JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia on Friday officially assumed its position as secretariat of the International Coral Reef Initiative, an organization that works to protect the planet’s coral reefs.

Representing 102 members and 45 countries responsible for 75 percent of the world’s reefs, ICRI plays a role in tackling environmental and economic challenges facing these vital ecosystems.

The virtual handover ceremony was attended by international representatives, including Peter Thomson, the UN’s special envoy for the ocean, as well as representatives from organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the US State Department.

The Kingdom’s tenure as head of the body was confirmed during the ICRI’s 38th General Meeting in September 2024 and will be led by the Kingdom’s General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea, also known as SHAMS.

“Saudi Arabia’s role as ICRI secretariat underscores our unwavering commitment to a sustainable future for coral reefs worldwide,” said Dr. Khaled Asfahani, CEO of SHAMS and chair of ICRI. “Through science, innovation, and collaboration, we aim to protect these vital ecosystems, ensuring their resilience for future generations while maintaining their invaluable contributions to the global economy.”

Coral reefs sustain 25 percent of the world’s marine biodiversity and generate an estimated $9.9 trillion annually in ecosystem services, from fisheries to tourism.

Yet, they are under siege from climate change, pollution, and overfishing. With Saudi Arabia at the helm, ICRI will craft its 2025–2027 Action Plan to address these threats.

The plan seeks to expand membership to include countries representing 90 percent of global coral reefs, strengthen regional collaborations in the Red Sea, South Asia, and East Africa, and integrate reef resilience into global biodiversity policies.

RIYADH: As the world rapidly evolves, projections indicate that 65 percent of future jobs are yet to be created. Hence, Saudi Arabia is proactively preparing its youth for this dynamic landscape.
The NEXTG3N Hackathon, which started Jan. 9 and ends Jan. 11 at Princess Nourah University in Riyadh, gathered international innovators alongside Saudi talent to develop groundbreaking solutions at the crossroads of Web3 and gaming.
The event was spearheaded by Princess Nourah Al-Faisal, founder and CEO of Adhlal, in collaboration with W3 ff Venture Builder.
Participants were invited to create practical solutions that addressed critical areas such as education, digital inclusion, and emerging technologies.
This initiative aimed at empowering the next generation with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a world increasingly influenced by technological advances.
The hackathon leveraged Web3’s decentralized framework and gaming’s engaging approach to address the critical challenge of preparing the next generation for an uncertain job market.
Selected innovations from the hackathon will be showcased at the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global digital and creative landscape.
This initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals, creating a platform from which Saudi youngsters collaborate with global innovators to tackle shared challenges and shape the future of work.
The first day of the event featured an impressive lineup of speakers who are pioneers in their respective fields. Among them were Princess Nourah; Hamad Al-Owaishiq, founder and CEO of the Saudi Youth Society; Tanja Ludwig from W3 ff Venture Builder in Germany; Dalia Samra-Rohte from the Algemeine Handels Kamer; and Xavier Prost from Veridos UAE, one of the event’s sponsors.
Princess Nourah spoke of the importance of creating a safe online environment for children through Web3 technology. She highlighted how blockchain can provide a secure space for young users, fostering their engagement with digital platforms. She introduced Adhlal as a research-based community and design consultancy focused on innovation and creativity in design.
Princess Nourah remarked on the significance of soft skills in preparing the youth for future challenges, and added: “When we think about the evolving landscape over the next few years, we must consider how to foster innovation and creativity among youth.”
Al-Owaishiq said: “Web3 is the focus of the current global discourse, and it’s crucial for young people to be aware of this paradigm shift. They need to develop skills that allow them to engage with Web3 technology creatively and innovatively.”
His emphasis on youth empowerment underscored the hackathon’s goal of equipping participants with the tools to navigate and lead within the new digital landscape.
Sabrina Goerlich, a Web3 consultant, emphasized the vision behind NEXTG3N, saying: “Our objective is to create a safe, hybrid space that utilizes technologies like blockchain and Web3 to empower the younger generation. We aim to cultivate tomorrow’s architects of change.”
She noted that the collaboration with W3 ff Venture Builder brought both technological and business perspectives, enhancing the overall impact of the initiative.
The NEXTG3N Hackathon represented a strategic effort to harness creativity and technology for the betterment of society. By bringing together diverse talents, the event sought to inspire participants to develop solutions that addressed real-world challenges, while fostering a culture of innovation.
As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in the future of its youngsters, events like the NEXTG3N Hackathon highlight the nation’s commitment to preparing its workforce for the jobs of tomorrow.
By focusing on Web3 and gaming, the hackathon aimed to equip participants with essential skills, ensuring they are not only consumers of technology but also innovators and leaders in the digital economy.