On December 4, 2024, the German Embassy in Riyadh hosted the symposium “Re-Greening and Sustainable Urban Living”. International experts presented their research on climate-resilient urban and landscape planning for arid regions.

Greetings during the evening event were delivered by Ambassador Michael Kindsgrab, Dr. Dalia Samra-Rothe (GESALO), and representatives of the King Salman Park Foundation, Dale Chadwick and Abdullah Allohaidan. Prof. Eckhard Gerber, Hakan Lanfredi (Dussmann), and Christoph Kluska (Bruns Pflanzen) also welcomed the guests in the packed garden hall of the embassy.

Managing Director Thomas Lücking gave a presentation on King Salman Park, currently under construction, highlighting its contribution to promoting species diversity and biodiversity as well as its positive impact on Riyadh’s urban climate.

Specialist presentations by Patrick Courtney (Courtney Environmental), Dr. Laila Alharthy (Oman Botanic Gardens), Knud Megerle (wsp), Andrew Anderson (IUCN, ICOMOS, IFLA, CMEP), and Dr. Sabina Knees (Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh) explored successful approaches to re-greening desert areas.

Moderated by Dirk Steffens, the symposium concluded with a lively networking evening in the garden of the German Embassy. Taking place on the eve of COP 16 in Saudi Arabia, the event emphasized the significant role of Saudi Vision 2030 in advancing climate protection and sustainable urban development.