Saudi Arabia’s Global Leadership in Combating Sand and Dust Storms Praised at UN Meeting
New York, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Arabia’s international efforts to combat sand and dust storms received high praise during a high-level meeting held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Friday.
The meeting spotlighted the Kingdom’s $10 million contribution over five years to support early warning systems and assist countries vulnerable to the impacts of dust and sand storms. The initiative, spearheaded by Saudi Arabia in cooperation with regional centers affiliated with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), was lauded for significantly enhancing forecasting, preparedness, and response capabilities.
Jumaan bin Saad Al-Qahtani, Deputy CEO of the National Center of Meteorology, represented Saudi Arabia at the event and emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment through its Vision 2030 initiatives, particularly the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. These programs form part of the Kingdom’s broader environmental and climate resilience strategies.
Al-Qahtani also highlighted the establishment of the Regional Center for Dust and Sand Storms in Jeddah, which serves as a key regional hub for coordination, data sharing, research, and capacity building among affected countries. He noted that the center plays a pivotal role in facilitating regional collaboration to mitigate the effects of dust and sand storms.
Saudi Arabia’s environmental leadership has been underscored by major international engagements, including the hosting of the First International Conference on Dust and Sand Storms in Riyadh. The Kingdom also announced plans to convene the second edition of the conference in 2026, further solidifying its role in global environmental diplomacy.
To date, the Kingdom’s green initiatives have achieved remarkable milestones, including the planting of over 142 million trees and the rehabilitation of more than 436,000 hectares of degraded land — significant contributions to ecosystem restoration and climate resilience.
Reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment, Al-Qahtani stated the Kingdom is ready to expand international cooperation aimed at reducing dust sources, safeguarding environmental health, and strengthening resilience to climate change.
The Kingdom’s proactive approach, rooted in regional leadership and international solidarity, continues to position it as a key player in global efforts to confront environmental challenges and promote sustainable development.
