COP16

Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation at COP29 and COP16: Bridging Land and Sea for a Resilient Future

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The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (KSLOF) was honored to participate in two major United Nations conferences in late 2024—COP29, the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, and COP16, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. At both events, the Foundation’s President, HRH Princess Hala bint Khaled bin Sultan, emphasized the critical connections between land, ocean, and people. She also shared the Foundation’s efforts to build climate resilience, protect marine ecosystems, and support coastal communities worldwide…

I Live in the Desert, So Why Care About the Ocean?

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As a resident of Saudi Arabia, I’m frequently met with puzzled looks when I express my passion for ocean conservation. People often wonder why someone living in a desert would be concerned about the health of the oceans. Similarly, despite being surrounded by endless stretches of sand, my father founded an ocean conservation foundation. But the truth is, the desert and the ocean are more connected than meets the eye. From influencing weather patterns to supporting biodiversity, the ocean’s impact extends far beyond coastal regions, reaching even the heart of the desert.

Living in the heart of Saudi Arabia, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the ocean. After all, our vast deserts dominate the landscape, covering about 95% of the country. But did you know that Saudi Arabia boasts a coastline stretching over 2,500 kilometers along the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf? Despite the desert’s prominence, the health of our oceans directly impacts life in the desert and beyond…