SDG14: LIFE BELOW WATER
Introduction
Sustainable Development Goal 14 pursues to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. The world's oceans - their temperature, chemistry, currents and life - drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea. They are particularly crucial for people living in coastal communities, who represented 37% of the global population in 2010. Oceans provide livelihoods and tourism benefits, as well as subsistence and income. They also help regulate the global ecosystem by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and protecting coastal areas from flooding and erosion. In fact, coastal and marine resources contribute an estimated $28 trillion to the global economy each year through ecosystem services.
The Kingdom believes in the importance of marine life and has adopted strategies and policies to limit any interference in the marine system. This has become possible through the adoption of the National Strategy for Preserving the Kingdoms Biodiversity, established in 2005, which aims to ensure the preservation and development of biological diversity by studying the current status of biological diversity, the threats faced, and the means to preserve and develop it.
Initiatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Conserve Marine Life
Classification of Marine Livestock in the Kingdom
On the other hand, Qassim is known for the abundance of groundwater, and it provides the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the best types of dates and vegetables. The key cities of the region are: Buraidah, largest city, Onaizah, Maznib, Bukeiriyah, Badayea, Almaznib, Alkhabra, Riyadh Alkhabra, Alasyah, Oklat Alsukoor, Dhariah, Oyoon Aljawa, and others. Qassim university is working on protecting the water resource and its marine life in parallel with the ministry of water and agriculture.
His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, Rector of the University, signed on Sunday morning, 19/9/1439 AH, two contracts for the implementation of several projects with a total value of more than 25 million riyals, and the signed contracts included the project of completing the infrastructure of wireless networks, the project of implementing the buildings of the wastewater treatment plant, and the animal waste treatment plant at the agricultural research and experiment plant. Al-Daoud signed a project to complete the infrastructure of wireless networks worth 17,742,708 million riyals with Al-Jeraisy Corporation for Computer Services, and also signed a public works project contract for the implementation of the buildings of the wastewater treatment plant and the animal waste treatment plant at the agricultural research and experiment station worth 7,899,413 million with Rakan Contracting Company. After signing the contracts, Al-Daoud stressed the need for the implementing companies and their employees to abide by the terms and conditions of the contract, in order to achieve the interests of both parties, and in the interest of the development and development of the educational process in all units of the university city and in the various colleges.
Eng. Abdulmohsen Al-Faraihi, Director General of Water Services in Qassim Region, sent a letter of thanks to His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, Rector of the University, for the cooperation of the University through its cadres and specialized experts, which contributed to the support and success of the activities of the conference "Network Water Quality", which was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Meshaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Amir of the Qassim Region, during the period from 27/1/1440 H to 29/1/1440 H, at the King Khalid Cultural Center in Buraidah, and in the presence of His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Mansour Al-Mushaiti.
It is worth mentioning that the conference highlighted community awareness and knowledge enrichment of the role played by the wise government represented by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the water distribution sector in the Kingdom to provide drinking water services in accordance with the highest standards and standards.
His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, Rector of the University, inaugurated the new headquarters of the Center for Sustainable Development at the University on Thursday, 24/8/1439 AH, and directed His Excellency during the opening to launch the Award for Innovation and Environmental Excellence for male and female students, and expressed his admiration for the sections of the headquarters, in which many requirements were taken into account in line with the nature of the Center's objectives, and he was briefed on the exhibits of wild seeds, treated water, types of wild firewood and healthy and clean vegetables "organic", which added to the headquarters a present mental attachment.
Al-Daoud met with the members of the Executive Committee and praised the achievements of the Center during the current year, including the preparation of conditions booklets for the implementation of the package of projects of the strategic plan of the University directly related to the development and investment frameworks in the Qassim region, hoping for the success of these projects, because of the continuous support received by the Center by His Highness and the membership of a number of prominent members from inside and outside the University, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Meshaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz.
For his part, the Director of the Center for Sustainable Development, Mr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Rabadi, stressed that one of the achievements of the Center is the establishment of the Voluntary Sustainability Unit, and pointed out that the Center received direct support from His Excellency the Director to establish a sustainable development award dedicated to university students, directed in several tracks, which will be announced at the beginning of the next academic year.
During the opening of the Center, the eleventh meeting of the Executive Committee was held, which touched on the scientific activities to be implemented in addition to the community services provided by the Center and field visits by the members of the Executive Committee to introduce the vision of the Center, its mission, objectives and initiatives in sustainable development, as well as discussion on the future projects of the Center.
Eng. Abdulmohsen Al-Faraihi, Director General of Water Services in Qassim Region, sent a letter of thanks to His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, Rector of the University, for the cooperation of the University through its cadres and specialized experts, which contributed to the support and success of the activities of the conference "Network Water Quality", which was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Meshaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Amir of the Qassim Region, during the period from 27/1/1440 H to 29/1/1440 H, at the King Khalid Cultural Center in Buraidah, and in the presence of His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Mansour Al-Mushaiti.
It is worth mentioning that the conference highlighted community awareness and knowledge enrichment of the role played by the wise government represented by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the water distribution sector in the Kingdom to provide drinking water services in accordance with the highest standards and standards.