Green Spaces in Saudi Arabia Increase by 9%

The General Authority for Statistics revealed the increasing size of green areas in Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The General Authority for Statistics revealed the increasing size of green areas in Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Green Spaces in Saudi Arabia Increase by 9%

The General Authority for Statistics revealed the increasing size of green areas in Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The General Authority for Statistics revealed the increasing size of green areas in Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

In line with the Green Saudi Arabia and Green Middle East initiatives launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, official statistics revealed on Thursday that the areas of green spaces, parks and gardens in the municipal sector have expanded by 9% during 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) said that land reserves expanded to reach 324,000 square kilometers in 2021, constituting 16% of the total area of Saudi Arabia.

This came after the Saudi government allocated 7 royal reserves in 2018 and 5 reserves in AlUla in 2019, while the area of marine reserves amounted to more than 12 square kilometers in 2021, GASTAT noted.

According to the statistics, the recycled industrial waste in Jubail and Yanbu amounted to 340,000 ton in 2021, recording an increase by 23% compared to 2020.

The Authority also noted that the recycled industrial waste constituted 62% of the amount of collected waste in Jubail and Yanbu in 2021.

The volume of the reused treated water amounted to 419 million cubic meters in 2021, GASTAT said, recording an increase by 24% compared to 2020. The percentage of the reused treated water in 2021 reached 22% of the total treated water.

The waste water treatment stations in 2021 have reached 133 stations, recording an increase by 15% compared to the same period in 2022.

Riyadh has the highest number of waste water treatment stations with 26 stations, followed by Asir with 20 stations, and the Eastern region (Al-Sharqiyah) with 19 stations, the report said.



Gold Rebounds From over One-month Low on Weaker Dollar

A goldsmith displays gold ornaments during a gold trade at Hua Seng Heng gold shop in Bangkok, Thailand, 23 June 2025. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT
A goldsmith displays gold ornaments during a gold trade at Hua Seng Heng gold shop in Bangkok, Thailand, 23 June 2025. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT
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Gold Rebounds From over One-month Low on Weaker Dollar

A goldsmith displays gold ornaments during a gold trade at Hua Seng Heng gold shop in Bangkok, Thailand, 23 June 2025. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT
A goldsmith displays gold ornaments during a gold trade at Hua Seng Heng gold shop in Bangkok, Thailand, 23 June 2025. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT

Gold reversed course and edged higher on Monday, supported by a weaker dollar, after hitting a more than one-month low earlier as easing US-China trade tensions dampened safe-haven demand and bolstered risk appetite.

Spot gold edged up 0.1% to $3,277.62 per ounce, as of 0421 GMT, after hitting its lowest since May 29 earlier in the session.

US gold futures were steady at $3,288.90.

"There is less of a 'doom and gloom' outlook surrounding both tariff talks and events in the Middle East, which is relegating gold to play second fiddle to risk assets," KCM Trade Chief Market Analyst Tim Waterer said.

Asian shares firmed, with Wall Street futures advancing, while the US dollar index fell 0.2%. A weaker dollar makes greenback-priced bullion less expensive.

The US and China have resolved issues surrounding shipments of rare earth minerals and magnets to the US, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday, adding that the Trump administration's various trade deals with other countries could be done by the September 1 Labor Day holiday.

Canada scrapped its digital services tax targeting US technology firms late on Sunday, just hours before it was due to take effect, in a bid to advance stalled trade negotiations with the United States.

The Iran-Israel ceasefire after a 12-day conflict also appeared to be holding, further reducing safe-haven demand.

"The dollar remains pressured, which is limiting the extent of the slide for gold. However, the $3,250 level shapes as a key support level for gold. Any breach of this level could see losses accelerate towards the $3,200 level," Waterer said.

Stable geopolitical and economic conditions often reduce demand for gold as a safe-haven asset, while the non-yielding asset's appeal further wanes in a high-interest-rate environment.

Spot silver rose 0.5% to $36.14 per ounce, platinum firmed 1.9% to $1,364.74, while palladium was up 1.5% at $1,150.50.