Sand and Dust Storm Warning Regional Center organized on Wednesday, July 12, a specialized seminar on the occasion of the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms.

This day is aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of dust and sand storms and their negative repercussions on sustainable development.

The Executive Director of the Regional Center Jamaan Saad Alqahtani welcomed the attendees at the beginning of the seminar and stressed the importance of studying dust and sand storms and mitigating their negative effects .

He also said that the United Nations declaration of July 12 as the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms indicates the interest of the international community in this phenomenon and the importance of combating it.

Dr. Majdi Al-Toukhi gave a lecture entitled “The Impact of Dust Storms on Economy and Health in GCC Region “. He discussed the economic and health effects resulting from dust and sand storms in the GCC countries.

The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification participated by giving a lecture by Dr. Abdullah Al-Braiki, Director General of the Department of Plant Diversity and Combating Desertification, in which he touched on the role of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification and reviewed the project of “Comprehensive survey of sand encroachment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, identifying threatened sites, and developing mechanisms and methods to combat it “.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Braiki indicated the objectives of the sand encroachment project, which are to prepare reports and maps for surveys and assess its environmental, health, social, and economic effects.

Several international, regional, and local bodies participated in the seminar, and the number of participants reached more than 90 participants. The participants praised the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its leading regional and international role in the field of mitigating dust and sand storms and preserving the environment.

It is worth noting that the Sand and Dust Storm Warning Regional Center is one of the initiatives of His Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which was announced at the Middle East Summit and seeks to maintain sustainable development and quality of life. Sand and Dust Storm Warning Regional Center has been accredited by the World Meteorological Organization as one of the specialized centers in warning of dust and sand storms and mitigating their effects.