The 10th Regional Conservation Forum of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA) started today in Riyadh. The forum, hosted by the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), and held under the patronage of Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and Chairman of the Board of NCW Eng. Abdulrahman AlFadley, has brought together over 200 experts across West Asia to address critical conservation challenges and come up with solutions. The event is a crucial platform fostering regional cooperation, exchange of knowledge, and strategic planning. Discussions at the forum will center on nature-based solutions, the IUCN Green List of protected and conserved areas, sustainable land restoration in arid regions, and the use of innovative technologies for monitoring and combating desertification. NCW CEO Dr. Mohammad Ali Qurban emphasized that the forum highlights Saudi Arabia's growing commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development, in li ne with the nation's ambitious goals, such as the Saudi Green Initiative, which aim to protect 30% of land and marine areas by 2030. The forum provides a unique opportunity for participants to acquire best practices, develop skills, and contribute to the formulation of effective conservation policies at regional level, while also being well-positioned to drive significant progress toward a more sustainable future for West Asia by fostering collaboration and exchange of expertise. Source: Saudi Press Agency