عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Varieties

Saudi Greening Forum Draws Broad Int’l Participation

Part of the sponsorship of the National Greening Forum was provided by several Saudi ministers (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Part of the sponsorship of the National Greening Forum was provided by several Saudi ministers (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Saudi Greening Forum Draws Broad Int’l Participation

Part of the sponsorship of the National Greening Forum was provided by several Saudi ministers (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Part of the sponsorship of the National Greening Forum was provided by several Saudi ministers (Asharq Al-Awsat)

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.

Most Viewed

 
 
Varieties

Russian ‘Spy Whale’ in Norway Wasn’t Shot Dead, Likely Died of Infection

FILE - In this photo taken in April 2019 a beluga whale found in Arctic Norway is fed. (Jorgen Ree Wiig, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries via AP)
FILE - In this photo taken in April 2019 a beluga whale found in Arctic Norway is fed. (Jorgen Ree Wiig, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries via AP)
TT
TT

Russian ‘Spy Whale’ in Norway Wasn’t Shot Dead, Likely Died of Infection

FILE - In this photo taken in April 2019 a beluga whale found in Arctic Norway is fed. (Jorgen Ree Wiig, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries via AP)
FILE - In this photo taken in April 2019 a beluga whale found in Arctic Norway is fed. (Jorgen Ree Wiig, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries via AP)

A beluga whale that lived off Norway’s coast and whose harness ignited speculation that it was a Russian spy, was not shot to death as claimed by animal rights groups but died of a bacterial infection, Norwegian police said Friday.
A final autopsy by Norway's Veterinary Institute “concludes that the probable cause of death was bacterial infection -- possibly as a result of a wound in the mouth from a stuck stick,” Amund Preede Revheim, head of the North Sea and Environment section of the police in south-western Norway said.
“There have been no findings from the autopsy that indicate that the whale has been shot,” he stressed, adding that the autopsy had been “made difficult by the fact that many of the whale’s organs were very rotten.” As there was no indication of foul play, there was no reason to start a criminal investigation into its death, The Associated Press quoted Preede Revheim as saying.
The tame beluga, which was first spotted in 2019 not far from Russian waters with a harness reading “Equipment St. Petersburg,” had been nicknamed "Hvaldimir,” combining the Norwegian word for whale — hval — and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It was found floating in a southern Norway bay on Aug. 31.
In September, animal advocate groups OneWhale and NOAH filed a police report saying that the animal’s wounds suggested it was intentionally killed.
They pointed at several wounds found on the animal’s skin, including what was interpreted as a bullet hole.
“Assessments made by the Veterinary Institute and the police’s forensic technicians are that these are not gunshot wounds. X-rays of the chest and head were carried out without any projectiles or other metal fragments being detected,” police said in a statement.
Earlier, police had described a stick about 35 centimeters (14 inches) long and 3 centimeters (1 inch) wide which was found wedged in the animal’s mouth, its stomach was empty and its organs had broken down, police said. No further details were given.
The 4.2-meter (14-foot) long and 1,225-kilogram (2,700-pound) whale was first spotted by fishermen not far from the Arctic town of Hammerfest.
Its harness, along with what appeared to be a mount for a small camera, led to media speculation that it was a “spy whale.” Experts say the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes. Media reports also have speculated that the whale might have been trained as a therapy animal.
There was no immediate reaction from OneWhale or NOAH.