Environment Forum | Nature-Based Climate Action

The Environment Forum will showcase the pioneering initiatives that are driving environmental stewardship, energy transition and sustainable innovation across the MENA region in pursuit of a greener future.

Convening leaders from across government, agriculture, finance, tourism and innovation, the Environment Forum will spotlight the projects and programs addressing key environmental challenges, including land degradation, water scarcity and biodiversity loss, as the MENA region looks to accelerate its journey toward achieving climate ambitions.

Key Themes

Land Restoration & Resilience: Turning degraded landscapes into assets for climate and community.

Water Innovation & Security: Transforming the MENA water sector through technology and system-level change.

Sustainable Food Systems: Adapting agriculture to the demands of a hotter, drier, more uncertain climate.

Natural Capital & Biodiversity Finance: Aligning financial systems with nature-positive outcomes.

Sustainable Tourism & Cultural Preservation: Creating eco-friendly visitor economies that benefit local communities.

Blue Economy & Ocean Health: Protecting marine ecosystems while unlocking long-term value from the sea.

Innovation Zero MENA | 14th & 15th October 2025 | Misk City, Riyadh

What You’ll Gain

Cross-Sector Environmental Solutions
Hear how governments, innovators, and investors are working together to reverse land degradation, restore ecosystems, and build climate resilience.

Scalable Strategies for Water & Food Security
Learn from real-world projects tackling the region’s most urgent challenges in water stress and food system adaptation.

Financing for Nature-Based Solutions
Discover how to tap into emerging financial tools—from biodiversity credits to nature-linked bonds—that value and restore natural ecosystems.

Who Should Attend Blueprints for Sustainable Growth
Explore how sustainable tourism and blue economy initiatives are reshaping industries for a net positive future in MENA.

Who Should Attend

Environmental Ministers & Policymakers
Developing frameworks to protect land, water, and marine ecosystems while meeting climate targets.

Agri-Tech & Food Innovators
Designing resilient, low-emission food systems in arid and desertifying environments.

Water Technology Providers & Utilities
Advancing next-generation water sourcing, treatment, and reuse systems.

Conservation & Restoration Experts
Leading efforts to regenerate natural capital and halt biodiversity loss.

Tourism & Destination Planners
Shaping sustainable visitor economies that protect culture and nature.

Blue Economy & Coastal Development Leaders
Creating economic opportunities that align with ocean sustainability.

Impact Investors & ESG-Focused Financial Institutions
Seeking to fund scalable nature-positive and climate-resilient projects.

At the Environment Forum, climate adaptation meets innovation, and natural capital meets opportunity. Join us to shape an environmental strategy for a thriving, resilient, and sustainable MENA.

Opening Remarks

Environment Forum

09:15 – 09:25
Restoring Land, Building Resilience

Environment Forum

09:25 – 10:10

Healthy, productive land ecosystems are key to ensuring our future resilience and securing the livelihoods and wellbeing of communities worldwide. As climate change intensifies, exacerbating desertifi ...

HH Princess Mashael bint Saud AlShalan, Founding Partner - Aeon Strategy

Dr. Orn Supaphol, CTO - Saudi Desert Control
From Scarcity to Security: Innovating for a Water Resilient Future

Environment Forum

10:20 – 11:05

Rapid population growth, climate change and increasing sectoral demands are placing an unprecedented strain on water resources. Addressing water stress across the MENA region demands more than conserv ...

Dr. Faisal Alosaimi, Director General of Empowerment of Innovation - Saudi Water Authority

Dr. Ratul Das, Executive Manager - Head of Desalination R&D - ACWA Power

Dr. Amgad Elmahdi, Regional Lead - MENA - Green Climate Fund

Dr. Matthew McCabe, Director, Climate and Livability Initiative - King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Rethinking Food Systems in a Changing Climate

Environment Forum

11:15 – 12:00

Desertification is one of the most pressing threats to our global food security, with millions of hectares of arable land lost annually to land degradation. This session will explore how climate-smart ...

Saif Enany, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Manager, KSA, Bahrain & Oman - Nestlé

Lawrence Ong, CEO & Co-Founder - Arable

Prof. Mark Tester, Professor of Plant Science - King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Lunch Break

Environment Forum

12:00 – 12:45
Natural Capital: Financing a Sustainable Future

Environment Forum

12:45 – 13:30

Nature is essential to achieving global net zero goals and building resilient societies, economies, and ecosystems. Yet, it is being degraded at an alarming rate—driven in part by financial systems th ...

Dr. Amgad Elmahdi, Regional Lead - MENA - Green Climate Fund
How Tourism is Aligning Growth with Environmental Stewardship

Environment Forum

13:40 – 14:25

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is leading a transformative shift in the global tourism industry, emphasizing sustainability, eco-friendly destinations and cultural preservation. Learn how KSA and regional ...
Building a Sustainable Blue Economy

Environment Forum

14:30 – 15:15

Oceans are vital to global food systems, clean energy, biodiversity, and climate resilience—underpinning economies and communities worldwide. Yet, escalating threats like pollution, overfishing, and r ...

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Wishlist

The Environment Forum at Innovation Zero MENA 2025

What You’ll Gain

Who Should Attend

At the Environment Forum, climate adaptation meets innovation, and natural capital meets opportunity. Join us to shape an environmental strategy for a thriving, resilient, and sustainable MENA.