Welcome to CEMS, where we are committed to serving the Kingdom in research areas related to the environment and Marine Science. As the director of this fantastic Center, I am incredibly proud and humbled to lead a team of exceptional researchers and scientists who are dedicated to making a positive impact on our society and environment.

CEMS is dedicated to exploring and discovering new ways to protect and preserve our natural resources. Our research encompasses numerous specializations from scientific and engineering disciplines, including oil and gas development, renewable energy, tourism resorts, protected area preservation, geotourism, and more.

For more than four decades, CEMS has been at the forefront of supporting the oil and gas industry by conducting numerous environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and monitoring related projects for several governmental and private entities. Throughout these years, CEMS has witnessed significant growth, achieving long-term success and overcoming all the challenges.

At CEMS, our primary goal is to lead the way in research, development, and innovation to promote environmental sustainability while preserving our precious natural resources. As part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, we have restructured our strategic plan to align with the national mission of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2035 and reducing carbon emissions in the Kingdom by 30% by 2040.

CEMS is thrilled to be actively engaged with the newly merged entities that represent the new environmental ecosystem of the Kingdom. Our collaboration with the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC), National Center for Wildlife (NCW), and National Center for Vegetation Cover and Deforestation (NCVC) is rapidly growing. We take great pride in being part of their initiatives that aim to promote sustainability and preserve our environment. Additionally, CEMS has developed grand research challenges, including the mapping and ecosystem assessment of 50% of coral reefs and seagrass in the Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf, terrestrial vegetation mapping, and associated biodiversity assessment. Our involvement in AI-based smart monitoring of marine and terrestrial biodiversity is crucial to preserving our natural resources.

Our partnership with Aramco, our main partner, is a testament to the successful implementation of a mutually beneficial collaboration under the fruitful umbrella agreement. The renewal of our sustaining project for an additional five years clearly indicates the trust and confidence that Aramco places in us. Together, we share a commitment to making a lasting impact on environmental sustainability and creating a more sustainable future for generations to come. Our collaboration with Aramco is centered around critical research topics such as eDNA, passive samplers, microplastics, and turtle studies. These are vital areas for the environmental sustainability of our region, and our joint efforts have produced impressive results. As we move forward, we look forward to continuing to work together to achieve our goals and contribute to the Kingdom's vision of a more sustainable future.

I am proud of our team's accomplishments and the strides we have made toward achieving our goals. We will continue to strive for excellence and uphold our values of truthfulness, morality, competency, teamwork, creativity, and respect.