The Saudi Arabian Red Sea Authority (SRSA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to explore aspects of cooperation in biodiversity sustainability, supporting marine environmental protection initiatives, and impact assessment of tourism activities along the Red Sea coast. The MoU also aims to combine the capacities and expertise of both countries to achieve mutual benefits.
The MoU was signed by SRSA CEO Mohammed Al Nasser and KAUST President Dr Tony Chan.
The signing of the MoU is in line with SRSA's mandate which includes ensuring environmental protection in areas where coastal tourism activities take place as well as focusing on human resource development through training and qualification programmes for domestic talent in areas of expertise related to the coastal tourism sector.
The MoU aims to explore collaboration in various areas, including identifying and ensuring the sustainability of existing biodiversity along the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast, exchanging information and expertise, and providing research, reports and consultations, as well as supporting efforts to protect the marine environment.
The MoU also outlines cooperation to assess the impacts of tourism activities on the marine environment, evaluate environmental and economic factors, update information on new international standards, regulations and technologies, and consider ways to strengthen marine environmental protection in the face of industry expansion.
In addition, the MoU provides strategic alignment on the planning and implementation of ongoing and new initiatives in support of tourism along the Red Sea coast, including cooperation in organizing joint events in related fields.
The MoU is part of SRSA's efforts to expand strategic partnerships, exchange expertise and adopt best practices to enhance tourism activities along the Red Sea coast, contributing to the Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.
