Saudi Arabia’s crown prince discusses green initiatives with world leaders

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a phone call to his Abu Dhabi counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Monday.
During the call, they discussed the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative announced by the crown prince on Saturday, which call for partnerships with regional countries to face the environmental challenges in the region, improve the quality of life, and implement the largest afforestation project in the world that will contribute to restoring millions of hectares of degraded land, in addition to reducing global carbon levels.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the green initiatives on Saturday, which aim to reduce carbon emissions in the region by 60 percent, tackle deforestation, enhance the efficiency of oil production, and increase the contribution of renewable energy, in addition to multiple efforts to preserve the marine and coastal environment and increase the proportion of natural reserves.
The two leaders discussed “the importance of these initiatives in facing environmental challenges in the region and the world, and their role in improving the quality of life and public health,” SPA said.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman also made a phone call to Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who welcomed the initiatives and said his country was ready to cooperate with the Kingdom to achieve their goals.
Earlier on Monday, the crown prince made a phone call to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who congratulated him on launching the two initiatives, praising the great impact they will have on the region and its inhabitants.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman also made a call to Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh, where they discussed the environmental challenges facing the region, the economic, social and health impacts that follow, and the qualitative initiatives contained in the Middle East Green Initiative that addresses these challenges using modern and innovative methods and new technologies. 
The crown prince also called Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, where the two affirmed the Middle East Green Initiative is one of the most ambitious global initiatives in restoring degraded lands and reducing carbon levels.
Kuwait’s Cabinet praised the two initiatives, which it said “constitute a new start and an ambitious road map” that will contribute to protecting the earth, nature and the marine environment, combating the climate crisis, and facing many environmental challenges.
It also said that their “positive effects” will be seen throughout the Gulf and Middle East regions, and both initiatives are part of the Kingdom’s “pioneering role toward common international issues and as a continuation of its efforts during its presidency of the G20 last year.”
Egypt’s Ministry of Environment said the initiatives reflect the interest that Saudi Arabia attaches to environmental preservation and international climate action.
Ali Sabt, secretary general of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), said the initiatives affirm Saudi Arabia’s pioneering role as a major global oil producer and will strengthen its active role in achieving stable global energy markets in general, and oil and gas markets in particular.
Sabt said they show the Kingdom’s desire to lead the next green era and its efforts to protect the planet during its G20 presidency, where a special declaration on the environment was issued.
He said that the two initiatives would contribute effectively to international efforts to combat climate change, enhance competitiveness, spark innovation and create millions of jobs, calling on international and regional organizations to also support the two initiatives.
Sabt said reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires continuous cooperation from countries around the world.
The leaders of each country welcomed the initiatives and said their countries were ready to actively support all efforts made by the Kingdom to achieve their goals.

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