RIYADH: Saudi authorities are preparing for the inaugural National Afforestation Forum on May 6 in Riyadh.
The event, organized by the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification under the theme “Towards a Green Future,” seeks to consolidate national efforts across the public, private and non-profit sectors, and integrate strategies to help meet the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative, including the target of planting 10 billion trees across the Kingdom.
Organizers said their aim is to engage with a diverse audience of all ages that includes sector-specific professionals, environmental activists, and the general public to help promote afforestation efforts in the Kingdom, encourage participation from all sectors, facilitate the sharing of information, foster collaborative efforts, and showcase investment opportunities within the environmental sector.
The forum will include sessions designed to support efforts to expand green spaces and develop vegetation, covering topics such as the benefits of the National Afforestation Program, environmental sustainability, economic growth, and nature-based solutions. Participants will review significant local and international afforestation projects, explore the latest developments in seed banks and nurseries, and consider the challenges in these areas.
Organizers added that the ultimate aim is to enhance community engagement through improved stakeholder collaboration and effective management of the seed and tree supply chain to optimize planting outcomes.
