Saudi Arabia determined to protect, preserve its vegetation cover

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This month, the Special Force for Environmental Security announced that their officers seized more than 950 cubic meters of local firewood. (SPA)
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Updated 27 December 2022
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Saudi Arabia determined to protect, preserve its vegetation cover

  • Anyone wishing to engage in any firewood commerce activities in Saudi Arabia must obtain a license or permit issued by the center

JEDDAH: The Saudi government is determined to curb activities that threaten the environment to protect its vegetation cover, reduce desertification, combat climate change and improve quality of life and protect the planet for future generations.  

However, many locals, especially those living in relatively cold areas, are fond of spending a few hours at night in front of the fire, particularly on their vacations and weekends, and preparing food using special types of firewood.   

During winter, they also light fires to warm themselves while sitting in their backyards, which has increased the demand for firewood and, subsequently, threatened the country’s vegetation cover.   

For the protection of the environment, the government established the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification to maintain vegetation cover and combat desertification. 

According to firewood violation regulations, anyone wishing to engage in any firewood commerce activities, whether citizens, residents or companies, must obtain a license or permit issued by the center.  

Excess logging in the Kingdom has become a serious concern over recent decades as it leads to a decrease in land productivity, reduces oxygen production, adds to soil erosion, and causes a decrease in groundwater reserves. It also negatively affects tourism and social development plans.  

Saudi Arabia has taken steps to ensure a more sustainable future. In October 2021, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the Saudi Green Initiative, which reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to reduce emissions, increase the Kingdom’s use of clean energy and advance the global fight against climate change.  

In line with this promising initiative, the center is doing its best to protect vegetation sites and rehabilitate degraded areas around the country, combat logging, supervise and invest in pasture lands, forests and national parks, and promote a well-developed sustainable environment.  

The regulations, aiming to protect trees, state that anyone who sells or transports local firewood will face a fine of up to SR16,000 ($4,266) per cubic meter for each case. 

This month, the Special Force for Environmental Security announced that their officers seized more than 950 cubic meters of local firewood. These quantities were ready for distribution in the Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah and Asir regions.   

The regulations also emphasize that using firewood or charcoal in all commercial activities, such as restaurants and bakeries, can expose each violator to a fine of SR32,000 (more than $8,500).  

Shepherds who take their animals to graze in protected reserves can face a penalty ranging from SR200 ($27) to SR500 ($133) for each animal.  

The same regulations have made it clear that those wishing to engage in any firewood commerce activities, whether they are citizens, residents or companies, must obtain a license or permit issued by the center.  

The center’s inspectors, as well as SFES agents, conduct inspection tours to arrest all violators of the Saudi environment law and the regulations of logging to preserve the country’s vegetation cover, enhance natural resources to improve the quality of life, and achieve sustainable development in light of the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.  

The General Authority for Statistics recently announced that Saudi firewood dealers had imported 135,000 tons of firewood and charcoal before the end of 2022, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by center.   

NCVCD&CD said that more than 800 import licenses were granted to these dealers, adding that the permission to import firewood comes within the efforts made by the center, the Agricultural Development Fund, the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority, and the Ministry of Commerce to facilitate importing firewood and charcoal and supporting its use as an effective and distinct alternative to their domestic products.  

The support to import charcoal and firewood, NCVCD&CD added, includes providing investors with financing solutions to help them supply the local market with imported firewood, in a way that can contribute to protecting and preserving the country’s vegetation cover.  

The statement noted that NCVCD&CD's efforts in issuing more than 800 licenses to some local importing companies in different regions has contributed to bringing large quantities of imported firewood and charcoal to meet the local market’s needs and meet the increasing demand during recent periods, especially restaurants that use firewood in preparing their food.  

These licenses, according to a NCVCD&CD statement posted on its official Twitter account, have also provided Saudi youth with job opportunities, by buying and selling imported firewood and charcoal.  

The statement added that firewood and charcoal are available in the Saudi market in large quantities, and citizens and residents can buy them at competitive prices, which has significantly contributed to avoiding cutting down the country’s trees for firewood.


Saudi Arabia urges greater focus on human rights in Palestine 

President of Saudi Human Rights Commission, Hala Al-Tuwaijri, delivers a speech.
Updated 59 min 6 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia urges greater focus on human rights in Palestine 

  • Saudi rights chief highlights Vision 2030’s commitment to equality and global peace at UN session in Geneva

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia called for greater focus on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories at a UN meeting in Switzerland.

The Kingdom also reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

This was part of the speech delivered by the president of the Saudi Human Rights Commission and head of the Kingdom’s delegation, Hala Al-Tuwaijri, at the high-level segment of the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Al-Tuwaijri said Saudi Arabia has made significant reforms in human rights, driven by Vision 2030, which is based on principles of equality, non-discrimination, and the right to development.

“This vision has empowered women, youth, and vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, the elderly, and migrant workers, while enhancing the quality of life for all,” Al-Tuwaijri said.

“Moreover, Vision 2030 has increased the efficiency of relevant authorities to host major global events and initiatives, with people and their rights at the heart of national priorities.”

Al-Tuwaijri emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening its legislative framework, which has built a strong legal system to protect and uphold human rights.

Through comprehensive legal reforms and new legislation, Saudi Arabia has reinforced protections for all individuals. The Kingdom now embraces a diverse society with over 15 million foreigners from more than 60 nationalities — making up over 44 percent of the population — who enjoy their rights under the highest standards of legal protection, she said.

Al-Tuwaijri reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to promoting international peace and security, guided by its core values and adherence to the UN Charter.

She also highlighted the Kingdom’s support for just causes and its proactive role in resolving global crises, including its efforts in the Ukrainian crisis.

Notably, mediation led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman resulted in several successful prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, Al-Tuwaijri said.

“For human rights to be universally upheld, we must cultivate strong societies by confronting harmful practices that undermine social harmony, including contempt for religions, hate speech, and the weakening of family values,” she concluded.

Al-Tuwaijri reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to deepening cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms, stressing the importance of respecting diverse values and embracing cultural and civilizational diversity to protect and promote human rights.


Saudi Arabia opens registration for Ramadan volunteers

Updated 50 min 5 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia opens registration for Ramadan volunteers

MAKKAH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has announced the opening of volunteer registration for the holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the National Center for the Non-Profit Sector, the presidency aims to attract and use national talent to serve pilgrims and visitors.

Integrated volunteer programs in religious specializations will be offered, with plans to create more than 100 new opportunities, totaling more than 300 hours, the SPA reported.

A comprehensive volunteer database has been developed to streamline recruitment and communication, according to the report.

Volunteers are sought for roles in guidance, awareness, media, technical fields, Qur’an recitation correction, and translation.

The presidency also prepared a set of enriching initiatives as part of its operational plan for the holy month.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, said the operational plan for Ramadan is centered around 10 enriching tracks.

He said the aim is to enhance the experience of visitors to the Two Holy Mosques, featuring more than 120 scientific, intellectual, and guidance initiatives to highlight the virtues of the holy month.


Saudi cabinet looks forward for innovative outcomes of Riyadh humanitarian forum

Updated 52 min 49 sec ago
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Saudi cabinet looks forward for innovative outcomes of Riyadh humanitarian forum

  • Cabinet hopes to see more developed and innovative solutions would come out of 4th Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum

RIYADH: The Saudi Cabinet said on Tuesday it looks forward to the outcomes of the 4th Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum and how it can contribute to unifying efforts. 

The cabinet statement said it hopes to see more developed and innovative solutions come out of the Riyadh forum to enhance humanitarian response for crises around the world, the Saudi Press Agency reported.   

The Riyadh event was attended by princes, ministers, diplomats, and leaders from local, Gulf, Arab, and international governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as UN humanitarian experts. 

The Cabinet also thanked Russian President Vladmir Putin for praising Saudi Arabia’s efforts in hosting fruitful talks with United States last week. 

It said that during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Putin has expressed “positive feelings towards the kingdom and its efforts in hosting the US-Russia talks” SPA reported.  

The Council reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to exerting efforts to enhance security and peace around the world, and to consolidate dialogue as the only way to resolve all international crises.


Saudi, Indian officials discuss judicial cooperation

Updated 25 February 2025
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Saudi, Indian officials discuss judicial cooperation

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al-Mujib received his Indian counterpart R. Venkataramani and his delegation at the Public Prosecution’s headquarters in Riyadh.

Al-Mujib stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation to ensure better judicial outcomes in both countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Venkataramani attended a presentation on prosecutorial criminal procedures and technological advancements in judicial processes.

This visit reflects the growing relations between the two countries, which have made significant progress across various fields, the SPA reported.

Earlier this month, Al-Mujib met with Egypt’s Prosecutor General Mohamed Shawky and Justice Minister Adnan Al-Fangari in Cairo.

Al-Mujib emphasized the importance of exchanging expertise and strengthening cooperation in training and judicial governance.

He also highlighted the significant support the Public Prosecution receives from Saudi Arabia’s leadership to enhance the justice system’s efficiency and protect its independence.


Saudi minister explores healthcare ties in Indonesia

Updated 25 February 2025
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Saudi minister explores healthcare ties in Indonesia

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel met with Indonesia’s Minister of Manpower Yassierli and Migrant Workers Protection Minister Abdul Kadir Karding in Jakarta to discuss ways to boost ties.

This was a part of Al-Jalajel’s two-day visit to Indonesia, which concluded on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The discussions focused on attracting qualified healthcare professionals, training of workers, and exchanging expertise.

The meeting also addressed ways to facilitate the employment of Indonesian healthcare workers in the Kingdom’s public and private sectors, the SPA reported.

In support of the plan to enhance cooperation, Al-Jalajel and his counterparts witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Kingdom’s Healthcare Holding Co., Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta, and Gadjah Mada University.

Al-Jalajel also met with Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar for talks, with a focus on health-related aspects of the Hajj.

Their discussions covered the health requirements for Hajj including mandatory vaccinations for Indonesian pilgrims.

The two ministers also explored initiatives to enhance pre-Hajj health awareness campaigns to improve preventive measures and safeguard the well-being of pilgrims.