RIYADH: In a move to promote the maritime sector, Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Development and Logistics Program has partnered with the Sustainable Maritime Industry Conference taking place in Jeddah as a strategic sponsor.
Organized by the Transport General Authority, this three-day event is scheduled to run until Sept. 6 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
Held under the theme “Innovation for a Green Future,” the event will witness the participation of more than 50 experts and will be attended by over 2,000 participants.
NIDLP’s participation foreshadows new and promising horizons for solutions, ideas, and initiatives aimed at further developing sector growth opportunities.
It also aligns well with the program’s objectives to develop vital industries and sectors in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
In addition, NIDLP’s move also falls in line with the ideas and future aspirations that the conference represents within its strategic foundations.
Protecting marine and coastal environment
The environmental system has more than 24 initiatives that contribute to protecting the marine and coastal environment directly and indirectly, CEO of the National Center for Environmental Compliance Ali Al-Ghamdi revealed during the opening session of SMIC.
He went on to highlight the pivotal role of the center to evaluate and measure the sustainability of the marine environment with the latest technologies, stressing the need for governance of procedures and coordination between all sectors in order to preserve the marine and coastal environment.
The NCEC also participated in the exhibition held on the sidelines of the conference with a visual display of the technological ways and means it is working on to protect the environment.
Preserving natural environment
The Saudi Red Sea Authority focuses on protecting and preserving the natural environment of the Red Sea, including reducing carbon emissions resulting from tourist navigation activities, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, Mohammed Al-Asiri, acting CEO of the authority, said at the event.
Al-Asiri added that the SRSA is charged with stimulating the growth of the blue economy through the development of sustainable coastal tourism as an entity that enables and regulates marine and navigational activities in the Red Sea.
He went on to stress that in order to achieve the Kingdom’s goals of sustainability in the Red Sea, the authority’s efforts are focused on building partnerships, cooperating with maritime entities, issuing new regulations, and supporting investments.
KAU participates in exhibition
SMIC has witnessed the participation of King Abdul Aziz University in the exhibition accompanying the conference.
The university’s participation was represented by the College of Maritime Studies specialized in national maritime education and training.
The university is recognized by the Ministry of Transport and the International Maritime Organization as a center for education, training, research, and consultancy related to maritime fields.
It is also projected to help in achieving effective communication and exchanging experiences with participating international agencies and organizations while providing best global practices.
Transport minister holds meetings
In a bid to bolster cooperation in a number of development and economic fields, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the conference.
During those meetings, the minister and his counterparts discussed investment opportunities available in the public and private sectors, which contributes to strengthening promising partnerships and employing innovative and modern technologies in the sustainable maritime industry.
