ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on Tuesday discussed enhancing cooperation on environmental and climate action, with a particular focus on the Kingdom’s Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, during talks between senior officials in Riyadh.
Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir met Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Masood Malik, as the two sides reviewed avenues for collaboration on climate change and related international efforts, according to an official statement released in Riyadh.
The Saudi Green Initiative is the Kingdom’s national climate program aimed at cutting emissions, expanding renewable energy and planting billions of trees, while the Middle East Green Initiative, launched in 2021, seeks to coordinate regional action on climate change, including large-scale afforestation and land restoration across the Middle East and North Africa.
Malik told Arab News in an interview in July his ministry was seeking Saudi Arabia’s support for comprehensive climate projects, including desert reclamation, afforestation and carbon-offset initiatives, as Islamabad grapples with worsening climate-related challenges.
“Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Council of Ministers, and Envoy for Climate H.E. @AdelAljubeir received Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik,” the Saudi foreign ministry said in a social media post.
“During the meeting, the two sides discussed avenues for cooperation in environmental and climate change,” it added. “They also reviewed the Kingdom’s initiatives in this regard, particularly the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, as well as international efforts addressed in this regard.”
Pakistan has about 4.2 million hectares of forest and planted trees — roughly 4.8 percent of its land area — according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, and is focusing on combating desertification through afforestation, water management and sustainable agricultural practices.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has positioned itself as a leading player in global climate diplomacy.
Pakistan, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kingdom in 2022 to cooperate in nine environmental areas, including pollution control, nature protection, forestry, biodiversity, desertification, hazardous waste management, marine conservation, air-quality monitoring and environmental training exchanges.
Malik is currently visiting Riyadh to attend the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), a UN platform that promotes dialogue, tolerance and interfaith harmony.
Pakistan’s embassy said he reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to countering intolerance and racism and reiterated support for UNAOC initiatives while addressing the forum.
