RIYADH: A significant regional initiative to combat climate change has gained traction as 11 countries joined the Middle East Green Initiative during its inaugural Ministerial Council session in Jeddah.
Led by Saudi Arabia, the initiative seeks to tackle environmental challenges across the region and contribute to global climate goals. The session, which included representatives from 29 countries and international organizations, reinforced the Kingdom’s dedication to promoting environmental cooperation.
In addition to the new regional members, the UK was welcomed as a non-regional contributor with observer status, according to a press release. This development underscores the council’s emphasis on the crucial role these new members play in achieving the initiative’s ambitious goals. It also called for more regional and non-regional countries to join, stressing the need for technical and financial support to meet both regional and global environmental objectives.
Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadley emphasized the importance of enhanced regional collaboration to protect the environment, improve food and water security, safeguard biodiversity, and preserve ecosystems.
During the inaugural session, the minister highlighted that the initiative marks a substantial step forward in enhancing regional governance to address desertification, drought, and climate change challenges.
The Middle East Green Initiative’s primary goal is to plant 50 billion trees across the Middle East, restoring 200 million hectares of degraded land. Saudi Arabia plans to plant 10 billion trees within its borders, with the remaining 40 billion to be planted across the region over the next few decades.
