Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, is preparing to host the fifth edition of the Saudi Media Forum 2026 , which will commence on Monday, February 2nd and continue until February 4th, 2026. This year's forum, themed "Media in a Changing World," will bring together more than 300 of the world's leading thought leaders, media professionals, experts, and academics to participate in in-depth discussions across more than 150 sessions and workshops. These sessions aim to explore the future of the media industry, its challenges, and its promising opportunities.

Background and development of the forum

The Saudi Media Forum launched its first edition in 2019 and quickly established itself as one of the most important media events in the region. Founded to create a dialogue platform that brings together local and international expertise, the forum aims to develop the media industry in the Kingdom in line with the goals of Vision 2030. Throughout its previous editions, the forum has discussed vital topics such as digital transformation, combating fake news, and the role of media in sustainable development, becoming an annual event eagerly anticipated by media professionals for exchanging knowledge and exploring future trends.

The importance of strategy and leadership support

In this context, His Excellency the Minister of Media, Mr. Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossari, expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz – may God protect them – for their continued support of the media sector. His Excellency affirmed that the generous royal patronage of the forum embodies the leadership's firm belief in the pivotal role of media as a strategic partner in the national development process and a soft power that reflects to the world the magnitude of the major transformations taking place in the Kingdom.

The minister added that the forum's timing, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the launch of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, gives it special significance. The Vision marked a historic turning point for Saudi media, transforming it from a mere conduit for events to an influencer and a mirror reflecting the maturity and progress of the Saudi experience to the world. The forum serves to crown these achievements and open new horizons for the future.

Addressing the challenges of the digital age

For his part, Professor Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi, Chairman of the Saudi Media Forum, emphasized that the fifth edition comes at a crucial time, requiring media institutions to redefine their roles to keep pace with the changing times, especially in light of the dominance of artificial intelligence and evolving content consumption patterns. He explained that the forum is not merely a platform for discussion, but a global workshop aimed at deconstructing complex challenges and transforming them into sustainable opportunities, with a focus on restoring public trust in the media message and building impactful narratives that transcend superficiality.

A qualitative leap and innovative initiatives

Al-Harthi revealed a significant addition this year: the launch of the “Boulevard 2030” zone for the first time, coinciding with the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX). This zone will transform the forum's halls into a vibrant showcase of the achievements of major Saudi projects such as NEOM, Diriyah Gate, and Qiddiya, offering media professionals and visitors a unique opportunity to engage directly with the success stories shaping the Kingdom's thriving reality. In doing so, the forum reaffirms its role as a bridge between media and development, reinforcing Riyadh's position as a leading regional and international media capital, transitioning from content consumption to content innovation.

The National Afforestation Program has announced the identification of 44 native plant species that thrive in the diverse environments of the Al-Jawf region, a move reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to achieving its environmental sustainability goals. These environments include sand dunes, plains, highlands, valleys, plateaus, and salt flats, highlighting the region's rich biodiversity and its potential to support ambitious afforestation projects.

General context: Part of a national green vision

These efforts are part of a broader initiative led by Saudi Arabia to achieve a comprehensive environmental transformation, a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030. The Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant billions of trees across the Kingdom, is the driving force behind these projects. The National Afforestation Program, by focusing on native plants, aims to ensure the success and sustainability of these initiatives, as these species are perfectly adapted to harsh climatic conditions and require less water and resources, making them the ideal choice for combating desertification and effectively developing vegetation cover.

The importance of the event and its expected impact

At the local level, the afforestation of the Al-Jawf region with these plants contributes to improving air quality, reducing land degradation, stabilizing the soil to withstand sandstorms, and enhancing the natural habitats of native organisms. The project also raises community awareness about the importance of environmental conservation and encourages local participation in afforestation efforts, creating a sustainable legacy for future generations. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom's success in rehabilitating its desert ecosystems using native plants provides a leading model for other countries facing similar challenges and underscores its active role in global efforts to combat climate change and preserve biodiversity.

Botanical treasures in the Al-Jawf region

The program highlighted the rich biodiversity of the Al-Jawf region, encompassing shrubs, trees, and perennial and annual herbs. Among the most prominent identified species are: *Acacia tortilis*, *Atriplex halimus*, *Atriplex thalis*, *Atriplex thalis*, *Atriplex rhizome*, *Atriplex senegal*, *Atriplex halimus ... and *Atriplex halimus*. These plants belong to diverse families such as legumes, Atriplex halimus, Atriplex halimus, and *Atriplex halimus*, reflecting the region's rich biodiversity. This diversity not only supports the ecosystem but also preserves the Kingdom's natural heritage.