Riyadh, December 5, 2024 – Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Member, and Climate Envoy of Saudi Arabia, held a significant meeting today with Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which is being hosted in Riyadh.
During their discussion, Minister Al-Jubeir and Executive Director Andersen addressed a range of critical environmental concerns and the pressing challenges posed by climate change. They reviewed the ongoing international initiatives designed to tackle these issues, focusing on innovative approaches to environmental sustainability and resilience in the face of climate threats. The conversation also covered key topics scheduled for deliberation during the COP16 conference, reflecting the importance of global cooperation in combating desertification, land degradation, and the broader impacts of climate change.
The meeting underscored Saudi Arabia's commitment to actively contributing to global environmental governance and promoting international collaboration on climate action. With the Kingdom's growing role in global environmental dialogues, the discussions between Minister Al-Jubeir and Inger Andersen served as an important step in aligning Saudi Arabia's climate and environmental strategies with broader international efforts to achieve sustainable development goals.
The COP16 conference, a crucial platform for addressing land degradation and fostering sustainable practices, will continue to highlight the need for coordinated action and innovative solutions to combat desertification and preserve the planet's natural resources for future generations.