutions. Al-Qurashi said she hopes participants leave with ideas that create real opportunities for cooperation, and that connections made during the forum evolve into projects with a tangible impact on the environment and sustainability.

For Saudi Arabia’s researchers, conservationists and environmental policymakers, Mahmiyah represents a chance to bridge the gap between knowledge and action. As the Kingdom’s network of protected areas keeps growing, organizers believe ensuring that research is guided by real-world conservation needs could prove just as important as protecting the landscapes themselves.

Also Read:

Google Plans Direct Reporting of Child Abuse Content to Indian Authorities

Two Republican Senate Candidates Take Different Stance From Trump on Iran War