Saudi Arabia Seeks Development of Vegetation by Planting 10 Million Trees in 2020

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched several initiatives to develop vegetation in the Kingdom. (SPA)
The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched several initiatives to develop vegetation in the Kingdom. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Seeks Development of Vegetation by Planting 10 Million Trees in 2020

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched several initiatives to develop vegetation in the Kingdom. (SPA)
The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched several initiatives to develop vegetation in the Kingdom. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched on Monday several initiatives to develop vegetation in the Kingdom, including a project to develop tree locations and grow forests.

The aim is to plant 10 million trees and improve vegetation in 60,000 hectares by the end of 2020, said the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadle.

This initiative will use local plants and renewable water sources.

Fadle, meanwhile, revealed that the ministry has completed preparations for the national strategy on water, which includes a comprehensive assessment of environment components, such as forests, marine life, air quality and waste management.

The strategy was prepared by following global practices adopted by several developed countries, said the minister.

He made his remarks during the inauguration of a workshop on fighting deforestation and reaching innovative means to manage dry regions in Riyadh.

Fadle continued that the ministry prepared the “green kingdom program” that aims at building the required cognitive foundation and executive framework to develop vegetation and combat deforestation.

The minister said that his ministry completed a strategy on pastures, which aims at achieving sustainable management of pastoral resources. This includes introducing modern patterns in livestock breeding.



Turkish Delegation to Visit Syria to Discuss Energy Cooperation

(FILES) Syrian refugees who live in Türkiye walk with their belongings at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9, 2024. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)
(FILES) Syrian refugees who live in Türkiye walk with their belongings at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9, 2024. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)
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Turkish Delegation to Visit Syria to Discuss Energy Cooperation

(FILES) Syrian refugees who live in Türkiye walk with their belongings at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9, 2024. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)
(FILES) Syrian refugees who live in Türkiye walk with their belongings at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9, 2024. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)

A delegation from Türkiye's energy ministry will visit Syria "soon" to discuss possible energy cooperation including transmitting electricity to ease power shortages, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said late on Monday.
Türkiye, which backed Syrian opposition fighters who toppled President Bashar al-Assad this month after a 13-year civil war, has reopened its embassy in Damascus and its intelligence chief and foreign minister have met with de-facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Erdogan last week said that Ankara would do whatever necessary for the reconstruction of Syria, including improving energy ties.
"A delegation from the Energy Ministry will visit Syria as soon as possible and will conduct examinations on electricity and energy infrastructure of Syria," Bayraktar told reporters, according to Reuters.
The Turkish delegation will also discuss energy cooperation with the new Syrian government and Türkiye's possible assistance on the issue, Bayraktar added.
"The main problem in Syria in the field of energy is the electricity (shortage) at the moment. A formula will be sought (for Türkiye) to provide electricity to Syria," he added.
Türkiye currently provides electricity to some parts of northern Syria where it has mounted four military operations since 2016.