The National Afforestation Program signs 8 agreements to plant 8 million trees
In a strategic move that reinforces the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's efforts towards achieving environmental sustainability, the National Afforestation Program a series of high-quality memoranda of understanding, including eight agreements with leading real estate associations and companies. These ambitious agreements aim to plant more than eight million trees across the Kingdom, representing a significant boost to the objectives of the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative.
Details of the agreements at Restatex
The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the program's active participation in the "Restatex Riyadh 2026" exhibition. The program was represented at the signing by Executive Vice President Engineer Ahmed Al-Anzi, amidst a distinguished gathering of those interested in real estate and environmental affairs. This step underscores the pivotal role played by the private sector, particularly the real estate sector, in supporting national efforts to improve the urban landscape.
National context: Saudi Green Initiative
These agreements are an extension of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the “Green Saudi Arabia” initiative launched by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, which aims to plant 10 billion trees across the Kingdom in the coming decades. This initiative is one of the world’s largest reforestation projects, aiming to combat desertification, reduce carbon emissions, and protect biodiversity. The current collaboration with the real estate sector is an integral part of this comprehensive strategy, integrating green spaces into the infrastructure of cities and residential projects.
Water resource sustainability and quality of life
The signatories agreed to maximize the use of greywater and treated wastewater for irrigating native trees and plants suited to each region's environment. This is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of water resources and preventing groundwater depletion, in line with global environmental standards. The agreements also include providing suitable seedlings and ensuring their care, exchanging technical expertise and building capacity, and offering specialized field consultations to support afforestation projects and guarantee their long-term success.
Expected environmental and economic impact
The importance of these partnerships extends beyond aesthetics, encompassing significant environmental and economic impacts. Increased vegetation cover within urban areas directly contributes to:
- Lowering temperatures in cities and reducing the "heat island" phenomenon.
- Improving air quality by absorbing pollutants and dust.
- Promoting public health and well-being of the population by providing green spaces for recreation.
- Increased value of real estate assets, as green neighborhoods are considered more attractive for housing and investment.
During the exhibition, the program reviewed its most prominent initiatives for planting gardens, squares, forests and parks, stressing that this alliance with the real estate sector represents an important support for national efforts in combating desertification, rehabilitating degraded lands and protecting fragile ecosystems, thus ensuring a green and sustainable future for future generations.
