Saudi Arabia, UN stress global unity to halt land degradation
- Ahmed Saleh
- Feb 2, 2024
- 2 min read
Riyadh, February 01, 2024, Saudi Arabia and the United Nations have underscored the imperative need for global cooperation in halting land degradation as part of a shared responsibility to sustain life on Earth. This collaborative commitment was highlighted during a discussion session held at an event organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, marking the signing of the Kingdom's hosting agreement for the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, slated for December in Riyadh.
The session, aptly titled 'The Road to Riyadh COP16,' featured key figures including Dr. Osama Faqeeha, the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Environment, Andrea Meza Murillo, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and Dr. Ayman Ghulam, the CEO of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM).
Dr. Faqeeha articulated the Kingdom's comprehensive plans and strategies aimed at environmental preservation and achieving a delicate equilibrium between development and the safeguarding of natural resources. Noteworthy initiatives such as the Green Saudi Initiative (GSI), aiming to cultivate 14 million hectares of land in the coming decades, were highlighted. He emphasized that these efforts extend beyond the local sphere, encompassing international environmental objectives through initiatives like the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) and the Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation.
The Kingdom's preparation for hosting the conference involves active collaboration with international stakeholders, the United Nations, and environmental experts. Dr. Faqeeha emphasized the Kingdom's involvement in 40 international events and 16 international conferences, underscoring its commitment to global environmental goals.
Andrea Murillo emphasized the collective responsibility to protect the Earth, acknowledging Saudi Arabia's captivating efforts in environmental preservation. She highlighted the potential to achieve environmental goals by focusing on reclaiming 30% of the land, contributing to food and water security, and praised the Kingdom's integrated approach of consolidating environment, water, and agriculture under one ministry.
Murillo stressed the importance of empowering youth and women through technological advancements, innovation, and artificial intelligence, advocating for green job creation to promote inclusivity, well-being, and effective land management.
Dr. Ayman Ghulam outlined the Kingdom's proactive measures in addressing climate conditions through institutions such as the Regional Climate Change Centre and the National Meteorological Centre. He highlighted the Kingdom's launch of an advanced early warning system for sandstorms and the establishment of the Sand and Dust Storm Warning Regional Center, emphasizing its role in anticipating sandstorms with up to 95% accuracy days in advance.
