FAO in Saudi Arabia -  An Innovative Partnership Strategy 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joined FAO on 23 November 1948. Since the 1950s, The Kingdom and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have shared a longstanding history of valuable cooperation. FAO has provided technical assistance to the Kingdom through various successive projects and agreements. The cooperation has grown and expanded over the years, resulting in the first Unilateral Trust Fund (UTF) Agreement in 1981. Successive technical cooperation agreements have spanned the full spectrum of food security, agriculture and rural development activities, with interventions targeted at meeting the country’s needs and priorities. 

To increase agricultural production, technical cooperation has focused on a diverse range of agricultural subjects including horticulture (dates, citrus, mangoes), Arabian horse, plant and animal pest and diseases, fisheries management, national strategy development, and soil mapping, among others. These sector specific projects promoted capacity development, training-of-trainers, and study tours to build knowledge and skills. Technical support for dates and citrus production led to increased outputs and the establishment of national institutions. Strengthening animal health systems contributed to Saudi Arabia’s 2011 declaration as free from rinderpest. Integrated irrigation approaches promoted efficient water use and groundwater monitoring, strengthened infrastructure, and advanced applied research for technical initiatives. 

A Strategic Partnership Model
Saudi Arabia embarked on an ambitious transformational journey outlined in its Vision 2030 and developed a National Transformation Program to ensure the Vision realization. Five strategic objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 fall under the mandate of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA): reducing pollution in all its forms; protecting the environment from natural hazards; protecting and rehabilitating the natural environment; ensuring development and food security; and ensuring sustainable use of water resources. 

Considering the national transformation and rapidly changing landscape in Saudi Arabia, FAO initiated an innovative model for technical and advisory assistance, moving away from fragmented, small-scale projects toward large-scale, country-led programmatic interventions. The approach focuses on engaging in strategic and policy issues by supporting MEWA in developing its National Transformation Program for the realization of Saudi Vision 2030. To ensure national ownership, intervention areas were determined in consultation with the Ministry and national partners, based on national priorities and needs. The main features of this model are as follows:

• Technical and policy assistance is directed to implementation of the National Transformation Program (NTP) and the Saudi Vision 2030.
• Focus on priorities where FAO has comparative advantages to ensure successful achievement of quality results.
  
• Targeted interventions in potential promising sectors, testing and scaling up successful practices to adjust and modulate policy directions.
• Facilitating Saudi Arabia’s implementation of relevant international commitments, multilateral agreements and global initiatives. 

Strengthening Saudi Reef 
In this context, the UTF project “Strengthening MEWA’s capacity to implement its Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme (2020–2027)” provides direct supports to MEWA in executing its sustainable rural agricultural development initiative, Saudi Reef, developed jointly by FAO and MEWA. Launched in 2020, Saudi Reef has benefited rural communities by supporting families and improving income, employment, and quality of life. To date, it has supported over 77,000 rural producers, with a notable increase in the participation of rural women in agribusinesses and value chains.

Through this project, FAO offers technical and advisory support to increase the productivity of smallholders and producers, promote sustainable practices with preservation of vital natural resources, promote diversification, job opportunities and value addition. The programme integrates nine sub-sector components, reflecting the Kingdom’s agro-climatic diversity and rural population. These include coffee, rainfed cereals, subtropical fruits, rose and aromatics, beekeeping, small ruminants, small-scale fisheries and aquaculture, natural resource management, and value addition from smallholder rural activities. Overall, the programme empowers smallholders to transition from traditional to commercial systems, driving the transformation of agrifood systems in rural areas.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was honoured with the Global Technical Recognition Award from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for “South-South and Triangular Cooperation" under the Projects Championing category. This award recognizes the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Programme (Saudi Reef) as the world’s largest agricultural development initiative. The programme was praised for its innovative projects and best practices that strengthen food security and agri-food systems.

Transformation of Irrigation Sector 
The UTF projects “Enhancing National capacities for Evidence-based Irrigation Management” and “Promoting efficient irrigation and water productivity amongst farmers” support the modernization of irrigation systems, improve water delivery efficiency, and strengthen institutional capacity within the irrigation sector. Through technical advisory services, policy support, and capacity development, the partnership promotes advanced irrigation technologies, smart systems, performance-based management, and implementation of the Code of Irrigation Practices.

By shifting from traditional supply-based irrigation to efficiency-driven, technology-enabled systems, this cooperation enhances agricultural productivity while conserving scarce water resources. These efforts contribute to building a more resilient, sustainable, and water-secure agrifood system in Saudi Arabia. 

Looking forward
Over six decades, FAO’s collaboration with Saudi Arabia has nurtured institutional resilience, shared knowledge, and fostered innovation. The partnership remains a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s sustainable development and food security efforts. With its broad experience and knowledge in multi-sectoral development, natural resources and environmental conservation, FAO will continue to address the future needs of agriculture and natural resource users to respond to country’s priorities.