Saudi Arabia Hosts Inaugural National Greening Forum
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, experts convened at the inaugural National Greening Forum to address pressing environmental issues and explore nature-based solutions to global challenges. Under the auspices of Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, the forum convened industry leaders, governmental representatives, and specialists from across the local, regional, and international environmental sectors.
Organized by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, the two-day event aimed to unify national efforts towards enhancing vegetation cover and combating land degradation. CEO of the center, Khalid Al-Abdulqader, emphasized the forum’s significance in consolidating efforts to achieve these critical objectives.
A panel discussion titled “Nature-Based Solutions: Key to Transformation” featured industry specialists and experts who deliberated on issues pertaining to the natural growth of trees, their environmental impact, and the development of sustainable solutions. Dr. Ahmed Al-Farhan, a board member of the center and faculty member at King Saud University, emphasized the importance of organizing and monitoring the relationship between vegetation, afforestation, and environmental elements for long-term sustainability.
Notably, Saudi Arabia has observed a decrease in sandstorms this year, attributed in part to timely rainfall that supports vegetation growth and stabilizes soil. Jamaan Al-Qahtani, executive director of the Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorms, highlighted the significant impact of environmental phenomena on sustainable development goals and underscored the role of initiatives such as cloud seeding in increasing rainfall.
Ayman Al-Bar, executive director of the Regional Cloud Seeding Program, outlined the efforts under the Middle East Green Initiative to intensify vegetation cover, combat desertification, and enhance rainfall through cloud seeding techniques. Dr. Talal Al-Harigi, CEO of Imam Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve, highlighted the role of nature reserves in carbon sequestration and soil rehabilitation.
The forum emphasized the collaborative role of public, private, and nonprofit sectors in achieving the Saudi Green Initiative’s ambitious target of planting 10 billion trees. By providing a platform for engagement and knowledge exchange, the forum demonstrated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering sustainable solutions for future generations.
