Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), one of the leading banks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has inaugurated the “Prince Faisal bin Mishaal Centre for Native Plant Conservation and Propagation” in Al-Qassim Region. The project was launched in collaboration with the Environmental Awareness Society as part of SAB’s contribution to the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI).

The inaugural ceremony was held under the patronage of Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud, Emir of Al-Qassim Region. The Emir reviewed the progress of the project during the event, which was attended by representatives led by Yasser Al-Barrak, Chief Corporate and Institutional Banking Officer at SAB, and Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Alsoqeer, Chairman of the Environmental Awareness Society.

This centre, the first of its kind in the Kingdom, focuses on preserving and promoting native plant species while increasing awareness of the importance of natural vegetation. It is equipped with facilities such as a training hall, a seed bank, plant nurseries, an herbarium, and a botanical garden showcasing key native plants of the Kingdom.

The centre also prioritizes research, supporting researchers and postgraduate students in areas like desertification control and native plant conservation. As part of the project, a forest of 10,000 native trees will be planted around the centre, contributing to the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.

Yasser Al-Barrak, Chief Corporate and Institutional Banking Officer at SAB, stated: “We are proud to be part of a ground breaking national project, which reflects SAB’s dedication to its social and environmental responsibilities. Through this partnership, we aim to support Saudi Vision 2030 by contributing to environmental conservation and combating desertification. We are confident that this centre will set a benchmark for preserving biodiversity in the Kingdom."

Dr. Abdulrhman Alsoqeer, Chairman of the Environmental Awareness Society, said: "The launch of this centre marks a significant step towards achieving our environmental goals of preserving and enhancing the Kingdom's natural vegetation cover. Through our collaboration with SAB, we aim to raise awareness about native plants, their importance, and efforts to propagate them.”

He added: "The project serves as an invaluable resource for researchers and postgraduate students. The patronage and support of Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud highlight its significance and distinguished status on a national level."

The facility aims to produce 200,000 native plant seedlings each year. It also focuses on collecting, preserving, and supplying high-viability seeds of native plants, especially those at risk of extinction, with the goal of boosting seed germination rates to over 70 percent. Moreover, the project will support the propagation of endangered plant species using tissue culture techniques. It will also offer scientific and training support through workshops, research initiatives, and awareness programs, benefiting over 10,000 participants annually.

The launch took place alongside the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, held in Riyadh. This initiative highlights the cooperation between the private sector, represented by SAB, the non-profit sector, represented by Environmental Awareness Society, and the government sector, represented by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development. It seeks to contribute to the goals of Vision 2030 and support the Kingdom’s efforts in environmental protection and sustainable development.