Saudi Arabia First Arab Nation in WOCAT Arabic Review

Saudi Arabia has become the first Arab country to have its professionals accredited as Arabic-language expert reviewers for the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT) Global Sustainable Land Management Database, a milestone announced by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification. The accreditation, confirmed in Riyadh and released through official Saudi channels, followed a joint evaluation by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the WOCAT Secretariat, and registers ten Saudi specialists in the global database. Five will serve as expert reviewers responsible for technical review and quality assessment, while five will act as Saudi national experts responsible for national-level validation and approval of documented practices before publication on the global platform.

The achievement marks a significant expansion of Arabic-language technical capacity in sustainable land management, a field where documentation has historically been dominated by English and other international languages. For the Kingdom, it represents both a practical tool for domestic environmental work and a diplomatic asset that reinforces its growing role in global land restoration efforts. The announcement also complements the recognition of Saudi Arabia’s National Greening Program as a UN World Restoration Flagship at the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in August 2026. Together, these developments signal a coordinated Saudi strategy to lead on desertification and land degradation issues at both regional and international levels.

Context and Background

How did Saudi Arabia move from being a participant in global land management discussions to a recognized authority in Arabic-language technical review? The answer lies in a sustained institutional effort led by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, working in partnership with the FAO and WOCAT. WOCAT, the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies, operates one of the world’s most comprehensive databases of sustainable land management practices, used by governments, researchers, and international organizations to identify and share proven solutions to land degradation. Until now, Arabic-speaking experts could access the database but had limited ability to contribute reviews and validations in their native language, creating a gap in both representation and technical input from the Arab world.

The FAO’s technical support was instrumental in bridging that gap. Through its partnership with WOCAT, the FAO helped build the capacity of Saudi specialists to meet the rigorous standards required for accreditation as expert reviewers. This process involved training, evaluation, and a joint assessment by the FAO and the WOCAT Secretariat, culminating in the registration of the ten Saudi professionals. The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification emphasized that the milestone strengthens the Kingdom’s capacity to document, review, and validate sustainable land management practices in line with international standards, while expanding Arabic-language technical expertise and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s contribution to regional and global efforts on land restoration and combating desertification.

The timing of this achievement is closely tied to Saudi Arabia’s broader environmental agenda, which has gained momentum through initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. These programs aim to plant billions of trees, restore degraded land, and reduce carbon emissions across the region. The ability to document and validate land management practices in Arabic is not merely a linguistic convenience; it is a strategic enabler that allows Saudi and Arab experts to contribute their knowledge to the global database, ensuring that region-specific solutions are recognized and shared worldwide. It also positions the Kingdom as a bridge between international standards and local implementation, a role that aligns with its aspirations as a regional leader.

Key Details

What exactly does the accreditation of the ten Saudi specialists entail, and how will it function in practice? According to the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, the ten experts are divided into two distinct roles. Five are registered as expert reviewers, responsible for technical review and quality assessment of sustainable land management practices submitted to the WOCAT database. These reviewers evaluate the scientific and practical merits of documented approaches, ensuring that they meet international standards before being accepted into the global platform. The other five are registered as Saudi national experts, tasked with national-level validation and approval of documented practices before publication. This dual structure ensures both technical rigor and local relevance, as practices must pass international peer review and national validation.

The accreditation process itself was rigorous, involving a joint evaluation by the FAO and the WOCAT Secretariat. This evaluation assessed the candidates’ expertise in areas such as soil conservation, water management, rangeland rehabilitation, and combating desertification. The successful registration of ten Saudi professionals is a testament to the depth of technical talent in the Kingdom and the effectiveness of the training and capacity-building efforts supported by the FAO. It also reflects the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification’s commitment to international cooperation and knowledge exchange, principles that are central to Saudi Vision 2030 and its environmental sustainability goals.

The practical implications of this development are far-reaching. With Arabic-language expert reviewers now in place, sustainable land management practices from Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries can be documented, reviewed, and validated in Arabic, then shared globally through the WOCAT database. This reduces language barriers, accelerates the exchange of knowledge, and ensures that successful practices developed in arid and semi-arid environments are accessible to a wider audience. For Saudi Arabia, it also means that the Kingdom’s own experiences in land restoration, such as those under the National Greening Program, can be more effectively communicated to the international community, enhancing its soft power and scientific credibility.

International and Regional Impact

How will this breakthrough influence land management practices beyond Saudi Arabia’s borders? The regional impact is expected to be substantial. As the first Arab country to achieve this distinction, Saudi Arabia sets a precedent that other nations in the Middle East and North Africa can follow. The presence of Arabic-language expert reviewers in the WOCAT database encourages greater participation from Arab countries, which share similar environmental challenges, including desertification, water scarcity, and soil degradation. By validating and documenting practices in Arabic, the Kingdom helps create a regional knowledge base that can be tailored to local conditions, fostering South-South cooperation and strengthening collective action against desertification.

At the international level, the accreditation enhances the credibility and influence of Saudi Arabia in global environmental forums. The FAO and WOCAT are key players in the global effort to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality, a target under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By contributing expert reviewers and national validators, Saudi Arabia is not only supporting the database but also shaping the standards and criteria by which sustainable land management practices are assessed. This influence is likely to grow as more Arabic-language practices are documented, giving the Kingdom a stronger voice in discussions about land restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable development. It also reinforces the outcomes of COP17 to the UNCCD, where Saudi Arabia’s National Greening Program was recognized as a UN World Restoration Flagship, further elevating the Kingdom’s profile as a leader in combating desertification.

Economic and Strategic Significance

What economic and strategic benefits does this achievement bring to Saudi Arabia? While the accreditation is primarily a technical and environmental milestone, its economic implications are significant. Sustainable land management is closely linked to food security, water availability, and agricultural productivity, all of which are critical to the Kingdom’s long-term stability and prosperity. By building domestic capacity to document and validate best practices, Saudi Arabia can improve the efficiency of its land restoration investments, ensuring that projects under the Saudi Green Initiative and the National Greening Program are based on proven, internationally recognized approaches. This can lead to cost savings, better resource allocation, and more sustainable outcomes for the Kingdom’s ecosystems.

Strategically, the accreditation strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a knowledge hub and a convener of international expertise. It complements the Kingdom’s growing role in global environmental governance, including its hosting of major conferences and its leadership in initiatives such as the Middle East Green Initiative. The ability to review and validate practices in Arabic also supports the development of a skilled workforce in environmental sciences, creating opportunities for Saudi professionals to engage with international organizations and contribute to global policy. In the context of Vision 2030, this aligns with the goal of diversifying the economy, fostering innovation, and enhancing the Kingdom’s global competitiveness. It also demonstrates that Saudi Arabia is not only a participant in the global sustainability agenda but an active shaper of it.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does this milestone fit into the broader framework of Saudi Vision 2030? Vision 2030 aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a diversified, sustainable economy and a global leader in various fields, including environmental protection. The accreditation of Saudi professionals as Arabic-language expert reviewers for WOCAT directly supports the Vision’s environmental sustainability objectives, particularly the Saudi Green Initiative’s targets to restore degraded land and increase vegetation cover. By enhancing the Kingdom’s capacity to document and validate sustainable land management practices, the achievement contributes to the preservation of natural resources, the improvement of quality of life, and the fulfillment of international environmental commitments. It also showcases Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international cooperation and knowledge sharing, values that are central to the Vision’s vision of a globally engaged Kingdom.

Looking ahead, this breakthrough opens new avenues for Saudi Arabia to lead in land restoration and desertification control. The ten accredited experts will serve as a foundation for further capacity building, potentially expanding to include more specialists and a wider range of practices. As the Kingdom continues to implement its environmental initiatives, the ability to review and validate practices in Arabic will be a valuable asset, enabling faster and more inclusive documentation of solutions. This, in turn, will support the global effort to combat desertification and achieve Land Degradation Neutrality, while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a responsible and influential actor on the world stage. The milestone is a clear example of how Vision 2030 is translating into tangible achievements that benefit both the Kingdom and the international community.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT)?

A1. WOCAT is a global network and database that documents and shares sustainable land management practices. It is used by governments, researchers, and organizations to identify proven solutions to land degradation. Its Global Sustainable Land Management Database is a key resource for international efforts to combat desertification.

Q2. What milestone has Saudi Arabia achieved in land management?

A2. Saudi Arabia has become the first Arab country to have professionals accredited as Arabic-language expert reviewers for the WOCAT Global Sustainable Land Management Database. This enables sustainable land management practices to be documented and reviewed in Arabic, supporting environmental sustainability and Saudi Vision 2030.

Q3. How many Saudi specialists were registered in the global database?

A3. Ten Saudi specialists were registered in the global database. Five serve as expert reviewers responsible for technical review and quality assessment, and five serve as Saudi national experts responsible for national-level validation and approval of documented practices before publication.

Q4. Which Saudi organization announced this achievement?

A4. The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification announced the achievement. The center is responsible for vegetation cover development and combating desertification in the Kingdom, and it works to enhance environmental sustainability in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Q5. What role did the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) play?

A5. The FAO provided technical support through its partnership with WOCAT. This support helped build the capacity of Saudi specialists to meet the rigorous standards required for accreditation as expert reviewers, following a joint evaluation by the FAO and the WOCAT Secretariat.

Q6. What are the responsibilities of the expert reviewers?

A6. The five expert reviewers are responsible for technical review and quality assessment of sustainable land management practices submitted to the WOCAT database. They evaluate the scientific and practical merits of documented approaches to ensure they meet international standards before acceptance.

Q7. What are the responsibilities of the Saudi national experts?

A7. The five Saudi national experts are responsible for national-level validation and approval of documented practices before publication on the global platform. This ensures that practices are relevant and applicable to local conditions and meet national standards.

Q8. Why is Arabic-language expertise important in sustainable land management?

A8. Arabic-language expertise reduces language barriers and allows Arab countries to contribute their knowledge to the global database. It ensures that region-specific solutions developed in arid and semi-arid environments are recognized and shared worldwide, enhancing regional participation and knowledge exchange.

Q9. How does this achievement complement Saudi Arabia’s National Greening Program?

A9. The National Greening Program was recognized as a UN World Restoration Flagship at COP17 to the UNCCD in August 2026. The accreditation of Arabic-language reviewers complements this by enhancing the Kingdom’s capacity to document and validate land restoration practices in line with international standards.

Q10. What is the significance of Saudi Arabia being the first Arab country to achieve this?

A10. It sets a precedent for other Arab nations to follow and encourages greater participation from the region in global land management efforts. It also positions Saudi Arabia as a leader in Arabic-language technical expertise and strengthens its role in regional and global environmental initiatives.

Q11. How does this milestone support Saudi Vision 2030?

A11. It supports Vision 2030’s environmental sustainability objectives, particularly the Saudi Green Initiative’s targets to restore degraded land and increase vegetation cover. It also aligns with the Vision’s goals of diversifying the economy, fostering innovation, and enhancing global competitiveness.

Q12. What is the WOCAT Global Sustainable Land Management Database?

A12. It is a comprehensive global database of sustainable land management practices, used by governments, researchers, and organizations to identify and share proven solutions to land degradation. It serves as a key resource for international efforts to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality.

Q13. What are the practical benefits of having Arabic-language reviewers in the database?

A13. They enable sustainable land management practices from Arab countries to be documented, reviewed, and validated in Arabic, then shared globally. This reduces language barriers, accelerates knowledge exchange, and ensures that successful practices from arid regions are accessible to a wider audience.

Q14. How does this achievement affect regional cooperation?

A14. It encourages greater participation from Arab countries in the WOCAT database and fosters South-South cooperation. By validating practices in Arabic, Saudi Arabia helps create a regional knowledge base tailored to local conditions, strengthening collective action against desertification.

Q15. What is the role of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification?

A15. The center is responsible for developing vegetation cover and combating desertification in Saudi Arabia. It led the effort to achieve this accreditation, working with the FAO and WOCAT, and continues to support the Kingdom’s environmental sustainability goals under Vision 2030.

Q16. How does this milestone relate to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)?

A16. It complements the recognition of Saudi Arabia’s National Greening Program as a UN World Restoration Flagship at COP17 to the UNCCD. Both achievements reinforce the Kingdom’s commitment to international efforts to combat desertification and restore degraded land.

Q17. What economic benefits does this achievement bring to Saudi Arabia?

A17. It improves the efficiency of land restoration investments, leading to cost savings and better resource allocation. It also supports food security, water availability, and agricultural productivity, which are critical to the Kingdom’s long-term stability and prosperity.

Q18. How does this achievement enhance Saudi Arabia’s global influence?

A18. It strengthens the Kingdom’s credibility and influence in global environmental forums, allowing it to shape standards for sustainable land management. It also reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a knowledge hub and a leader in combating desertification and promoting sustainability.

Q19. What are the next steps following this accreditation?

A19. The ten accredited experts will begin reviewing and validating practices, potentially expanding to include more specialists and a wider range of practices. Saudi Arabia will continue to build capacity and contribute to global efforts to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality.

Q20. How does this milestone reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international cooperation?

A20. It demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to working with international organizations like the FAO and WOCAT to address global environmental challenges. It also showcases Saudi Arabia’s willingness to share knowledge and expertise for the benefit of the region and the world.

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