Kingdom celebrates first Saudi Green Initiative Day

Every year, Saudi Arabia will celebrate its first Saudi Green Initiative Day. (SPA)
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Updated 28 March 2024
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Kingdom celebrates first Saudi Green Initiative Day

  • This year’s theme highlights the collaboration of more than 80 public- and private-sector projects that are part of the SGI

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday celebrated its first Saudi Green Initiative Day highlighting the importance of fostering a sustainable legacy for future generations.

The recently announced event marks the Kingdom’s commitment to move to a greener future and commemorates the launch of the SGI by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on March 27, 2021.

This year’s theme — For Our Today and Their Tomorrow: KSA Together for a Greener Future — highlights the collaboration of more than 80 public- and private-sector projects that are part of the SGI, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The projects, representing an investment of more than SR705 billion ($188 billion) in the green economy, aim to enhance the quality of life and spur economic growth in emerging sectors in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.

The SGI has also played a crucial role in restoring natural habitats, preserving unique biodiversity, and safeguarding livelihoods by mitigating the effects of dust storms, increasing rainfall, and combating sand encroachment and desertification.

To date, 2.8 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity have been connected to the national grid, powering more than 520,000 homes, with additional projects underway to increase capacity.

Since 2021, more than 49 million trees and shrubs have been planted throughout the Kingdom, and extensive land rehabilitation efforts have been undertaken.

In a bid to increase vegetation cover in residential areas, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing has spearheaded several planting projects.

These have included planting more than 186,000 trees in Riyadh’s Murcia and West of the Airport initiatives, around 94,000 trees in Yanbu Governorate’s Pearl of Diyar, and approximately 39,000 trees in the King Abdullah Housing complex in Al-Ahsa Governorate. Thousands of trees have also been planted in Dar Al-Jewar, Bouvardia City, Diyar Al-Hasa, and other sites.

The scheme, part of a broad commitment to environmental conservation, aims to protect 30 percent of Saudi Arabia’s land and marine areas by 2030.

Significant strides have been made toward the goal, with 18.1 percent of land and 6.49 percent of marine environments already protected, including conservation efforts that have reintroduced more than 1,660 endangered animals to their natural habitats.


Saudi Shoura Council speaker participates in Rome conference

Saudi Arabia's delegation was headed by the speaker of the Shoura Council, Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh. (Supplied)
Updated 20 June 2025
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Saudi Shoura Council speaker participates in Rome conference

  • Event aims to build bridges, promote mutual understanding

ROME: The Second Parliamentary Conference on Interreligious Dialogue — titled “Strengthening Trust and Embracing Hope for our Common Future” — has started in Rome, with the participation of the Saudi delegation headed by Shoura Council Speaker Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh. The event is being attended by heads of parliaments from around the world.

Lorenzo Fontana, the president of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy, praised the body’s significant and vital role, stressing the importance of the conference in building bridges and promoting mutual understanding.

 


Pesticides workshop held in AlUla

The workshop targeted farm owners, agricultural workers, and those interested in the sector. (SPA)
Updated 20 June 2025
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Pesticides workshop held in AlUla

  • The workshop was part of a series of different guidance programs and workshops implemented by the National Center for Palms and Dates throughout the year in many regions of the Kingdom

ALULA: A workshop, titled Safe Handling of Palm and Date Pest Pesticides, was held on Friday in the AlUla Governorate. The event, which was organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates, in collaboration with the Royal Commission for AlUla, took place in the agricultural sector of the commission’s headquarters.

The workshop targeted farm owners, agricultural workers, and those interested in the sector. It aimed to raise awareness about safe pesticide use while enhancing efficiency in agricultural pest control in a way that improves production quality while ensuring environmental safety.

The workshop was part of a series of different guidance programs and workshops implemented by the National Center for Palms and Dates throughout the year in many regions of the Kingdom. They bid to support the agricultural sector’s development and enhance sustainability practices.

 

 


KSrelief distributes shelter aid in Somalia’s Togdheer region

The assistance comes as part of a 2025 initiative to distribute shelter aid to displaced persons in the African country. (SPA)
Updated 20 June 2025
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KSrelief distributes shelter aid in Somalia’s Togdheer region

  • The assistance will be distributed in cooperation with the UN World Health Organization to 45 healthcare facilities in northwestern Syria, based on field-identified needs

TOGDHEER: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center recently distributed 1,030 pieces of clothing, 475 shelter bags, and 20 tents to several camps in the Togdheer region of Somalia, benefiting 1,525 families and 9,150 individuals. The assistance comes as part of a 2025 initiative to distribute shelter aid to displaced persons in the African country.

Earlier, three relief trucks provided by the Saudi aid agency arrived on Wednesday in the town of Sarmada in Syria’s Idlib governorate, carrying 20 tonnes of medical aid.

The assistance will be distributed in cooperation with the UN World Health Organization to 45 healthcare facilities in northwestern Syria, based on field-identified needs. The aid supports frontline medical teams in underserved areas, benefiting about 150,000 people.

Elsewhere, the agency distributed 3,000 cartons of dates to families in need in the Shabwa governorate of Yemen, benefiting 18,000 individuals.

 


Masam Project achieves massive success in Yemen

Updated 20 June 2025
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Masam Project achieves massive success in Yemen

  • KSrelief has implemented 3,438 diverse humanitarian projects across 107 countries, valued at over $7 billion, since its launch in May 2015

RIYADH: Masam, a project launched by the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, has achieved a significant milestone by clearing 67,585,167 sq. meters and removing 500,000 explosives from Yemeni lands since its launch in June 2018.

Items removed include anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, unexploded ordnance, and explosive devices indiscriminately planted to harm civilians.

Demining efforts have dramatically reduced casualties — and allowed displaced people and farmers to return and resume cultivation — earning widespread praise from the UN and international organizations.

The agency has also initiated the Artificial Limbs Centers Project in several Yemeni cities, providing prosthetics and aiding physical rehabilitation to those injured by explosives.

The Masam Project stands as a vital contribution in enabling a safe and dignified life for Yemenis.

KSrelief has implemented 3,438 diverse humanitarian projects across 107 countries, valued at over $7 billion, since its launch in May 2015.

 


Saudi foreign minister arrives in Istanbul for OIC meeting

Updated 20 June 2025
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Saudi foreign minister arrives in Istanbul for OIC meeting

ISTANBUL: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, arrived in Istanbul on Friday to take part in the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The high-level meeting, to be hosted by Turkiye, will see foreign ministers from OIC member states convene on Saturday to discuss avenues for strengthening joint multilateral cooperation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The agenda also includes deliberations on regional developments and their broader international implications, SPA added.

The gathering comes amid heightened tensions across parts of the Islamic world, with participants expected to address key geopolitical challenges and reaffirm the OIC’s collective stance on pressing issues.