About Abeer Al Saud
Proudly born in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.H. Princess Abeer Al Saud is an explorer, humanitarian, peacebuilder, cultural expert, sustainability professional, artist, adventurer and citizen of the world dedicated to healing the planet, economically empowering underserved communities and creating innovative, culturally relevant sustainable solutions that leave a lasting, positive impact on society.
Abeer earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences with a focus on Neuroaesthetics, the interdisciplinary study of beauty, art, history, and the philosophy of aesthetics from a visual neuroscience perspective, as well as a Masters of Arts Degree in Development Studies from SOAS. Just as her name translates to “the floral scent” in her native Arabic, Abeer sees the world through a lens of beauty and possibility. She infuses each of her projects with the optimistic aroma of creativity.
Early in her life, Abeer’s pursuit of adventure led her to travel and explore Southeast Asia, specifically Vietnam. While there, Abeer was exposed to the hardships of the local people, the socioencomic strife and the effects of inequality. She also witnessed skilled craftsmanship, untapped resources, and an electrifying spirit. Abeer knew that if communities and organizations came together to create systems to spark economic growth by exporting products and beautifying local services, the local economy would boom and quality of life would increase. This moment was the catalyst that propelled Abeer towards a life of sustainable impact.
In terms of her career, for more than ten years, Abeer has worked in multilateral organizations such as the GCC Secretariat, UN agencies and the EU. In her roles she spearheaded and was assigned to lead a peacebuilding unit where she successfully held 5 capacity building workshops that included 60% female participation activating UN Resolution 1325. She successfully introduced policies that were endorsed at a regional level such as adhering to the international benchmarks of development assistance and endorsing the UN’s call to action to end human trafficking. Abeer has extensive knowledge and exposure to multilateral organizations and funds. Stakeholders & partners include USAID, State Department, DFID, SIDA, JICA, GiZ, IsDB, SFD, UN agencies, EU, World Bank, SMEPs.
Abeer is actively engaged in a full spectrum of activities ranging from, non-profit, for-profit and responsible profit. She has great experience in establishing and operating local and international NGOs. She is the Chair and Founder of Saudi Arabia’s first NPO on sustainability, the Sustainable Development Association (talga), where she works on aligning Saudi Vision 2030 development goals of achieving sustainable impacts that are both subjectively and culturally relevant to the fields of growth and wellbeing in alignment with the UN SDGs. Additionally, Abeer’s knowledge on operating nonprofit organizations goes beyond Saudi Arabia, as she has been assigned previously as the General Manager of Panthera where she assisted in successfully establishing, managing and operating an international nonprofit organization.
On a personal level, Abeer has a passion to preserving endangered species and a dream to create a gallery for that purpose. She is an interdisciplinary artist, working across merging arts with sciences. She is also an educator, programme curator, project manager and art/culture researcher. Interested in art, culture, foresight and sustainability, Abeer works within these realms to create works and projects that are socially engaged, robust and intensive. Her expertise includes narrative building, research, strategy development, and initiatives that emphasize local relevance and cultural authenticity. Focused on fostering inclusive and community-driven environments, she champions spaces and stories that resonate deeply with local cultures and narratives in the creative and cultural space.
Abeer has presented her cultural and artistic work at UNESCO (2024), Saudi ICOMOS (2024), Noor Riyadh Festival (2024), ICCROM (2023), Dr. Ahmed Mater Studio (2019).
In November 2023, Abeer became the first Saudi explorer to visit Antarctica and the first Saudi Antarctic Ambassador with IAATO. This was following an expedition to the South Pole region with 100 explorers and experts from across the globe.
She is a fellow at the Explorer’s Club, the UNESCO, The Karman Project ‘24, and Amani Institute for Social Innovation. She is also a WINGS Women of Discovery Flag Carrier, an alumni at ThNK School for Creative Leadership, and the 6th cohort of the Homeward Bound Project. Previously, she was a visiting researcher at the ICCROM and NERPS Associate.