“Saudi Arabia has been going through big challenges and the government and private sector must work together to confront these challenges so that we’ll not make the mistakes of others and not lose the natural resources that God has bestowed on us,” he told a workshop in Jeddah.

He described the continuous increase in population as the biggest challenge facing the Kingdom, adding that it would lead to a rise in demand for energy, water and food and increase pressure on arable land and increasing pressure on the natural and marine environment. Apart from creating more jobs, population growth would also require expansion of educational and health facilities.

Prince Faisal also spoke about some ideas the center is currently working on to find solutions for challenges. “These solutions focus more on policies than technology. We should have a unified energy strategy covering both conventional and renewable energy,” he said.

He also emphasized the need for a strategic correction in urban environments in order to achieve sustainable urban development with modern communication facilities, smart buildings and advanced systems for garbage treatment.

“The climate change affecting our cities demand from us a review of our urban planning and design policies, building of modern infrastructure and better management of our cities through rationalization of consumption of natural resources and reducing its negative impact on the environment,” he said.

He said the Saudi Initiative for Sustainability has won the support of the British government and Boeing Co.

“This initiative aims at creating an atmosphere for exchanging views and thoughts between international experts and analysts to reach the best proposals for sustainable development,” the prince said.

During a single year, the SCSS organized three specialized workshops. “We have formed a higher committee with representatives from the ministries of economy and planning, social affairs, and municipal and rural affairs and the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment.”

The workshop comes at a time when Jeddah’s executives are preparing a plan to confront urban development challenges and make Jeddah one of the model cities in the world. The workshop aims at making use of international expertise in order to help Jeddah face present and future challenges.

In his speech, Jeddah Mayor Hani Aburas emphasized the importance of strategic planning for urban development. “Jeddah has given utmost importance to such planning. The municipality is now mobilizing all its resources and potentials to complete its strategic planning to achieve the objectives of sustainable development.”

Aburas highlighted Jeddah’s importance as a major business and cultural city. “It is a meeting point of cultures and the gateway to the holy mosques.” More efforts should be made to provide infrastructure and basic services not for just meeting present needs, he said, adding that urban development plans should be prepared with a futuristic vision.