The National Afforestation Program in Saudi Arabia emphasized the pivotal role of field monitoring and verification in ensuring the success of projects to rehabilitate degraded lands. This step is a key component of efforts to achieve the objectives of the "Saudi Green Initiative," which aims to rehabilitate 40 million hectares of land, equivalent to planting 10 billion trees across the Kingdom, with the goal of restoring natural vegetation cover and combating desertification.
International partnership to promote environmental standards
These assurances came during a specialized national workshop on "Field Verification in Land Rehabilitation," organized by the program in strategic partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The workshop saw broad participation from experts, specialists, and representatives of relevant stakeholders, and addressed current challenges and reviewed strategic opportunities for developing land reclamation mechanisms in accordance with global best practices.
National context and importance of the Saudi Green Initiative
These initiatives are particularly significant given their context. Launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2021, the Saudi Green Initiative is one of the world's largest environmental initiatives. It aims to reduce carbon emissions, combat pollution and land degradation, and preserve marine life. The rehabilitation of 40 million hectares is a cornerstone of this initiative, directly contributing to lower temperatures and improved air quality, which in turn positively impacts public health and quality of life, thus achieving the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
Investing in the green economy
In a related context, the CEO of the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, Engineer Ahmed Al-Ayadah, explained that the process of assessing and rehabilitating lands is not merely an environmental endeavor, but rather a strategic investment in the Kingdom's future. He pointed out that this approach supports the concept of a green economy and enhances environmental security through the integration of precise scientific assessment and meticulous field implementation.
Al-Ayadah added that the goal of intensifying field monitoring is to increase the success rates of afforestation projects, direct financial and human resources toward the highest priority sites, and select appropriate scientific interventions for each type of environmental degradation. This approach ensures the sustainability of natural resources for future generations and achieves the highest economic and environmental return on investments directed toward this vital sector.
Global leadership and international recognition
For its part, the FAO affirmed its commitment to expanding cooperation with the National Afforestation Program to include all targeted sites. This collaboration aims to document the Kingdom's efforts in managing afforestation projects according to approved scientific methodologies, thereby ensuring international recognition of these achievements and solidifying Saudi Arabia's position as a global leader in ecosystem restoration and combating climate change.
