Saudi Arabia works to protect coral reefs alongside its coasts
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) announced that it has received a grant from Amazon Saudi Arabia to support a research project aimed at preserving and protecting coral reefs along the coasts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The project will provide new tools to contribute to the leading global environmental initiative called the Global Platform for Accelerating Coral Reef Research and Development.
The member states of the G-20 summit had launched the global initiative led by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology as a major party to the initiative, during the Kingdom’s presidency and hosting of the summit in 2020.
The research project will study the ability of coral reefs on the coasts of the Red Sea in the Kingdom to withstand the face of climate threats facing them at the global level.
According to a university statement, the project is in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, in stimulating growth and economic diversification, environmental sustainability, and developing the public services sector.
Dr. Hatem Samman, head of public policy for Amazon in Saudi Arabia, said that Amazon is committed to improving environmental conditions and preserving biodiversity in the communities.
He explained that the research project will address various aspects of preserving and protecting coral reefs, including the causes of coral bleaching associated with high water temperatures, specifically the role of low oxygen concentration in water in the occurrence of this phenomenon.
The project will also include launching an awareness campaign targeting the general public in the Kingdom to enhance the level of awareness of the importance of coral reefs to the marine environment.
Coral reefs are found along the coasts of the Red Sea in the Kingdom, which are known for their resilience, and are an ideal environment for scientific research related to addressing and reversing the effects of threats facing coral reefs globally.
