Deputy Minister of Environment; Water and Agriculture Eng. Mansour Bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti said that the Kingdom is celebrating this year's World Environment Day through increasing public awareness; on environment and implementing a set of environment protection and further ecosystem restoration projects.
Eng. Al-Mushaiti said that the theme for this year's World Environment Day; is "Ecosystem Restoration" which also aims at protecting and reviving ecosystems around the world through a global campaign; which runs from 2021 to 2030; with the participation of individuals; civil society organizations and governments.
Through the World Environment Day; he also said that the ministry carries out observance of environmental norms; practices and activities and increases public awareness on environment; and ecosystems and on the protection of more than 8 million species of plants and animals on the planet.
Eng. Al-Mushaiti also indicated that the ministry is also exerting pioneering efforts towards decreasing environmental degradation and restoring ecosystems; including the implementation of the National Parks Rehabilitation and Development Initiative and also the launch of other 17 environment protection initiatives; as per the National Transformation Program 2020; which is in order to help fulfill the Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.
As part of the Kingdom's environmental protection efforts; Eng. Al-Mushaiti; also said that work is under way to establish a specialized center for climate change after securing all necessary financial allocations.
He added a decision has been made to halt the cultivation of crops that require a great quantity of water; and convert to environment-friendly and water-saving technologies. He also said that a total of 64 initiatives also have been launched; as per the National Environment Strategy; with the aim of protecting and restoring ecosystems.
