JEDDAH: The Ministry of the Environment, Water and Agriculture aims to plant 4 million trees in the Kingdom by 2020, its undersecretary for environmental affairs, Osama bin Ibrahim Faqiha, told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
In a workshop organized by the ministry with the participation of agriculture officials, he said the campaign aims to achieve sustainable growth in forests and pastures, rehabilitation of vegetation cover, sustainable management of natural resources, and the best use of irrigation water.
Faqiha pointed to controls in terms of suitable places for planting, and protection against grazing and trespassing.
He said the Kingdom has more than 2,500 kinds of plants, with the diversity aided by its climate and terrain.
Faqiha said planting 4 million trees is only the beginning. The ministry plans to provide 6 million seedlings for public and private companies, in order to maintain sustainability in agriculture and preserve the types of trees that are suitable for the local environment.
He said the first stage of the campaign will involve planting 300,000 seedlings in the regions of Riyadh, Al-Qassim, Hail, the Northern Border, Asir, Makkah, Tabuk, Madinah and Al-Baha.
4m trees to be planted in Saudi Arabia by 2020
4m trees to be planted in Saudi Arabia by 2020
Saudi Arabia expresses concern over UAE pressure on STC, warns against threats to its security
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday expressed regret over what it described as pressure by the United Arab Emirates on Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces to carry out military operations in Yemen’s Hadramaut and Al-Mahra governorates, warning that such actions pose a direct threat to the Kingdom’s national security and regional stability.
In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the reported moves were inconsistent with the principles of the Arab Coalition that supports the internationally recognised government of Yemen and undermined ongoing efforts to achieve security and stability in the country.
#Statement | Pursuant to the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 25/12/2025 corresponding to 5/7/1447 regarding the Kingdom’s concerted efforts, working with the brotherly United Arab Emirates, to end and contain the escalatory steps taken by the Southern… pic.twitter.com/lTyU0gLgpf
— Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) December 30, 2025
The ministry referred to earlier statements by the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and the coalition leadership concerning the movement of ships carrying weapons and heavy vehicles from Fujairah port to Mukalla without official authorization.
Saudi Arabia stressed that any threat to its national security constituted a “red line,” adding that it would not hesitate to take all necessary measures to confront and neutralize such risks.
The Kingdom reaffirmed its support for Yemen’s security, stability, and sovereignty, as well as its full backing of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and its government. It also reiterated that the southern issue is a just cause that can only be addressed through dialogue as part of a comprehensive political solution involving all Yemeni parties, including the STC.
Riyadh further emphasized the importance of the UAE responding to Yemen’s request to withdraw its military forces within 24 hours and to halt military or financial support to any Yemeni faction. The statement called for wisdom to prevail in order to preserve Gulf unity, bilateral relations, and the shared goal of regional stability and development.
