As Part of the 2nd International Conference on Food Security and Environmental Sustainability King Faisal University Holds Scientific Sessions and Specialized Workshops

King Faisal University held a number of scientific sessions and specialized workshops as part of its 2nd International Conference on Food Security and Environmental Sustainability, which was launched under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province, and in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, Governor of Al-Ahsa. The conference hosted and orgainized by KFU from 5-7 November, 2023 AD, at the university’s headquarters.

The scientific sessions and workshops were held under the supervision and presence of His Excellency the University President, Dr. Muhammad Al-Ohali, and with the participation of a number of officials, specialists, interested parties, faculty members, and male and female students.

The opening session was entitled (Challenges and Opportunities in Food Security and Environmental Sustainability System), which was moderated by Dr. Ahmed Al-Saqoufi, Dean of the College of Agricultural and Food Sciences at King Faisal University, and the participation of Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Malik, Deputy Minister for Research and Innovation (Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture), and Dr. Khaled Al-Abdulqader, CEO of the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, Dr. Mohammed Al-Omari, Deputy Governor for Regulatory Affairs at the Public Authority for Food Security, and Dr. Abdul-Hakim Al-Waer, Assistant Director-General UN FAO East and North Africa.

The first scientific session was entitled (Sustainability and Innovation in Food Security) and included: Food of the Future (What will the world eat?), Environmentally friendly foods, which were presented by Dr. Jack Bobo, Director of the University of Nottingham’s Food Systems Institute, and Dr. Daniel Commane, Professor at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom. As for the second session, it was entitled “Next-Generation Technologies in Food Security”, and included the following topics: Artificial Intelligence in Developing Food Production, The Future of Food in Saudi Arabia, and New Farmers and Future Farms. The speakers of this session were Dr. Bandar Al-Saqhan, Director General of the General Department of Agricultural Research and Extension at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Dr. Mark Tester, Professor of Plant Sciences at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Dr. Salah Al-Eid, Professor at the College of Agricultural and Food Sciences at King Faisal University, and Dr. Rashid Al-Arfaj, Executive Vice President Inflight Catering at Saudi Airlines Catering Company. The third session was entitled “Sustainable Development and Challenges of Climate Change” and included: Plans and Mechanisms to Achieve Net-Zero Emission in the Kingdom, Sustainable Cities, Smart Agriculture Under Climate Change, and The Role of Renewable Energy in Mitigating Climate Change, presented by Dr. Olivier Lasseruf from King Abdullah Center for Petroleum Studies, Eng. Halima Merabti, an expert at the United Nations Programme, and Dr. Kakoli Gosh, an expert in the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and Engineer Ahmed Al-Amoudi, Director of the Executive Planning Department at the Ministry of Energy. The fourth session was titled “Protection and Development of Natural Resources and Biodiversity,” and includes: A road map for adopting advanced technologies to achieve water security, protecting biodiversity: Solutions, governance, and natural reserves in the Kingdom as a model for achieving environmental balance, presented by Dr. Moataz Al-Saleem, General Supervisor of the General Administration of Innovation and Modern Technologies at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Dr. Samir Al-Hujaili, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine at King Faisal University, and Dr. Ahmed. Al-Maliki, Director General of the Environmental Conservation Sector at King Salman Reserve Development Authority.

King Faisal University held a number of workshops as part of the work of the Second International Conference on Food Security and Environmental Sustainability, on Monday, November 6, 2023 AD. The first Theme entitled (Waste Management and Conversion to Added Value) which included: Farm Waste in Saudi Arabia: Challenges and Solutions, Plastic Waste Management Systems: Treatment and Maximizing its outputs, Hazardous Waste Management and its Mitigation,” which was presented by Dr. Mahmoud Ahmed Hamid, Dr. Muhammad Jamal Hajjar, Dr. Andrei Volpato, and Dr. Mamdouh bin Bakr Fallata. As for the second Theme, it was entitled (Enhancing Sustainability Systems in Food Security) and it included: Geographical Indications for Agricultural Products, Sustainable Food Systems to Reduce Food Loss and Waste, Enhancing the Sustainability and Resilience of Food Systems (Legislation and Governance) which was presented by Dr. Ahmed Zahoor Mukhtar, Mr. Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al-Fawzan, and Mr. Faisal bin Fahd bin Sunaid.

The workshops also included an open discussion sessions at the end of each workshop moderated by the session chair, and finally concluded with scientific posters and recommendations.