Feb 01, 2026

GiKS Conference Brings Sustainability into Focus

The third edition of the Green Sustainable Future in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (GiKS) Conference took place on January 28–29, 2026, bringing together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and students for two days of dialogue on sustainability, conservation, and applied environmental solutions. The event was organized by KFUPM’s Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies (ARCEMS), in collaboration with the university’s Institute for Knowledge Exchange (KIKX).

Opening the conference, Dr. Luai Alhelms, Director of ARCEMS, reflected on the center’s long-standing role in environmental and marine research. He noted that ARCEMS had been operating for more than 40 years, working with over 35 clients and more than 30 key industry partners, and had contributed approximately 600 papers to peer-reviewed journals. He also highlighted the center’s educational role, explaining that ARCEMS offered training programs for graduate and undergraduate students, as well as specialized education for Mawhiba participants as part of its corporate social responsibility activities. Looking ahead, Dr. Alhelms shared plans for the center’s next phase, including the construction of a dedicated facility adjacent to the shoreline and the acquisition of a research vessel that would operate in nearby waters, expanding ARCEMS’ capacity for field-based marine studies.

His remarks were followed by a speech from Dr. Mohamed Alsaad, Chief Operating Officer of the sponsoring company Safeen Survey and Subsea Services. The opening session concluded with a keynote address by KFUPM’s Vice President for Research & Innovation, Dr. Ali Al-Shaikhi, who spoke on behalf of KFUPM President Dr. Muhammad Al-Saggaf. Dr. Al-Shaikhi thanked the conference participants and provided an overview of the university’s research strategy, outlining how its priorities had been translated into ongoing projects and partnerships.

Across the two days, the conference featured 26 talks and workshops addressing a range of environmental and sustainability-related themes. According to Aishah AlDossary, Environmental Compliance Specialist at ARCEMS, the primary goal of GiKS was to connect innovation, smart technologies, and sustainability by convening participants from both government entities and the private sector. Sessions explored topics such as protecting fragile ecosystems, applying smart technologies to environmental management, and advancing Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to conservation and long-term environmental stewardship.

Beyond formal sessions, GiKS included an extensive exhibition program. Attendees explored displays of preserved relics, advanced humanoid robots and drones, beehives, marine models, and other scientific artefacts. The exhibition space also featured 47 poster presentations by students from universities across the Kingdom, as well as contributions from high school students. Interactive learning activities were designed for younger audiences, with elementary school children from KFUPM schools and international ones taking part.

Among the speakers was Dr. Mariska Weijerman, Director of the Office of Research and Innovation at the Imam Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority (IARDA). Her presentation focused on restoration techniques aimed at reversing environmental degradation within the royal reserve. She highlighted ARCEMS as a key research partner, noting that collaborative projects with Dr. Alhelms’ team were already underway in their early stages. Attending GiKS for the second time, Dr. Weijerman also commented on the exhibition component of the conference, expressing particular enthusiasm for the innovations on display and observing that they were even more engaging than those presented during the previous edition.

The conference program included international participation as well, with speakers traveling from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and India, among others. Two speakers from the United States, Dr. Sorab Panday and Ms. Marie-Hélène Paré of GSI Environmental Inc., contributed to the discussions from different disciplinary perspectives.

For Ms. Paré, the event marked both her first time attending GiKS and her first visit to Saudi Arabia. Reflecting on the sessions, she noted the interrelated nature of the topics addressed, saying, “I'm seeing a theme here; all these different topics, if you start paying attention, you’ll hear a lot of the same key aspects, whether you're talking about groundwater or marine science or mining or biology.” Her presentation focused on mining, already aware that KFUPM offered a dedicated academic program in the field.

Dr. Panday’s talk centered on scientific storytelling, emphasizing the importance of communicating research findings in ways that were accessible to non-specialist audiences. Together, their contributions reflected the broader aim of GiKS 2026: to connect scientific research, practical applications, and public understanding within a shared conversation on sustainability.

Overall, the third GiKS Conference concluded with a clear emphasis on collaboration, applied research, and knowledge exchange as essential components of environmental progress in Saudi Arabia. By bringing together diverse sectors, age groups, and international perspectives, the event reinforced the importance of linking scientific work with practical action and public engagement.