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New Saudi Development Projects' Funds Exceed $40 Bln

Two photos of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Crown Prince at the entrance to the city of Waad AlShamal project, Asharq Al-Awsat
Two photos of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Crown Prince at the entrance to the city of Waad AlShamal project, Asharq Al-Awsat
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New Saudi Development Projects' Funds Exceed $40 Bln

Two photos of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Crown Prince at the entrance to the city of Waad AlShamal project, Asharq Al-Awsat
Two photos of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Crown Prince at the entrance to the city of Waad AlShamal project, Asharq Al-Awsat

Mega development projects nationwide have been inaugurated by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, in the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during a royal tour of the Kingdom.

The new development projects will see astronomical investments totaling SAR150 billion ($40 billion), of which SAR 85 billion ($22.6 billion) is allocated to Waad AlShamal Development City, the largest industrial project in the region and the future’s largest phosphate producer worldwide.

Most new projects are being implemented by national ministries and agencies.

There have also been 11 projects for the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, 69 projects for the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, 21 projects for the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, 16 projects for the Ministry of Transport, 18 port projects, as well as housing and education projects.

Waad AlShamal is propped up as an integrated mineral city, located northeast of the city of Tarif which lies near the Kingdom’s northern border region.

At least 600 Qasim region projects will boost the Kingdom’s central district’s performance across 12 sectors. It is worth noting that the spot is known for abundant natural resources in addition to a strategic heartland geographic location.

The most notable projects have been launched for the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources. These projects are worth 4.94 billion Saudi riyals ($1.3 billion).

Apart from its economic value, the Qasim region is also home to historic cultural heritage.

King Salman also launched 259 projects in the northern region of Ha’il at a cost of 7 billion Saudi riyals ($1.9 billion).

As for projects launched in the Tabuk region, they will cover an area of more than 3,800 sq km and will target more than 2,500 hotel keys and 700 residential villas, apartments and estate homes, plus over 200 high-end retail establishments with an eclectic mix of galleries, ateliers, artisan workshops and bespoke retail shops supported by a wide range of international and local signature dining venues.

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage is set to own 11 of the projects worth SAR 98 million and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs owns 69 projects worth SAR 757 million.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture will cover 21 projects worth SAR1.5 billion; the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources owns two projects for the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities worth SAR46 million and three projects for the electricity department worth SAR5 billion; the Ministry of Housing owns two projects worth SAR408 million; the Ministry of Education owns 11 projects, six of which are educational projects and five for the University of Tabuk, worth SAR1.6 billion; the Ministry of Transport owns 16 projects worth SAR1.6 billion; and the General Authority of Ports owns 18 projects at a total value of SAR 876 million.

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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)

Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that the organization will take an active role at COP16, the UN conference on combating desertification, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in early December.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he expressed confidence that the conference—the first of its kind in the Middle East—would produce significant outcomes.

Elwaer’s comments came during a roundtable organized by FAO’s regional office in Cairo, attended by a select group of media representatives. The session focused on FAO’s participation in the upcoming conference and the importance of the Rio Trio —the integrated framework of the three major UN conventions addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and desertification.

Fida Haddad, FAO’s Program Officer for Land Rehabilitation and Climate Change, highlighted the interconnectedness of the three conventions and noted that COP16 would place a strong emphasis on land and water rehabilitation and their sustainable management.

Haddad pointed out that approximately 90% of the Middle East is affected by arid conditions. Despite this, local communities and Arab governments have made notable progress in addressing desertification and drought. She also announced that, for the first time, FAO has successfully placed food systems on the COP16 agenda, enabling discussions on how land rehabilitation can enhance food supply chains and systems.

Elwaer underscored FAO’s central role in achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): eradicating hunger. He emphasized that FAO actively engages in the UN conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, which collectively contribute to this mission.

FAO’s focus, according to Elwaer, is on transforming food and agricultural systems to become more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable, aiming for better production, nutrition, and livelihoods. He highlighted the organization’s success in integrating these priorities into the agendas of the three conventions and collaborating with host countries on joint initiatives.

He further noted that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 is particularly significant for the region, which faces pressing challenges such as water scarcity, desertification, and food insecurity. The conference presents an opportunity for Middle Eastern nations to highlight these issues, explore solutions, and ensure their inclusion in global environmental discussions, not only at this event but in future COP sessions, he underlined.

Elwaer emphasized the growing global attention on desertification, as it is now impacting regions previously unaffected, such as southern Europe and parts of Latin America. These areas are witnessing alarming declines in arable land and forests, prompting them to seek lessons from the Arab world, which has developed resilience strategies to combat desertification over centuries.

FAO will have a strong presence at COP16, with two dedicated pavilions—one in the Blue Zone for official delegations and another in the Green Zone to engage civil society and conference participants, he said.

He added that in collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the UN, FAO will lead coordination on Food Day and Governance Day, scheduled for December 5 and 6, respectively. The organization will also participate in other specialized sessions throughout the conference.