‘Middle East Green Initiative’ Aims to Launch Projects in Multiple Countries by 2025

A group photo of participants at the Jeddah meeting, which approved the membership of 10 countries (Ministry of Environment)
A group photo of participants at the Jeddah meeting, which approved the membership of 10 countries (Ministry of Environment)
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‘Middle East Green Initiative’ Aims to Launch Projects in Multiple Countries by 2025

A group photo of participants at the Jeddah meeting, which approved the membership of 10 countries (Ministry of Environment)
A group photo of participants at the Jeddah meeting, which approved the membership of 10 countries (Ministry of Environment)

Dr. Osama Faqih, head of the executive committee for the “Middle East Green Initiative,” announced plans to launch several qualifying projects in member countries by the end of 2025.

He also stated that the initiative will establish a secretariat and outlined specific criteria for selecting the Secretary-General, who will be approved by the executive committee and the ministerial council.

Faqih outlined the implementation phases of the initiative, starting with a founding team of 16 regional countries and an executive committee of 20 founding states. This committee will establish the governance for the initiative, as projects will be based in member countries.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Faqih explained that funding will come from regional and international countries, the private sector, and various financial institutions, according to the initiative’s charter.

He noted that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a donation during the second summit of the Middle East Initiative in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, held alongside the Climate Conference. The secretariat will be located in Riyadh.

Membership in the initiative is divided into two categories: regional countries, which include Central and Southwestern Asia, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa, can host projects and contribute to achieving the initiative's goals. Non-regional countries can also join to support financial and technical funding.

The initiative prioritizes land rehabilitation, with Faqih highlighting the global challenges of land degradation and desertification.

He noted that over 99% of the world’s calories and about 95% of food come from land, making these issues critical for food security. The initiative aims to rehabilitate 200 million hectares of land in member countries, providing significant environmental, economic, and social benefits, such as carbon storage, vegetation growth, food security, and social welfare.

Faqih’s comments followed the first session of the ministerial council for the “Middle East Green Initiative,” held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The council welcomed ten regional countries and one non-regional country, the United Kingdom, as an observer.

They also set ambitious national policies and targets for vegetation development, agreeing on a governance structure that includes 32 elements covering the organizational framework, secretariat, project types, submission mechanisms, evaluation criteria, and funding processes.

Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, who chaired the session, emphasized the need for regional cooperation to enhance vegetation development and address environmental challenges, particularly desertification and limited greenery in the region.

He indicated that the meeting marks a shift to the implementation phase, urging all member countries, both regional and non-regional, to join and actively participate in the initiative and its trust fund.



Tel Aviv Shares Hit Record Highs after US Strikes Iran Nuclear Sites

A Tel Aviv Stock Exchange sign is seen at the bourse in Tel Aviv, Israel November 4, 2020. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo
A Tel Aviv Stock Exchange sign is seen at the bourse in Tel Aviv, Israel November 4, 2020. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo
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Tel Aviv Shares Hit Record Highs after US Strikes Iran Nuclear Sites

A Tel Aviv Stock Exchange sign is seen at the bourse in Tel Aviv, Israel November 4, 2020. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo
A Tel Aviv Stock Exchange sign is seen at the bourse in Tel Aviv, Israel November 4, 2020. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo

Israeli stocks hit record highs on Sunday after the US attacked Iran's nuclear sites in strikes investors believe would likely prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons anytime soon.

The broad Tel Aviv 125 index closed 1.8% higher, extending gains to nearly 8% the past week, while the blue-chip TA-35 gained 1.5%.

On the heels of Israeli strikes in Iran, shares rose during all five sessions last week, gaining some 6%, as Israel hit Iranian nuclear and military targets prior to Saturday's surprise US attacks, Reuters reported.

"The destruction of Iran's key nuclear facilities by the US military is, of course, a positive development ... in terms of improving the regional security environment and reducing Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities," said Mizrahi Tefahot chief markets economist Ronen Menachem. "It's a game-changer."

Israel began its punishing attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders on June 13, which have been met with retaliatory Iranian strikes against Israel.

US President Donald Trump said he had "obliterated" Iran's main nuclear sites in strikes overnight with massive bunker busting bombs, joining an Israeli assault in a significant new escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

Tehran vowed to defend itself, and responded with a volley of missiles at Israel that wounded scores of people and destroyed buildings in Tel Aviv on Sunday.

In addition to gains in shares, government bond prices have risen, the shekel has appreciated and Israel's risk premium has edged lower.

Bond prices increased as much as 0.2% on Sunday. The shekel does not trade on Sunday but it has rallied from 3.61 per dollar on June 11 to 3.48 on Friday and is up some 1% this month.