‘Saudi Arabia not just talking but doing, investing’ in climate change mitigation, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir tells Arab News

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Updated 30 January 2024
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‘Saudi Arabia not just talking but doing, investing’ in climate change mitigation, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir tells Arab News

  • Saudi Climate Envoy says $186bn targeted for investment in more than 80 different projects under SGI, MGI
  • Says climate conversations should “revolve around logic and science, not emotions and political point scoring”

RIYADH: Very few countries have embarked on efforts such as Saudi Arabia has in reducing the impacts of climate change and improving the quality of life, the Kingdom’s Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir has said.

Al-Jubeir, who is also Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs, made the remark during an exclusive interview with Arab News on Tuesday, coinciding with the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference, or COP28, in Dubai.

“Saudi Arabia has not just been talking. We are actually doing, and we are actually investing. And the results are clear for everyone to see,” he said.

“If you go to NEOM, you will see the tremendous work that’s being done to protect the environment. If you look at our coastlines, you will see the work that’s being done with mangroves.

“If you look at our cities, you’ll see the work that’s being done in terms of greening of our cities and (the) redesigning of our cities to make them more efficient, so that you reduce commute time and you reduce pollution, and you increase the quality of life for people.”




“There is no contradiction between Saudi Arabia’s commitment to climate change and dealing with that challenge and producing oil and gas,” Al-Jubeir told Arab News. (AFP)

Al-Jubeir explained that Saudi Arabia has so far targeted investments of $186 billion in more than 80 different projects as part of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. Inaugurated in 2021, the two initiatives unite environmental protection, energy transition and sustainability programs with the aims of offsetting and reducing emissions.

He said these projects and investments have been set in place to boost climate mitigation, reverse desertification and help countries adopt a “circular carbon economy approach.”

Al-Jubeir explained that the “circular carbon economy approach” is centered around a “holistic, all-of-government, all-of-society approach of dealing with the reduction of carbon and contributing to our atmosphere.”

He said he believes very few countries in the world have committed the type of resources that Saudi Arabia has in order to confront climate change.

“We do so because we are inhabitants of this planet,” he said. “We all have a responsibility to do everything we can to ensure a better future for our children and grandchildren.”

Discussing the Kingdom’s green energy plans, Al-Jubeir pointed out that Saudi Arabia is building the largest green hydrogen plant in the world in NEOM, a futuristic smart city under construction in the northwestern Tabuk province.

“We are looking at producing other forms of clean hydrogen. We are looking at reducing carbon in terms of the airline industry in order to contribute to a reduction of carbon,” he said.

“We are looking at the shipping industry. Every facet of our society we are looking at in order to reduce the carbon, in order to improve the quality of life and very few countries, as I said, have embarked on a program like this.”

Responding to critics of the Kingdom for not agreeing to a “phase-down” of fossil fuels, Al-Jubeir described the “discussions” around the topic as “devoid of reason and rationality.”




The minister talking to Arab News’ Noor Nugali. (AN photo/Abdulrahman bin Shulhub )

Al-Jubeir said that “fossil fuels will be with us for many, many decades to come, adding that it is inconceivable to have economic development without having energy at reasonable prices — and fossil fuels provide that, oil and gas in particular.

“We have always argued that the challenge is mitigation,” he said.

Al-Jubeir added that the challenge lies in ensuring that these resources are produced and used in the most efficient, most clean way possible.

He pointed out a certain irony in critics talking about the issue at meetings of COP28 or climate discussions in general. “People tend to go for superlatives and they tend to go for dramatic statements that have very little connection to reality,” he said.

“The countries that call for a reduction in production of oil and gas, they should start with themselves. I haven’t seen any of those countries without naming them. I haven’t seen any of those countries come up with a timeline for reducing their own production of oil and gas, much less coal, which is a much, much worse polluter.”




​Al-Jubeir explained that Saudi Arabia has so far targeted investments of $186 billion in more than 80 different projects. (AFP)

Underlining Saudi Arabia’s commitment to mitigating climate change while also stressing the important role of fossil fuels, he said: “There is no contradiction between Saudi Arabia’s commitment to climate change and dealing with that challenge and producing oil and gas.”

“We (Saudi Arabia) believe in being rational. We believe in being logical. We believe in being practical, and we believe in being pragmatic,” he added.

Al-Jubeir said the Kingdom has solutions in place with tremendous investments in renewable energy and has made investments in redesigning Saudi Arabia’s cities, designating large areas of both land and sea as protected areas.

He said the Kingdom is also investing in transforming waste into energy, plus dedicating investment around the world to help other countries deal with issues of climate and energy.

“We are reasonable, practical, pragmatic, rational people. We believe that the conversations and the discussions (have) to revolve around … logic and science, not emotions, and trying to grandstand and score a political point,” he said.

Al-Jubeir pointed out the hypocrisy of some Western countries deploying contradicting policies when it comes to pollution.




Al-Jubeir spoke to Arab News as the UN Climate Change Conference, or COP28, is hosted in Dubai. (Reuters)

“Countries that say they are against hydrocarbons all of a sudden go back to producing coal, which is a much, much worse polluter than oil and gas, and they have no problem with it. To me, this is this is not a reasonable, rational position,” he said.

Discussing the long-term returns from renewable energy, Al-Jubeir highlighted that the future benefits that will result from the Saudi Green Initiative outweigh the investments being made in projects by Saudi Arabia.

“Renewable energy is very profitable. The Public Investment Fund has tremendous investments in those areas, whether it’s solar whether it’s wind, whether it’s hydro, whether it’s electric cars, electric car batteries, because they are very profitable in addition to being very important to confronting climate change,” he said.

Concluding the interview, Al-Jubeir discussed Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2030 World Expo. “The idea is: for the world, by the world, in Saudi Arabia, 2030,” he said.

He described 2030 as the “perfect year” for Saudi Arabia as it is the target date for the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan.

“Saudi Arabia is about being connected to the world and having the world be connected to Saudi Arabia,” he said.

“It’s about connection. We are the world’s largest exporter of energy, so we have a huge stake in the global energy markets. We intend to be one of the largest exporters of green and clean hydrogen. So that makes us also an important country.




“Saudi Arabia has not just been talking. We are actually doing, and we are actually investing. And the results are clear for everyone to see,” Al-Jubeir said. (AN photo/Abdulrahman bin Shulhub )

“We are one of the largest investors in the global community financial system through the Public Investment Fund.”

Al-Jubeir said World Expo 2030 in Riyadh would be “totally renewable, totally green,” and each country will have its own pavilion.

And in line with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainability, he explained that the pavilions would be designed to be recyclable or rebuildable. “They can be disassembled and rebuilt in the countries that would like to move them and used for another purpose such as a clinic, a school, shelter,” he said.

“Expo 2030 will bring the world to Saudi Arabia and also allow Saudis to connect with the world. That’s important to us. It will be a very unique and special expo that we have no doubt will set the standard for expos going forward.”


Brazil conference discusses Islamic education, identity

Updated 30 November 2024
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Brazil conference discusses Islamic education, identity

  • Forum highlights Saudi commitment to Shariah education, support for Muslim minorities

RIYADH: The 37th International Conference of Latin American and Caribbean Muslims is being held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, under the theme “Shariah education in Latin American and Caribbean countries, and its impact on preserving identity,” from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

Organized by the Islamic Dawah Center in Brazil in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the three-day event brings together ministers, scholars, researchers and specialists from Arab, Islamic, Latin American and Caribbean countries.

The conference promotes Islamic education among Muslim minorities, the religion’s role in preserving identity and social cohesion, and addressing challenges facing Muslim minority communities.

Saudi Arabia’s presence reflects its commitment to supporting Islam and Muslims, promoting moderation and balance, and strengthening the connection of Muslim minority communities to Islamic values that foster harmony, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Awwad Al-Anzi, undersecretary for Islamic affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, represented the Kingdom and delivered the opening speech on behalf of Minister Abdullatif Al-Asheikh.

He said that education is the “foundation of virtuous deeds,” guiding correct beliefs and practices, and highlighted the role of Shariah education in clarifying concepts and combating ignorance.

Al-Anzi praised Saudi Arabia’s commitment to education, noting its mandatory education policy and substantial investment in the sector, which has positively impacted society.

He also highlighted the Kingdom’s focus on applied sciences and scholarships, enabling it to produce distinguished graduates across various fields.

Additionally, he underscored Saudi Arabia’s global contributions to education, including building schools and universities, offering scholarships to Muslim students and fostering scientific partnerships.

Al-Anzi reviewed the Ministry of Islamic Affairs’ efforts in spreading Shariah education worldwide through its cultural and Islamic centers.

Ahmed Ali Al-Saifi, head of the Islamic Dawah Center, expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their steadfast support of Muslims in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly in bolstering religious and educational institutions.

He highlighted the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs for its diligent oversight of mosques and religious institutions in the region.

Al-Saifi saids that the forum aims to address challenges in teaching Arabic and Shariah sciences, and establish Shariah and Arabic language departments in major universities to meet the growing demand for Shariah education.

He expressed hope that the conference would produce scientific recommendations and scholarly works that support its mission.

Federal Deputy Vicentinho Paulo da Silva delivered a speech on behalf of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, highlighting the respectful relationship between the government and Brazil’s Muslim community, and acknowledging their vital role in the country’s development.

He noted the strong ties between Brazil and Saudi Arabia, built on solidarity, sovereignty and mutual respect, highlighting Brazil’s high regard for Arabs, particularly through its relationship with Saudi Arabia.

Delegation leaders praised Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, for sponsoring the event and enriching it with contributions from ministry experts and Saudi university professors.

Hassan Musa, deputy chairman of the Swedish Fatwa Council, expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for their efforts in serving Islam and Muslims, and promoting moderation worldwide.


Riyadh launches Middle East’s largest urban rail network 

Updated 30 November 2024
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Riyadh launches Middle East’s largest urban rail network 

  • $22bn, energy-efficient Metro system will be a world leader, official says

RIYADH: The first three lines of the Riyadh Metro will begin operating on Sunday, forming part of the largest urban rail network in the Middle East.

Riyadh Metro, which is a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030, is a crucial step toward reducing traffic congestion in the capital, and improving quality of life for the city’s residents.

The first phase of the Riyadh Metro starts with three lines: the Blue line, connecting Olaya Street to Al Batʼha; the Yellow line, running along King Khalid International Airport Road; and the Purple line, covering Abdul Rahman bin Awf Road and Al-Shaikh Hassan Bin Hussain Street.

The Red line, covering King Abdullah Road, and the Green line, spanning King Abdulaziz Road, are both scheduled to begin operating on Dec. 15, while the Orange line, which covers Madinah Road, starts on Jan. 5, 2025.

The Riyadh Metro was launched 12 years after the project was announced in April 2012, when the Saudi Cabinet approved the implementation of the public transport project and formed a high-level committee to oversee it. Despite the challenges faced by the project, including the global pandemic, it was ultimately completed.

Contracts for the Riyadh Metro project were awarded in 2013 to three global consortiums, with a total value of about $22.5 billion (SR84.4 billion).

The project features several sustainable characteristics that promote eco-friendly transportation options. The metro system will employ energy-efficient trains and stations, as well as technologies such as regenerative braking to reduce energy consumption.

Additionally, some stations will be equipped with thousands of solar panels, and each metro station will rely on electricity sourced from renewable energy.

Maher Sheira, supervisor of digital infrastructure for the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project in Riyadh, told Arab News: “Our target is to reduce traffic within the city by up to 30 percent. This goal is supported by the metro’s capacity to transport up to 3.6 million passengers daily, which is a challenging target, especially when compared to other cities that have struggled to transition car users to public transportation.”

Achieving this goal depends on several factors, including the city’s infrastructure, integration of various transport modes, and the overall complementarity of these services, he said.

“This project is one of the key initiatives that could help make these goals a reality.”

Sheira said that the launch of the metro and improvement of public transportation will not only alleviate traffic congestion, but also also play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions.

“We all know that shifting from daily car use to public transportation can have a significant environmental impact,” he said.

“In a small study we conducted, we found that if 100,000 passengers switch from cars to public transport, it could save over 3 million trees annually. This number has the potential to grow even further.”

He said both the metro and the bus systems are integral parts of the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Program.

These systems are seamlessly integrated, ensuring a smooth and reliable experience for passengers. Once a passenger exits a metro station and boards a bus, they will use the same ticket and enjoy the same high level of service.

“To ensure quality, the design of both networks was focused on delivering first-class standards, with an emphasis on maintaining top-tier service throughout the entire journey,” Sheira added.

“The quality of service is evident throughout the system. You can see it at the stations, on the trains, and certainly on the buses and at the bus stops. We are committed to maintaining this high standard of quality and will continue to do so.”

Numerous factors have been taken into account to ensure the success and efficiency of the vast network.

“Our goal is to keep Riyadh at the forefront of global cities in terms of public transportation. This is our objective, and with determination, we are confident that we will achieve it, Inshallah,” he said.

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Inspiring story

The inspiring story of the Riyadh Metro began in 2009, led by a visionary king with determination and ambition for the future; the story’s hero is King Salman. 

The document was submitted by King Salman to develop the public transportation system in Riyadh:

My Lord, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz — May Allah preserve you. 

I am honored to inform Your Royal Highness that the city of Riyadh, which is witnessing significant population growth, urban expansion, and substantial economic prosperity, has started to experience severe traffic congestion on its main streets due to the ongoing rise in traffic.

Accordingly, the High Commission for the Development of Riyadh has developed a comprehensive and long-term plan to enhance the city’s public transportation system.

First: Establishing the backbone of the public transportation system through manufacturing an electric train.

Second: Implementing a bus network that covers all areas of Riyadh, with its services integrated with the electric train system. The network covers 708 kilometers and is also integrated with the local network within residential neighborhoods. 

The High Commission has fully prepared the engineering designs, technical specifications, and tender documents for this phase, paving the way for its implementation. 

Therefore, I kindly request Your Highness’s approval of this matter. May Allah preserve you, guide your steps, and grant you success. Peace and blessings be upon you. 

Chairman of the High Commission for the Development of Riyadh

Salman bin Abdulaziz

20/10/2009


A tapestry of cultures: Indonesian batik meets Saudi heritage

Updated 30 November 2024
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A tapestry of cultures: Indonesian batik meets Saudi heritage

  • Centuries-old art form of batik deeply rooted in Indonesian culture
  • Included on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage

RIYADH: Reporting on the Saudi International Handicrafts Week Exhibition (Banan) on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency highlighted the Indonesian pavilion, which showcased the exquisite art of batik.

Indonesian artisans had creatively blended traditional batik techniques with motifs inspired by different regions of the Kingdom, “creating stunning pieces that seamlessly intertwine the two cultures,” according to the SPA.

The centuries-old art form of batik is deeply rooted in Indonesian culture, and is included on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It involves a meticulous process known as wax resist-dyeing to create its intricate patterns. The designs often have cultural and religious significance, reflecting the deep connection between Indonesians and their environment.

The convergence of Indonesian and Saudi artistic traditions at Banan, which ended on Friday, “exemplifies the power of art to transcend cultural boundaries,” the SPA stated.

Dalia Alyahya, head of the handcrafts sector at the Heritage Commission, which organized the event, highlighted the significance of such cultural exchanges.

“Through art, we can bridge cultural divides and foster global harmony. Batik, with its rich history and enduring appeal, continues to inspire and connect people across the world,” Alyahya told the SPA.

Artists and representatives from more than 20 countries exhibited at the event alongside the Kingdom’s own talent.

Through Banan and other initiatives, the Heritage Commission “raises awareness about the importance of handicrafts as part of cultural heritage, ensuring they are preserved and passed on,” the SPA wrote.


Authorities bust drug smugglers across Saudi Arabia

Updated 30 November 2024
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Authorities bust drug smugglers across Saudi Arabia

  • Two citizens were arrested in the Hail region for selling amphetamine and methamphetamine

RIYADH: Saudi authorities recently made several drug-related arrests and confiscations across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

In Asir’s Al-Raboah sector, Border Guard patrols intercepted 240 kg of qat.

Security patrols in Jazan arrested a citizen with qat hidden in his vehicle in Al-Aridah governorate.

The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested a citizen in the Northern Borders’ Tarif governorate with amphetamine.

The directorate also arrested a Pakistani resident in Tabuk for selling methamphetamine, a narcotic substance commonly referred to as “shabu.”

Two citizens were arrested in the Hail region for selling amphetamine and methamphetamine.

Two citizens were arrested in Asir for selling regulated tablets.

Preliminary legal procedures have been completed, and all seized items have been handed to the relevant authorities.

Security authorities reiterated their call for the public to report any information about drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions of the Kingdom.

Individuals can also contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at [email protected].

All information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

 


Saudi Arabia arrests 19,024 illegals in one week

Updated 30 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia arrests 19,024 illegals in one week

  • The report showed that among the 1,212 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 73 percent were Ethiopian, 25 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 19,024 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

According to an official report, a total of 11,268 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,773 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,983 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,212 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 73 percent were Ethiopian, 25 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 122 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 22 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.