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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)
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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.

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French Finance Minister Says Budget Can Still Be Improved

French Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry Antoine Armand arrives for a dinner in honor of the President of Nigeria, at the Elysee palace in Paris, on November 28, 2024. (AFP)
French Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry Antoine Armand arrives for a dinner in honor of the President of Nigeria, at the Elysee palace in Paris, on November 28, 2024. (AFP)
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French Finance Minister Says Budget Can Still Be Improved

French Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry Antoine Armand arrives for a dinner in honor of the President of Nigeria, at the Elysee palace in Paris, on November 28, 2024. (AFP)
French Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry Antoine Armand arrives for a dinner in honor of the President of Nigeria, at the Elysee palace in Paris, on November 28, 2024. (AFP)

French Finance Minister Antoine Armand said on Saturday that the 2025 budget could still be improved, but stopped short of giving ground in a standoff with the far right over new concessions.

Ratings agency Standard & Poor's gave Prime Minister Michel Barnier's fragile minority government a rare reprieve late on Friday leaving its rating steady although France's budget deficit has spiraled out of control this year.

Any relief is likely to prove short-lived with both the left and far right threatening to bring Barnier's government down over the budget, which seeks to squeeze 60 billion euros ($64 billion) in savings through tax hikes and spending cuts.

Marine Le Pen's far right National Rally (RN), whose tacit support Barnier needs to survive a likely no confidence motion, has given him until Monday to accede to her demands to make further changes to the budget.

"This government, under his authority, is willing to listen, to have a dialog, to be respectful, to improve this budget," Armand told journalists.

Asked about the showdown with Le Pen, he said: "The only ultimatum really facing the French is that our country gets a budget."

On Thursday, Barnier already dropped plans to raise electricity taxes in the budget as the RN had demanded, but it is keeping pressure on the government to scrap plans to postpone an increase in some pensions to save money.

RN lawmaker Jean-Philippe Tanguy told Les Echos newspaper on Saturday if the bill is not modified the party would back a no-confidence motion.

The test could come as soon as Monday if his government has to use an aggressive constitutional measure to ram the social security financing legislation through parliament, which will trigger a no-confidence motion.