Saudi Arabia affirms its support for international initiatives to combat land degradation and drought and promote environmental sustainability
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia renewed its commitment to supporting international initiatives aimed at combating land degradation and drought and promoting environmental sustainability , stressing its continued role in protecting ecosystems and preserving natural resources within an approach based on international partnership and the integration of national and regional roles.
G20 context: A platform for coordinating environmental efforts
The Saudi confirmation came during the G20 Environment and Climate Change Ministers' Meeting held in Cape Town, South Africa, on October 16 and 17 , with the participation of a high-level delegation headed by Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture for Environment. The meeting is one of the most important platforms for coordinating policies among major economies on climate, biodiversity, and natural resource management issues, where member states discuss ways to enhance international cooperation to address transboundary environmental challenges.
National and regional pillars: From "Green Saudi Arabia" to "Green Middle East"
Dr. Faqih pointed out that the Kingdom has adopted a package of initiatives and policies at the national, regional, and international levels to enhance environmental protection, most notably the "Green Saudi Arabia" and "Green Middle East" initiatives, which provide an implementation framework for afforestation, combating desertification, and rehabilitating land. The Kingdom has also adopted the National Environment Strategy , launched programs to expand afforestation, and initiated measures to reduce land degradation, increasing the percentage of protected areas by more than 400% , thus supporting the preservation of biodiversity and the sustainability of natural habitats.
These efforts complement the Kingdom’s role in the G20, where, during its presidency of the group in 2020, it contributed to launching the Global Initiative to Reduce Land Degradation and the Global Coral Reef Initiative , which strengthened the international framework for dealing with the challenges of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
COP16 in Riyadh: Practical decisions and implementation pathways
The Kingdom highlighted a qualitative shift in the course of international environmental issues by hosting the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16) in Riyadh in late 2024 , which witnessed the largest international participation since the adoption of the Convention . The conference resulted in the “Riyadh Declaration” and more than 35 international resolutions to enhance the protection of agricultural and rangeland lands, empower local communities, and support research, development, and innovation, in addition to launching nearly 40 initiatives within the “Riyadh Agenda .” Among the most prominent outcomes was the “Riyadh Global Partnership for Drought Resilience ,” which aims to strengthen international coordination and build resilience to the effects of drought.
Analysis: Implications of the Saudi position and the expansion of its impact
This approach aligns with the global economy's need for flexible and innovative financing models that address the funding gap for land restoration and drought management, while ensuring robust environmental standards. Saudi Arabia's active participation in G20 platforms and UN agreements can be interpreted as a pragmatic approach that links pledges to implementation programs through tools including targeted afforestation, environmental rehabilitation, nature-based solutions, and public-private partnership mechanisms.
At the policy level, the alignment of national, regional, and international initiatives enhances the Kingdom’s ability to accelerate knowledge transfer and standardize metrics for monitoring land degradation and measuring the effectiveness of interventions. The institutional momentum generated by COP16 and the Riyadh Agenda also enables the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks and the expansion of projects in areas most vulnerable to drought and desertification.
International Perspectives: Balancing Ambition and Realism
International stakeholders believe the main challenge lies in translating commitments into measurable and scalable projects , while ensuring the participation of local communities and integrating traditional knowledge with modern technological solutions. Other experts emphasize the importance of governance and transparency in selecting priority sites and targeting funding, and in aligning land restoration interventions with food and water security needs.
Within this spectrum of opinions, the Saudi role stands out in bridging the gap between global visions and regional implementation requirements , through initiatives that take into account the specificities of ecosystems in the Middle East and North Africa, and push towards cross-sectoral and cross-border partnerships.
Prospects for cooperation: From G20 commitments to expanded local applications
The Saudi commitment at the Cape Town meeting establishes a framework for action focused on enhancing climate resilience , improving land management efficiency, and strengthening the preparedness of productive sectors for droughts. Combined with initiatives launched by the Kingdom during its G20 presidency and the institutional gains from COP16, this strengthens opportunities to scale up proven solutions , expand blended finance, and develop digital tools for monitoring land-use changes.
a summary
The Kingdom’s position within the G20 underscores a consistent approach based on international cooperation, nature-based solutions, and effective governance to combat land degradation and drought. As the Riyadh Conference outcomes are built upon and partnerships are strengthened, the opportunity arises to translate political consensus into programs that enhance the resilience of ecosystems and communities, contributing to more balanced and sustainable development for current and future generations.
