Riyadh Named Arab Environment Capital

Riyadh has been named the “Arab Environment Capital” for two years, during the 35th session of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment, held in Jeddah. Additionally, the Saudi Green Initiative received the award for the Outstanding Environmental Project in the government sector.

The 35th session brought about several key decisions focused on natural reserves, the Arab response to emerging climate change issues, and the follow-up on international environmental agreements and meetings, including policies connecting water and agriculture sectors.

The meeting, chaired by Saudi Arabia and organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in collaboration with the Arab League, emphasized the importance of linking water, agriculture, and environmental policies in Arab nations.

Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture for Environmental Affairs, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the session addressed numerous topics aimed at enhancing joint cooperation, unifying Arab positions on international environmental agreements, and coordinating with regional and international organizations.

One of the most notable outcomes of the session was the selection of Riyadh as the Arab Environmental Capital, following competition from 10 countries. Additionally, the Saudi Green Initiative won the award for Outstanding Environmental Project in the Arab Government Sector.

According to Faqeeha, this achievement reflects Saudi Arabia’s leading role in adopting strategic, innovative, and sustainable environmental projects through its initiatives at both the local and international levels. The Kingdom has hosted many international environmental gatherings, underscoring its leadership in this field.

Faqeeha added that the ministry is working under various strategies related to the environment, water, and agriculture, all of which place sustainability at their core. Efforts are underway to improve waste management, with the goal of reducing landfill waste by over 95% by 2035.

He also noted significant targets for increasing environmental protection, including expanding protected areas, which were only 4% in 2016 but have now reached around 18%.

For his part, Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, emphasized that Saudi Arabia embraces a comprehensive vision for ecosystems in line with its ambitious Vision 2030. He added that the Kingdom is committed to achieving its goals by implementing national strategies and plans aimed at protecting the environment, combating land degradation, preserving vegetation, enhancing biodiversity, ensuring food and water security, and launching national, regional, and global initiatives to combat land degradation and preserve habitats.

Water Crisis

Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, emphasized that the Arab world faces a more severe water crisis than any other region.

Dr. Ali Al-Malki, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Economic Affairs Sector at the Arab League, noted that this session comes following significant Arab participation in hosting COP climate change conferences, citing COP27 in Egypt and COP28 in the UAE. He added that the positive outcomes and initiatives launched during these conferences received global recognition.

Saudi Arabia is also preparing to host the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in December. This session is expected to address critical issues for Arab countries, including the implementation of the UNCCD’s 2018-2030 strategic framework, as well as addressing drought and dust storms.

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.

Riyadh Named Arab Environment Capital