Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is a government ministry in Saudi Arabia responsible for environmental protection, water resource management, agricultural development, and food security. The ministry formulates and implements policies to promote the sustainable use of natural resources while supporting the Kingdom's environmental, water, and agricultural sectors.

The ministry was established as the Ministry of Agriculture in 1953 and was renamed the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in May 2016 following a government restructuring that consolidated responsibilities for environmental and water affairs. Since January 15, 2015, it has been headed by Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, who retained his position after the ministry's reorganization.

History In 1947, the directorate general for Agriculture was established under the Ministry of Finance, and was assigned the responsibilities of agriculture such as improving lands and irrigation and building dams. This entity was later transformed into the Ministry of Agriculture and Water in 1953 and Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was appointed the Minister of Agriculture in 1953. His tenure lasted until 1955. In 2002, the water sector was separated from the ministry and became the Ministry of Agriculture. However, in 2016, the name of the Ministry of Agriculture was amended again to the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.

Objectives The ministry has objectives regarding the environment water and agriculture. These objectives include the development and preservation of the environment and natural resources. And also the achievement of the water and food security.

Deputy ministries Directorate of Environment. Directorate of Water. Directorate of Agriculture. Directorate of Land & Survey. Directorate of Animal Resources. Directorate of Planning & Budget. Directorate of Shared Services. Directorate of Economic Affairs and Investment.

Departments Plant Health Department

Agreements and Partnerships

In December 2020, the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) approved the Saudi proposal to declare 2027 as the International Year of Date Palm and Dates, following a recommendation by the organization’s Committee on Agriculture, in preparation for its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly. In March 2023, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) organized a training program in the Kingdom on Farmer Field Schools for date palm pest management, in cooperation with the relevant national authorities. The program aimed to strengthen the capacities of farmers and agricultural extension workers in combating pests affecting date palm trees, especially the red palm weevil, through the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices and integrated pest management approaches. The training also included the exchange of technical expertise and capacity building to support the sustainability of the date palm and dates sector in the Kingdom. In December 2024, KSA hosted the sixteenth session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16) in Riyadh, with the participation of Saudi entities concerned with environment and sustainable development, and with the contribution of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The conference discussed ways to strengthen national and international efforts to combat desertification and restore degraded lands, with a focus on supporting policies and initiatives aimed at protecting natural resources and enhancing the sustainability of ecosystems and agricultural systems, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

In September 2025, The Twenty-Seventh Session of the Near East Forestry and Range Commission (NEFRC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was held in Jeddah, marking the seventieth anniversary of the Commission and the eightieth anniversary of FAO. The session coincided with the Sixth Near East Forestry Week, during which representatives of member countries discussed regional environmental challenges such as land degradation, drought, forest fires, sand and dust storms, and the impacts of climate change. Recommendations were declared to strengthen land restoration efforts, integrate forestry with other sectors, support innovation and modern technologies, and engage youth, concluding with a reaffirmation of regional cooperation.

In 2025, KSA concluded its presidency of the International Year of Camelids 2024, launched by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to highlight the global economic, nutritional, and cultural importance of camelids, particularly their role in supporting food security. During its presidency, KSA organized international events and exhibitions, and provided research support and investments exceeding SAR 1 billion to advance the development of the camel sector. In November 2025, KSA participated in the development and adoption of the first international standard for fresh dates within the framework of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, affiliated with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization. The initiative aimed to enhance the quality of dates, facilitate their global trade, and strengthen the competitiveness of Saudi dates in international markets.

List of ministers Islamic calendar Gregorian calendarGregorian calendar, Minister Arabic Observations Designated Left post Designated Left post 18/04/1373H20/03/1375HSultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saudسلطان بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود20/03/1375H05/06/1375HAbdul Aziz Al-Sudairiعبد العزيز السديريThe vacancy of a month and a half in that Ministry, caused by the death on' November 30, 1955 of Sayyid 'Abd al-Aziz al-Sudairi, was thereby filled. The two Sudoiris were brothers.Abdul Aziz Al-Sudairi05/06/1375H03/07/1380HKhalid Al-Sudairiخالد السديري03/07/1380H09/10/1381HAbdullah Al-Dabbaghعبدالله الدباغAbdullah Al-Dabbagh09/10/1381H03/06/1382HAbdulrahman Al-Sheikhعبدالرحمن الشيخ03/06/1382H21/04/1384HIbrahim Al-Swailemإبراهيم السويلم21/04/1384H08/10/1395HHassan Al-Mishariحسن المشاري08/10/1395H05/06/1415HAbdulrahman Al-Sheikhعبدالرحمن الشيخ05/06/1415H05/03/1416HAbdulaziz Al-Khuwaiterعبدالعزيز الخويطر06/03/1416H05/03/1424HAbdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Muammarعبدالله بن عبدالعزيز بن معمر06/03/1424H16/02/1436HFahd bin Abdul Rahman Balghunaimفهد بن عبد الرحمن بالغنيم17/02/1436H16/04/1436HWaleed A. Elkhereijiوليد علي الخريجي17/04/1436HAbdulrahman Al Fadliعبدالرحمن الفضلي Ministry of Minister of Environment Water and Agriculturea

Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture

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