In a significant step reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental sustainability, the National Afforestation Program eight strategic memoranda of understanding with leading associations, organizations, and companies in the real estate sector. These agreements aim to plant more than eight million trees. This announcement was made on the sidelines of the program's active participation in Restatex Riyadh 2026, a vital platform that brings together decision-makers in the real estate and investment sectors.
Strengthening the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative
This step comes as an extension of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts within the framework of the Saudi Green Initiative , launched by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, which aims to plant 10 billion trees across the Kingdom in the coming decades. These memoranda are an integral part of the national strategy to combat desertification, reduce carbon emissions, and improve quality of life, in line with the ambitious goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which prioritizes the environment.
The memoranda were signed by the Deputy CEO of the National Afforestation Program, Engineer Ahmed Al-Anzi. During the exhibition, the program showcased a range of initiatives and efforts it is leading to contribute to environmental protection and the development of vegetation cover, emphasizing the importance of partnerships between the public, private, and non-profit sectors to achieve these major national goals.
Implementation mechanisms and environmental sustainability
These agreements are not limited to agriculture alone, but focus primarily on sustainability. The memoranda aim to enhance cooperation to raise community and environmental awareness of the importance of preserving vegetation, especially in urban areas. Implementation plans include the use of greywater and treated wastewater for tree irrigation, thus promoting water resource efficiency.
The program also focuses on selecting native plants suitable for the Kingdom's climate and diverse terrain to ensure their growth and sustainability with minimal water consumption. This collaboration includes providing technical and advisory support for projects, exchanging expertise, building national capacity in afforestation, and conducting field visits to ensure compliance with approved environmental standards.
Expected economic and social impact
This initiative is expected to have a wide-ranging positive impact; increased green cover within cities and real estate developments will contribute to lower temperatures, purify the air, and reduce dust storms. Furthermore, improving the urban landscape enhances public health and provides a more attractive environment for residents and visitors, which will positively impact the economic value of participating real estate projects.
Targeted afforestation sites include parks, squares, forests, rangelands, and public spaces, in addition to the rehabilitation of degraded lands. These strategic partnerships underscore the National Afforestation Program's commitment to transforming the Kingdom's cities into green, environmentally friendly urban centers and addressing climate challenges with practical and sustainable solutions.
