Saudi Arabia Reveals Agenda of 2024 Saudi Green Initiative Forum at UNCCD COP16

Taking place in Riyadh from December 3-4, the forum will convene global leaders, climate experts, senior government officials, and industry CEOs to advance discussions and action on global climate challenges. (COP16 Riyadh on X)
Taking place in Riyadh from December 3-4, the forum will convene global leaders, climate experts, senior government officials, and industry CEOs to advance discussions and action on global climate challenges. (COP16 Riyadh on X)
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Saudi Arabia Reveals Agenda of 2024 Saudi Green Initiative Forum at UNCCD COP16

Taking place in Riyadh from December 3-4, the forum will convene global leaders, climate experts, senior government officials, and industry CEOs to advance discussions and action on global climate challenges. (COP16 Riyadh on X)
Taking place in Riyadh from December 3-4, the forum will convene global leaders, climate experts, senior government officials, and industry CEOs to advance discussions and action on global climate challenges. (COP16 Riyadh on X)

Saudi Arabia revealed on Saturday the program for the fourth edition of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum.

Taking place in Riyadh from December 3-4 alongside the 16th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16), the forum will convene global leaders, climate experts, senior government officials, and industry CEOs to advance discussions and action on global climate challenges under the theme “Action is in Our Nature.”

The 2024 SGI Forum will feature ministerial discussions, keynote addresses, panel discussions, and conversations with prominent leaders.

Speakers include Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud; President of Senegal Macky Sall; Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir; 4th President & CEO of Saudi Aramco Amin Nasser; Secretary General & CEO of the World Energy Council Angela Wilkinson; CEO & Chairman of the Board at TotalEnergies Patrick Pouyanné; CEO of Air Liquide François Jackow, and Director General of the IUCN Dr. Grethel Aguilar.

Leading experts from global multilateral and environmental organizations, including the World Bank and the Convention on Wetlands, will also participate, providing diverse perspectives on advancing climate action.

Discussions will center around five key pillars: “Greening Land for Global Good”, “Energy Innovation Driving Emissions Reduction”, “Financing the Green Transition for Sustainable Livelihoods”, “Nature-Based Solutions for Climate and Community Resilience”, and “Biodiversity Protection as a Key to Climate Resilience”.

These pillars reflect the interconnectedness of global climate challenges and Saudi Arabia’s commitment to holistic, collaborative and pragmatic solutions towards a greener future.

In addition to the SGI Forum, the SGI Pavilion, located inside the UNCCD COP16 Green Zone, offers visitors an immersive experience designed to educate and engage.

Visitors are encouraged to journey through five zones that highlight Saudi Arabia’s approach to reducing emissions, growing 10 billion trees, protecting nature, promoting sustainability, and building a sustainable future.

The SGI Pavilion added a Kids Zone, created to inspire Saudi Arabia’s youth to become environmental heroes.

Returning after its successful launch at COP28, SGI Talks will feature international and Saudi climate experts, offering insights and discussions on sustainability trends and innovations. These 30-minute daily sessions will address issues such as renewable energy innovations, sustainable land use, and youth empowerment in climate action.



China Seeks to Bolster Ports and Aviation Hubs in Western Regions

The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022.  (Reuters)
The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022. (Reuters)
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China Seeks to Bolster Ports and Aviation Hubs in Western Regions

The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022.  (Reuters)
The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022. (Reuters)

China said on Sunday it would launch 15 measures to bolster the development of its western provinces with the construction of logistical infrastructure such as ports and aviation hubs.

The General Administration of Customs said the measures would enhance the integration of rail, air, river and sea links in China's west, state media reported.

The measures are to include enhancing international aviation hubs in cities including Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Xi'an and Urumqi, while developing comprehensive bonded zones, and integrating these with ports and other transport links.

A number of ports would also be built and expanded.

China has long sought to bolster the economic heft of its western regions, which have markedly lagged coastal provinces.

China's western regions comprise around two-thirds of the country's land area and include regions such as Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Xinjiang and Tibet.

China's Politburo last year called for a "new urbanization" of western China to revitalize rural areas, expand poverty alleviation efforts and strengthen energy resources. Efforts have also been made to increase linkages to Europe and South Asia through trade corridors including rail freight routes.