Saudi Minister of State Underlines Saudi Arabia's Dedication and Efforts in Tackling Global Environmental Challenges at SGI Forum

Riyadh, December 05, 2024, SPA -- Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Member, and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir participated in a dialogue session yesterday at the Saudi Green Initiative Forum, coinciding with the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, held in Riyadh.
Al-Jubeir underscored the Kingdom's prioritization of bolstering international cooperation to tackle environmental and climate-related challenges, driven by its dedication to supporting global efforts to address climate change and foster sustainable development.
He mentioned that Saudi Arabia, like many other nations, faces global challenges such as environmental issues, climate change, land degradation, and water resource management.
He stressed that the Kingdom is committed to preserving its natural resources through conservation, reclamation, and development using all available means, and highlighted that Saudi Arabia views land degradation not only as an environmental concern but also as a security challenge on a global scale.
He discussed Saudi programs and initiatives on environmental conservation, land degradation prevention, and climate change. These include endeavors to diversify energy sources through using more renewable energy sources to reach a 50% target by 2030, protecting 30% of its land and water areas by the same year, and adopting advanced tree planting techniques.
Al-Jubeir stressed that diversifying investments and focusing on environmental protection are crucial for achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. These efforts are central to the National Red Sea Sustainability Strategy, spearheaded by HRH the Crown Prince. He noted the Red Sea's significance and Saudi efforts to balance its use for recreation and economic purposes while ensuring environmental sustainability.
Al-Jubeir concluded by affirming Saudi Arabia's dedication to environmental development through establishing green parks and launching the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. He highlighted the country's substantial investments in reducing carbon emissions and meeting high environmental standards, stressing the importance of working with the international community to achieve sustainability goals.
-- SPA