Saudi Awwal Bank Inaugurates Prince Faisal bin Mishaal Centre for Native Plant Conservation
Al-Qassim, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), one of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leading financial institutions, has officially inaugurated the “Prince Faisal bin Mishaal Centre for Native Plant Conservation and Propagation” in Al-Qassim Region. The initiative, launched in collaboration with the Environmental Awareness Society, is part of SAB’s contribution to the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI).
The inaugural ceremony, held under the patronage of Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud, Emir of Al-Qassim Region, showcased the progress of the centre. Key attendees included Yasser Al-Barrak, Chief Corporate and Institutional Banking Officer at SAB, and Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Alsoqeer, Chairman of the Environmental Awareness Society.
The centre is the first facility of its kind in Saudi Arabia, dedicated to preserving and propagating native plant species. It features state-of-the-art facilities, including a training hall, seed bank, plant nurseries, an herbarium, and a botanical garden highlighting the Kingdom’s unique flora.
In alignment with the Saudi Green Initiative, the project includes a forest of 10,000 native trees planted around the centre, with a goal to produce 200,000 native plant seedlings annually. The facility also prioritizes research, offering support to researchers and postgraduate students on topics such as desertification control and biodiversity conservation. Advanced techniques like tissue culture are employed to propagate endangered plant species.
Speaking at the event, Yasser Al-Barrak stated, “We are proud to be part of a groundbreaking national project, reflecting SAB’s dedication to environmental conservation and social responsibility. This partnership supports Saudi Vision 2030 by combating desertification and preserving biodiversity.”
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Alsoqeer added, “The launch of this centre marks a pivotal step toward achieving our environmental goals of preserving the Kingdom’s natural vegetation. Through our collaboration with SAB, we aim to raise awareness of the significance of native plants and their conservation.”
The centre’s activities include workshops, research initiatives, and awareness programs, expected to benefit over 10,000 participants annually. Additionally, the facility focuses on preserving high-viability seeds of native plants at risk of extinction, aiming to boost seed germination rates to over 70%.
The project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and underscores the collaboration between the private sector, non-profit organizations, and government entities. It was launched alongside the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, held in Riyadh, further emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental sustainability and global ecological initiatives.
