Riyadh: The National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) has signed a strategic partnership with British consultancy Kew REACH to execute the implementation contract for phase I of their memorandum of understanding. Originally announced on the sidelines of COP 16, the agreement forms part of the NCVC's strategy to accelerate the National Greening Program through high-impact partnerships that facilitate knowledge transfer and reinforce the Kingdom's environmental-sustainability agenda.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Kew REACH will help establish baseline datasets, conduct comprehensive assessments, and frame the planning parameters required for the long-term success of both the National Greening Program and the Saudi Green Initiative. The firm will contribute specialist expertise in ecosystem restoration, seed conservation, sustainable land management, and strategic and technical advisory services, in addition to capacity-building and training.
The release added that the partnership also includes the launch of a knowledge exchange program, allowing researchers from NCVC to gain practical, hands-on experience at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London. The gardens are home to the world's largest and most diverse collections of botanical and mycological specimens, with over 8.5 million items. The collections represent around 95% of all known vascular plant genera and 60% of fungal genera.
NCVC Chief Executive Dr. Khaled bin Abdullah Al-Abdulkader stated that the collaboration will leverage Kew's distinguished botanical expertise to restore degraded lands and promote environmental sustainability in line with the Saudi Green Initiative and the National Greening Program.
Kew REACH is a joint-venture consultancy that delivers end-to-end scientific and advisory services for restoring and improving urban, agricultural, and forest ecosystems. Its work is grounded in rigorous science, transparency, and high-precision data.
NCVC continues to strengthen strategic partnerships with government entities, private-sector organizations, and non-profit groups, as well as regional and international bodies, to drive impactful initiatives in vegetation cover development and combating desertification. Through ongoing projects, the NCVC is actively expanding green spaces across the Kingdom, contributing to long-term environmental sustainability.