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His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, launched the National Red Sea Sustainability Strategy.
This initiative is intended to help protect the region's fragile ecosystem while fostering economic diversification and sustainable development that forms a cornerstone of Vision 2030. Specifically, the initiative is intended to advance environmental sustainability and conservation in alignment with the Kingdom's national priorities for Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI).
“Through pioneering efforts in sustainability and environmental conservation”, said His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, “the Kingdom aspires for the Red Sea region to become a global reference for leading blue economy activities.”
With 1,800 kilometres of coastline which cover over 186,000 square kilometres, the Red Sea region is globally recognised for its extraordinary biodiversity which includes the world's fourth-largest barrier reef system and 6.2% of all global coral reefs. These natural assets underpin the strategy's dual aims of environmental preservation and economic growth. The framework targets a 30% increase in marine and coastal protected areas by 2030, increasing the region’s use of renewable energy to 50% of its total supply.
The strategy is structured around five strategic objectives: environmental sustainability, economic development, social development, safety and security, and governance and collaboration. Within this framework, 48 targeted initiatives aim to transform the Red Sea into a model for sustainable development. These initiatives are not only supposed to help protect the environment but also enhance the livelihoods of local communities and attract international investment in cutting-edge marine industries. It is therefore hoped that this will lead to the creation of thousands of jobs tied to blue economy sectors, such as ecotourism, fisheries, renewable energy, and shipping.
Initiatives such as the Red Sea Sustainability Strategy are intended to balance economic growth with ecological responsibility, thereby positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in sustainable development. To this end, many groundbreaking projects in maritime conservation and environmental protection have already been implemented. These include installing 760,000 solar panels, planting over five million plants, and reducing regional carbon emissions by over 46,000 tonnes. Additionally, mangrove restoration and coral regeneration projects are underway to ensure the long-term ecological health of the region’s shallow seas and littoral habitats.
The national Red Sea Sustainability Strategy demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s dedication to protecting its natural heritage while supporting both its national and local economies. By investing in this transformative initiative, the Kingdom is reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the Red Sea's future for generations to come, in line with its Vision 2030 aspirations.
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