Saudi Arabia urges unified Arab action on environmental challenges

Saudi Arabia has emphasized the importance of unifying Arab efforts to confront growing environmental challenges, supporting environmental protection and ensuring sustainability for future generations. The Kingdom stressed the need for regional and international cooperation to tackle desertification, land degradation, drought, biodiversity loss, and climate change.

This came in a speech by Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley at the 37th session of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for Environmental Affairs, held today at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo.

Al-Fadley explained that Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen environmental action at national, regional, and international levels, guided by Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Environment Strategy. These aim to develop an integrated institutional and legislative framework to enhance environmental protection, ensure the sustainability of natural resources, support quality of life, and achieve a balance between economic and social development and environmental preservation. He also highlighted the use of modern technologies and support for research and innovation to address environmental challenges.

He added that the Kingdom launched the Middle East Green Initiative, which now includes 35 Arab, Asian, and African countries, alongside pioneering environmental initiatives for the sustainability of coral reefs and terrestrial habitats, which have received the endorsement of G20 leaders.

Saudi Arabia's role in strengthening international cooperation

Al-Fadley noted that Saudi Arabia's presidency of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16) has advanced international cooperation to address land degradation, desertification, and drought. This was achieved through the adoption of 37 decisions, most notably the Business for Land Initiative and the Riyadh Global Partnership on Drought. He stated that the Kingdom continues to follow up on the outcomes of the conference and strengthen implementation under the Riyadh Action Agenda until the 17th session in Mongolia.

The minister concluded by reaffirming Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting joint Arab action and enhancing cooperation and integration among Arab countries to address environmental challenges, contributing to sustainable development and the protection of natural resources for future generations.

Saudi participation in the Arab Forum for Environment

The fifth session of the Arab Forum for Environment preceded the meeting of the Arab environment ministers, with Saudi Arabia represented by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. The session discussed topics such as rangeland sustainability, resilience building, restoration of pastoral systems, financing transformation, and reviewed Arab efforts to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought.

Saudi Arabia's participation in the forum is part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen joint Arab action in environmental fields and support regional and international cooperation to protect and sustain natural resources through its national and regional initiatives and programs, foremost among them the Middle East Green Initiative.