Saudi Arabia Reveals Agenda of 2024 Saudi Green Initiative Forum at UNCCD COP16

Taking place in Riyadh from December 3-4, the forum will convene global leaders, climate experts, senior government officials, and industry CEOs to advance discussions and action on global climate challenges. (COP16 Riyadh on X)
Taking place in Riyadh from December 3-4, the forum will convene global leaders, climate experts, senior government officials, and industry CEOs to advance discussions and action on global climate challenges. (COP16 Riyadh on X)
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Saudi Arabia Reveals Agenda of 2024 Saudi Green Initiative Forum at UNCCD COP16

Taking place in Riyadh from December 3-4, the forum will convene global leaders, climate experts, senior government officials, and industry CEOs to advance discussions and action on global climate challenges. (COP16 Riyadh on X)
Taking place in Riyadh from December 3-4, the forum will convene global leaders, climate experts, senior government officials, and industry CEOs to advance discussions and action on global climate challenges. (COP16 Riyadh on X)

Saudi Arabia revealed on Saturday the program for the fourth edition of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum.

Taking place in Riyadh from December 3-4 alongside the 16th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16), the forum will convene global leaders, climate experts, senior government officials, and industry CEOs to advance discussions and action on global climate challenges under the theme “Action is in Our Nature.”

The 2024 SGI Forum will feature ministerial discussions, keynote addresses, panel discussions, and conversations with prominent leaders.

Speakers include Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud; President of Senegal Macky Sall; Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir; 4th President & CEO of Saudi Aramco Amin Nasser; Secretary General & CEO of the World Energy Council Angela Wilkinson; CEO & Chairman of the Board at TotalEnergies Patrick Pouyanné; CEO of Air Liquide François Jackow, and Director General of the IUCN Dr. Grethel Aguilar.

Leading experts from global multilateral and environmental organizations, including the World Bank and the Convention on Wetlands, will also participate, providing diverse perspectives on advancing climate action.

Discussions will center around five key pillars: “Greening Land for Global Good”, “Energy Innovation Driving Emissions Reduction”, “Financing the Green Transition for Sustainable Livelihoods”, “Nature-Based Solutions for Climate and Community Resilience”, and “Biodiversity Protection as a Key to Climate Resilience”.

These pillars reflect the interconnectedness of global climate challenges and Saudi Arabia’s commitment to holistic, collaborative and pragmatic solutions towards a greener future.

In addition to the SGI Forum, the SGI Pavilion, located inside the UNCCD COP16 Green Zone, offers visitors an immersive experience designed to educate and engage.

Visitors are encouraged to journey through five zones that highlight Saudi Arabia’s approach to reducing emissions, growing 10 billion trees, protecting nature, promoting sustainability, and building a sustainable future.

The SGI Pavilion added a Kids Zone, created to inspire Saudi Arabia’s youth to become environmental heroes.

Returning after its successful launch at COP28, SGI Talks will feature international and Saudi climate experts, offering insights and discussions on sustainability trends and innovations. These 30-minute daily sessions will address issues such as renewable energy innovations, sustainable land use, and youth empowerment in climate action.



Black Friday Data Shows US Shoppers Spent $10.8 Bln Online

A woman and a child look at shops in a mall on Black Friday in Arlington, Virginia on November 29, 2024. (AFP)
A woman and a child look at shops in a mall on Black Friday in Arlington, Virginia on November 29, 2024. (AFP)
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Black Friday Data Shows US Shoppers Spent $10.8 Bln Online

A woman and a child look at shops in a mall on Black Friday in Arlington, Virginia on November 29, 2024. (AFP)
A woman and a child look at shops in a mall on Black Friday in Arlington, Virginia on November 29, 2024. (AFP)

US shoppers used their mobile phones, laptops, desktops and other devices to make roughly $10.8 billion in purchases online on Black Friday, an updated tally from Adobe Analytics showed.

Black Friday, the day after American Thanksgiving, marks the official start of the holiday shopping season for retailers and competition has intensified among retailers to win every penny-pinched shopper seeking discounts.

Increased online shopping potentially favors e-commerce giants such as Amazon.com and Walmart. Walmart, which operates 4,700 US stores, has invested heavily in store-to-home deliveries for the holiday season to boost e-commerce.

US spending online on Black Friday rose 10.2%, said Adobe, which keeps track of devices that use its software to help power more than 1 trillion visits to  US retail sites.

Corey Coscioni, 58, said he looked for bargains online as well as in stores on Black Friday, seeking "gifts for everyone: my wife, my daughter, and myself."

Top selling merchandise online included makeup, skincare and haircare products, as well as bluetooth speakers and espresso machines, Adobe said on Saturday.

Online sales of toys rose 622% compared to average daily sales in October, while jewelry sales rose 561% and appliances spiked 476% compared to October, it added.

Department store chains such as Macy's and Kohl's as well as big-box retailer Target could see muted sales this season, which is shorter with only 26 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

In 2023, US shoppers spent $9.8 billion online on Black Friday, and in 2022, they spent $9.1 billion, Adobe said.