4th Saudi Green Initiative Forum hosted in COP16 Green Zone in Riyadh next month

4th Saudi Green Initiative Forum hosted in COP16 Green Zone in Riyadh next month
The SGI Forum 2024 will coincide with the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties, or COP16, of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, or UNCCD.  (File/AFP)
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Updated 14 November 2024
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4th Saudi Green Initiative Forum hosted in COP16 Green Zone in Riyadh next month

4th Saudi Green Initiative Forum hosted in COP16 Green Zone in Riyadh next month

RIYADH: The Saudi Green Initiative announced on Thursday that the SGI Forum 2024 will take place on Dec. 3-4 under the theme “Action is in our nature.” 

The flagship climate and environment action event, now in its fourth year, will return to Riyadh for the first time since its launch in 2021 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, prime minister and chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Saudi Green Initiative.

The SGI Forum 2024 will coincide with the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties, or COP16, of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, or UNCCD. 

According to an SGI press release, the Riyadh COP16 (Dec. 2-13) will be the largest-ever UNCCD conference, the first to be held in the Middle East region, and the largest multilateral conference hosted by Saudi Arabia.

At this year’s SGI Forum, hundreds of policymakers, business leaders and subject-matter experts from across the world will convene in a dedicated SGI Pavilion in the UNCCD COP16 Green Zone. 

Dozens of tailored sessions will explore best practices, innovations and progress against SGI targets, with the goal of deepening collaboration and scaling up action for a greener future.

Since the launch of SGI, a significant positive impact has been achieved, with 4+ GW of renewable energy capacity installed, more than 95 million trees and shrubs planted, and more than 1,660 endangered animals re-wilded across the Kingdom.

For the duration of COP16, the SGI will welcome the public to a 4,000 sq m SGI Pavilion, where visitors can enjoy an interactive journey through Saudi Arabia’s whole-of-society climate and environment efforts in the SGI Gallery. 

A multimedia showcase and a broad range of experts will enable guests to learn more about the more than 80 initiatives already launched as part of SGI. 

Visitors can also attend and exchange ideas during daily SGI Talks, an expert-led speaker series that launched in 2023.

The SGI was launched by the crown prince in 2021 to drive climate action across all levels of society and achieve Saudi Arabia’s ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. 

The initiative demonstrates the Kingdom’s dedication to improving the quality of life for current and future generations and addressing the region’s environmental challenges, including high temperatures, low rainfall, dust storms and desertification.

In 2022, the SGI Forum was held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in tandem with UNFCCC COP27. The event revealed major climate action projects, including the launch of a circular carbon economy knowledge hub, and the establishment of a regional center for advancing emissions reduction with UNESCWA.

In 2023, the third SGI Forum took place in conjunction with UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai.

During the event, the Kingdom unveiled a 300 percent increase in installed renewable energy capacity since 2022, and more than 43 million trees were planted toward the goal of 10 billion.


Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties

Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties
Updated 11 sec ago
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Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties

Sri Lankan Embassy launches green campaign to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties
  • Campaign coinciding with COP16 launched in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riyadh Municipality

Riyadh: The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Riyadh Municipality, launched a tree-planting campaign to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A series of programs are being organized by the embassy to commemorate the golden jubilee of diplomatic ties, an embassy spokesperson told Arab News.

The planting event was organized at Al-Darseena Park in the capital and coincided with the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, or COP16, which is being hosted in Riyadh from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme “Our Land Our Future.”

A number of officials participated in the event, planting trees, including embassy staff, Sri Lankan Ambassador Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, Himali De Costa of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Environment, and Dulanji Herath of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

Members of the Sri Lankan community in Riyadh, staff and students of the Sri Lanka International School in Riyadh as well as senior officials of the Riyadh Municipality also participated.

Ghada binth Abdullah Al-Omran, director of volunteer services at the Riyadh Municipality, extended thanks to the Sri Lankan Embassy for launching the initiative and the Sri Lankan community for their active participation.

Addressing the gathering, Ajwad noted that the event aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees.

It also adds value to the commemoration of ties between Saudi Arabi and Sri Lanka as it shows solidarity with COP16, being hosted in Riyadh, which aims to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought, Ajwad added.

The ambassador expressed his sincere appreciation to Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, mayor of the Riyadh Region, for allocating parks for this tree-planting initiative and the excellent arrangements made by the municipality to this end.

Senior Director Arif Al-Sulami and his team at the Riyadh Municipality helped organize the tree planting event in five prominent parks in the Riyadh Region.

As part of a series of events to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the embassy is also organizing the Ambassador’s Cup Cricket Tournament with matches being played by the Sri Lankan community in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.


Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause

Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause
Updated 48 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause

Saudi Arabia reaffirms centrality of Palestinian cause
  • Minister urges unified Arab media strategy, and artificial intelligence integration to enhance content

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary has emphasized the importance of leveraging Arab efforts in the sector to support the Palestinian cause. 

Al-Dossary made the comments while chairing the 20th session of the Executive Office of the Arab Information Ministers Council in Abu Dhabi, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by heads of Arab delegations, institutions, and unions engaged in media-related activities. 

Al-Dossary stressed the need for all Arab media outlets to highlight the resolutions issued during the recent Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh. 

These resolutions reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause, unwavering support for the national rights of the besieged people, and the pursuit of a just and comprehensive solution based on international agreements. 

“We meet today to discuss 12 items as part of Arab efforts to enhance joint Arab media work, foremost among them the Palestinian cause,” the minister said. 

He also emphasized the importance of the unified Arab plan for media engagement with environmental issues.

Al-Dossary highlighted Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and the One Water Summit, stressing the importance of showcasing their outcomes in Arab media. 

He underscored the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence technologies in Arab media to enhance content and analyze audience behavior.

Furthermore, he called for the insights from the Global AI Summit held in Riyadh to be implemented to improve the performance of Arab media.

He noted that discussions were held on key issues, including the role of the media in combating terrorism.

In addition, there was a focus on the Arab League’s efforts to follow up on the Arab Media Action Plan abroad, and the Arab Media Map for Sustainable Development 2030.


Kingdom launches first cruise ship in Jeddah

Kingdom launches first cruise ship in Jeddah
Updated 59 min 48 sec ago
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Kingdom launches first cruise ship in Jeddah

Kingdom launches first cruise ship in Jeddah
  • Ship features 19 decks and 1,678 cabins and suites, can accommodate up to 3,362 passengers

Riyadh: Cruise Saudi, dedicated to advancing the Kingdom’s cruise industry, has introduced its first ship, AROYA, at Jeddah Islamic Port.

The ship’s launch marks a significant step toward bolstering maritime tourism across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The vessel, which features 19 decks and 1,678 cabins and suites, can accommodate up to 3,362 passengers.

It offers a diverse culinary experience with 12 restaurants and 17 cafes, serving dishes from five continents while highlighting Saudi flavors.

AROYA is equipped with various entertainment facilities, including a shopping area, a 1,018-seat theater, a children’s zone, and prayer areas, according to the SPA.

It also features designated women’s hours in health and entertainment venues, along with extensive sports amenities such as a walking track, and football and basketball courts.


Saudi Arabia says Israel’s Golan buffer zone seizure confirms continued Israeli violation of international law

Israeli soldiers patrol near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria.
Israeli soldiers patrol near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria.
Updated 10 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia says Israel’s Golan buffer zone seizure confirms continued Israeli violation of international law

Israeli soldiers patrol near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria.
  • Foreign Ministry statement said the move showed Israel’s determination to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring its security, stability, and territorial integrity

RIYADH: Israel’s decision to seize Syrian-held areas in a UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights and its attacks on Syrian territory confirm continued Israeli violation of international law, Saudi Arabia said on Monday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday he had ordered the army to “seize” the demilitarised zone in the Syrian-controlled part of the Golan Heights after militants swept Syrian president Bashar Assad from power.

A statement issued by the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said the move showed Israel’s determination to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring its security, stability, and territorial integrity. 

“Saudi Arabia stresses the need for the international community to condemn these Israeli violations, affirm respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and confirm that the Golan Heights are occupied Syrian Arab land,” the statement said. 


King Salman receives written message from Equatorial Guinea president

The message from President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to King Salman is received by the Kingdom’s foreign minister. (SPA)
The message from President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to King Salman is received by the Kingdom’s foreign minister. (SPA)
Updated 09 December 2024
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King Salman receives written message from Equatorial Guinea president

The message from President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to King Salman is received by the Kingdom’s foreign minister. (SPA)
  • Message was received by the Kingdom’s foreign minister during a meeting with the minister for foreign affairs and cooperation of Equatorial Guinea

RIYADH: King Salman received a written message from the president of Equatorial Guinea, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. 

The message from Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo concerned relations between his country and the Kingdom. 

It was received by the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during a meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Equatorial Guinea Simeon Oyono Esono Angue in Riyadh. 

The two ministers reviewed relations between their countries and ways to enhance them in various fields.