Governments of the Middle East, region and world stressed on Monday their strong support to Saudi Arabia’s initiatives that are aimed at preserving the environment and combating climate change.
The Kingdom hosted on Monday the Middle East Green Initiative Summit, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.
Several senior officials from the region and world attended the event to throw their backing behind Saudi Arabia’s leading role in easing the impact of climate change and helping support global efforts to protect the environment.
John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, told the summit that the Middle East Green Initiative differs from others because it reflects the dire situation facing the world.
He hailed the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in hosting the Summit and bringing together leaders to take part in the initiative.
He thanked Saudi Arabia for its commitment to reach zero-net emissions by 2060 through circular carbon economy. “It cannot be underestimated what it means to have one of the world’s largest fossil fuel producers step up at a moment when all countries need to step up,” he said.
“This is very simple. This is about science, and it’s about physics and mathematics and those telling us that we must accelerate - that we can still get the job done, but only if we make the key decision and it is implemented over the course of the next few years.”
Kuwait
Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait, said the Kingdom is hosting the Middle East Green Summit as the world endures extraordinary circumstances that demonstrate the need for sustainable plans and for attention to be focused on the climate, environment and economy.
He said it is no longer a secret that climate change is leading to a series of disasters, such as forest fires, floods, drought, water shortages, famine and the spread of diseases.
He underscored Kuwait’s full support to Saudi Arabia and its initiatives that are aimed at protecting the environment. It places its trust in the Kingdom in leading efforts in this vital issue.
Moreover, he stressed that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the summit reflects its pivotal role in the region and entire world as it consolidates the concept of comprehensive humanitarian, economic, climate and environmental security.
Greece
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis underlined the importance of the Middle East Green Summit, noting that it was being held days before the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.
He stressed his country’s commitment, as a member of the European Union (EU), along with the EU members, to make Europe a net zero carbon continent by 2050, and reduce greenhouse gases by 55 percent by 2030.
Morocco
Prime Minister of Morocco Aziz Akhannouch expressed his country’s gratitude for Riyadh’s Middle East Green and Saudi Green initiatives that reflect the Kingdom’s efforts in protecting the environment.
He expressed Morocco’s commitment to sustainable development and shift towards a green economy in line with international efforts.
He cited Morocco’s planting of 300,000 palm trees and plan to plant 500,000 more annually. He said funding remains a decisive factor in fighting climate change, therefore stressing the need for redirecting investments towards activities that balance between economic and social goals.
Pakistan
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted his country’s afforestation efforts along with other countries.
“We have planted over half a billion trees in Pakistan,” he declared, revealing plans to plant 10 billion.
Khan noted that ten percent of the world’s countries are responsible for 80 percent of the total carbon emissions. He acknowledged that Pakistan is, unfortunately, among that 10 percent and that its climate change efforts have so far not been up to par.
In the past ten years, Pakistan has witnessed around 152 severe climate events, sustaining economic losses of more than 2.3 billion dollars, he remarked. Pakistan needed to take action in this regard.
It set a goal of transforming 60 percent of all its energy to clean energy by 2030. There won’t be any new coal projects in Pakistan, he vowed.
“Humanity faces one of the biggest crises,” said Khan. “Unfortunately, this crisis was quite visible 20 years ago, but, somehow, we were all in self-denial. No one thought that this would actually happen.”
Tunisia
Prime Minister of Tunisia Najla Bouden said climate challenges have had repercussions beyond the economic and social spheres and the coronavirus pandemic has only exacerbated these problems, especially on developing countries.
Responding to and working on sustainable energy demands all sides to assume their responsibilities to ensure the swift shift towards the green economy, she added.
She called for supporting global research and innovation in developing sustainable energy solutions that support the green economy, while also highlighting the important role digital technology can play to that end.
Jordan
Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II stressed the importance of the Middle East Green Initiative Summit, hoping that it would achieve its desired goals.
He hoped that it would find solutions that would help achieve cooperation between all countries to confront the challenges of climate change that know no borders.
He highlighted Jordan’s national environment plan that covers several sectors, including agriculture, energy, waste management and water.
Iraq
Iraq’s deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ayad Allawi said the Middle East Green Initiative was significant in the region’s green transformation.
He said Saudi Arabia proposed its initiative during a historic moment for mankind as it seeks to confront climate change, which is the world’s greatest challenge. “We have no choice but to fight it together.”
“Iraq is determined to work with the Summit participants to secure a better environment for coming generations,” he vowed.
Qatar
Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi said the Middle East Green Initiative is a major leap forward in global joint environment work.
Collective work is the most important way to confront climate change, he stated.
The Middle East Green Initiative is an important opportunity to achieve a number of environment goals in the region, he added, while underscoring Qatar’s commitment to plant a million trees before the 2022 FIFA World Cup that it is hosting. It plans to plant 10 million trees by 2030.
Egypt
Egypt’s Environment Minister Dr. Yasmine Fouad said the shift towards a greener world lies in adopting the right policies and through the contribution of all segments of society.
She said Egypt is seeking to complete its climate goals by 2050. The government has so far implemented 691 green projects, amounting to 15 percent of government investments.
By 2024, 30 percent of government projects will be green and 100 percent by 2030, she added.
