KAUST and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) hosted the KAUST Workshop for Saudi Food Futures in Riyadh on October 22. The workshop focused on identifying strategic priorities for Saudi Arabia's food security and the integration of smart technologies. A new consortium, Saudi Food Futures Initiative (SFF), was announced, aiming to accelerate the transformation of the Saudi food system. Why it matters: The initiative signals a commitment to leveraging AI and technology to enhance food security in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and 2060.
KAUST hosted the Saudi Food Futures Forum, uniting scientists, industry partners, and policymakers to strengthen food security in arid regions. The forum showcased KAUST's Center of Excellence (CoE) for Sustainable Food Security and facilitated collaboration to accelerate farming innovation. KAUST's Wadi Qudaid Experiment Station serves as a real-world technology deployment platform for sustainable farming and desert-restoration technologies. Why it matters: The event highlights Saudi Arabia's commitment to using science and innovation to address food security challenges in line with Vision 2030.
The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA) and KAUST have signed a strategic partnership agreement focused on research, development, and innovation. As part of this, MEWA is sponsoring Phase II of the Algae & Aquaculture Technologies Development Project at KAUST. The project aims to establish an algae industry in Saudi Arabia, create jobs, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Why it matters: This partnership signals a commitment to developing sustainable technologies and diversifying the Saudi economy through aquaculture and algal biotechnology.
A workshop on "Scaling Algal Production Technologies for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" was held at KAUST from November 10-12, 2013, with attendees from government, industry, and academia. The workshop addressed algae's role in food security and its link to the food and pharmaceutical industries in Saudi Arabia. Participants reviewed the latest scientific work, the high-tech investor landscape, and mechanisms for partnerships in algal biotechnology. Why it matters: Although this event happened in 2013, it shows the early commitment of Saudi Arabia and KAUST to exploring biotechnology solutions for food security, an ongoing priority in the region.
KAUST and MEWA's Aquaculture Development Program (ADP) showcased achievements at the 6th International Saudi Aquaculture Development Workshop. New fish nutrition formulations developed by KAUST Beacon Development (KBD) could save Saudi Arabia $417 million per year in aquaculture production costs by 2030 through improved feed conversion ratios. KBD has also established complete production cycles for Sobaity and Gilthead seabream under Red Sea conditions. Why it matters: These advancements boost Saudi Arabia's food security and promote sustainable aquaculture, reducing reliance on imports and diversifying the economy in line with Vision 2030.