المملكة: The Kingdom enhances international cooperation to confront environmental and climate challenges

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Cabinet and Envoy for Climate Affairs, Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, affirmed that the Kingdom attaches great importance to strengthening international cooperation in order to confront the challenges related to the environment and climate change, based on its commitment to support international efforts to address the challenges of climate change and achieve sustainable development.
This came during his participation today, Wednesday, in a dialogue session within the sessions of the Green Saudi Forum in its fourth edition, which coincides with the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), held in Riyadh.

Preserving natural resources

Al-Jubeir explained that the Kingdom is an integral part of the world and has the same international challenges related to environmental issues, climate change, land degradation, and water resources management, stressing the Kingdom’s keenness to preserve, reclaim and develop its natural resources by all available means.
He added that the Kingdom views land degradation not only from an environmental perspective, but also from a security perspective, and sees it as a global security challenge.

He reviewed the Kingdom’s programs and initiatives related to preserving the environment and reducing land degradation and climate change, including its endeavor to diversify its energy sources by taking advantage of renewable energy, so that 50% of its energy mix becomes renewable energy by 2030 AD, and 30% of its land and water area is protected by The year 2030, and planting trees using modern technologies.

Diversify investment

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs indicated that diversifying investment and commitment to protecting the environment is one of the main goals of achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which is what the National Strategy for the Sustainability of the Red Sea launched by His Highness the Crown Prince is based on.
He stressed the position of the Red Sea regionally and internationally, its importance and its environmental advantages, noting that the Kingdom is working to enhance its use as a recreational destination and an economic resource, while preserving its environmental sustainability as much as possible.
He concluded his speech by emphasizing that the Kingdom continues its efforts to develop the environment by establishing green parks and gardens, and launching pioneering initiatives such as the Green Saudi Initiative and the Green Middle East Initiative.
He explained that the Kingdom is among the countries that invest most in reducing carbon emissions, with full commitment to the highest environmental standards, pointing out the importance of cooperation and coordination with the international community to achieve environmental sustainability goals.