The King Khalid University-organized “Forest Fire Prevention Forum”, launched today, Sunday, August 11th, 2024, in Riyadh. The forum comes in cooperation with the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, and in partnership with The Australian, Monash University; in the presence of a number of government agencies, private companies, universities and consulting offices related to the field of vegetation management and development in the Kingdom.

The Vice Dean of King Khalid University for Graduate Studies and Research, Prof. Hamid bin Majdou’ Al-Qarni, confirmed that the university is highly interested in the sustainability of vegetation in the Kingdom, as an embodiment of its 2030 strategy through academic programs, research projects, and local and global partnerships, which are in line with the kingdom’s environmental needs, in addition to achieving national targets according to scientific and methodological foundations.

Al-Qarni noted the interest of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the vegetation cover, particularly the forest area, as clearly highlighted in the launch of the initiatives of His Highness, the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - may God protect him - “The Green Saudi Initiative” and “The Green Middle East Initiative.”

He explained that the partnership with the National Center for Vegetation Development and Desertification Control continued for 18 months, during which cooperation with the authorities took place; directly and indirectly related to forest protection and sustainability. In addition to cooperation with Monash University, which extended internationally due to global expertise in the field of combating forest fires.

It is worth noting that the forum included various interactive training workshops and sessions, such as the fire management program, the nature of fires in the kingdom, fires management, dangers, and impact. In addition to the mechanisms needed to combat forest fires.