Saudi Arabia to host the World Coral Reef Summit 2026

In a move reflecting its firm commitment to protecting marine ecosystems, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the first World Coral Reef Summit during the last quarter of 2026. This prominent event confirms the Kingdom’s international leadership in the field of environmental sustainability and highlights its advanced position in leading global efforts to confront the climate challenges that threaten oceans and seas.

The official announcement of the Kingdom hosting this historic summit came during the "Saudi House" events held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, where Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the United States of America, revealed this event, which is eagerly awaited by the international environmental community.

The importance of the summit and its strategic context

This summit is of exceptional importance given the growing threats facing coral reefs worldwide due to global warming and climate change. The Red Sea's coral reefs, in particular, are among the most unique and resilient ecosystems, making the Kingdom the ideal location to host this global discussion. This hosting aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Green Saudi Arabia initiative, which place environmental protection and the restoration of natural balance at the heart of their development priorities.

Three main pillars for shaping the future of the seas

In this context, the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, who also chairs the board of directors of the General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (Shams), affirmed that the summit embodies the Kingdom's efforts in adopting the best innovative programs and technologies. He pointed out that the goal is not only protection, but also rehabilitation and restoring ecological balance, which contributes to improving the quality of life.

For his part, the CEO of the "Shams" Foundation, Dr. Khaled Al-Asfahani, explained that the summit will focus on three essential strategic pillars for achieving sustainability, namely:

• Policies and legislation: Establishing binding and effective legal frameworks to protect the marine environment.
• Scientific research and innovation: Developing modern technologies for monitoring and restoring damaged coral reefs.
• Financing and Investment: Creating sustainable financing mechanisms that support blue economy projects.

The blue economy and turning challenges into opportunities

The summit aims to shift the focus from dialogue and discussion to practical implementation by treating coral reefs as vital economic assets within "blue economy" strategies. Summit organizers seek to engage leaders, decision-makers, and investors to develop viable investment models that ensure the sustainability of marine resources for future generations.

The Kingdom's global leadership role

It is worth noting that the Kingdom is organizing this summit in its capacity as chair of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), a global partnership comprising 45 member states and several international organizations. The Kingdom's selection to chair this initiative and host the summit reflects the significant international confidence in its capabilities and potential to lead the global movement towards a more sustainable and prosperous marine environment.