Saudi Arabia to plant 12m trees, shrubs in 2024

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Updated 30 December 2023
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Saudi Arabia to plant 12m trees, shrubs in 2024

  • Water from rainfall and recycling plants to be used, says NCVC
  • Saudi Green Initiative’s goal is to plant 10bn trees in the country

RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification is preparing to plant ‎12 million trees and shrubs in 2024 across Saudi Arabia.

This is according to Khaled bin Abdullah Al-Abdul Qadir, CEO of the NCVC, who said that recycled water would be used for all the projects.

Al-Abdul Qadir made the comments at a ceremony in Buraidah Oasis recently to mark the completion of a 1 million tree-planting project.

“Implementation of the first phase of rehabilitation of the floodplains and meadows will witness rehabilitating 1,000 floodplains and meadows by planting 12 million trees and shrubs and scattering seeds, and the use of rainwater-harvesting techniques,” he said.

The center would be working with the nation’s royal reserves to ‎ensure the initiative is successful, he added.

Qassim’s Governor Prince Faisal bin Mishaal, inaugurated in February 2020 the Green Oasis project in Buraidah, at a cost exceeding SR77 million ($20.5 million), over an area of 28 million square meters.




“Implementation of the first phase of rehabilitation of the floodplains and meadows will witness rehabilitating 1,000 floodplains and meadows,” said Khaled bin Abdullah Al-Abdul Qadir, CEO of the NCVC. (Supplied)

The NCVC has signed several agreements with the King Salman, King Abdulaziz, Imam Turki bin ‎Abdullah, Imam Abdulaziz bin Muhammad, and the King Khalid royal reserve authorities.

The area targeted for rehabilitation covers 225,000 hectares of degraded lands in a single area, and 1.9 million hectares of floodplains and meadows.

These efforts are part of the Saudi Green Initiative’s goal to plant 10 billion trees in the country.

The NCVC has also implemented several other projects, including planting 1 million trees in Al-Khafs Meadow in the King Abdulaziz royal reserve, and 400,000 saplings of local trees in the Imam Turki bin ‎Abdullah reserve.

In addition, the NVC supplied the ‎King Salman reserve with 1.2 million seedlings, and 600,000 trees and shrubs were planted in the Imam ‎Abdulaziz bin Mohammed reserve.

Talal Al-Harigi, CEO of the Imam Abdulaziz bin ‎Mohammed reserve, and Al-Abdul Qadir had signed the agreement to implement the initiative.


Saudi university signs 15 new agreements to research defense, AI, and nuclear technologies

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Energy, attends a signing ceremony at KFUPM. (Supplied)
Updated 12 January 2025
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Saudi university signs 15 new agreements to research defense, AI, and nuclear technologies

  • King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals signed the agreements at a recent ceremony in Dhahran

DHAHRAN: One of the Kingdom’s leading universities has signed 15 new agreements with government entities and major corporations to advance research in areas including defense, artificial intelligence, and nuclear energy.

The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals signed the agreements at a recent ceremony in Dhahran attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, minister of energy and chairman of KFUPM’s Board of Trustees.

Among the highlights is a memorandum of understanding with the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy to advance technology in nuclear and renewable energy, hydrogen, and AI.

The partnership also seeks to develop skills through scholarships, educational programs and entrepreneurial training.

KFUPM also signed two agreements with the Ministry of Defense.

The first introduces an academic program for military college students, while the second focuses on training and educational enrichment for “war veterans and martyrs’ children.”

Additionally, an agreement with the General Authority for Defense Development was signed to develop national capabilities in defense research and advanced technologies.

This agreement focuses on building research infrastructure and creating frameworks to enhance collaboration in defense systems.

The university also signed a new partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, which outlines graduate scholarships, faculty exchanges and joint research projects.

Beyond defense, AI, and energy, KFUPM partnered with Aramco to establish two research centers.

One will focus on carbon materials to develop sustainable chemicals and materials, while the other will advance petroleum conversion technologies, emphasizing low-carbon fuels and plastics recycling.

The university also signed an agreement with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services to explore drone systems, autonomous vehicles and clean-energy transportation technologies, contributing to future regulatory and technological advancements in logistics.

Other collaborations include a memorandum of understanding with the National Center for Environmental Compliance to create a research center for environmental studies, a partnership with NEOM to co-develop academic programs and research initiatives, and an agreement with the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre to support biomedical engineering and medical device innovation.

Economic and educational development was also addressed through agreements with the Ministry of Economy and Planning to launch postgraduate programs in economics, and a partnership was created with Bank Albilad to provide financial support for students.


Rain lashes parts of Saudi Arabia with warnings of thunderstorms and hail

Rain fell on parts of Saudi Arabia early on Sunday, with officials forecasting thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds. (SPA)
Updated 12 January 2025
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Rain lashes parts of Saudi Arabia with warnings of thunderstorms and hail

  • Overcast skies dominated the day in the capital Riyadh, which recorded moderate rainfall in the morning
  • The weather office also warned of potential near-zero visibility and flooding in some areas

RIYADH: Rain fell on parts of Saudi Arabia early on Sunday, with officials forecasting thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds.

Overcast skies dominated the day in the capital Riyadh, which recorded moderate rainfall in the morning.

The National Center of Meteorology forecast strong winds, hail and thunderstorms, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The weather office also warned of potential near-zero visibility and flooding in some areas.

In the southern Jazan region, heavy rain was reported earlier in the day, affecting Jazan City for Basic and Transformative Industries, as well as the governorates of Ad-Darb, Beesh and the Farasan Islands.

The center issued alerts for Jazan, warning of thunderstorms, high waves and strong winds in the region.

Areas including Sabya, Abu Arish, Al-Harith, Ad-Dayer, Fifa, and Harub were highlighted in the advisory.

Residents were cautioned about the risk of reduced visibility and localized flooding in affected areas.

Earlier this week, parts of Saudi Arabia, including Asir, Makkah, and Madinah regions, experienced similar weather conditions.

Thunderstorms coupled with heavy rain caused temporary disruptions in traffic and daily activities.

The authorities issued several warnings during that period, urging residents to stay vigilant, especially in flood-prone areas.

The rainfall is caused by seasonal weather changes affecting parts of the Kingdom.

The Jazan region, in particular, often experiences heavy rains at this time of year, which can result in flash floods and other related challenges.

Authorities in Riyadh and Jazan have reiterated the importance of adhering to safety guidelines, particularly for motorists navigating slippery roads and areas prone to water accumulation.

Emergency response teams are on high alert to address any incidents caused by the adverse weather.

Residents in affected areas have been advised to follow updates and warnings issued by the center to ensure their safety as weather conditions develop.


Saudi Arabia calls for Syria sanctions to be lifted

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Updated 39 min 23 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia calls for Syria sanctions to be lifted

  • Kingdom’s foreign minister called for the continuation of humanitarian and economic support for Syria
  • He emphasized the importance of respecting the country’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Sunday called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria, saying the curbs hindered the country’s rebuilding and development.

He made the call at a press briefing after high-level meetings on Syria in Riyadh.

“We stressed the importance of lifting unilateral and international sanctions imposed on Syria, as their continuation hinders the aspirations of the Syrian people to achieve development and reconstruction,” Prince Faisal said.

The Riyadh meeting on Syria was attended by representatives of a number of countries from the Middle East and beyond, including Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkiye, as well as the UK and US. Officials from the GCC, EU and UN also took part.

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Recently appointed Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani represented Syria’s leadership at the meeting.

In his remarks to the press, Prince Faisal said that participants welcomed the positive steps made by the new Syrian administration, such as embracing “joint dialogue and commitment to combat terrorism.”

The Saudi foreign minister said the meeting sought to provide support and advice to the new leadership in a way that respects their independence and takes into account that the future of the country is for the Syrian people.

“We also stressed the importance of continuing humanitarian and economic support in the field of the Syrian state, achieving stability, reconstruction, and preparing the appropriate environment for the return of the Syrian refugees,” he added.

Prince Faisal said that the Kingdom is keen to continue coordinating with and standing by Syria and its people.

Officials from the EU and Germany spoke about the state of sanctions imposed on the country.

Kaja Kallas, EU commissioner for foreign affairs, said in a media briefing that she will discuss ways to ease sanctions in a meeting with European foreign ministers on Jan. 27.
 
The EU is prepared to take further steps if progress is positive, but could also reverse course if it is not, she said.

Kallas cited three factors the EU will take into account: inclusivity of different groups in the government, “no radicalization,” and the inclusion of women in the process. 

The EU, along with the US and other nations, imposed heavy sanctions on Syria in 2011.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for a “smart approach,” saying: “Sanctions against Assad’s henchmen who committed serious crimes during the civil war must remain in place.”

The German foreign minister said that the internal process for Syria must not be disrupted, adding that “all neighboring states must respect Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

Baerbock also announced that Germany will spend €50 million ($51.3 million) on humanitarian aid for Syria, and added: “The key to a safe Syria lies in the region, but first of all in the hands of all Syrians.”

She underlined that “joint support is now essential,” and said that Germany will continue to stand with the people of Syria to contribute to a “peaceful transition for everyone.”

The foreign minister highlighted Germany’s focus on “preventing the resurgence of an Islamic state, something we expect from the new leadership in Damascus.”

In a message released to the media, Saudi Arabia affirmed its support for the Syrian people and their choices at this “critical juncture in Syria’s history.”

The Kingdom called on the international community to stand by and collaborate with the Syrian people “in all that serves the country.”

Saudi Arabia also condemned Israel’s decision to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights and called on the global community to denounce Israeli violations of Syria’s territorial integrity, reaffirming that the area is Syrian Arab land under occupation.


Germany pledges $51m in aid for Syria

Updated 12 January 2025
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Germany pledges $51m in aid for Syria

  • Spending will ‘contribute to a peaceful transition for all,’ foreign minister says
  • Decision announced on sidelines of Riyadh meeting on Syria hosted by Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Germany will spend €50 million ($51.3 million) on humanitarian aid for Syria, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced on the sidelines of the Riyadh meetings on Syria hosted by Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

“Syrians now need a quick dividend from the transition of power, and we continue to help those in Syria who have nothing as we have done in all of the years of civil war,” Baerbock said.

During a press briefing, the minister said: “We will provide another €50 million for food, emergency shelter, and medical care because we know that over the last year not only millions have suffered, didn’t have enough food, didn’t have enough treatment for the children, but we also know that the new displacement attacks the women and children, especially.

“We will stand with the people of Syria to contribute to a peaceful transition for everyone,” she said.

The foreign minister said that the aid is not only needed to help those in Syria, but also serves as an investment in security in Germany and throughout Europe.

Baerbock also expressed her gratitude to Saudi Arabia for gathering countries both within the region and from Europe “to discuss the countless unresolved issues facing Syria together.”


KSrelief continues humanitarian outreach in Syria, Yemen

Updated 12 January 2025
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KSrelief continues humanitarian outreach in Syria, Yemen

RYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues with its humanitarian activities in Syria and Yemen with the distribution of food supplies, health kits and prosthetic services.

In the town of Beit Yashout, Jabla District of Syria’s Latakia Governorate, 499 families each received boxes containing a bag of flour as well as personal care kits on Saturday, state news agency SPA reported.

In Jindires of Aleppo Governorate, KSrelief distributed 1,476 food boxes and 1,476 health kits while in Talbiseh of Homs Governorate the aid agency on Thursday handed out to 86 families food parcels, each containing a 10-kilogram bag of flour, along with winter kits and personal care kits on Thursday.

This initiative is part of the Kingdom’s continuous humanitarian efforts, through KSrelief, to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people during various crises and hardships, SPA reported.

Meanwhile in Yemen, the Project for Operating Artificial Limbs and Rehabilitation Center in Taiz provided medical services to 434 beneficiaries who lost their limbs in December last year.

The center, being supported by KSrelief, delivered 1,613 services including the delivery, measurement and maintenance of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy and specialized consultations.