Saudi Arabia Launches 500 Million Riyal Investment Program for National Parks

The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification today unveiled a landmark investment program valued at 500 million riyals to enhance environmental sustainability across Saudi Arabia’s national parks. Announced at the “National Parks Sustainability Forum” in Riyadh, the initiative will develop over 40 million square meters of parkland. Held under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, the forum marks a strategic effort to boost economic growth and support the national goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030.

The first phase of the program, launched in partnership with Dan Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, introduces 27 investment opportunities across various national parks. These initial projects are expected to generate an economic impact exceeding 1.7 billion riyals over the investment period, with economic analyses projecting a payback period of just six years. The Center, in collaboration with the Environment Fund, is offering a package of incentives and enablers to attract private sector participation, aiming to forge a strong public-private partnership to drive sustainable development.

In his address at the forum, the Center’s CEO, Eng. Ahmed bin Saleh Al-Ayada, emphasized that environmental sustainability and economic development are complementary goals. “Investment in national parks adds value to the environment, economy, and society, contributing to comprehensive development and improving the quality of life,” he stated. Eng. Al-Ayada highlighted that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to create an integrated national model for park management, requiring collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and civil society to achieve a prosperous environment and a sustainable economy.