Saudi Arabia reaffirmed the importance of strengthening Arab joint action to address growing environmental challenges and support efforts to protect the environment and ensure the sustainability of natural resources for future generations. It also highlighted the importance of unifying regional and international efforts to address the environmental challenges facing the region, particularly desertification, land degradation, drought, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
This was addressed by His Excellency Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman AlFadley at the 37th session of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment, held today at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab League in Cairo, Egypt.
His Excellency highlighted Saudi Arabia continued efforts to advance environmental action at the national, regional, and international levels through Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Environment Strategy. These efforts include developing an integrated institutional and legislative framework to protect the environment and sustain natural resources, improve quality of life, balance economic and social development with environmental protection, and leverage modern technologies while supporting research and innovation to monitor and address environmental challenges.
He further noted that Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen regional and international cooperation to address environmental challenges, highlighting the Middle East Green Initiative, which includes 35 Arab, Asian, and African countries, as well as initiatives to protect coral reefs and terrestrial habitats supported by G20 leaders.
He also highlighted Saudi Arabia's presidency of COP16 to the UNCCD, which advanced global cooperation on land degradation, desertification, and drought through 37 resolutions, including Business4Land and the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's efforts to implement COP16 outcomes and advance the Riyadh Action Agenda until COP17 in Mongolia, in support of the Convention's objectives and alignment with other international environmental agreements.
His Excellency concluded by reaffirming Saudi Arabia's continued support for Arab joint action and its commitment to strengthening cooperation and integration among Arab countries to address environmental challenges, contributing to sustainable development and the protection and preservation of natural resources for future generations.
Saudi Arabia's participation in the forum comes as part of its efforts to strengthen joint Arab action in environmental fields, and to support regional and international cooperation to protect natural resources and ensure their sustainability.