Global climate leaders gather in Riyadh to address water scarcity, extreme weather

Osama Faqeeha, Saudi deputy minister for environment, along with UNCCD officials and other experts during a press conference on the first day of COP 16 in Riyadh. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
Osama Faqeeha, Saudi deputy minister for environment, along with UNCCD officials and other experts during a press conference on the first day of COP 16 in Riyadh. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
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Updated 07 December 2024
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Global climate leaders gather in Riyadh to address water scarcity, extreme weather

Global climate leaders gather in Riyadh to address water scarcity, extreme weather
  • In 2020, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the Regional Center for Climate Change, which provides research on climate conditions in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council

RIYADH: International experts convened in Riyadh for the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification from Dec. 2-13 to address the increasing prevalence of floods and droughts and how to mitigate their impact.

In Saudi Arabia, a nation known for its arid climate and vast deserts, such extreme weather events could heavily affect water resources.

Andrew Robertson, senior research scientist at Columbia University’s Center for Climate System Research and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, said that climate change is impacting this region, which has some of the highest temperature increases in the world, more than the global average.

Robertson highlighted advancements that could help Saudi Arabia mitigate harsh climate conditions in the future.

“Heatwave early warning … (will) be important in the future here,” Robertson said.

Advanced seasonal forecasting capabilities can significantly help people adapt to extreme weather conditions, he added.

“The weather is not constant; it fluctuates daily and even annually,” Robertson said.

Although Saudi Arabia’s climate is predominantly dry, it is not immune to flooding. Intense rainfall, often linked to seasonal weather patterns, can cause urban flooding, particularly in areas with inadequate drainage systems.

A notable example is the devastating 2009 flood in Jeddah, which led to significant property damage, loss of life, and economic disruption.

Floods not only damage infrastructure but also exacerbate issues like soil erosion and water pollution, further straining the country’s already limited water resources.

In 2020, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the Regional Center for Climate Change, which provides research on climate conditions in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Mazen Asiri, executive director of the center, told Arab News that the center aims to develop a high-resolution climate change database projecting up to 2100. The database will analyze various climate scenarios to assess climate change and the impact of human activity on the environment.

Another major challenge in Saudi Arabia is drought, as the country is among the most water-scarce in the world. With no rivers, it relies heavily on desalination and underground water for its supply.

Recognizing the threat of drought, the Saudi government is actively implementing water conservation and management strategies. Initiatives such as rainwater harvesting and cloud seeding offer promising solutions to address the nation’s water challenges.

Asiri said: “We have seen examples today of how we can use techniques such as ‘seeding the skies’ in mountainous areas during the winter season to create snow. This is a recent but ongoing study that might succeed in mountainous locations here, such as Tabuk.”

He added: “This method may help improve tourism as well as support the water supply. It will also enhance vegetation cover and biodiversity.”

Asiri emphasized the importance of raising public awareness in addressing environmental issues and the role of the media in helping to achieve this. “We should focus on education from a young age to have thriving results in the future. We also offer workshops at our center and other similar entities, which are significant in raising awareness of these issues,” he said.

 

 


Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services

Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services
Updated 33 sec ago
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Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services

Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services

RIYADH: A project by Saudi aid agency KSrelief to improve healthcare services for Syrian refugees and their host community in Bebnine, Akkar Governorate, has continued in Lebanon.

Some 2,689 patients were seen at the Akkar-Bebnine Health Care Center in December with 6,194 services provided under pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, community and psychological health programs.

Of the total number of patients, 68 percent were women and 51 percent were refugees, reported the Saudi Press Agency.


Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year

Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year
Updated 33 min 27 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year

Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year
  • The work reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment through KSrelief to help those most in need

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued its humanitarian work at the start of 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

In Syria, 892 families received food aid and health kits in the Afrin and Aleppo governorates of the war-torn country, benefiting 5,352 individuals.

The agency also distributed bags of flour, winter kits, and personal-care bags to 211 families in Syria’s Al-Rastan area, benefitting 968 individuals.

In Syria’s Rural Damascus governorate, KSrelief distributed bags of flour, food aid, personal-care bags, and shelter kits to 164 families.

In Pakistan, there were 2,821 food parcels, benefiting 18,638 people, distributed in the Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan areas of Punjab province, and the Hingol area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

KSrelief also distributed 1,082 clothing vouchers to families in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan’s Amman, Zarqa and Balqa governorates.


Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition

Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition
Updated 10 January 2025
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Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition

Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition
  • Exhibition is homage to renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai

The much-anticipated “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition will be held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art in JAX Diriyah from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8.

Held in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition, ratified by the Kingdom’s Museums Commission, will showcase the works of the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.

It will highlight the history and evolution of manga, and provide a perspective on how Hokusai’s classical illustrations have influenced modern visual arts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Hokusai published his first collection of art in 1814, featuring sketches of “daily life, landscapes and whimsical creatures,” according to a post on X by the museum.

The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art aims to foster cultural exchange between local and international creators.

This article originally appeared on Arab News Japan


Rain for 3 days over most parts of Saudi Arabia

Rain for 3 days over most parts of Saudi Arabia
Updated 10 January 2025
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Rain for 3 days over most parts of Saudi Arabia

Rain for 3 days over most parts of Saudi Arabia
  • Warning of high waves along the Kingdom’s coastlines

RIYADH: Rain of varying intensities will fall over most parts of Saudi Arabia from Jan. 10 to 12, the National Center for Meteorology stated on Thursday.

In a weather bulletin, the NCM warned of downpours accompanied by winds of up to 60 kph, and the possibility of torrential rain and hail. High waves are expected along the nation’s coastlines.

The regions of Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, and Hail will have rainy conditions on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, rain is expected in the Tabuk and Madinah regions; on Saturday and Sunday in the Eastern Province, Asir and Jazan; and on Saturday in Qassim.

For the Riyadh and Al-Baha regions, rain is expected from Friday to Sunday.

The NCM urged the public to stay updated on the weather conditions in the Kingdom by checking the daily reports on its website, the Anwaa application, or its social media accounts.


Saudi Falcons Club CEO and Kazakhstan ambassador discuss ways to boost cooperation

Saudi Falcons Club CEO and Kazakhstan ambassador discuss ways to boost cooperation
Updated 10 January 2025
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Saudi Falcons Club CEO and Kazakhstan ambassador discuss ways to boost cooperation

Saudi Falcons Club CEO and Kazakhstan ambassador discuss ways to boost cooperation

RIYADH: The CEO of the Saudi Falcons Club, Ahmed Al-Hababi, met Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Madiyar Menilbekov, in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss opportunities for cooperation and ways in which these might be enhanced to benefit mutual goals.

One of the topics was the Hadad Program, a leading initiative developed by the club with the aim of returning falcons to their natural habitats and saving the species from the threat of extinction.

Menilbekov praised the club for the important role it plays in enhancing falconry and preserving its cultural heritage.

The club said the meeting was part of its efforts to strengthen international partnerships in keeping with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification.