Riyadh – Led by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and co-organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Saudi Arabia Country office and the United Nations in Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), a media workshop was held to empower journalists to address desertification issues and increase public awareness.

The workshop focused on storytelling techniques and social media strategies to help journalists present environmental issues, particularly desertification, in ways that resonate with a broader audience, including those interested in sports, celebrity culture, and lifestyle trends.

Key Highlights of the Workshop:

One of the key presentations was delivered by Mr. Asim Salah, Senior Programme Associate at UNDP Saudi Arabia and National Focal Point for COP16. Mr. Salah’s session emphasized the importance of presenting desertification as a crucial issue aPecting Saudi Arabia’s national food security, agricultural wealth, and rural livelihoods. His speech provided journalists with practical tools to link desertification to everyday life through relatable stories that focus on:

1. The impact of desertificationon food security, including rising food prices and reduced agricultural output.
2. The threat desertification poses to Saudi Arabia’s agricultural economy and the livelihoods of farmers.
3. The connection between desertification and water scarcity ,making it a national challenge.
4. How desertification impacts biodiversity and wildlife.

Mr. Salah highlighted the need for engaging storytelling and social media use to reach younger audiences. He suggested incorporating hashtags like #SaudiGreenInitiative and #Vision2030 to link environmental messaging to national pride and progress. Collaboration with influencers was also encouraged to amplify the impact of such stories.

Through initiatives like this, UNDP and its partners remain committed to raising awareness about desertification and contributing to Saudi Arabia’s broader sustainability goals. The COP16 Media Workshop provided a platform for media professionals to exchange ideas and enhance their capacity to cover environmental challenges effectively.