Here, we celebrate the achievements and highlights of our past conference. Explore the documentation, view images from the events, and recognize the outstanding contributors who have made a significant impact.
Achieving a green future is a global imperative, and Saudi Arabia is committed to enhancing the quality of life and protecting future generations through its Vision 2030 initiatives. By uniting government ministries, private sector entities, and international leaders, the Kingdom aims to rapidly identify and scale climate action opportunities. Integrated environmental protection, energy transition, and innovative sustainability programs are central to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to realize a greener future.
The Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies (ARCEMS) at KFUPM, a leader in environmental protection and sustainability for over four decades, played a key role in this mission. On January 30-31, 2024, ARCEMS hosted its first in-person conference and exhibition, “The Green Sustainable Future in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” at the King Fahd Conference Center. This event, supported by the KFUPM Institute for Knowledge Exchange (KIKX), highlighted cutting-edge sustainability trends and innovations, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.
Aim of The Conference
The conference aimed to foster cooperation, exchange cutting-edge ideas, and highlight innovative ways to make the Kingdom greener and more sustainable. It also aimed to raise awareness of the value of sustainable practices and the possible returns on investment in research and innovation through thought-provoking talks.
Sponsors
NEOM and WEQAA Center (National Center for the Prevention & Control of Plants Pests & Animal Diseases) were the platinum sponsors. Sponsors and partners of GiKS were awarded by the Hon. President, Dr. Muhammad Alsaggaf.
Speakers
Speakers were 24 oral presentations with speakers from countries such as United States, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Norway, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Speakers represented entities such as the Earth Observatory of Singapore, Texas A&M University, Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR), University of Bergen, Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Saudi Aramco, National Center Environmental Compliance (NCEC), Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), National Center for Wildlife (NCW), National Center for the Prevention & Control of Plants Pests & Animal Diseases (WEQAA), GCC lab, King Abdullah University Science and Technology (KAUST), Maaden and SAIL – PIF.
There were six international speakers. They are:
Prof. Benjamin P. Horton, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore,
Prof. Rabi Mohtar – Texas A&M University, United States.
Dr. Faiza Al-Yamani, Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR)
Prof. Arild Folkvord – University of Bergen, Norway
Dr. Edison Macusi, Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences (IALS), Philippines
Poster Presentations
Forty-two posters from various universities in Saudi Arabia were presented under the four tracks.
GiKS organized the best poster award for each track. The winners were:
- Mohamed Abdelfattah Ibrahim & Aisha Bawaf Alblawi (presented by Aisha Bawaf Alblawi), Tabuk University, presenting the poster ‘Production of Hydrogen from seawater by using cobalt oxide in the presence of Ascorbic’ won the best poster award under Track 1.
- Renad A. Alyami & Asma M. Elsharif (Presented by Renad A. Alyami), Imam Abdurrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, presenting the poster ‘Exploring new Chitosan-based Schiff base derivatives as corrosion inhibitors in acidic environment: a comprehensive study’ won the best poster award under Track 2.
- Naglaa A. El-Naggar, Hermine Tadros, Abeer El-Sayed & Amaal Abou-Taleb Madelyn Moawad (Presented by Naglaa A. El-Naggar), the University of Hafr Al-Batin, presenting the poster, ‘The antifouling efficacy of crude extracts isolated from molluscs species under track 3.
- Sara Al-Saadouna & Fairouz Tchiera (Presented by Saara Al-Saadoun), King Saud University, presenting the poster, ‘Proposed intelligent irrigation system for Riyad City using Fuzzy logic’ under Track 4.
Booth Exhibitions
Five exhibition booths showcased innovation and technology and initiatives for preserving the environment. The exhibition booths were from:
- National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC)
- National Center for the Prevention & Control of Plant Pests & Animal Diseases (WEQAA)
- National Center for Vegetation Cover (NCVC)
- Mena3D
- Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies (ARCEMS)
ARCEMS exhibitions
The ARCEMS showcased the center's activities by exhibiting 20 scientific posters, equipped research vessels, and field and lab equipment. Items such as research vessels and large equipment were exhibited outside the conference building. This attracted the scientific attention of students, young scientists and delegates from various institutions and companies. A cadre of scientists from ARCEMS was present near each item exhibited to explain the specifications, mechanism of operations etc.
Acknowledgement:
We extend our sincere gratitude to all attendees for their participation. Your engagement significantly contributed to the success of the conference, and we look forward to see again at GiKS 2025
