المملكة: Saudi Arabia enhances coral reef restoration efforts through a global training initiative
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken a qualitative step on the international scene in the field of environmental efforts to restore and revive Red Sea reefsand their restoration, as coral reefs are considered one of the most important and resilient marine ecosystems in the world.
A global Saudi initiative
The course was organized in partnership between the G20 Global Coral Reef Research and Development Acceleration Platform (CORDAP) and the Energy and Water Academy (EWA), with direct support from Acwa, in a clear embodiment of the growing sense of national commitment to protecting coral reef ecosystems. And restoring them in the Red Sea.
This foundation course falls within an initial phase launched from Saudi Arabia, to be expanded later to other regions around the world, within the framework of a global Saudi initiative to build skills and capabilities for planning and effective implementation of restoration efforts, which include planting and restoring coral reefs, enhancing habitats and increasing their size.
The initiative aims to transfer specialized knowledge and train practitioners in coral reef restoration, enabling them to transfer expertise and skills to their various countries and sectors. The scalable model trained thousands of specialists in the field of coral reef restoration locally and globally.
Thanks to the global environmental importance of the Red Sea and the Kingdom’s growing marine research infrastructure, Saudi Arabia was an ideal point to launch this specialized initiative, strengthening its position as a major contributor to the development of coral reef restoration science and practices around the world.
Building specialized national expertise
The course highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gap between the best scientific research in the field of coral reef restoration and practical application on the ground. Despite the remarkable acceleration in scientific developments, including research projects supported by the G20 Global Coral Reef Research and Development Acceleration Platform (CORDAP), opportunities for practical training based on scientific evidence remain limited.
By launching the training initiative locally, the training course provided Saudi practitioners, marine environmental managers and experts in the field of coral reef restoration and restoration with the opportunity to acquire practical skills tailored to the unique environmental conditions of the Red Sea, enhancing the efficiency of national efforts to protect this ecosystem.
Experts from major sectors concerned with protecting the marine environment and restoring coral reefs in Saudi Arabia participated in the course, including the Red Sea International Company, the National Center for Wildlife Development, and the Saudi Marine Sports and Diving Federation.
The participants described the course as an inspiring and qualitative experience, which contributed to deepening their scientific understanding and enhancing their applied skills in restoring coral reefs.
Luis Arturo Alcantara Torres from the Red Sea Company said: International: "It was an exceptional opportunity to enhance my knowledge of coral reef restoration and restoration techniques, and to network with colleagues working on similar efforts within the Kingdom."
Abu Bakr Al-Aidaroos, Senior Director of Marine Operations and Diving at the Saudi Marine Sports and Diving Federation, added: "The course covered all stages of the restoration process, from site assessment and species selection, to reef planting and maintenance. It was a unique experience that opened new horizons for me and strengthened my passion for coral reef conservation and restoration."
Integrated educational methodology
The program included a visit to the aquarium facilities and research laboratories at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), where participants learned about the pioneering efforts led by the university in coral reef research at the regional and global levels.
The training was provided by experts from Ocean Revive and the Coralium Lab of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), within an educational methodology that combines theory and practice. Practical.
In addition to developing skills, the course contributed to laying the first seed for building a specialized community from various sectors concerned with protecting coral reefs in Saudi Arabia to cooperate in restoration efforts. It also formed a starting base for developing the training content and implementation mechanisms on which a series of future training programs will be based that the Global Platform for Accelerating Coral Reef Research and Development intends to launch in cooperation with its partners.
By launching this initiative from Saudi Arabia, the Global Platform for Accelerating Coral Reef Research and Development of the G20, the Energy and Water Academy, and Aqua Company, along with the Red Sea International Company, the Saudi Marine Sports and Diving Federation, the National Center for Wildlife Development, and partners are all contributing International organizations, in consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a regional center for knowledge, innovation, and leadership in the field of environmental restoration, while laying a solid foundation for an integrated international effort aimed at accelerating the restoration of coral reefs and expanding their scope globally.
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