AlUla Celebrates Key Milestone in Restoration: Closing Ceremony Highlights Visionary Ecosystem Strategy Draft.

Held at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) Auditorium, the event brought together high-level representatives, ecological restoration experts, and strategic partners from across the region and internationally. The ceremony marked the conclusion of a two year-long collaborative journey to develop a science-based, locally grounded, and globally aligned strategy to restore more than 65,000 hectares of degraded land in AlUla.

The event opened with welcoming remarks and keynote speeches by senior leaders, including Mr. Stewart Maginnis, Deputy Director General of IUCN, who underscored the global relevance of AlUla’s restoration efforts in addressing land degradation and biodiversity loss. “This is more than just a strategy—it is a bold and actionable vision for the future of restoration in arid regions,” said Mr. Maginnis. “AlUla is demonstrating that with the right partnerships and scientific foundation, even the most challenging environments can be transformed into thriving, resilient ecosystems.”

Additional keynote speakers included Dr. Hany El Shaer, Regional Director of IUCN ROWA, who offered a regional lens on AlUla’s significance as a scalable model for dryland restoration; Dr. Stephen Browne, Vice President of Wildlife and Natural Heritage at RCU, who detailed RCU’s vision and environmental priorities aligned with Saudi Vision 2030; and Eng. Ahmed Alenzi, General Manager of the National Greening Program at NCVC, who highlighted the national ambitions of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI).

The day continued with presentations and discussions covering key components of the strategy draft—including global and regional insights on restoration and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration by Prof. Cara Nelson; an in-depth overview of RCU’s restoration journey, featuring its native plant nursery, seedbank, and circular restoration approach by Dr. Benjamin Lee and Mr. Sami Almalki. 

A project journey and its milestones presented by Dr. Laith Al Rahahleh; the scientific foundation and guiding principles for restoration by Dr. Ahmed Mohamed and Ms. Karmah Bou-Azza; strategic insights from Dr. Bethanie Walder; and a forward-looking presentation on the future of restoration in AlUla and the IUCN-RCU partnership by Dr. Shauna Rees. The session concluded with a Q&A and open discussion, reflecting on collective achievements and the next steps for implementation.

Dr. Hany El Shaer emphasized the significance of this milestone: "This strategy lays the foundation for meaningful, long-lasting restoration. By integrating ecological science, community engagement, and global restoration principles, we are ensuring that AlUla’s landscapes are not only protected, but are also sustainable for future generations."

Dr. Stephen Browne, VP of Wildlife and Natural Heritage at RCU, said: “This strategy not only demonstrates RCU’s leadership in ecosystem restoration but also delivers a model that combines science, local insight, and long-term vision. It is a commitment to future generations and the resilience of our landscapes.”

This Closing Ceremony represents more than the conclusion of a planning phase—it celebrates the beginning of transformative action. The strategy draft developed through this initiative is the first of its kind in the region, offering a replicable and scalable model for ecosystem restoration in arid and semi-arid environments.

Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Saudi Green Initiative, and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the AlUla strategy draft promises not only environmental impact but also socio-economic benefits, including the promotion of eco-tourism, green job creation, and community empowerment.

About IUCN:

IUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organizations. It harnesses the experience, resources, and reach of its more than 1,400 Member organizations and the input of more than 16,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.

www.iucn.org

About IUCN ROWA:

The IUCN Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA) is the focal point for IUCN’s work in the region, supporting Members and partners in protecting West Asia's unique biodiversity and promoting sustainable development. ROWA addresses key environmental challenges, fostering a resilient and sustainable future for the region.
www.iucn.org/regions/west-asia

About the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU):

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in north-west Saudi Arabia. RCU’s long-term plan outlines a responsible, sustainable, and sensitive approach to urban and economic development that preserves the area’s natural and historic heritage, while establishing AlUla as a desirable location to live, work, and visit. This encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, tourism, culture, education, and the arts, reflecting a commitment to meeting the economic diversification, local community empowerment, and heritage preservation priorities of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme.

www.rcu.gov.sa

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