Riyadh, December 8, 2024 – The Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia convened a high-level panel during the People’s Day at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 in Riyadh, titled "Sustainable Tourism and Land Restoration for People and Planet." The event brought together key stakeholders from government, international organizations, academia, industry, and civil society to discuss the pivotal role of sustainable tourism in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and building resilience in communities globally.
The panel, held as part of COP16’s thematic Land Day, explored the multifaceted ways in which sustainable tourism can contribute to land restoration efforts. Discussions centered around protecting natural habitats, promoting reforestation, funding conservation initiatives, and empowering local communities, all while aligning with global sustainability goals.
Ageel Alshaibani, Deputy Minister of Strategic Planning and Monitoring at the Ministry of Tourism, emphasized Saudi Arabia's leadership in integrating sustainability into its tourism sector. “In Saudi Arabia, we recognize the critical role that the travel and tourism sector plays in both economic and environmental sectors. We understand the vulnerabilities of the industry in the face of climate change, alongside its vast potential to drive global sustainable development. We are committed to transforming tourism practices to create lasting positive impacts, both economically and environmentally,” said Alshaibani.
A key highlight of the panel was the discussion around the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC), a multi-country, multi-stakeholder platform based in Riyadh. The STGC is designed to spearhead, expedite, and monitor the travel and tourism sector's transition toward more sustainable practices, serving as a global hub for collaboration and innovation in sustainability. This initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s vision of positioning itself as a leader in global sustainable tourism.
Moderated by Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, the former UNFCCC Executive Secretary and Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs, the panel brought together experts who discussed the challenges, opportunities, and best practices in promoting sustainable tourism and land restoration. Among the distinguished panelists were Princess Mashael bint Saud Al Shalan and Princess Noura bint Turki, co-founders of AEON Collective. Both emphasized their organization’s ongoing efforts to address desertification and enhance resilience in the region through sustainable practices and community-based solutions.
The panel underscored the significance of COP16 being held in the Middle East and North Africa region for the first time. The conference, which is the largest UN land conference to date, highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global leader in advancing the sustainable tourism agenda. Saudi Arabia’s integrated approach to sustainable tourism and environmental conservation reflects the principles of its Vision 2030. Vision 2030 positions tourism as a key driver of economic growth, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability, with the Kingdom making strides to balance these objectives in its tourism development strategies.
This event reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s leadership in shaping the global sustainable tourism agenda, fostering innovative and long-term solutions for land restoration, ecosystem conservation, and community resilience. It is a clear demonstration of the Kingdom’s commitment to leveraging its tourism sector to advance sustainability and environmental protection on both a national and global scale.