Saudi Arabia has emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing environmental challenges, particularly in rehabilitating degraded lands.

The Saudi Green Initiative aims to protect 30% of the nation’s land and marine areas. The kingdom’s National Environment Strategy emphasizes biodiversity conservation, combating land degradation, and advancing coral reef research.

At a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting, Mansour Al-Mushaiti, Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, urged GCC countries to collaborate in strengthening drought-prone communities’ resilience.

Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, GCC Secretary-General, stressed the increasing importance of environmental protection and climate change mitigation. He called for enhanced international cooperation, improved environmental policies, and a greater regional focus on renewable energy.

Al-Mushaiti urged GCC nations to ratify the Middle East Green Initiative Charter, establish national reforestation and land rehabilitation targets, and increase vegetation project funding.

Saudi Arabia has committed $2.5 billion to the initiative. He highlighted that COP16, hosted by Saudi Arabia in December, will be crucial for advancing global efforts against land degradation and drought.

Earlier this month, Environment Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strides in environmental sustainability at the IUCN West Asia Regional Forum.

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