Today, King Khalid University wrapped up the 11th Symposium of Geography Departments across Saudi universities, under the theme “Sustainable Development and Its Future Prospects in the Asir Region.” Hosted by the Department of Geography at the College of Arts and Humanities, in collaboration with the Saudi Geographical Society, the symposium took place at the University’s Exhibition and Conference Center in Al-Fara’a. This event brought together some of the brightest minds—academics, researchers, and experts—in the fields of geography and sustainable development.

Dr. Khalid Abu Hakma, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, led the closing of the symposium, extending heartfelt thanks to all participants and speakers whose contributions played a crucial role in making this event a success. He highlighted the importance of the ideas and research shared throughout the event, which not only enriched the body of knowledge but also bolstered both national and global efforts toward achieving sustainable development goals.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Nasser bin Saeed Al-Zabnah, Chair of the symposium's scientific committee, delivered the final recommendations. Participants expressed their gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their unwavering support of education and sustainable development in the Kingdom. They also acknowledged the efforts of His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Asir, and his deputy for their dedication to advancing various development projects in the region.

One of the key recommendations was to establish a central Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing lab at King Khalid University, a facility that would be accessible to researchers for both academic studies and training purposes. By doing so, the university could drive economic returns while also advancing cutting-edge research. The participants further recommended adopting GIS technology across the Kingdom, particularly in the Asir region, as a tool to guide decision-making that directly impacts sustainable development.

The symposium underscored the need to launch sustainable tourism programs that capitalize on tourism clusters compatible with Asir’s natural resources. This would help maximize the value of seasonal tourism. In addition, participants suggested creating a geographical database that would feed into an interactive map atlas, showcasing the region’s tourist, heritage, and cultural sites. The symposium called for a concerted effort to promote conference and exhibition tourism, as well as heritage tourism activities, as a strategy to reduce tourism seasonality and ensure long-term sector sustainability.

Recommendations also emphasized the importance of preserving and modernizing the infrastructure of heritage villages, including roads and buildings, to maintain and enhance their historical value. The integration of artificial intelligence and GIS technology was recommended to make travel between tourist sites more efficient and safer. Importantly, the symposium championed “green” tourism programs that align with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s climate change strategy, urging the development of academic curricula that prepare researchers to focus on sustainable development in the Asir region.

In closing, the symposium honored its speakers and participants, recognizing their significant contributions. The event also featured a cultural heritage exhibition representing the Asir region and a field visit to the Jerash archaeological site. Participants underscored that the symposium’s primary objective was to promote actionable research and leverage the discipline of geography in support of sustainable development.

The two-day symposium drew over 300 attendees, including academics, researchers, and professionals. With six scientific sessions covering a range of topics, a specialized workshop on sustainable development, and a decision-making session attended by more than 150 participants, the event offered a platform for the presentation of 20 research papers and 10 scientific posters. The general session, featuring five keynote speakers, stimulated rich dialogue and knowledge exchange. King Khalid University’s continued hosting of such events underscores its commitment to fostering collaboration and integrating both national and international efforts in sustainable development.