Ukrainian Ambassador to Riyadh: We Are Consulting with Saudi Arabia, Partners over Peace Plan

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Jeddah in June. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Jeddah in June. (SPA)
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Ukrainian Ambassador to Riyadh: We Are Consulting with Saudi Arabia, Partners over Peace Plan

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Jeddah in June. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Jeddah in June. (SPA)

Ukrainian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Anatolii Petrenko revealed that his country was preparing to hold its second peace summit.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had stressed that Kyiv will work with its main partners over security consultations and coordination conferences that would lead to a comprehensive peace plan approved by the international community.

Ukraine appreciates its partnership with Saudi Arabia, stated the ambassador, adding that this relationship was a diplomatic priority to Kyiv.

He emphasized that Ukraine greatly appreciates Saudi Arabia’s mediation efforts that led to a prisoner swap in September 2022. The move helped bolster Saudi Arabia’s reputation in the world.

“Our main common goal revolves around man,” said the ambassador, who urged the return of all arbitrarily arrested prisoners and detainees, as well as the displaced.

“This is a mission in which our efforts are united with Saudi Arabia’s”, Petrenko remarked.

Moreover, he noted that Saudi Arabia is maintaining a focused foreign policy, by condemning “the barbaric war crimes committed by the Russian forces in Ukraine, especially those committed against our children and civilians.”

“Saudi Arabia constantly supports Ukraine, politically and operationally, as part of our efforts to restore the unity of our territories and sovereignty,” he added.

Furthermore, Petrenko said that despite the international community’s efforts, “war crimes and international human rights violations are still being committed by Russia.”

Zelenskyy has paid three visits to Saudi Arabia since the eruption of Russia’s war on Ukraine in February 2022. He met with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, who underscored the Kingdom’s keenness on and support to all international efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

The leaders also discussed means to ease the humanitarian impact of the war, while Zelenskyy voiced his appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to that end.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah also paid a visit to Ukraine in February 2023, the first by a Saudi FM since its independence 30 years ago. He met with Zelenskyy and several Ukrainian officials.

Saudi Arabia also continues to send tons of humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.



Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority Board Announces Launch of Development Management Plan

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is one of eight Royal Reserves established by Royal Decree and overseen by the Royal Reserves Council chaired by the Crown Prince. SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is one of eight Royal Reserves established by Royal Decree and overseen by the Royal Reserves Council chaired by the Crown Prince. SPA
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Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority Board Announces Launch of Development Management Plan

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is one of eight Royal Reserves established by Royal Decree and overseen by the Royal Reserves Council chaired by the Crown Prince. SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is one of eight Royal Reserves established by Royal Decree and overseen by the Royal Reserves Council chaired by the Crown Prince. SPA

The Board of Directors of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, announced on Thursday the launch of the Reserve’s Integrated Development Management Plan (IDMP).

The Crown Prince is also Chairman of the Council of Royal Reserves.

The announced plan is a comprehensive roadmap in line with global standards, covering the environmental, economic, social, tourism, and cultural aspects of the 24,500 square kilometer Reserve, which includes 15 distinct ecosystems, ranging from mountain ridges to coral reefs in the northwest of the Kingdom.

The plan enables the efficient and effective management of the Reserve. It establishes key guidelines for restoring and conserving wildlife in line with the latest global standards, including guiding species reintroduction plans through modern technologies, and setting a framework for developing and enhancing the ecotourism ecosystem. This includes Red Sea Global’s AMAALA tourism development, which is located within the Reserve.

The Reserve also features in four sites on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List for the Kingdom and is aiming to become the world's most famous heritage tourism destination for environmental conservation, whilst achieving the necessary balance with the needs of the local communities.

The Integrated Development Management Plan follows the completion of intensive studies to determine the historical and current state of the Reserve’s environment and the steps needed to restore the ecosystems, flora and fauna to the state it was in a century ago.

The Reserve is home to 15 distinct ecosystems, ranging from mountain ridges, through life giving wadis to the coral reefs of the Red Sea, creating an exceptional level of biodiversity.

Twenty-three historically occurring species have been selected for reintroduction, 16 of which are extinct within the Reserve’s borders, four are Critically Endangered, and three are Vulnerable according to IUCN listings, including the iconic Arabian oryx, Arabian leopard, and cheetah. An extensive habitat restoration project supports this wildlife reintroduction program, aiming to protect and conserve the Reserve’s 400 plus native plant species.

The Reserve aims to become a tourism destination that offers visitors a diverse terrestrial and marine experience while simultaneously ensuring the protection of its ecosystems and biodiversity.

The Kingdom is committed to working with the international community to address the world’s environmental challenges. Key activities such as reducing carbon emissions with the aim of reaching net-zero by 2060, continuing to build the Kingdom’s renewable energy infrastructure, increasing reforestation, and enhancing biodiversity, including wildlife and species reintroductions, are underway.

The launch of the IDMP contributes to the Kingdom's leading position in wildlife reintroduction and conservation, as well as the strategic objectives of the Royal Reserves Council, which focus on protecting wildlife, afforestation, enhancing ecotourism, and providing job opportunities. The adopted objectives of the Royal Reserves support the Kingdom's efforts in sustainability and environmental conservation, contributing to the Saudi Green Initiative's goal of protecting 30% of the Kingdom's terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.

“The building blocks are in place to deliver the promise of the IDMP by 2030 – a Reserve of global conservation significance rooted in community,” said Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, internationally recognized for his pioneering work in establishing reserves of global conservation value and regional economic impact.

“We have reintroduced animal species, discovered several species new to science, and trained and deployed an effective ranger team of 150 local men and women who play a pivotal role in our mission.”

“Thanks to the passion of the Saudi Arabian leadership and the investment and commitment of the government, we are pioneering new techniques and technologies to complement tried and tested management and conservation practices.”

“We look forward to sharing the results of our work with the wider conservation and scientific community.”

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority includes local and international experts who lead research and development efforts, enhancing international and local partnerships, and promoting cooperation frameworks to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and the application of best environmental practices. Their research efforts have contributed to the identification of new species of animals and plants across the Reserve’s diverse terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

Given the Reserve's range of ecosystems and strategic location connecting the major projects of NEOM, AMAALA, Red Sea Global, and AlUla, and its partnerships with many specialized local and global entities, it is planned that by 2025, animals will be able to roam freely through a 70,000 km² environmental corridor, contributing to the wider regional environmental restoration efforts, as well as creating rich experiences for ecotourism and achieving the necessary balance with the needs of the local communities and the creation of around 5,400 job opportunities.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is one of eight Royal Reserves established by Royal Decree and overseen by the Royal Reserves Council chaired by the Crown Prince. The reserves include Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve, Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, King Khalid Royal Reserve, and Imam Faisal bin Turki Royal Reserve.