RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Environment Week 2024 will begin on Sunday, emphasizing the Kingdom’s leadership in environmental preservation and sustainable development.

The event reflects the Kingdom’s dedication to environmental issues, aiming to raise awareness across society, according to the Saudi Press Agency report.

Organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the event features workshops, lectures, field activities and awareness campaigns designed to encourage citizens to protect natural resources and support sustainable development.

Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli will inaugurate this year’s week, where he will discuss the Kingdom’s accomplishments in environmental protection and sustainability.

Saudi Arabia is among the countries prioritizing the environment and sustainable development, with comprehensive strategic plans to balance economic growth and environmental protection.

Since the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016, the Kingdom has made significant strides toward a more sustainable ecological future.

The Kingdom has implemented a national strategy for the environment and introduced a series of national laws, strategies and plans to protect and sustain the environment, the SPA reported.

Additionally, the Kingdom has launched several groundbreaking national initiatives to promote environmental conservation, including the Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives.

The ministry has adopted a plan to develop Saudi Arabia’s waste sector, aiming to recycle up to 95 percent of waste and contribute SR120 billion ($32 billion) to the country’s gross domestic product. The plan also targets recycling up to 100 million tons annually to promote sustainability.

Since its launch in 2021, the Saudi Green Initiative has supported environmental protection, the transition to cleaner energy and sustainability programs. These efforts aim to reduce carbon emissions, increase afforestation, rehabilitate land and protect both terrestrial and marine areas.

Saudi Arabia’s environmental progress coincides with a 10 percent reduction in dust storms, linked to the establishment of reserves, increased rainfall, the rain-seeding program, the preservation of more than 94,000 hectares of land, and the planting of more than 49 million trees across the Kingdom. Additionally, the country has launched a global center for sustainability solutions using artificial intelligence, achieving an early weather warning accuracy rate of 78.76 percent. 

The ministry encourages all government and private agencies, as well as community members, to participate in the event’s activities to foster a more sustainable future. This initiative aims to spread environmental awareness, promote community responsibility and encourage positive environmental behaviors.