The National Center for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development (Estidamah) is participating in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17), held in Mongolia, as part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the conference, under the pavilion of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
The Center’s participation builds on Saudi Arabia’s active engagement in international environmental and agricultural initiatives, following the Kingdom’s presidency of COP16 in Riyadh and the global momentum it generated in supporting efforts to combat desertification, enhance resilience to drought, and promote sustainable land management.
Through the Ministry’s pavilion, Estidamah is showcasing a range of its research and applied initiatives in sustainable agriculture, modern agricultural technologies, and the development of practices that contribute to improving the efficiency of natural resource use, enhancing agricultural productivity, and addressing challenges related to water scarcity, drought, and land degradation.
As part of its participation in the conference, the Center is organizing a number of specialized workshops highlighting innovative Saudi solutions in areas such as smart greenhouses, precision agriculture, and the development of modern agricultural technologies. These efforts contribute to enhancing the sustainability of the agricultural sector and supporting food security amid environmental and climatic challenges.
The Center is also scheduled to participate in a joint session with the United Nations addressing the future of agriculture in controlled environments in drylands. The session will highlight the importance of modern agricultural systems and their role in improving production efficiency, optimizing resource use, and strengthening the agricultural sector’s capacity to adapt to the challenges of drought and desertification.
The Center’s participation represents a scientific and applied dimension that reflects the role of national research institutions in supporting the Kingdom’s objectives in agricultural sustainability by translating research, development, and innovation outcomes into practical, field-ready solutions. These efforts contribute to protecting natural resources, improving production efficiency, and supporting food security.
Estidamah’s participation in this international forum also underscores the importance of the presence of national research centers on specialized global platforms to highlight the Kingdom’s scientific and innovation capabilities and strengthen opportunities for cooperation and knowledge exchange with international organizations in the fields of sustainable agriculture, combating desertification, and adapting to the impacts of drought.