‘We can either waste time on political grandstanding or overcome climate challenges together,’ Saudi Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir tells Arab News

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Updated 04 December 2024
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‘We can either waste time on political grandstanding or overcome climate challenges together,’ Saudi Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir tells Arab News

Saudi Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir talks to Arab News’ Deputy Editor-in-Chief Noor Nugali. (AN photo)
  • Minister of State for Foreign Affairs explains significance of Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 summit to combat desertification
  • Says there is no contradiction between Kingdom’s roles as oil producer-exporter and as investor in renewable energy sector

RIYADH: As the host of UN negotiations on combating the loss of fertile land to deserts, Saudi Arabia’s climate envoy knows the Kingdom has more expertise on the subject than most.

“We have vast deserts in Saudi Arabia, so we know what it’s like,” Adel Al-Jubeir told Arab News during a special interview.

“We need to prevent the erosion of territory and the expansion of deserts. And we need to work on reclaiming land in order to have more for food production and in order to have more so that the negative impacts on climate get reduced.”




Saudi Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir talks to Arab News’ Deputy Editor-in-Chief Noor Nugali. (AN photo)

Al-Jubeir, who is also minister of state for foreign affairs, was speaking as the Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification — known as COP16 — started in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The 12 days of talks will cover some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, such as desertification, land degradation and drought.

Saudi Arabia is the first Arab country to host the event, the largest desertification COP since the first in 1997, and comes as momentum grows behind global frameworks to tackle the environmental challenges facing the planet.

In the wide-ranging conversation, Al-Jubeir discussed the aim of the COP16 talks, why land degradation is a global issue, and Saudi Arabia’s leadership role on the environment.

For Al-Jubeir, hosting COP16 carries particular significance given the Kingdom’s vulnerability to desertification, but also the work that has already been done to prevent it.

The approach in Saudi Arabia has been “very simple” and rooted in science and common sense, he said.

“When you disrupt an environment, it gets damaged. So, what you do is you preserve it. You designate territories to be protected areas,” he told Arab News.

“In 2015, for example, I believe less than 3 percent of Saudi territory was protected. Today, we’re almost at 18 or 19 percent, and we will be at 30 percent by 2030. This is a huge achievement.”

Rewilding, which forms part of the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives launched in 2021, has also generated huge benefits in terms of being able to reintroduce wildlife into these areas.




The UNCCD describes COP16 as a “critical milestone” in advancing global efforts to combat land degradation. (Supplied)

“You do it by introducing little shrubs,” said Al-Jubeir. “Insects come back, and then more plants, and then rodents come back, and then more plants, and you go up until you can introduce an animal like the Arabian leopard, and you restore it, or the oryx or the gazelle. And this is what we’re doing in Saudi Arabia.”

Al-Jubeir said this approach has led to noticeably fewer dust storms than seven or eight years ago, with less territory being disturbed and more areas being planted.

He said the Kingdom also tackled the issue by assessing the environmental impact of new developments, promoting sustainable farming techniques and ensuring cities were full of green spaces.

“On environmental issues, Saudi Arabia is a leader in global efforts to protect our environment, whether it’s climate, whether it’s oceans, whether it’s land,” Al-Jubeir said.

“Saudi Arabia has worked to bring the world together around a vision that basically says, very simply, we’re all in this together, we all benefit together, or we all suffer together.”

He said Saudi Arabia was bringing many more countries round to that point of view. “Our leadership is committed to this. The vision for 2030 came from our crown prince, and our crown prince was instrumental in launching the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. He launched the Global Water Initiative, the hosting of COP16,” he said.

“Every initiative we are doing in Saudi Arabia has the direct blessing and support of our leadership, and it goes from the top leadership all the way to the citizen. The whole country is seized by this issue. And so I have no doubt that 10 years from now people will look at Saudi Arabia and they will say Saudi Arabia has played an instrumental role in leading the world toward a better place.”




Adel Al-Jubeir spoke to Arab News Deputy Editor-in-Chief Noor Nugali as the COP16 summit kicked off in Riyadh on Tuesday. (AN photo)

The hosting of COP16 is about more than simply demonstrating how Saudi Arabia is rehabilitating land; it’s about elevating the importance of desertification on the global stage.

“We believe it impacts every human being on the planet,” Al-Jubeir said. “Land is a very important reservoir for carbon. And so, the less there is of it, the less carbon we can capture naturally.

“The earth is important for us in terms of food production. The less we have, the less food we produce, the more hunger and starvation we have. The more migration we have, the more conflict we have, the more extremism and terrorism we have, the more migration impacts political situations in countries in other parts of the world.

“So, it’s very, very important that it impacts all of our lives.”

The fact that COP16 is the biggest since 1997 represents the emergence of desertification as a global issue. Up to 40 percent of the world’s land is degraded, affecting half of all humans, according to UNCCD.

The consequences are getting worse for the climate, biodiversity and people’s livelihoods. Droughts are more frequent and severe, increasing by 29 percent since 2000 due to climate change and unsustainable land use.

If current trends continue, 1.5 billion hectares of land will need to be restored by 2030 to achieve a land-degradation neutrality.

The UNCCD describes COP16 as a “critical milestone” in advancing global efforts to combat land degradation, desertification and drought.

Under the title “Our Land. Our Future,” 196 countries and the EU have gathered in Riyadh to negotiate solutions, along with experts and civil society.

On Monday, the first day of the negotiations, Saudi Arabia announced the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, an initiative to help 80 of the poorest countries cope with droughts. The partnership has secured $2.15 billion in funding pledges.

Also in Riyadh, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman opened the One Water Summit on Tuesday. Attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the event aims to act as an “incubator for solutions” ahead of the next UN Water Conference.




Saudi Arabia is hosting the COP16 summit to combat desertification. (Supplied)

“Water is the source of life,” Al-Jubeir said. “You can’t survive without it.”

The summit looks at how water can be used most efficiently and not wasted, he explained.

“These are issues where knowledge is important, science is important and sharing of methods and sharing of science are important,” he said.

It is this sharing of expertise that underpins Saudi Arabia’s approach to taking a lead globally on the major issues facing the planet.

Looking ahead, Al-Jubeir said: “We can either waste our time pointing fingers and trying to take political positions and grandstand, and try to appeal to lowest common denominators, or we can join together and practically, pragmatically, scientifically deal with the challenges that we’re facing, and we will overcome them together.

“Here’s the choice: Do we engage in theatrics and fight and get nowhere, or do we engage in serious work and get a handle around the problem? That’s where we’re heading, I believe, and I believe we’re heading there because Saudi Arabia is playing an increasingly big role in the global efforts to deal with those challenges.”

The hosting of COP16 and the One Water Summit is the latest example of Saudi Arabia being at the forefront of global efforts to tackle climate change and challenges to the environment.




Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks during the One Water Summit in Riyadh on December 3, 2024. (AFP)

Al-Jubeir dismissed criticism that the country, as the world’s top crude oil exporter, is not suited for such a role.

“Saudi Arabia is the largest exporter of oil in the world, and we’re very proud of it,” he said. “We are providing the world with the energy that it needs in order to warm itself, in order to feed itself, in order to develop economically, in order to improve standards of living. And so that is one part.

“The other part of Saudi Arabia, as the largest oil producer/exporter in the world, is we are also one of the major proponents for protecting the environment, and for investing in new technologies and investing in renewable energy.

“Whether it’s solar, whether it’s hydro, whether it’s wind, whether it’s green and clean hydrogen, we are huge investors in this field because we believe that that’s where the future is. And so, there is no contradiction between the two.”

Taking the lead on green issues is also an approach popular with young people in Saudi Arabia, Al-Jubeir said, insisting the younger generations would be instrumental in halting desertification and creating a better living environment in the Kingdom overall.

“They want this issue to be dealt with effectively and efficiently, and they want to lead it,” he told Arab News. “And that’s what’s driving the enthusiasm among our young people toward dealing with desertification, dealing with supporting land restoration, reintroduction of wildlife, and then going beyond that into biodiversity, marine life, and into climate.”

Despite the many stark warnings about the effects of climate change, Al-Jubeir said the will of young people to tackle the issues, along with the direction from the country’s leaders, meant he was positive about how Saudi Arabia would appear in 10 years’ time.

“You will see that Saudi Arabia will be ahead of the world in terms of parks, in terms of fitness, in terms of land restoration, in terms of reintegration of animals into the wildlife, in terms of how pristine its beaches are, in terms of its corals, in terms of its mangroves, in terms of its agriculture, all across the board,” he said. 

“We are determined, with courage, and with leadership, and with enthusiasm, to get there.”

 


Saudi Social Entrepreneurship Summit launched

Saudi Social Entrepreneurship Summit launched
Updated 14 sec ago
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Saudi Social Entrepreneurship Summit launched

Saudi Social Entrepreneurship Summit launched
  • Prince Saud bin Faisal praised the significant support provided by leaders of the social entrepreneurship sector
  • Prince Saud bin Faisal emphasized that the forum served as a national platform, bringing together leaders of government, and the private and non-profit sectors

MADINAH: The Saudi Social Entrepreneurship Summit, along with an accompanying exhibition, has been launched by empowerment development company Namaa Al-Munawara.

It is being held under the patronage of Madinah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Khalid bin Faisal, on behalf of Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan.

Prince Saud bin Faisal praised the significant support provided by leaders of the social entrepreneurship sector, which helps reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a leading model in sustainable development, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

He emphasized that the forum served as a national platform, bringing together leaders of government, and the private and non-profit sectors. The aim is to enhance partnerships and build an integrated system that supports social entrepreneurship. 

Prince Saud also commended the efforts of Namaa Al-Munawara and all parties involved in organizing the summit, saying the initiatives presented during the event would empower entrepreneurs and highlight success stories.


Saudi-Thai Coordination Council holds inaugural meeting in Bangkok

The first meeting of the Saudi-Thai Coordination Council is held in Bangkok on Thursday. (SPA)
The first meeting of the Saudi-Thai Coordination Council is held in Bangkok on Thursday. (SPA)
Updated 30 min 23 sec ago
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Saudi-Thai Coordination Council holds inaugural meeting in Bangkok

The first meeting of the Saudi-Thai Coordination Council is held in Bangkok on Thursday. (SPA)
  • Cooperation between nations has been growing in several areas
  • Talks co-chaired by Saudi, Thai foreign ministers

RIYADH: The first meeting of the Saudi-Thai Coordination Council was held in Bangkok on Thursday, in the latest sign of warming relations between the two nations after diplomatic ties were restored in 2022.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Thai counterpart Maris Sangiampongsa co-chaired the meeting, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The council aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including politics, security and defense, energy, economy, investment, education, culture, tourism and other areas of common interest.

The co-chairs reviewed relations, emphasized the importance of ongoing coordination and expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of related meetings, which have resulted in more than 70 joint initiatives.

Ties between Saudi Arabia and Thailand stalled in the 1980s but were renewed following a visit by the Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to Riyadh at the invitation of the crown prince.

Numerous diplomatic, trade agreements and official visits have followed and the two governments have signed a series of cooperation deals.

Cultural outreach programs include Arabic language training in Thai universities by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, which launched the Arabic Language Month in Thailand in November.

Riyadh also hosted a Thailand International Mega Fair in November, aiming to boost trade between the two countries.

Following Thursday’s meeting, the two sides signed a program for joint cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, and the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs.

The program was signed by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ambassador Saud Al-Sati and Phubadi La-or-ngern, ambassador and dean of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute.

The next meeting of the council will be held in Saudi Arabia.


Riyadh hospital performs world’s first robotic-assisted artificial heart pump implantation

Riyadh hospital performs world’s first robotic-assisted artificial heart pump implantation
Updated 26 min 9 sec ago
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Riyadh hospital performs world’s first robotic-assisted artificial heart pump implantation

Riyadh hospital performs world’s first robotic-assisted artificial heart pump implantation
  • Surgery was performed on a 35-year-old man who had been hospitalized for 120 days due to advanced heart failure
  • Dr. Feras Khaliel: The patient was amazed at the minimal scarring, reflecting the advanced capabilities of robotic technology

RIYADH: The world’s first robotic-assisted implantation of an artificial heart pump has been carried out at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh.

The surgery was performed on a 35-year-old man who had been hospitalized for 120 days due to advanced heart failure, leading to deterioration of kidney and lung functions.

The ground-breaking procedure to implant the HeartMate 3, developed by Abbott, marks a significant advancement in medical technology and patient care.

It was led by Dr. Feras Khaliel, head of cardiac surgery and director of the hospital’s Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery Program.

The patient spent just four days in the intensive care unit, a stark contrast to the 26-day average for similar procedures performed using traditional methods. Recovery time is also expected to be significantly reduced, with discharge anticipated within 10 days instead of the usual 63.

Dr. Bjorn Zoega, deputy CEO of KFSHRC, said: “This milestone demonstrates our ability to balance bold innovation with strict safety measures, delivering cutting-edge medical solutions that redefine the possibilities in healthcare.”

He added it solidified the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in medical innovation.

Khaliel emphasized the precision and safety of robotic-assisted surgery, adding the patient experienced no infections or bleeding during or after the operation.

“The patient was amazed at the minimal scarring, reflecting the advanced capabilities of robotic technology,” he said.

Keith Boettiger, vice president of Abbott’s heart failure division, said: “We are honored to have partnered with KFSHRC in Saudi Arabia on this transformative initiative, with underscores the pivotal role of health technology in improving lives and enhancing health outcomes.”

This success builds on KFSHRC’s legacy of global achievements, including the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant and robotic liver transplantation.


Hajj Lab empowers global group of trainees

Hajj Lab empowers global group of trainees
Updated 16 January 2025
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Hajj Lab empowers global group of trainees

Hajj Lab empowers global group of trainees
  • Scheme, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, provided a platform for knowledge sharing, training and collaboration, to enhance the services offered to pilgrims during the Hajj season
  • Over the three days, the lab hosted a series of workshops designed to foster learning and development across various facets of the Hajj ecosystem

JEDDAH: An intensive three-day Hajj training event in Saudi Arabia has boosted the skills of more than 2,000 trainees from around the world in all aspects of the pilgrimage.

The Hajj Lab, part of the Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition 2025, finished on Jan. 16.

It was organized by the Licensing and Training Center for Workers in the Service Sector of Hajj and Umrah, which falls under the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The scheme, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, provided a platform for knowledge sharing, training and collaboration, to enhance the services offered to pilgrims during the Hajj season.

Over the three days, the lab hosted a series of workshops designed to foster learning and development across various facets of the Hajj ecosystem.

With more than 60 trainers and 45 workshop sessions, the Hajj Lab brought together more than 2,000 global trainees committed to enhancing their skills and knowledge of the Hajj sector.

The workshops, tailored to meet the specific needs of the Hajj, covered new technologies, regulations and services related to transportation, healthcare, security and digital transformation.

General supervisor of the Licensing and Training Center, Abdul Bari Al-Salami, highlighted the comprehensive approach to the workshops.

“Twenty workshops each day, divided into five sessions, were held across four halls, each capable of hosting around 40 trainees,” he said.

“Trainers from both government sectors and companies providing Hajj services shared their expertise to ensure that attendees were well-informed about the latest regulations, technologies and strategies. This is part of our effort to improve services we are implementing for the upcoming Hajj and Umrah season.”

The workshop topics were chosen after extensive discussions with specialists from various sectors involved in the Hajj.

Ayad Fadl, director of the Licensing and Training Center, said: “The theme this year is all about the Hajj season and, particularly, what’s new for the next season. These workshops are a yearly opportunity for us to introduce innovations and improvements.”

The Hajj Lab also serves as a platform to assess the impact of new initiatives and gather feedback from attendees.

“We aim to observe the impact of each workshop,” Fadl added.

“Some sessions focus on specific knowledge areas, while others address broader industry challenges. After each session, we evaluate the effectiveness and decide on how to expand the training throughout the year.”

The Licensing and Training Center’s training content accreditation officer, Ahdab Badr, said: “One of the workshops discussed new regulations at Nusuk for Hajj pilgrims, which is an update for the upcoming season. We use the Hajj Lab to increase awareness and gauge the audience’s response about it. If successful, Nusuk aims to implement these changes on their official platforms.”

With a goal of training more than 150,000 workers this year, the Licensing and Training Center continues to focus on developing soft skills among those who work with pilgrims, based on extensive studies conducted in recent years. “We aim to create a more efficient workforce, which is crucial for enhancing the overall Hajj experience,” said Badr.

Sela Company served as a partner in hosting the lab. Sara Sheikh, Sela’s expo operations manager, highlighted the company’s role in the creation of the workshop programs: “Our collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah aims to ensure the quality and variety of the workshops, particularly in the nine specialized areas of focus, including crowd management, project management, medical and health services, digital transformation, business intelligence and marketing.”

One of the standout sessions, titled “Digital Transformation and its Effect on Enhancing Services Offered to Pilgrims,” was led by Eng. Ameenah Naytah, chief digital transformation officer and e-portal director at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Naytah discussed the importance of digital transformation in enhancing services provided to pilgrims. “We began by introducing the concept of digital transformation, then discussed the tools and technologies that are available to enhance sustainability,” she said.

“The Hajj Lab was an essential platform for the ministry to interact with the audience, understand their level of knowledge about digital transformation, and gather feedback that will guide future developments.”

Another session, titled “Data Quality: From Basics to Best Practices in the Hajj System,” was conducted by Omar Bassam Bani Kenana, a data management consultant.

“In our workshop, we worked closely with the audience to explain how we improve data quality across all departments and systems in the ministry. We aim to raise awareness about the importance of data quality and provide insights into how attendees can apply best practices in their own systems,” he said.

Mohammed, a consultant at Nusuk, said: “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to attend the Hajj Lab workshops. The sessions provided invaluable insights into the latest developments in Hajj services.

“The practical knowledge was eye-opening and I now feel better equipped to apply these new strategies in my work, enhancing the experience for pilgrims.

“This event not only expanded my understanding, but also inspired me to be part of the continued innovation in the Hajj ecosystem. I’m looking forward to implementing these lessons and seeing the positive impact on the Hajj season.”


Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 3,000 food parcels in Pakistan

Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 3,000 food parcels in Pakistan
Updated 16 January 2025
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Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 3,000 food parcels in Pakistan

Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 3,000 food parcels in Pakistan
  • Monday’s aid delivery benefitted 20,444 people from the most vulnerable groups in flood-affected areas

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed 3,007 food parcels in Pakistan’s Matiari and Thatta districts of Sindh province and the Tank and Torghar districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

Monday’s aid delivery benefitted 20,444 people from the most vulnerable groups in flood-affected areas, as a part of this year’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan.

The project aims to provide 147,500 food parcels, each weighing 95 kg and containing essential food for one month.

KSrelief will continue to provide aid to vulnerable people in Pakistan, the SPA reported.