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, Pakistan Discuss Bilateral Ties, Regional Developments

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Discuss Bilateral Ties, Regional Developments

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, met on Wednesday with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah to review bilateral relations between the two countries. The discussions focused on existing areas of cooperation and opportunities to further strengthen and expand collaboration across various sectors.

The Crown Prince commended the PM's efforts in supporting Pakistan’s development and advancing the Saudi–Pakistani strategic partnership.

The two leaders also discussed regional and international developments, specifically focusing on the talks between the United States and Iran hosted by Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war that has swept the Middle East leading to a fragile temporary ceasefire and an initial round of talks in Islamabad.

The Crown Prince praised the diplomatic efforts of both Sharif and Chief of the Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz; Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah; and Minister of State and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban. On the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar was in attendance.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share strong ties, reinforced by a strategic agreement that treats an external attack on one as an attack on both.

Last month, Sharif praised Saudi Arabia for its “notable restraint” amid the ongoing hostilities and stressed the urgent need for de-escalation.

On March 9, the Saudi Crown Prince and Pakistan’s PM held a closed-door meeting during which Sharif expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and both sides agreed to promote regional peace and stability.

 


GCC Secretary-General Affirms Gulf Stability as a Cornerstone of Global Stability

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
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GCC Secretary-General Affirms Gulf Stability as a Cornerstone of Global Stability

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi stressed during a working session before the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) that Gulf–European relations are more important than ever amid current regional and international challenges, and called for elevating them from consultation to a more practical partnership, SPA reported.

Albudaiwi, who is holding a series of meetings with senior officials in Brussels, explained that recent security developments in the region, along with threats to maritime routes, supply chains, and energy and food security, confirm that Gulf stability is not merely a regional matter, but a fundamental element of global stability.

He emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and secure under international law, particularly UNCLOS (1982).

He also praised the EU’s condemnation of Iranian attacks on GCC states and its efforts to contain escalation through urgent diplomatic engagement.


Makkah Police Arrest Resident over Fraudulent Hajj Ads

 A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Makkah Police Arrest Resident over Fraudulent Hajj Ads

 A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

Makkah Region police arrested an Egyptian resident for fraud after posting advertisements on social media offering fake permits to enter the holy sites and fraudulent Hajj services, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

Legal action was taken against him and he was referred to the Public Prosecution.

The General Directorate of Public Security urged citizens and residents to adhere to Hajj regulations and guidelines and to report violators.

On Tuesday, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the penalties that will be imposed on violators of the regulations requiring a permit to perform Hajj.

A fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on any individual found performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit.

A fine of up to SAR100,000 will be imposed on any person who applies for the issuance of a visit visa of any type for an individual who performs or attempts to perform Hajj without a permit.

Infiltrators, including residents and those who overstay their visas, will be deported back to their countries and banned them from entering the Kingdom for 10 years.