Official government website of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
The university, represented by the College of Engineering, is preparing to host the First International Conference on Natural Resources Sustainability: Sustainable Solid Waste Management, during the period of Rabi' al-Awwal 8-9, 1441 AH, in cooperation with the Sustainable Development Center. This conference aims to explore ways to contribute to the preparation of a vision for sustainable solid waste management at the national and global levels, through the participation of a number of experts, academics, and specialists in this field, accompanied by discussions on the results of the latest studies, research, and scientific papers related to sustainable solid waste management.
The conference also aims to highlight the extent of wasted natural and economic resources and estimate the environmental cost of this waste. It will also discuss the necessary measures to transition to sustainable food systems with reduced loss and food waste. Additionally, it aims to stimulate integration among partners from various disciplines for sustainable waste management, explore opportunities to encourage investment in waste recycling technology development in the Kingdom, and study the obstacles to investment in waste processing industries. This will be achieved through several key themes, which include: Responsible Consumer and Valued Food, Attractive Investment, Resource Recovery, Integrated Solid Waste Management, and Environmental Protection.
Conference participants seek to reduce per capita consumption rates of certain goods and services in Saudi Arabia, which are among the highest globally, leading to an increase in solid waste generation. They also aim to limit the depletion and degradation of natural resources due to high consumption rates, and to transfer and localize modern global technologies in waste management that are compatible with the Kingdom's conditions. Furthermore, they intend to address the challenges arising from waste, which is the responsibility of every member of society, raise community awareness about the risks of waste generation, encourage initiatives aimed at improving sustainable waste management, and provide opportunities for exchanging expertise and knowledge among specialists in waste management and sustainable development.
Professor Dr. Khalid bin Bani Al-Harbi, head of the conference's organizing committee and Vice President of Qassim University for Planning, Development, and Quality, explained that this conference comes at a time when sustainability has become an essential requirement for maintaining development in communities, achieving a dignified life for their members, and ensuring their progress and prosperity as civilized societies. He pointed out that the conference will shed light on the sustainable management of solid waste, which in turn ensures a sustainable return, reduces the waste of natural resources, making it economically fruitful, environmentally beneficial, and meeting actual needs.
The "Head of the Organizing Committee" pointed out that the university has recognized the importance of sustainability and its diverse factors, especially developmental ones, making it one of its priorities, and indeed a fundamental building block in its vision and mission which it strives to achieve. From this perspective, the university's College of Engineering attaches great importance to these topics due to their specialized nature, which will be one of the most important arms of the university in achieving this noble goal, alongside other specialized entities from colleges and units, most importantly the University's Center for Sustainable Development, as a partner in organization and host of the conference with the college in holding this distinguished international forum.
The head of the conference's organizing committee confirmed that the university could only play this role under the strategic directives that our wise government attaches great importance to. These directives have a positive impact on improving the quality of life and enhancing economic aspects, which are among the pillars of our dear kingdom's vision. Through this vision, we elevate it to the ranks of developed countries and advanced societies. He explained that the university, in turn, is working to overcome all obstacles and has harnessed all capabilities for this distinguished conference. He expressed his hope that its recommendations will contribute to advancing sustainable management in general, and solid waste management in particular, thereby achieving the sustainability of our natural resources.
