His Excellency, Minister of Environment Water and Agriculture (MEWA), Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley witnessed today the launch of the first edition of Sustainability Innovation Week, organized by the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority in collaboration with MEWA. The "Innovating for a Sustainable Tomorrow" event will take place from December 9 to 11, 2024, in UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh. The event aims to explore innovative and sustainable solutions to address environmental, water, and agricultural challenges in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Several initiatives were unveiled, underscoring Saudi Arabia's dedication to innovation and sustainability. Among them was the collaboration between MEWA and KAUST with global research institutions aimed to transform water sustainability practices through advanced technologies. Additionally, the tripartite agreement between, the National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture (ESTIDAMA), and KAUST focuses on innovative research into the use of algae-based biostimulants to enhance soil quality. In addition, The National Center for Palms and Dates announced four major research and innovation projects totaling 100 million Riyals. Also, NEOM and the University of Tabuk have designed a comprehensive program to address the critical shortage of skilled professionals in agricultural sustainability. This program provides a robust educational pathway in plant sciences and technology, equipping graduates to meet industry and academic demands.
The first edition of Sustainability Innovation Week is an unprecedented event, offering attendees the opportunity to participate in over 40 sessions featuring 70 speakers to discuss key challenges.