HH Princess Abeer S. Al Saud
Abeer S. Al-Saud is a dynamic explorer, multilateral expert, peace builder, cultural professional and artist whose work bridges environmental conservation, scientific exploration, and cultural heritage preservation.
As founder & Chair of The Sustainable Development Association (Talga), the first sustainability NGO in Saudi back in 2016. Through Talga, she strives to align and culturalize the Sustainable Development Goals with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, aiming to achieve sustainable impacts that are culturally relevant and transformative for both development and well-being.
She has more than a decade of experience in multilateral organizations such as the UN and some of its agencies, GCC, EU (seconded by the GCC), JICA, UNESCO and others. She spearheaded and was mandate to establish the first peacebuilding unit in the Middle East back in 2018-2019, where she focused on capacity building training around 80+ young Saudi cadre from 16 ministries through conducting 6 workshops (two of which where train the trainers) with DFID, USAID, State Department, SIDA, and other UN agencies.
She is also a successful entrepreneur and the founder of Dinar Group, a cultural and sustainability-focused for profit impact enterprise, which is under the umbrella of multiple collective impact enterprises of cross-sector coordinated endeavours, that aspire and 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 Abeer drives cross-sector projects that significantly contribute to socioeconomic development in the MENA region, the Arabian Peninsula and worldwide.
Her latest venture is Timenschen Institute, a subsidiary of Dinar Group, which focuses on policy and integration for extreme environments, from the polar regions to deep sea to outer space, and advocates for legal agreements that preserve scientific cooperation and shared human heritage promoting the values of peace and stewardship.
She is also the first from her region to be selected as an alumni EC 2025 list of 50 explorers, Explorer’s Club Fellow (first Arab member), RGS Fellow, first Saudi Arabian Desert Odyssey “Incense Road Expedition” team member, third pole expedition member at Ecoseva, a member at the Oxford University Exploration Club OUEC, an advisory council member at the Global Compassion Coalition, an advisory board member at the Scientific Exploration Society, a fellow at the Karman Project ‘24, a research associate at The Network on Education & Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS) at Hiroshima University, ThNK alumni, UNESCO/Kingdom’s Institue Fellow, Amani Institute for Social Innovation Graduate, and a flag carrier at WINGS Women of Discovery. In November 2023, she became the first Saudi explorer Antarctic Ambassador with IAATO. She is also the first female from the region to visit the southernmost part of Antarctica.
Instagram: @abeeralsau
LinkedIn: abeersmalsaud
Discover more about her “Institute of STREAM,” a dynamic platform designed to empower individuals to create impactful projects using innovative tools grounded in her 16 years of expertise for the Conceptual Age.
As HH Princess Abeer Al Saud 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.”
The Institute offers a structured approach with three transformative learning stages:
Stage 1: “Peacebuilder 4D Canvas” – A framework for developing visionary, peace-driven projects that foster sustainable impact.
Stage 2: “Conceptual Age Mastery Toolkit” – Tools to harness the power of creativity, critical thinking, and innovation in the Conceptual Age.
Stage 3: “Future-Ready Integration Toolbox” – Practical resources for seamlessly applying cutting-edge skills and integrating them into real-world solutions.
For an enhanced learning experience, the institute recommend starting with our pro bono “Foundations of STREAM & Conceptual Age Skills” course, though it’s not mandatory.
Visit www.instituteofstream.com to learn more.
As part of Abeer’s more comprehensive portfolio of impact-driven endeavours under her Dinar enterprise, she is also the founder of the subsidiary niche cultural and nature conservation subsidiary Réhal, which means “the explorer” in Arabic, where she focuses on encouraging more explorers and researchers from the MENA region through awareness, talks, and research about the Arabian Peninsula as a whole and with a focus on the least explored Arabia Petraea (northwestern Arabian Peninsula) – northwest Saudi Arabia & Jordan.
Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to harmonising cultural heritage preservation with scientific advancement to foster a sustainable future. Abeer coordinates a wide portfolio of cross-sector endeavours aimed at contributing to a regenerative future.
Central to her philosophy is the belief that cultural and natural stewardship is a moral obligation. Abeer is committed to turning challenges into opportunities through creativity, teamwork, and partnerships, envisioning a world where diverse personal interests can unlock significant progress in various areas of development.
Abeer is currently focusing on two projects to raise awareness about the incense road. She is the Arabian Peninsula Expedition Leader of the Arabian Desert Odyssey, an extension of a desert trilogy expedition. The Arabian desert Odyssey will follow the 2,000 km ancient trade route through the length of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
A major expedition led by a small female British team and joined by Saudi women will walk with camels along the original ancient trade route from the far South West of the Kingdom to the North West, encompassing two deserts, the Sarawat Mountains and key cultural hubs, including NEOM.
In parallel with this exciting endeavour, her upcoming “Incense Peace Cycle” expedition will see her cycle the entire 2000-mile Incense Road in late 2025 liking peace with sports. She will be cycling the entire incense peace cycle route with a sustainable and 100% recycled bamboo hybrid cycle that she assembled herself.
Looking ahead, Abeer is planning a 2000-mile bike expedition titled “Incense Peace Cycle” for Q4 2025, where she aims to cycle the entire Incense Road, capturing 2000 smiles along the way. Recently, she became the first Arab female to complete a long research expedition to Antarctica, titled “In Search of Octantis,” raising awareness about the need for a peace pact with nature. Continuing her work in extreme environments, Through her journeys, she highlights the unique ecosystems and challenges of this remote region via storytelling, photography, policy advocacy, and speaking engagements, ultimately sharing her findings at Rio Conventions and other fora.
In line with her commitment to cultural and dedication to contributing to a thriving regenrative future through exploration, Abeer founded Réhal and exploration subsidiary under her enterprise Dinar. This subsidiary focuses exclusively on cultural and natural conservation in the Arabian Peninsula (with a focus on Arabian Petraea and Arabia Felix). Réhal seeks to encourage more explorers from the MENA region through cultural consulting, content strategy, workshops, public speaking, research, and commissioned writing. The mission of Réhal is to raise awareness and conduct research on the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in the least explored destinations of Arabia Felix (South Arabian Peninsula) and Arabia Petraea (northwestern Arabian Peninsula).
Recently, she became the first Arab female to complete a long research expedition to Antarctica, titled “In Search of Octantis,” raising awareness about the need for a peace pact with nature. Continuing her work in extreme environments, she highlights the unique ecosystems and challenges of this remote region via storytelling, photography, policy advocacy, and speaking engagements, ultimately sharing her findings at Rio Conventions and other fora.
. Abeer’s commitment to environmental stewardship is deeply intertwined with her artistic endeavours. She believes that art and creativity are powerful tools for storytelling and raising awareness about environmental issues. Through her art, Abeer communicates the beauty and fragility of our planet, making complex scientific and environmental concepts accessible and engaging. By blending creativity with advocacy, she uses her work to inspire action and foster a deeper connection with the natural world, highlighting the vital role of art in promoting environmental conservation.
As a multi-faceted artist and designer, Abeer draws inspiration from her “Cosmic Desert” adventures across Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula. She produces art using natural materials and experiments.
with infrared analogue films, incorporating elements such as stones, earth, and meteorites into her works. Beyond her artistic pursuits, Abeer is also collector of contemporary Southeast Asian and contemporary Islamic art, particularly Hurufiyya art.
Furthermore, she co-founder Qantara Collection, an organization dedicated to connecting international artists with the cultural and investment-driven art market of the GCC and MENA regions. Through strategic artist representation, curating exhibitions, and facilitating high-end art sales and cultural exchanges, we position art within a broader, global narrative. Our mission is to focus on developing cross-cultural networks and creating dynamic art experiences that contribute to the sustainability of the wheel of the regional art ecosystems.
Abeer strongly believes in the power of using arts and creative industries as a platform to promote positive impact. She dreams of establishing a library that revives values, feelings and species on the brink of extinction.
As a frequent speaker and workshop host, Abeer engages with esteemed institutions such as the Noor Riyadh, Doha Design Biennale, Alserkal, Sharjah Art Foundation, Diriyah Biennale, Islamic Biennale in Jeddah, and Dr. Ahmed Mater Studio, among others.
“Because Art is Pan-Cultural: Connecting Art Worlds, For a Thriving Art Future.” – HH Princess Abeer Al Saud.
Abeer has a BSc in Neuroaesthetics—a unique interdisciplinary field that combines the philosophy of beauty, art history, and visual neuroscience—has a deep-rooted passion for art, even though she doesn’t directly practice her academic background in her career. Her love for art, however, led her to co-found Qantara Collection, a cultural enterprise dedicated to connecting global artistry with the Middle East and GCC region.The name “Qantara,” derived from the Arabic word for “bridge,” reflects the organization’s mission to act as a bridge between international artists and the sophisticated art market in the GCC and MENA regions. As these regions increasingly focus on art investments, Qantara plays a pivotal role in introducing pioneering artists from the US, Europe, and Asia, who face challenges in their home markets, to a dynamic audience eager to invest in exceptional, timeless works. Qantara specializes in representing high-value, investment-grade artworks, facilitating exclusive exhibitions, lending, and sales, while offering innovative programming that fosters global art in a culturally rich and diverse environment. By connecting international art to the MENA and GCC markets, Qantara helps to elevate the global art scene within this thriving landscape.
To learn more you can visit:
www.qantaracollection.com
She is also the first from her region to be selected as an alumni EC 2025 list of 50 explorers, Explorer’s Club Fellow (first Arab member), RGS Fellow, first Saudi Arabian Desert Odyssey “Incense Road Expedition” team member, third pole expedition member at Ecoseva, a member at the Oxford University Exploration Club OUEC, an advisory council member at the Global Compassion Coalition, an advisory board member at the Scientific Exploration Society, a fellow at the Karman Project ‘24, a research associate at The Network on Education & Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS) at Hiroshima University, ThNK alumni, UNESCO/Kingdom’s Institue Fellow, Amani Institute for Social Innovation Graduate, and a flag carrier at WINGS Women of Discovery. In November 2023, she became the first Saudi explorer Antarctic Ambassador with IAATO. She is also the first female from the region to visit the southernmost part of Antarctica.
Behind her artistic pursuits, Abeer is a certified RYA Day Skipper sailor, RYA Dinghy and Keelboat sailor, equestrian, experienced hiker, and triathlete hobbyist.