Hammamet: A delegation from the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), representing Saudi Arabia, participated in the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026 NENA Regional Conference, held in Hammamet, Tunisia. The conference was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in cooperation with international and regional partners.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the NCVC's delegation engaged in the conference's high-level dialogue alongside ministers and senior officials from across the region to discuss overarching policies for rangeland governance and sustainability. The delegation also provided scientific and technical inputs during the session on mainstreaming biodiversity in rangeland management, and presented Saudi Arabia's experience and innovations during the session on research and innovation in rangeland management.
The delegation also showcased national initiatives and achievements in regulating grazing and rehabilitating natural rangelands, and presented videos and posters documenting key milestones, including Guinness World Records achievements.
This participation underscores Saudi Arabia's leading role in environmental issues at the regional and international levels, particularly in light of its COP16 Presidency under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and its current chairpersonship of the Near East Forestry and Range Commission for the Near East and North Africa.
According to NCVC, the participation aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives to build a thriving environment and achieve sustainable development, and reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting rangelands and pastoralists and enhancing the sustainability of rangeland ecosystems, contributing to the protection of natural resources, food security, and efforts to combat desertification.