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Saudi Arabia Launches Middle East Green Initiative

Saudi Green Initiative logo
Saudi Green Initiative logo
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Saudi Arabia Launches Middle East Green Initiative

Saudi Green Initiative logo
Saudi Green Initiative logo

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will launch the “Middle East Green Initiative” on Monday, joined by several heads of states and policymakers to create a sustainable road map for the region and highlight green transition and policy solutions.

The Crown Prince announced the initiatives, saying: “I am proud to announce the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives, but this is only a start.”

He reiterated that the Kingdom, the region, and the world needs to go much further and faster in combating climate change.

“Given our starting point, beginning this journey to a greener future has not been easy. But in line with our overall modernization philosophy, we are not avoiding tough choices,” said the Crown Prince.

“We reject the false choice between preserving the economy and protecting the environment.”

Meanwhile, the Saudi Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, inaugurated Sunday the “Youth Green Summit” in Riyadh, stressing that the Kingdom is working with various countries in the field.

He confirmed that the issue is a top priority that can’t be ignored.

Through the Middle East Green Initiative, Saudi Arabia will devise a green map to protect the land and nature and lead regional efforts to achieve global goals to combat climate change.

The initiative will support improving the quality of life and protecting future generations by increasing reliance on clean energy, protecting the environment, and neutralizing the effects resulting from oil usages.

Saudi Arabia intends to lead the next global green era, where the Middle East Green Initiative summit will bring together several prominent international and regional leaders.

The summit aims to enhance cooperation and unify efforts to implement joint environmental commitments and form the first coalition to combat climate change in the Middle East.

The summit seeks to provide a platform that combines knowledge and capital to enhance political will to bring fundamental changes.

The Kingdom is also seeking to work with neighboring countries in the Middle East to combat climate change within the Middle East Green Initiative framework as the most extensive reforestation program in the world.

The Middle East Green Initiative summit aims to “create a first-of-its-kind regional alliance” and introduce the Middle East’s first pact on climate change.

It will offer a stage for climate diplomacy and foster the political will needed for transformative action.

In partnership with the regional countries, the Middle East Green Initiative aims to plant 50 billion trees to reduce carbon emissions and combat pollution and land degradation.

The initiative also aims “to enhance the efficiency of oil production and increase the contribution of renewable energy, in addition to multiple efforts to preserve the marine and coastal environment, increase the percentage of natural reserves, and improve quality of life.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Says Hantavirus Risk to Kingdom Is ‘Very Low’

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
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Saudi Arabia Says Hantavirus Risk to Kingdom Is ‘Very Low’

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Authority (Weqaya) said Friday it is closely monitoring, in coordination with international health organizations, reports of hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

In a statement, the authority said the current assessment indicates a low level of risk and that the likelihood of the virus reaching Saudi Arabia is “very low,” given the effectiveness of the Kingdom’s early warning channels, epidemiological surveillance tools, food safety monitoring systems, environmental public health controls, border monitoring measures, and preventive procedures in place across the country.

The statement said hantavirus is considered a rare viral disease, but infection can be serious. The virus is typically transmitted to humans through exposure to infected rodents’ secretions, including urine, feces, or saliva, or through inhalation of contaminated particles.

The authority added that human-to-human transmission is uncommon and has been documented only in limited cases linked to a specific strain of the virus and involving prolonged close contact.

Hantavirus is usually transmitted to humans through exposure to secretions from infected rodents (Reuters)

Weqaya said the advisory comes as part of its ongoing efforts to promote public health awareness among travelers, particularly during the summer season, which sees increased travel and movement.

The authority urged the public to follow general preventive measures that help reduce the risk of infectious diseases, whether linked to hantavirus or other outbreaks.

It also advised travelers to follow official health guidance, verify preventive requirements before traveling, pay attention to food and water safety, maintain personal hygiene, avoid contact with rodents or areas where they may be present, stay away from unsafe food or unsanitary locations, and ensure appropriate health coverage during travel.

Weqaya called on the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid rumors or unverified reports, stressing that it would announce any public health developments when necessary.

Gulf

Saudi, Egyptian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi, Egyptian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held telephone talks on Friday with his Egyptian counterpart Dr. Badr Abdelatty.

They discussed developments in the region, underscoring their continued coordination and consultations over them.

Gulf

Saudi Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Kingdom Did Not Allow Use of Its Airspace for Offensive Military Operations

Dr. Rayed Krimly during a recent meeting with a French delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Dr. Rayed Krimly during a recent meeting with a French delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Kingdom Did Not Allow Use of Its Airspace for Offensive Military Operations

Dr. Rayed Krimly during a recent meeting with a French delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Dr. Rayed Krimly during a recent meeting with a French delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

A Saudi source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom has not permitted its airspace to be used in support of any offensive military operations, stressing that Riyadh is seeking de-escalation and supports Pakistan’s efforts to reach an agreement ending the war.

The source said certain parties were attempting to present a misleading picture of the Kingdom’s position for what he described as “suspicious” motives.

Meanwhile, Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Dr. Rayed Krimly reaffirmed the Kingdom’s position calling for de-escalation, avoiding further escalation, and supporting negotiations and efforts aimed at ending the war between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other.

Krimly underscored Riyadh’s consistent position in support of de-escalation and avoiding further escalation, warning in a post on X against "media reports attributed to unnamed sources - some of whom claim to be Saudi - suggesting otherwise."

For his part, Gulf Research Center Chairman Dr. Abdulaziz bin Sager said the Saudi position had been clear from the outset and centered on “avoiding escalation and resolving disputes through political dialogue.”

Bin Sager told Asharq Al-Awsat: “We recall Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which he affirmed that the Kingdom would not allow its territory or airspace to be used in any military operations.”

A senior Saudi Foreign Ministry official had previously told Asharq Al-Awsat on March 24 that the Kingdom had already denied allegations claiming the Saudi leadership preferred prolonging the ongoing war between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other.

The official added that Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan had previously stated, during a press conference following a ministerial meeting of Arab and Islamic countries in Riyadh, that Iranian attacks must stop, that the Kingdom’s patience has limits, and that Riyadh reserves the right to respond and deter aggression through political and other measures.

According to bin Sager, Saudi Arabia’s key demands include “halting Iranian attacks, securing guarantees to end the war, preventing Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Gulf and other Arab states, as well as ensuring maritime and energy security.”

He added: “The Kingdom is seeking to lower tensions and create space for negotiations, and believes that any escalation could obstruct talks and affect the Strait of Hormuz.”

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel, said Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors for international trade and global energy security.

Al-Wasel made the remarks during a joint press conference in New York between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United States regarding a draft resolution on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Saudi diplomat said any threat to freedom of navigation in the strait would directly affect the stability of global markets and international supply chains. He also warned of the humanitarian and economic repercussions of disruptions to the flow of essential goods, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid.

Al-Wasel stressed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring the safe and uninterrupted flow of international trade in accordance with international law.

He called for coordinated international action to de-escalate tensions and prevent the crisis from worsening in a way that would preserve regional and international security and stability.

The Saudi diplomat also emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation to protect vital maritime corridors and maintain international peace and security.