RIYADH: King Salman received a telephone call from the UN secretary general Antonio Guterres on Saturday.

During the call, Guterres welcomed the Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives, and praised initiatives announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Saudi Green Initiative forum held in Riyadh.

Guterres said he considered the initiatives a major step in protecting the environment and facing the challenges of climate change.

The king thanked the secretary general and praised UN efforts in confronting climate change, and steps taken by the organization to reduce the phenomenon’s environmental and economic effects.

King Salman also stressed the Kingdom's interest in environmental issues, clean energy and climate change as part of Vision 2030.