المملكة: Minister of Environment: The Green Middle East Initiative’s commitments exceeded 22 billion trees
The Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Council, confirmed For the Green Middle EastInitiative, Engineer Abdul Rahman Al-Fadhli, stated that the total commitments made by member states for the development of The vegetation cover within the initiative exceeded 22 billion trees, indicating that the initiative has actually moved from the founding stage to the implementation stage, during his press statement following the second meeting of the Ministerial Council of the initiative, which was held today in the city of Jeddah.
Enhancing the effectiveness of institutional work
He explained "Al-Fadhli" The second ministerial meeting represents a turning point in the initiative’s path, as a clear governance was agreed upon to manage the implementation of the initiative’s projects, in a way that enhances the effectiveness of institutional work and ensures the achievement of its goals in accordance with the vision announced by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister – may God protect him – when launching the initiative.
He pointed out that the meeting resulted in positive indicators that reflect the growing international confidence in the initiative, explaining that the number of member states increased from 18 countries when the initiative was launched to 34 countries today, In addition to a country participating as an observer, after four new countries joined: Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka and Syria, stressing that this expansion reflects a growing awareness of the importance of the initiative and its environmental and economic impact, with other countries expected to join in the next stage.
He indicated that the goals of the countries participating in the initiative witnessed a remarkable development, as their commitments exceeded more than 22 billion trees, in addition to targeting the rehabilitation of about 90 million hectares of land, according to Time plans vary between countries, which reflects the high level of environmental awareness of the importance of the initiative, stressing that these targets will be subject to follow-up and evaluation during the upcoming periodic meetings.
He revealed that the meeting witnessed the signing of an agreement with the Islamic Development Bank to manage the Green Middle East Initiative Fund, stressing that this step represents a pivotal element in managing the initiative’s projects during the next stage, and contributes to enhancing financial sustainability and ensuring the efficiency of implementing environmental programs and projects.
Regional cooperation to confront environmental challenges
The meeting witnessed participation 31 regional countries are members of the initiative, along with the United Kingdom as an observer, and a number of international organizations and institutions, in a step that reflects the expansion of the scope of the initiative and the strengthening of its presence at the regional and international levels.
He pointed out that the Green Middle East Initiative provides a strategic platform to enhance regional cooperation to confront environmental challenges, especially land degradation, desertification and climate change, in a way that contributes to the rehabilitation of degraded lands, the development of vegetation, improving the quality of life for current and future generations, and achieving environmental, economic and social benefits. For the participating countries.
He explained that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed a comprehensive environmental transformation that embodies its ambitious vision for achieving sustainability, through the adoption of the National Environment Strategy, the establishment of specialized environmental centers, and the launch of pioneering environmental initiatives, most notably the Saudi Green Initiative to rehabilitate 40 million hectares of land within the Kingdom.
He added that national efforts contributed to doubling the area of natural reserves more than fourfold to exceed 18% of the Kingdom’s area, with a goal of reaching 30% by the year 2030, and the rate of waste recycling increased more than three-fold compared to 2021, and more than 151 million trees were planted using renewable water sources, in addition to enhancing wildlife development programs, improving waste management, raising environmental commitment, and developing meteorological services and climate studies.
At the conclusion of his speech, Minister Al-Fadhli expressed his thanks to the member states for their participation in the meeting, expressing his hope that the decisions issued by him will contribute to strengthening joint work to rehabilitate the lands. It is noteworthy that the Green Middle East Initiative was launched in October 2021 during the first summit held in Riyadh, while the Kingdom announced during the second summit of the initiative in Sharm El-Sheikh in November 2022 that it would provide a financial grant to support the initiative and host its general secretariat in Riyadh, in addition to bearing its operational costs during the next ten years.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
