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RIYADH: Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, general supervisor of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, met with UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov, at the 79th UN General Assembly meeting, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
During the meeting, the two officials discussed humanitarian and relief issues.
Voronkov praised the humanitarian projects provided by the Kingdom through KSrelief to alleviate the suffering of people in need around the world.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Center for Palms and Dates on Thursday during the International Dates Conference and Exhibition at the Roshan Front in Riyadh.
The MoU, signed by the director general of partnerships and business development at the commission, Khaled Baasiri, and the CEO of the center, Dr. Mohammed Al-Nuwairan, aims to highlight the Kingdom’s cultural and historical identity and enhance integration between government agencies to achieve the strategic objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. It aims to harness joint capabilities and expertise to develop the palm and dates sector, enhance its cultural value, and contribute to strengthening the national economy, in an effort to achieve fruitful cooperation between the two parties.
The agreement came within the framework of the two organizations’ efforts to provide an enriching cultural, educational and tourism environment for the community.
Al-Nuwairan said that the partnership aimed to achieve key goals that served the interests of both sectors alike.
“Through this cooperation, we seek to raise the heritage and cultural value of dates globally, as well as achieve promising economic income,” he said.
Al-Nuwairan said that there was a clear mechanism that had been agreed on with the commission. This included developing cultural and educational programs and interactive workshops inside museums and schools, with the aim of educating students and the public about the stages of palm cultivation, processing dates and linking them to the environmental heritage of the Kingdom.
Baasiri said that the commission was working on designing integrated cultural paths, including visits to historical farms, establishing a museum specializing in palm trees and dates, and holding exhibitions that told the story of palm trees and dates in the Kingdom.
“Palm trees and dates are of great importance in our Arab culture, as they are a symbol of authenticity and generosity, and this importance has made them an essential element of the museum narrative, whether in public or specialized museums,” he said.
Baasiri said that the commission would work to expand cooperation with intersecting government agencies and to learn about community desires from different parties, which contributed to diversifying cultural presentation methods and innovating smart display methods that contributed to achieving common strategic goals.
The move is part of making museums vital places that preserve heritage and present it in ways that contribute to enhancing knowledge and awareness among local and international visitors.
BAKU: As the world looks ahead to COP16 in Riyadh, a clear message is emerging from discussions at COP29 in Baku: addressing global challenges requires breaking down silos between conventions on land, climate, and biodiversity. These three pillars are deeply interconnected, and their integration is essential for building a sustainable future.
The importance of land degradation is a recurring theme, with experts pointing to its role as both a symptom and a driver of broader environmental crises.
Land degradation not only diminishes biodiversity but also reduces agricultural productivity and undermines climate resilience, leading to an estimated $10 trillion in annual economic losses, according to the Economics of Land Degradation Initiative.
COP16 aims to position land rehabilitation at the forefront of global environmental policy by emphasizing its cross-cutting role in achieving sustainable development goals.
The intersection of land, climate, and biodiversity
In an interview with Arab News, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development, underlined the significance of restoring degraded lands as a cornerstone of integrated environmental action.
“Land degradation impacts agricultural systems, soil fertility, and climate stability. Restoring land not only enhances biodiversity and carbon sequestration but also offers significant economic benefits, creating opportunities for local communities,” he said.
Al-Abdulkader highlighted how Saudi Arabia is implementing initiatives that directly align with the objectives of the UN’s three major conventions: the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Projects such as mangrove restoration and ecosystem rehabilitation illustrate how land restoration can simultaneously support biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, and provide financial returns.
“If you invest $1 in land restoration, the returns can reach up to $30. This demonstrates how land-based solutions can address not only environmental challenges but also economic and social priorities,” he added.
Nature-based solutions: a transformative investment
A panel discussion at the Saudi Pavilion during COP29 also shed light on the potential of nature-based solutions in tackling land degradation and its associated impacts. These involve human interventions that emphasize existing facets of healthy ecosystems.
Astrid Schomaker, executive secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, stressed that sustainable land use and rethinking agricultural practices are critical. “Nature-based solutions, when implemented with societal and environmental safeguards, yield outstanding returns. They represent a transformative investment for both ecosystems and communities,” she remarked.
Schomaker called for agriculture to shift towards more sustainable practices, recognizing its dual role as a contributor to and a victim of environmental degradation. This aligns with the broader push for nature-based solutions that can mitigate climate change, conserve biodiversity, and ensure food security, all while fostering economic resilience.
Saudi Arabia’s role on the global stage
As the host of COP16 in December, Saudi Arabia is poised to bring innovative frameworks to the table. Al-Abdulkader noted that the Riyadh conference will feature groundbreaking initiatives, including the introduction of thematic days focused on land, agricultural systems, innovation, and people.
The Kingdom has already demonstrated its leadership through its commitment to restoring vegetation cover and promoting sustainable land use. Such efforts align with Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes environmental sustainability alongside economic diversification.
The need for global synergy
COP16 in Riyadh will serve as a platform to enhance collaboration across borders, ensuring that land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate action are addressed in tandem.
“We need to foster more synergy among the conventions,” Al-Abdulkader emphasized. “This includes not just technical cooperation but also mobilizing financial resources, improving institutional capacities, and ensuring that every stakeholder — from governments to local communities — is involved.”
The call for enhanced cooperation was echoed by Manual Pulgar-Vidal, former president of COP20, who emphasized the need for actionable targets that integrate the efforts of all three conventions. “The Riyadh conference will be an opportunity to launch a comprehensive action agenda that ensures land restoration remains a global priority,” he said.
The road ahead
With the road to COP16 now clearly mapped out, the focus is on uniting nations, organizations, and individuals to address the challenges of land degradation and its ripple effects. The discussions at COP29 have laid the groundwork for a future where land restoration is recognized not only as an environmental necessity but also as an economic opportunity.
The Riyadh conference promises to be a milestone in global environmental cooperation, with the potential to set new standards for integrating land, biodiversity, and climate objectives.
RIYADH: The volume of desalinated water produced by Saudi Arabia each day is equivalent to daily global oil production, the president of the Saudi Water Authority said on Thursday.
Speaking on day two of the three-day Local Content Forum 2024 in Riyadh, Abdullah Al-Abdulkarim said the Kingdom desalinates an estimated 15 million cubic meters of water daily. In 2023, global oil production amounted to nearly 15.3 million cubic meters a day, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The nation’s water sector has undergone significant shifts in recent years as a result of critical issues such as climate change and growing demand for fresh water, he added, and there are “great opportunities for the Kingdom to become a pioneer” in the desalination industry.
The Water Authority is working tirelessly to support Saudi manufacturers and contractors and help them enter the desalination sector, Al-Abdulkarim said.
“Partnerships in the water sector start from research and innovation, and transforming them into new projects,” he added.
BAKU: Saudi Arabia is pursuing new technologies to improve fuel efficiency and decarbonize the aviation sector, an oil sustainability program spokesperson told Arab News.
Mohammad Altayyar, program director of the Saudi Ministry of Energy’s oil sustainability program, spoke to Arab News during the COP29 UN climate conference about the Kingdom’s efforts to improve sustainability in aviation.
He said: “Today we stand with an opportunity, an opportunity to contribute to the global efforts in addressing climate change.
“With the aviation sector contributing to 2 percent of global emissions, and with countries pursuing sustainable development, their travel demand continues to grow, and nations continue to work on meeting the climate challenge.”
Altayyar highlighted that discussions at COP29 exemplified the ministry’s collective commitment to tackling pressing issues through dialogue on advances in aviation fuels.
He further emphasized Saudi Arabia’s progress in the aviation sector, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030.
“Saudi Arabia as a global key player in the global energy landscape making significant strides and pioneering the promotion of sustainable practices within the aviation sector, upholds the commitments of Vision 2030, which clearly outline an ambitious framework for its economic diversification and environmental stewardship.
“The Kingdom is actively pursuing innovative technologies that will enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, working toward long-term global objectives.
“These initiatives not only support global climate goals but also establish the Kingdom as a leader in developing balanced, cleaner energy solutions,” Altayyar said.
In other developments at COP29, the Saudi Ministry of Energy signed an executive program for cooperation in renewable energy with counterparts from three Asian nations: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
The program emphasizes the formation of strategic partnerships to explore regional power grid interconnections powered by renewable energy. It also aims to boost the efficiency of energy infrastructure and integrate renewable projects into the national grids of the participating countries.
Additionally, the Ministry of Energy observed the signing of two strategic agreements between Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and various entities to advance renewable energy initiatives in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.
The first agreement focused on collaboration with the Uzbek Ministry of Energy to develop battery energy storage systems with a capacity of up to 2 GWh, aimed at improving grid stability.
The second agreement was a memorandum of understanding with Azerbaijan’s oil company SOCAR and the UAE’s Masdar to develop offshore wind power projects in the Caspian Sea with a capacity of up to 3.5 GW.
In conjunction with the executive program, ACWA Power’s Khyzi Absheron wind power project in Azerbaijan, slated for a capacity of 240 MW, is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2026.
RIYADH: The International Maritime Organization accepted on Wednesday the credentials of Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez welcomed Kamal bin Mohammed Al-Junaidi to the organization during a meeting in London. The event was attended by the Saudi deputy transport minister, Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih.
The UK-based UN agency is the global maritime authority that sets international standards designed to ensure the safety and security of maritime transport.
It also aims to reduce pollution from ships and implement initiatives that help preserve the marine environment and protect nature.
Saudi Arabia won a majority vote in December to become a member of the IMO’s 40-member council for 2024 and 2025.
Al-Junaidi will represent Saudi Arabia during IMO events, including the signing of maritime agreements, treaties, and codes.
He will highlight Riyadh’s efforts and plans to develop its maritime transport industry and international trade.
By 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to handle 40 million containers a year, facilitate cargo-handling procedures and develop marine tourism through cruise ships and coastal transportation.
The representation at the IMO highlights the Kingdom’s strategic maritime location, including its coastline along the Red Sea through which 13 percent of global trade passes.
