PENANG, 17 December 2023 – His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al Saud, from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, paid a visit to the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) last month.

Being a prominent advocate for environmental conservation and sustainability, his visit clearly demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the cause of marine conservation and the preservation of the coastal ecosystems.

Prior to his visit to CEMACS, HRH Prince Saud actively participated in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Workshop to Raise Awareness of Coastal and Marine Protection and Conservation Issues and its Importance to the Blue Economy, an international event that brought together government officials, researchers, and scientists from various fields, all focused on tourism, marine science, and the Blue Economy.

The workshop, held on 31 October to 2 November 2023 in a local hotel in George Town, Penang, was co-organised by CEMACS and the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).

HRH Prince Saud’s role as Vice-President and Strategic Partnerships Director at the Saudi Red Sea Authority added a significant dimension to his engagement.

His entourage to CEMACS on 1 November 2023 was also joined by Jawaher Hamad Al Sadun, the Strategic Partnerships Director of Saudi Red Sea Authority.

HRH Prince Saud's dedication to environmental issues has been widely recognised on the global stage. His passion for marine conservation and coastal protection aligns perfectly with the mission by CEMACS to promote sustainable practices in these critical areas.

During his visit, HRH Prince Saud engaged in a series of activities that highlighted the importance of marine and coastal conservation which showcased CEMACS's work in this field.

He was given a tour of CEMACS's state-of-the-art facilities, where he had the opportunity to witness the cutting-edge research and initiatives being undertaken to address the challenges facing our marine and coastal environments. This allowed him to gain first-hand insight into the institute's valuable contributions to the field.

HRH also engaged in discussions with leading researchers and scientists at CEMACS led by CEMACS Director, Professor Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan and also CEMACS Academic Fellow, Professor Dato’ Dr. Zulfigar Yasin.

These exchanges of ideas and information provided a unique platform for sharing insights into the critical issues facing our oceans and coastlines and exploring potential solutions.

His global perspective and experiences added a valuable dimension to these discussions. He was also given a sneak peak of the soon to be launched Gallery for Climate Change and Biodiversity located at the centre.

HRH emphasised the urgency of taking action to protect the marine environments and coastal regions, underscoring the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems with the well-being of the planet and the people who depend on such ecosystems.

He also interacted with students, faculty, and members of the community.

The visit to CEMACS and participation in the IORA Workshop served as powerful reminders that the global community must come together to address the critical issues facing our oceans and coasts.

Through his advocacy and commitment, he is encouraging everyone to take responsibility for the stewardship of these precious resources.

The visit by HRH Prince Saud to CEMACS was a truly significant and meaningful event in the ongoing efforts to protect our marine environments.

Text & Photo: Dr. Annette Jaya Ram (CEMACS)/Editing: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin