Middle East Green Initiative targets 35.4 billion trees and 99.4 million hectares of land restoration

Member states of the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) are aiming to plant 35.4 billion trees and rehabilitate 99.4 million hectares of degraded land as part of the initiative’s long-term environmental goals, the Executive Committee announced during its 20th virtual meeting.

Chaired by Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture for Environment, the meeting reviewed the latest national vegetation development targets submitted by member states and assessed how they contribute to the initiative’s regional objectives.

Officials also reviewed progress on decisions adopted during the initiative’s second Ministerial Council meeting, held in Jeddah on January 29, 2026, along with updates on the General Secretariat’s activities and priorities.

MGI Secretary-General Eng. Ibrahim Al-Turki presented a report outlining the Secretariat’s achievements during the first half of 2026, including the rollout of capacity-building and knowledge-sharing programmes, the expansion of partnerships with regional and international organisations and development finance institutions, and the completion of key operational preparations.

The Secretariat also launched the initiative’s official website and social media channels and presented its work plan for the second half of the year.

Committee members reviewed nominations for the initiative’s Scientific Advisory Committee, which will bring together international experts to provide scientific and technical guidance on vegetation development and support the initiative’s broader environmental goals.

The meeting also considered five internal governance policies covering communications, transparency, stakeholder engagement, and administrative operations, aimed at strengthening the Secretariat’s institutional effectiveness.

In addition, the Secretariat presented a proposed five-year strategy and implementation roadmap, which will be submitted for consideration at the next Ministerial Council meeting.

The Executive Committee serves as the initiative’s operational decision-making body and comprises deputy ministers and senior government officials representing MGI member states.