
Greening with mangroves in drylands and beyond
FRIDAY 26 JULY 2024
09.30–10.45 CEST
SHEIKH ZAYED CENTRE
Overview
Mangroves provide essential ecosystem services that contribute significantly to the livelihoods, well-being and security of coastal communities. Despite the numerous benefits they offer, mangrove forests are among the most threatened and vulnerable ecosystems worldwide.
To celebrate the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on 26 July, this event will promote awareness on the role of mangroves in sustainable development, livelihoods and climate response. The focus will be on the dryland countries. Saudi Arabia, the event co-organizer, is implementing an ambitious mangrove planting programme recognizing mangroves as an essential biological barrier to protect biodiversity and prevent erosion in the coastal areas as part of the Saudi Green Initiative.
Objectives
- Promote awareness on the role of mangroves in sustainable development, livelihoods and climate response;
- Share perspectives on elevating the profile of mangroves in development and climate strategies at national and global levels with a focus on dryland countries; and
- Enhance collaboration among partners working on sustainable mangrove management, conservation and restoration.
Organized by FAO and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Speakers
Welcome
Zhimin Wu
Director, Forestry Division, FAO

Tiina Vahanen (Moderator)
Deputy Director Forestry Division, FAO

Keynote speakers
Khaled Alabdulkader
CEO, National Centre for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification
Saudi Arabia

Musonda Mumba
Secretary General
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Panelists
Assistant General Manager, General Directorate of Forests, National Center for the Development of Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification, Saudi Arabia

Senior Marine Scientist
The Nature Conservancy

Secretary General
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Eduardo Vargas Pérez
Coordinador General de Conservación y Restauración
Mexico

Vera Agostini
Deputy Director
Fisheries and Aquaculture Division
FAO

Haruni Krisnawati
Senior Advisor to the Minister
Ministry of Environment and Forestry
Republic of Indonesia