Riyadh: Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al Mushaiti opened a showcase highlighting Saudi rural areas at the Ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh on Monday.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the inaugural edition of the exhibition, referred to as Saudi Reef, showcases the beauty of rural areas across the Kingdom and the sectors supported by the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program. The event features visual and on-site displays that highlight elements of rural identity not previously presented.

The opening took place during a ceremony held by the Saudi Reef program, attended by Ministry officials, agricultural stakeholders, and farmers. During the event, Al Mushaiti also launched an initiative intended to help expand vegetation cover and raise public awareness of afforestation. The initiative, known as Shajarah, supports environmental sustainability in line with the Saudi Green Initiative.

Saudi Reef spokesperson Majed Al-Buraikan said the showcase offers visitors an accessible view of rural life and its beauty, featuring products, photographs, and success stories from farmers across different regions. He noted that the exhibition aims to strengthen public perception of Saudi rural areas as a cultural, economic, tourism, and social asset, while highlighting the role of the Saudi Reef program in supporting, developing, and empowering rural communities and improving their quality of life.