Riyadh hosted its first National Greening Forum on Monday, organized by Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
The event aimed to boost participation from government, private, and non-profit sectors in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious goal of planting 10 billion trees under the Saudi Green Initiative.
It also aimed to facilitate communication among stakeholders, provide updates, and encourage collaboration.
The forum, endorsed by Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadli, saw broad participation from local, regional, and international stakeholders, experts, and enthusiasts.
Discussions highlighted Saudi Arabia’s $2.5 billion contribution to the Middle East Green Initiative and its significance in combating climate change and fostering regional cooperation.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Member, and Envoy for Climate Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir emphasized the importance of afforestation and land rehabilitation for both the environment and regional stability, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to addressing global challenges like drought-induced conflicts and displacement.
The minister underscored that afforestation forms an integral component of the Kingdom's strategy to address climate change and environmental concerns, crucial for achieving the goals outlined in the Saudi Vision 2030.
He reiterated the Kingdom's interconnectedness with the international community, emphasizing that global events impact Saudi Arabia and vice versa. Clean air and a healthy environment are essential for global well-being.
Also, at the National Greening Forum, the “Discover Nature” program launched alongside agreements among various entities.
This initiative, part of the Saudi Green Initiative, aims to increase green areas and combat desertification. It promotes awareness about afforestation and sustainable green environments.
