Regional and international collaboration is crucial for tackling environmental issues, particularly in rehabilitating degraded lands, according to Mansour Al-Mushaiti, Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. Al-Mushaiti made these remarks at the 26th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministers’ Meeting on Environmental Affairs, held in Qatar.
Al-Mushaiti underscored the need for collective efforts to bolster the resilience of communities vulnerable to drought. His statements were reported by the Saudi Press Agency. The Kingdom has taken a leading role in regional environmental protection through the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to safeguard 30 percent of the country’s land and marine areas by 2030.
Saudi Arabia’s National Environment Strategy outlines comprehensive goals to conserve biodiversity, prevent land degradation, and advance research on global coral reefs. These initiatives reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to addressing environmental challenges both locally and globally.
At the meeting, Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC, highlighted that environmental protection and climate change mitigation have become central priorities for the region. “Internationally, collective action to address climate change and environmental challenges is essential,” Al-Budaiwi stated. “GCC states are actively contributing to global cooperation, providing solutions to mitigate climate impacts while preserving the environment.”
He further noted that GCC countries are enhancing environmental policies, promoting renewable energy, and reducing carbon emissions to balance development with environmental conservation.
Al-Mushaiti urged GCC member states to endorse the Middle East Green Initiative Charter, which includes setting national targets for tree planting and land rehabilitation. He also called for increased support from national development funds for vegetation projects throughout the region.
In May, Saudi Arabia committed $2.5 billion to the Middle East Green Initiative, reinforcing its dedication to regional environmental sustainability. Al-Mushaiti emphasized that the upcoming COP16, scheduled for December in Saudi Arabia, will be a pivotal event for advancing international efforts to combat land degradation and drought.
Earlier this month, at the 10th Regional Forum of the International Union for Conservation of Nature for West Asia, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli showcased the Kingdom’s environmental achievements under the National Environment Strategy and the Saudi Green Initiative.
