From the deserts of Saudi Arabia to the icy frontiers of Antarctica, Princess Abeer S. Al-Saud is charting a bold and compassionate course for global cooperation in extreme environments—anchored in science, peace, and shared humanity.
A multilateral expert, peace builder and leader, her work spans environmental
conservation, scientific exploration and cultural heritage preservation.
We caught up with Princess Abeer to learn more about her latest ventures –
Timenschen Institute and The Institute of STREAM, two nonprofit and impactful subsidiaries of Dinar Group, a cultural
and sustainability responsible for profit impact enterprise which is the umbrella
of multiple collective impact enterprises of a wider portfolio of cross-sector
coordinated endeavors that aspires to pursue to contribute to a regenerative
future. It operates as a multidisciplinary sustainability and cultural studio with
a broad range of cross-sector initiatives aimed at promoting a regenerative
future, where she drives cross-sector projects that significantly contribute to
socioeconomic development in the MENA region, the Arabian Peninsula and
worldwide. As the co-founder of the Timenschen Institute and the Institute of STREAM, her vision unites scientific innovation, cultural preservation, and sustainable governance. She champions inclusive legal frameworks to protect space and lunar heritage, drawing critical insights from international treaties that safeguard regions like Antarctica and Svalbard—reminding us that peace must extend beyond borders, and even beyond Earth.
Her leadership is defined by strategic foresight, cultural empathy, and a deep commitment to diplomatic dialogue. She also spoke about her vision of leadership in the 21st century, a fusion of
scientific inquiry, artistic expression, value driven projects, cultural
stewardship, and regenerative progress.
The Timenschen Institute and Fund are a bold step into uncharted waters both literally and figuratively. They focus on policy and integration for extreme environments, from polar regions to deep sea to outer space, advocating for legal agreements that preserve scientific cooperation and shared human heritage.
“They were born out of my belief that humanity’s future hinges on our ability to collaborate and preserve our shared heritage in extreme environments, from the polar regions to deep sea to outer space,” she explains.
Inspired by the peace-driven principles that govern space exploration and polar research, Abeer wanted to bridge the gap between scientific advancement and sustainable, collaborative practices.
“In particular, the notion of heritage—the shared legacy of humankind—drives our work. Much like how UNESCO successfully advocated for the recognition of underwater heritage in the early 2000s, there is a pressing need for similar legal agreements around lunar and space heritage and cultural legal agreements among countries and corporations too. These agreements should safeguard our collective identity in the vast expanses beyond our planet, ensuring that scientific discovery doesn’t come at the expense of global cooperation or peace.
“The success of the underwater heritage agreement can serve as an inspiring model for establishing a multilateral consensus among member states, with governments and corporations coming together to endorse a lunar and space heritage agreement. This will foster a shared commitment to preserving our heritage in space while promoting a collaborative and peaceful approach to humanity’s future beyond Earth. Just like the Svalbard Treaty, which Saudi Arabia has endorsed since 1913, and the Antarctic Treaty, which has successfully united nations for over 60 years to collaborate on peaceful scientific efforts despite conflicts elsewhere in the world, a lunar and space heritage agreement can bring nations together for the common good of humanity, fostering collaboration in space for peaceful reasons and the protection of the environment and planet.”
The importance of peaceful collaboration and sustainable practices
Through the Timenschen Institute initiatives, Abeer hopes to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and practical solutions that focus on humanity’s shared future.
“I envision a global ecosystem that not only advances science but also harmonizes with humanity’s values, ensuring that our ventures into extreme environments are governed by peaceful collaboration, sustainable practices, scientific advancement and the preservation of culture and heritage,” she says. “It is vital that we act swiftly to establish these frameworks, using the polar regions and deep seas as benchmarks.”
This kind of forward-thinking and integrated approach to international collaboration is what Princess Abeer envisions for our digitally advanced future that should unite us and bring us closer together rather than divide us.
“We have entered the conceptual age, an era where AI and machinery will drive much of our work. Yet, there are unique human skill sets that technology cannot replicate. These include creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking, traits that will be essential in the future. To thrive in this age, integration across sectors—public, private, and third sectors in addiction to academia, arts, cultural programming and creative industries, the fourth ‘ethical media’ etc…will be essential,” she said.
She believes this kind of collaboration isn’t just about working together “for the sake of it”, it’s about forming alliances that integrate diverse perspectives, talents, and cultures.
“Just as Antarctica operates under the Antarctic Treaty—an exceptional example of multilateral governance—I believe we can create similar agreements in space and deep-sea exploration. The Svalbard Treaty, which Saudi Arabia signed in the early 1900s along with many world countries and is still active, exemplifies the type of international multilateral collaboration needed for governing areas beyond national jurisdiction. Why can’t we extend this kind of cross-border, cooperative governance to lunar and space heritage for example?”
But what does Saudi Arabia have to do with extreme environments governance like the poles or deep sea?
Princess Abeer argues that the connection is more profound than people realize.
“The Empty Quarter, our vast desert, is one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Despite its name, it is full of unknown, unexplored ecosystems. The MENA region is deeply affected by global climate change, from coastal vulnerability to rising sea levels to droughts and increasing temperatures. When I spoke at UNCCD COP16 and COP28, my message was clear: we are part of this global ecosystem. The high glacier melting in Antarctica directly affects our region, and we must be part of the dialogue and also the solution.”
Saudi Arabia’s role in extreme environment research
Saudi Arabia has long been perceived as an energy powerhouse, but Abeer believes the Kingdom is poised to play a much larger role in scientific research and environmental diplomacy.
“As a Saudi citizen, I’m deeply invested in my country’s role in shaping global conversations, particularly in the context of extreme environments. I don’t see this as a mere invitation for Saudi Arabia and the entire member states in the MENA and GCC regions to participate but rather as a call to the international community to integrate Saudi Arabia’s unique strengths into their efforts and invite Saudi and MENA member states to be part of the dialogue,” she says.Saudi Arabia’s strategic position, its growing focus on innovation, and its investment in technology and sustainability, Abeer says, make it “a key player” in shaping the future of extreme environment research and policy.
This isn’t a recent development. Saudi Arabia has a longstanding history of contributing to global sustainability discussions. Long before the 1992 Rio Summit and the emergence of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Saudi Arabia was actively engaged in foundational environmental efforts. In the 1980s, it was the only country from the region among 22 member states represented by His Excellency Prof. Saleh Al-Athel, then-president of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), who participated in drafting the landmark report Our Common Future. This pivotal document introduced the modern definition of sustainable development that remains in use today and laid the groundwork for the UN’s global sustainability agendas. Saudi Arabia’s involvement in such formative moments highlights its early commitment to the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Building on this legacy, the Kingdom launched the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, ambitious programs aimed at combating climate change, reversing environmental degradation, and promoting sustainable development across the region. These initiatives focus on reducing carbon emissions, planting billions of trees, and fostering regional collaboration on clean energy and climate resilience. They represent a bold step in aligning national development with global climate goals and further position Saudi Arabia at the forefront of environmental innovation—especially in the context of extreme environments where solutions must be both locally adapted and globally scalable.
This philosophy extends to programs like a Saudi global STEMM program led by a Saudi businessman; the UNESCO’s Al-Fozan Prize, which recognizes young scientists in STEMM. Al-Fozan’s support, particularly for youth in STEMM, highlights the significant role the private sector can play in creating opportunities for both men and women.
“Saudi Arabia’s commitment to such initiatives is vital to shaping a more inclusive future in the region and globally,” she says.
While Abeer is a role model for women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine), she is hesitant to frame leadership as a gendered issue.
“I don’t subscribe to the notion of singling out women in STEMM,” she says. “I believe balanced leadership—one that blends both masculine and feminine values—is key to sustainable progress.”
She emphasizes that men, too, benefit from adopting this balance in leadership. “It’s not about elevating one over the other but about integrating both perspectives in a healthy and harmonious way.”
However, she wants to shed light on an often-overlooked female historical figure of whom we should know more about: Fatima de Madrid, an 11th-century Muslim scientist from Andalusia who pioneered celestial navigation. “Her contributions remain unsung, yet she laid the foundation for navigation as we know it. Why is that?” she asks.
The role of STREAM in the conceptual age
As Abeer aptly puts it: “If MFA is the new MBA, then MET is the new MFA” and “If STEAMM is the new STEMM, then STREAM will be the new STEAMM.”
As we navigate the shifting landscapes of the 21st century, the need for cross-disciplinary thinking has never been more urgent.
Abeer has been busy establishing the Institute of STREAM.
Integrating altruism and equanimity within the “STREAM”, a metaphor for the convergence of art and science, highlights a holistic approach to addressing global challenges. This fusion Abeer believes, fosters empathy-driven innovation and balanced perspectives, essential for collaborative problem-solving and sustainable progress.
Embracing this integration not only enriches human experience but also paves the way for compassionate and thoughtful solutions in our interconnected world. Initiatives like this exemplify this spirit-bridging disciplines, cultures, and values to respond meaningfully to the complex needs of our time.
“Transformative” experience with Homeward Bound
Reflecting on her transformative experience with Homeward Bound, she deepened her belief in adaptive, inclusive leadership and described her experience as “transformative.”
“I vividly remember the closing ceremony in Ushuaia, where I shared a heartfelt conversation with one of the original founders Fabian (Dattner). I confessed that I had cried during the last 36 hours because I was overwhelmed by the experience and the fact that I would no longer see these women I considered lifelong family members every day. She responded, saying that true transformation happens in the process, not just at the destination. Her words were profound and eye-opening,” she says.
“Homeward Bound has made me realize the importance of embracing cultural diversity and adapting leadership approaches to different contexts. The experience also reinforced my belief in the power of collaboration, especially across cultures and sectors. The program’s mission aligns deeply with my own belief that leadership should be a harmonious blend of intellect, empathy, and shared vision.”
Ensuring humanity survives and thrives
For Princess Abeer, that process continues. Whether she is advocating for space heritage, mapping climate vulnerabilities in Saudi Arabia promoting the human trafficking-climate nexus globally, or preparing to cycle 2,000 miles across the desert later this year in the entire Arabian Peninsula region, her mission remains the same: to connect the past, present, and future in a way that ensures humanity survives, and thrives.
As the world looks toward an uncertain future, one thing is clear: leaders like Princess Abeer Al-Saud are redefining what it means to explore, innovate, and protect our shared planet.
“Only when we embrace value focused approached and communal mindset with multi-dimensional and multi-sectoral integration will we create truly sustainable solutions for humanity’s future,” she says.
Through her pioneering initiatives and global partnerships, Princess Abeer is building bridges of understanding across nations and ecosystems—advancing peace, science, and sustainability as interwoven threads of our collective future.
