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.



Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Discuss US-Iran Negotiations

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has met with his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, in Riyadh. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has met with his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Discuss US-Iran Negotiations

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has met with his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, in Riyadh. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has met with his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has met with his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, in Riyadh to discuss several issues, including the negotiations between the US and Iran to end the Middle East war.

During Sunday’s meeting, the two ministers reviewed the close ties between their countries and discussed regional developments, the US-Iran negotiations, and their countries' efforts to support regional security and stability.

They also stressed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Arabian Gulf.

The two ministers also exchanged views on a number of issues of mutual interest.


Saudi Arabia, Kenya Agree to Deepen Investment

The Saudi and Kenyan delegations are seen at the meeting in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
The Saudi and Kenyan delegations are seen at the meeting in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Kenya Agree to Deepen Investment

The Saudi and Kenyan delegations are seen at the meeting in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
The Saudi and Kenyan delegations are seen at the meeting in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received in Riyadh on Sunday Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr. Musalia Mudavadi.

Prince Faisal and Mudavadi chaired the first meeting of the Saudi-Kenyan Political Consultations Committee aimed at further developing relations between their countries and boost coordination and consultation in a manner that serves their common interests and supports regional security and stability.

At the conclusion of the meeting, three Memoranda of Understanding were signed:

The first, in the field of encouraging direct investment, was signed Saudi by Minister of Investment Fahad bin Abduljalil Al-Saif, and Mudavadi.

The second, on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters, was signed by Saudi Governor of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority Eng. Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi, and Musalia Mudavadi.

The third, between the Saudi Export-Import Bank and the Kenya Development Corporation, was signed by CEO of the Saudi EXIM Bank Eng. Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalb, and Director General of the Kenya Development Corporation Dr. Nora Ratemo.

An agreement on the recruitment and employment of Kenyan workers was also signed by Saudi Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for Labor Dr. Abdullah Abuthnain, and Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Labor and Social Protection Dr. Alfred N. Mutua.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed Elkhereiji; Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs Ambassador Dr. Saud Al-Sati; Saudi Ambassador to Kenya Saad AlNafie; and Director General of the General Department for African Countries Saqr AlQurashi.


Qatar Says All Maritime Activities Will Resume Immediately

A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. (Reuters)
A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. (Reuters)
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Qatar Says All Maritime Activities Will Resume Immediately

A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. (Reuters)
A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. (Reuters)

Qatar said on Sunday that maritime activities would resume with immediate effect, according to a Transport Ministry statement posted on X.

This reverses a June 29 advisory ‌that had ‌urged the temporary ‌suspension ⁠of sailing and fishing ⁠boats until further notice, though commercial shipping was exempted.

The ministry on Sunday urged all maritime vessel ⁠operators and users to "abide ‌by ‌the maritime regulations and ‌instructions in effect, to ensure ‌the highest levels of safety and security for all trips".

However, the ministry stressed that the resumption is dependent on rigorous adherence to approved preventive controls and technical requirements.

It urged all vessel owners, maritime operators, and seafarers to fully comply with the maritime regulations and instructions.

It also underlined the need to ensure the availability of all required safety and security equipment on board vessels before and during sailing to avoid risks.