ISLAMABAD: After performing the Umrah pilgrimage, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Riyadh on Sunday to attend the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) summit on the final leg of his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his office said.
Khan is on an official visit to the kingdom on the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to attend the launch of the MGI summit on Monday. This is Khan’s second visit to Saudi Arabia this year. He visited the kingdom last in May and signed several agreements.
Riyadh, a signatory to the Paris climate pact, on Saturday set out details of its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) — goals for individual states under global efforts to prevent average global temperatures from rising beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The United States and the European Union want Saudi Arabia to join the global initiative on slashing methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
“Prime Minister [Imran Khan] was received by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh,” the PM’s Office said, adding that he “will attend Middle East Green Initiative Summit tomorrow [Monday].”
Deputy Governor of Riyadh, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz (2R) receives Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan (left in first row) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 24, 2021. (Photo courtesy: PakPMO/Twitter)
PM Khan is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including his aide on climate change Malik Amin Aslam.
“At the MGI Summit, the Prime Minister will share his perspective on the challenges faced by the developing countries due to climate change,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office said in a statement ahead of the visit.
He will also highlight Pakistan’s experience of launching nature-based solutions to environmental challenges.
The event is the first of its kind in the Middle East region. It may be recalled “Green Saudi Arabia” and “Green Middle East” initiatives were launched by the Saudi crown prince in March 2021, aimed at protecting the nature and planet.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long-standing and historic fraternal relations, rooted deep in common faith, shared history and mutual support.
Saudi Arabia is home to more than two million Pakistanis, who are contributing toward the progress and prosperity of both countries.
