وتعدّ السودة للتطوير أول شركة تطوير عقاري في المملكة ودول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية، تنضمّ إلى عضوية "شراكة الجبال" التابعة للأمم المتحدة، التي تأسست عام 2002م وهي تحالف طوعي للشركاء، وتعمل كأداة وإطار يتم من خلاله تعزيز التعاون والالتزام في الأجل الطويل، وتقدم فرصاً جديدة لتبادل النتائج وللتواصل الشبكي والبدء في أنشطة جديدة وتعزيز الأنشطة القائمة بغرض تحسين سبل المعيشة لسكان الجبال وحماية البيئة الجبلية حول العالم.
وقال الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة السودة للتطوير المهندس حسام الدين المدني: نسعى من خلال انضمامنا لعضوية شراكة الجبال إلى الالتزام بالحفاظ على الإرث الطبيعي والثقافي والتراثي في منطقة المشروع، والإسهام بتحسين جودة الحياة، وسعيدين بأن تكون السودة أول وجهة جبلية في الخليج تنضمّ إلى عضوية "شراكة الجبال"، وتعد هذه العضوية ضمن مجموعة الشراكات الإستراتيجية التي نسعى من خلالها إلى تحقيق أهداف المشروع للإسهام في تنمية الاقتصاد المحلي".
وأفاد أن مواقع مشروع تطوير السودة وأجزاء من رجال ألمع غنيّة بالموارد الطبيعية والتنوع البيئي إذ تحتضن أعلى قمة في المملكة بارتفاع يصل إلى 3015 متراً عن سطح البحر، كما تضم عدداً كبيراً من أشجار العرعر المعمرة والكائنات الفطرية الفريدة، وتعدّ جهة مميزة للطيور المهاجرة، بالإضافة إلى التراث الفريد والثقافة الأصيلة التي تتميز بها المنطقة، وهذا ما يجعلها وجهة فريدة من نوعها.
من جهته، أكد مدير إدارة البيئة والحياة البرية في السودة للتطوير سردان سوسيك أن هذه الشراكة ستساعد الشركة على مشاركة أفضل المعايير الدولية في التميز والحوكمة، خاصة وأن الاستدامة عنصر رئيسي ضمن رؤية المملكة لمستقبل السياحة العالمية، كما تكتسب الشراكات الدولية من هذا النوع أهمية خاصة كونها تساعد على إعادة بناء القطاع وتعزيزه عقب الآثار السلبية لجائحة كورونا.
بدورها قالت روزا لورا روميو من أمانة شراكة الجبال: " يسعدنا التعاون مع السودة للتطوير وسيساعدنا ذلك على التوسع في منطقة الشرق الأوسط، حيث نعمل في شراكة الجبال حول العالم منذ ما يقارب العشرين عاماً على ضمان رفاهية سكان الجبال الاجتماعية والاقتصادية وحفظ مداخيلهم، إضافة إلى حماية المناطق الجبلية".
يذكر أن السودة للتطوير المملوكة بالكامل لصندوق الاستثمارات العامة، سبق أن أعلنت عن عدد من المبادرات البيئية التي تسهم في تحقيق أهداف مبادرة السعودية الخضراء وتدعم الجهود البيئية التي تقوم بها المملكة بهدف تطوير وجهة جبلية سياحية عالمية تتميز بتراثها الفريد وثقافتها الأصيلة وتطبق أعلى معايير الاستدامة البيئية.
Soudah Development Becomes Region’s First Developer to Join the Mountain Partnership
SD becomes one of over 400 global members of official UN alliance dedicated to protecting mountain environments and their communities
SD becomes first developer in Saudi Arabia to join the UN Mountain Partnership
Membership will enhance SD’s focus on sustainable development
17 The Soudah Development (SD) has announced its membership of the Mountain Partnership, an alliance dedicated to protecting mountain environments around the world whose Secretariat is hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This partnership will allow SD to tap into an international wealth of experience and resources, as it develops a regulatory framework to preserve the environment and its cultural and human heritage, in conjunction with its luxury mountain ecotourism project.
SD joins over 400 global members comprising governments, intergovernmental organizations, companies and civil society groups in a commitment to improving the lives of the local communities, preserving mountain ecosystems and rich biodiversity. “The Mountain Partnership has been working globally for over twenty years to ensure the social and economic well-being and livelihoods of mountain peoples as well as the protection of mountain areas” says Rosalaura Romeo of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat. “We are happy to be expanding in the region and look forward to collaborate with Soudah Development.”
SD is the first developer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in the Gulf to join the Partnership that was established in 2002. This membership will be the first of many environmental and sustainability-focused partnerships that SD will take part in to achieve sustainable development, in line with those of the UN, foremost of which are environmental protection and combating climate change.
At a height of 3,015 meters above sea level, the mountainous area in the Asir region is the highest point in the Kingdom. It is set to become the mountain adventure capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider region, offering opportunities for hiking and exploration, paragliding and other adventurous outdoor activities in a serene setting.
Husameddin AlMadani, CEO of SD, said: “We are very proud to be the first the developer in the Gulf region to become a member of the global Mountain Partnership. It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to create a truly unique mountain destination, where sustainable development is a focus in our strategy. We look forward to collaborating with our new mountain partners and welcoming them here to Soudah in the future as we deliver on Kingdom’s vision for sustainable tourism and entertainment growth.”
AlMadani explained that the Mountain Partnership membership is fully aligned with the goals of Vision 2030 and the Green Saudi Initiative that has been actively embraced by SD. The company has committed to undertaking a reforestation program to plant over one million trees and plants by 2030, ultimately sequestering 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Joining the Mountain Partnership is a significant milestone for SD towards accomplishing its mission, as defined by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Chairman of the SD Board of Directors.
The membership also allows SD to reach out to prospective mountain developers and adventure tourism partners, who will recognize how the entity is embracing the same development values and quality standards as major mountain destinations worldwide.
Srdan Susic, Environment & Wildlife Director at SD, added: “This great partnership will allow SD to share international best standards in excellence and governance, especially given how essential sustainability is in the Kingdom’s vision for the future of global tourism and long-term economic diversification. International partnerships of this nature are also important for helping to rebuild and strengthen the sector following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
SD, owned by the Public Investment Fund, will lead the development of a luxury mountain tourism destination, offering immersive cultural experiences and celebration of the natural assets empowering the local and national economies.
SD becomes one of over 400 global members of official UN alliance dedicated to protecting mountain environments and their communities
SD becomes first developer in Saudi Arabia to join the UN Mountain Partnership
Membership will enhance SD’s focus on sustainable development
17 The Soudah Development (SD) has announced its membership of the Mountain Partnership, an alliance dedicated to protecting mountain environments around the world whose Secretariat is hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This partnership will allow SD to tap into an international wealth of experience and resources, as it develops a regulatory framework to preserve the environment and its cultural and human heritage, in conjunction with its luxury mountain ecotourism project.
SD joins over 400 global members comprising governments, intergovernmental organizations, companies and civil society groups in a commitment to improving the lives of the local communities, preserving mountain ecosystems and rich biodiversity. “The Mountain Partnership has been working globally for over twenty years to ensure the social and economic well-being and livelihoods of mountain peoples as well as the protection of mountain areas” says Rosalaura Romeo of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat. “We are happy to be expanding in the region and look forward to collaborate with Soudah Development.”
SD is the first developer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in the Gulf to join the Partnership that was established in 2002. This membership will be the first of many environmental and sustainability-focused partnerships that SD will take part in to achieve sustainable development, in line with those of the UN, foremost of which are environmental protection and combating climate change.
At a height of 3,015 meters above sea level, the mountainous area in the Asir region is the highest point in the Kingdom. It is set to become the mountain adventure capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider region, offering opportunities for hiking and exploration, paragliding and other adventurous outdoor activities in a serene setting.
Husameddin AlMadani, CEO of SD, said: “We are very proud to be the first the developer in the Gulf region to become a member of the global Mountain Partnership. It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to create a truly unique mountain destination, where sustainable development is a focus in our strategy. We look forward to collaborating with our new mountain partners and welcoming them here to Soudah in the future as we deliver on Kingdom’s vision for sustainable tourism and entertainment growth.”
AlMadani explained that the Mountain Partnership membership is fully aligned with the goals of Vision 2030 and the Green Saudi Initiative that has been actively embraced by SD. The company has committed to undertaking a reforestation program to plant over one million trees and plants by 2030, ultimately sequestering 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Joining the Mountain Partnership is a significant milestone for SD towards accomplishing its mission, as defined by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Chairman of the SD Board of Directors.
The membership also allows SD to reach out to prospective mountain developers and adventure tourism partners, who will recognize how the entity is embracing the same development values and quality standards as major mountain destinations worldwide.
Srdan Susic, Environment & Wildlife Director at SD, added: “This great partnership will allow SD to share international best standards in excellence and governance, especially given how essential sustainability is in the Kingdom’s vision for the future of global tourism and long-term economic diversification. International partnerships of this nature are also important for helping to rebuild and strengthen the sector following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
SD, owned by the Public Investment Fund, will lead the development of a luxury mountain tourism destination, offering immersive cultural experiences and celebration of the natural assets empowering the local and national economies.
