First National Greening Forum held in Riyadh

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Attendees at the inaugural National Greening Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Updated 06 May 2024
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First National Greening Forum held in Riyadh

  • Experts discussed nature-based solutions to environmental issues, highlighting Kingdom’s nature reserves as prime example
  • Forum highlighted the role of public, private and nonprofit sectors in achieving the Saudi Green Initiative target of planting 10 billion trees

RIYADH: As countries around the world push to invest in nature-based solutions to environmental problems, experts in Saudi Arabia came together in Riyadh to discuss the most pressing issues at the inaugural National Greening Forum. 

Launched under the patronage of Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, the forum was organized by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification and attended by Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing Majed Al-Hogail, several other ministers, organisations and specialists from local, regional and international sectors related to the environment.

CEO of the center, Khalid Al-Abdulqader, said in his opening speech that the forum will “unify and consolidate national efforts to enhance vegetation cover and mitigate land degradation.”

Addressing the restoration of green spaces in the Kingdom, he said: “We are committed to restoring natural green spaces using sustainable irrigation methods, planting local tree species, and ensuring their protection and monitoring through advanced technologies.”

In a panel discussion titled “Nature-Based Solutions: Key to Transformation,” industry specialists and experts discussed various issues related to promoting the natural growth of trees and their environmental effect, as well as the industries tied to environmental issues and ways their institutions work to find sustainable solutions for the future. 

“Vegetation and afforestation are part of nature, which includes the atmosphere, soil, and organisms. The correlation between all of these is the main element for these solutions. So, organizing and monitoring this relationship is key for sustainability and greening,” said Dr. Ahmed Al-Farhan, board member of the center and a faculty member at King Saud University.

For ages, large plumes of dust and sand sweeping across most of Saudi Arabia were a natural, seasonal occurrence, but this year there has been an unusual and noticeable decrease in sandstorms. 

Jamaan Al-Qahtani, executive director of the Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorms, explained: “Sandstorms need two factors to occur: dry, load-bearing soil and winds fast enough to carry it.” A few years ago, he said, there were indications that the Kingdom was experiencing fewer sandstorms.

“This April was a 60 percent drop on the average of the past 20 years. March was 30 percent, and January was more than 60 percent. Last year, Riyadh had a record of only one sandstorm.”

Explaining the reason behind this, he said: “We attribute that firstly to rainfall and the timing of that rainfall. When rain falls during the best time for vegetation, that helps with stabilizing the soil.”

The environmental system also plays a pivotal role in preventing degradation, as well as laws that restrain individuals and other entities from tampering with the environment.

Sand and dust storms affect 11 of the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals. For example, 7 million people in total die from all sources of air pollution and degraded air quality. The Middle East and North Africa region loses $150 billion annually due to weather and climate disasters, Al-Qahtani said.  

To meet the growing demand for fresh water in Saudi Arabia, authorities launched a project in 2022 that alters the structure of clouds to increase rainfall; a technique known as cloud seeding.

Ayman Al-Bar, executive director of the Regional Cloud Seeding Program, said “environmental phenomena have become much more severe and common than before.” He went on to say that one of the initiatives under the Middle East Green Initiative, the cloud seeding program, targets an increase in rainfall of between 10% and 20%.

The various initiatives under the program work to intensify vegetation cover, combat desertification, localize technology, and transfer knowledge, he said. In the fifth stage, which covers Riyadh, Hail, and southern parts such as Abha, Taif, and Asir, 1,530 flight hours were spent on precipitation efforts and 110 hours on research. “Preliminary reports indicate that precipitation exceeds 4 billion cubic meters of rainfall in the targeted area,” Al-Bar said.

Dr. Talal Al-Harigi, CEO of Imam Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve, said: “When it comes to carbon sequestration, which is capturing carbon through natural solutions, trees naturally grow by taking in carbon dioxide. When some soil patches deteriorate, we’ve undergone processes for soil rehabilitation and preparing them to receive rain either from rainfall or other sources.” 

Nature reserves are a prime example of nature-based solutions, Al-Harigi said. Within the Imam Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve, the King Khalid Royal Reserve, and others, authorities found that vegetation cover was refreshed and that there was greater soil stability, as well as improved soil fertility. 

Ultimately, most industries are affected by environmental deterioration and climate change, and while natural disasters are expected to increase and worsen, Saudi Arabia has taken a leading role in creating sustainable solutions for generations to come.

The forum highlighted the role of public, private and nonprofit sectors in achieving the Saudi Green Initiative target of planting 10 billion trees and providing a platform to participating organisations to engage and exchange knowledge.


Body of Saudi boy who fell into river in Turkiye recovered

Updated 31 May 2025
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Body of Saudi boy who fell into river in Turkiye recovered

  • The body was recovered following an extensive six-day search by Turkish rescue teams
  • Media reports said the boy, 9, fell into Haldizen Creek during a family holiday in Trabzon

BEIRUT: Search and rescue teams in Turkiye recovered the body of a nine-year-old Saudi boy on Saturday morning, six days after he reportedly fell into Haldizen Creek in Uzungol region.

The Saudi Embassy in Turkiye confirmed in a statement on X that the body of the boy was recovered following extensive searches by Turkish rescue teams over the past few days, and that the required procedures are underway in coordination with the family and the pertinent authorities.

The boy, who media reports have identified as Faysal Ramzi Al-Sheikh, is believed to have been spending a holiday with his family in Trabzon province when he went missing.

It was reported that he was beside one of the steep banks of the creek when he slipped into the river due to heavy rainfalls which had upped the level of the river water.

In its statement on X, the Saudi Embassy said: “May God have mercy on him … the embassy, in coordination with his family and the competent Turkish authorities, will complete the required procedures.”

It expressed its deep condolences to the family, adding it “sincerely thanks the Turkish authorities for their great efforts in searching for the deceased … and recovering his body.”


Madinah leads Saudi organic aromatics market

Updated 31 May 2025
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Madinah leads Saudi organic aromatics market

  • The report outlined cultivated areas, with Madinah leading at 37 hectares
  • Madinah mint was identified as the region’s most prominent organic aromatic plant

RIYADH: Madinah has solidified its position as the Kingdom’s largest producer of organic aromatic plants, contributing 78 tonnes — 26.4 percent of the national total of 296 tonnes.

This reflects the region’s strong agricultural productivity and its key role in medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

A recent report by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce detailed the national landscape, showing Qassim as the second-largest producer with 15.9 percent, followed by Riyadh with 14.9 percent and Jazan with 14.7 percent.

Together, these four regions account for approximately 72 percent of the Kingdom’s total organic medicinal and aromatic plant production, the SPA reported.

The report outlined cultivated areas, with Madinah leading at 37 hectares, followed by Qassim with 36, Riyadh with 35, and Jazan with 34 hectares — underscoring strong regional competition in the sector.

Madinah mint was identified as the region’s most prominent organic aromatic plant, valued for its strong aroma and distinctive flavor, according to the SPA.

Its cultivation is deeply rooted in the region’s agricultural heritage and presents attractive investment opportunities at various scales.

Other aromatic plants grown in Madinah include basil, henna, and moringa.

The report also highlighted broader investment opportunities within the aromatic plant production sector.


Saudi Arabia and Qatar to provide financial support for Syrian state employees

Updated 56 min 47 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia and Qatar to provide financial support for Syrian state employees

  • Kingdom to remain one of main backers to Syria in path for reconstruction and economic recovery, FM said
  • Several visits to follow in coming days by Saudi businessmen to Syria to discuss investments: Prince Faisal

DAMASCUS: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Saturday that the Kingdom will offer with Qatar joint financial support to state employees in Syria.

His statements came during a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani in Damascus, who welcomed the foreign minister and his delegation on his arrival in the Syrian capital.

“The Kingdom will provide, with Qatar, joint financial support to state employees in Syria,” Prince Faisal said.

Syria and Saudi Arabia had previously discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations in the financial sectors.

Prince Faisal referred to his country’s role in helping to lift economic sanctions on Syria, saying that Saudi Arabia would continue to be one of the main backers to Syria in its path for reconstruction and economic recovery.

He said he was being accompanied with a high-level economic delegation from the Kingdom to “hold talks (with the Syrian side) to bolster aspects of cooperation in various fields.”

Several visits would then follow in the coming days by Saudi businessmen to Syria to discuss investments in energy, agriculture, infrastructure and other sectors, he said.

The Kingdom and Qatar reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the stability and development of Syria, highlighting their shared historical and fraternal ties with the Syrian people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two countries stressed the importance of improving living conditions and promoting economic and social stability in Syria.

They also expressed a strong desire to work in coordination with the international community and development partners to ensure sustainable, effective support through a comprehensive and unified vision, SPA added.

Later on Saturday, the two foreign ministers toured the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.

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Prince Faisal also met with interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Saturday during his visit and “the high-level economic delegation” held talks with Syrian officials about ways of cooperating “that contribute to supporting Syria’s economy and strengthen institution building.”

On a visit to Riyadh earlier this month, US President Donald Trump said he would lift US sanctions on Syria, a move that paves the way for economic recovery in the war-torn country.

The European Union also recently lifted economic sanctions on Syria.

In February, Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia in his first trip abroad as president.

Last month, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, another key backer of the new authorities, announced they would settle Syria’s debt to the World Bank totaling roughly $15 million.

Damascus is hoping that the lifting of sanctions, particularly by the United States, will pave the way for support from the international community.

Years of war and sanctions have battered the country’s economy, infrastructure and industry.

A recent United Nations Development Programme report estimated Syria’s “lost GDP” during the 2011-2024 war to be around $800 billion.

Prince Faisal first visited Syria’s new authorities in January.

* With AFP


Kingdom extends aid to global communities

Updated 31 May 2025
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Kingdom extends aid to global communities

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact, providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

In Somalia, KSrelief distributed 1,155 food baskets to displaced and needy families in Baidoa district, Bay region, benefiting 6,930 people.

KSrelief also signed an agreement with the International Wars and Disaster Victims’ Protection Association to operate the third phase of the dialysis center at Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu, benefiting 665 individuals.

In Yemen, the agency distributed 3,471 food packages to the neediest groups in Al-Madinah district, Marib governorate, benefiting 24,297 people.

KSrelief signed an agreement with a civil society organization to distribute 800 tonnes of dates in Chad. The $2 million initiative aims to support vulnerable families across several regions and is expected to benefit about 500,000 people.

The agency implemented the two-week Saudi Noor program in Burkina Faso to combat blindness and related diseases. KSrelief’s medical team examined 8,000 individuals, distributed 2,000 eyeglasses, provided medication to 3,886 patients, and performed 800 surgeries as part of the initiative.

Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,438 projects worth more than $7.9 billion across 107 countries, in partnership with more than 318 organizations.


Kingdom arrests 12,129 illegals in one week

Updated 31 May 2025
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Kingdom arrests 12,129 illegals in one week

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 12,129 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 7,127 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,441 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,561 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,197 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 63 percent were Ethiopian, 34 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 90 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 18 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.