Saudi Red Sea Authority Partners with the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation

June 9, 2024

Written by Liz Thompson

Working together to advance conservation and sustainable marine tourism in the Saudi Arabian Red Sea

We are thrilled to announce a significant new partnership between the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation and the Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA). This collaboration marks a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to advance marine conservation and promote sustainable marine tourism in the Saudi Arabian Red Sea.

The partnership was officially established today with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The signing ceremony was attended by prominent representatives from both organizations, including Mr. Mohammed Al-Nasser, Acting CEO of SRSA, and HRH Princess Hala bint Khaled bin Sultan Al-Saud, president of the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation.

HRH Princess Hala and Mr. Mohammed Al-Nasser sign the MoU between SRSA and the Living Oceans Foundation. — *HRH Princess Hala and Mr. Mohammed Al-Nasser sign the MoU between the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation and SRSA..*

The MoU is part of SRSA’s efforts to expand its strategic partnerships and fulfill its mandate to protect the marine environment. By adopting best international practices, SRSA aims to develop navigation, marine, and tourism activities in the Red Sea. The MoU also aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, an ambitious initiative that seeks to diversify the economy and enhance the country’s tourism sector.

Areas of Cooperation

Our partnership with SRSA will encompass several key areas:

Developing Future Leaders: Providing scholarships and educational opportunities to nurture the next generation of marine scientists and conservationists.
Exchanging Knowledge and Expertise: Sharing insights and best practices in sustainability, climate change, and environmental conservation to enhance our collective impact.
Fostering Collaboration: Jointly organizing and hosting conferences, seminars, and workshops focused on ocean conservation, marine reserves, blue finance, and coral reef protection to foster knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Collaborative Research Initiatives: Conducting joint research projects to address global environmental challenges and find innovative solutions for marine conservation.
Raising Environmental Awareness: Engaging in joint outreach campaigns to raise awareness about important environmental issues and encourage positive change.

By integrating efforts with public, private, and third-sector entities, we aim to help SRSA create a robust framework for marine protection and sustainable tourism. This partnership will not only contribute to the preservation of the marine environment but also enhance the economic value of coastal tourism in Saudi Arabia.

A Shared Committment to Ocean Health

This partnership underscores our shared commitment to the health and sustainability of our oceans. We are eager to work alongside SRSA to support environmental conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources in the Red Sea. Through collaborative efforts, we can make a lasting impact on marine ecosystems and ensure their vitality for future generations.

We are excited to embark on this collaborative journey with SRSA. Together, we will work towards a future where the marine environment of the Red Sea is protected and utilized sustainably, benefiting both the ecosystem and the communities that rely on it.

Together, we can create a sustainable and prosperous future for our oceans.

From Dialogue to Action: Ocean Foundations Gather in Stockholm

What can philanthropy accomplish when foundations working across ocean science, conservation, and sustainable development come together around a shared purpose?

That question was at the heart of the 6th UN Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue, held September 7–9 in Stockholm, Sweden. The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation joined philanthropic organizations from around the world for three days of discussion, collaboration, and planning focused on accelerating progress during the second half of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Facilitated by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the UN Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue is a growing network of more than 30 philanthropic organizations committed to advancing ocean science, collaboration, and action. Since its creation within the framework of the Ocean Decade, the Dialogue has provided foundations with a space to exchange ideas, develop partnerships, and explore how philanthropy can help advance a healthy and resilient ocean.

Hosted by the Voice of the Ocean Foundation (VOTO), this year’s gathering began with From Depth to Action, an Opening Forum that brought nearly 100 leaders from the Swedish and international ocean community together at…

Meet IFAN: Helping Bring Navigate with Care to the Next Generation

If you’ve ever seen a lighthouse flashing from the shore or a brightly colored buoy bobbing in the water, you’ve seen Aids to Navigation at work.

Aids to Navigation, often called AtoNs, help mariners navigate safely. They can mark channels, warn of hazards, help vessels determine their position, and provide other information people need to make safe decisions on the water. Around the world, these systems help guide everything from small recreational boats to large commercial or container ships.

But safe navigation isn’t only about protecting vessels and the people aboard them. The choices mariners make can also affect the animals and ecosystems beneath and around them.

That connection between maritime safety and ocean conservation is at the heart of this year’s Science Without Borders® Challenge—and of our partnership with this year’s theme sponsor, the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN).