Over 95 Million Trees Planted Across the Kingdom Since Launch of Saudi Green Initiative

One of the mountainous areas located in the south of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (File/Asharq Al-Awsat)
One of the mountainous areas located in the south of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (File/Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Over 95 Million Trees Planted Across the Kingdom Since Launch of Saudi Green Initiative

One of the mountainous areas located in the south of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (File/Asharq Al-Awsat)
One of the mountainous areas located in the south of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (File/Asharq Al-Awsat)

The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) has said that collaboration with government, private, and non-profit partners has contributed to successfully planting over 95 million trees throughout the Kingdom since the launch of the Saudi Green Initiative in 2021.
These efforts have helped rehabilitate 111,000 hectares of degraded vegetation cover, and protect 4.3 million hectares of land currently undergoing rehabilitation. Moreover, 7.1 million cases of natural vegetation regeneration have been recorded, demonstrating significant progress toward increasing the Kingdom’s vegetation cover, according to SPA.
So far, 121 public, private, and non-profit sector partners have contributed to greening efforts, reflecting a commitment to achieving shared national goals, and successful partnerships in the afforestation efforts, in line with the targets of the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030. These efforts contribute to reducing carbon emissions, improving the quality of life, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
NCVC is actively involved in protecting, monitoring, and rehabilitating vegetation cover, addressing violations, combating illegal logging, and managing rangelands, forests, and national parks sustainably. These endeavors are essential to fostering a thriving and sustainable vegetation cover for future generations.



Vatican Unveils Restored 'Apollo Belvedere', Roman Marble Masterpiece

A view of the 'Apollo Belvedere' statue after it was unveiled after restoration at the Vatican Museums at the Vatican, October 15, 2024. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
A view of the 'Apollo Belvedere' statue after it was unveiled after restoration at the Vatican Museums at the Vatican, October 15, 2024. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
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Vatican Unveils Restored 'Apollo Belvedere', Roman Marble Masterpiece

A view of the 'Apollo Belvedere' statue after it was unveiled after restoration at the Vatican Museums at the Vatican, October 15, 2024. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
A view of the 'Apollo Belvedere' statue after it was unveiled after restoration at the Vatican Museums at the Vatican, October 15, 2024. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

The Vatican Museums unveiled on Tuesday a restoration of one of the crown jewels of their collection, a 2nd century marble sculpture of the Greek god Apollo that has inspired generations of artists and poets.

Restoration experts spent years working on the "Apollo Belvedere", repairing fractures in its knees and legs, cleaning the entire cream-colored statue with lasers, and installing a carbon fibre pole anchored to its base to increase stability.

"This type of restoration... is the expression of what we want the Vatican Museums to be," said Barbara Jatta, the Museums' director. "A balance of tradition, linguistics and study, with a gaze that looks to the future."

The Vatican Museums, which house some of the world's greatest Renaissance masterpieces as well as ancient Roman and Egyptian artefacts, are the Holy See's most reliable source of income. They receive some seven million visitors a year, generating income of around $100 million, according to Reuters.

The "Apollo Belvedere" was one of the first works featured in the Museums. It shows the god having just shot an arrow and is famed for its delicate musculature and lightly curled hair.

The sculpture is believed to be a Roman copy of an original Greek bronze statue. It was brought to the Vatican by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century.

The statue was removed from public exhibition in 2019, when museum staff noticed small fissures in its legs.

The structure was in an "incredibly dramatic" condition, said Guy Devreux, a curator in the Museums' stone and marble restoration workshop.

The restoration project was paused for about two years during the pandemic, when the Museums underwent several long closures due to Italy's lockdowns.