https://arab.news/gz772
RIYADH: The number of people participating in this year’s Hajj will return to pre-pandemic levels, Saudi Arabia’s minister of Hajj and Umrah said on Monday.
Speaking at the Hajj Expo 2023 taking place in Jeddah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said there would also be no age restrictions during this year’s Hajj.
In 2019, about 2.5 million people took part in the pilgrimage. For the next two years, numbers were drastically curtailed to limit the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic.
RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has signed memoranda of understanding with several nonprofit environmental associations to strengthen partnerships with the nonprofit sector in advancing national goals for environmental sustainability.
The MoUs were signed with eight associations: Al-Nakaa Association, Lavender Society, Darb Hiking Trails and Walking Trips Association, Hail Agriculture Development Association, Yanbu Environmental Association, Rifaq Environment Association (Hail), Aghsan Environmental Association, and Pristine Future Environment Association.
The center said cooperation with the nonprofit sector enhances volunteer and community initiatives and maximizes environmental and social impact across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The agreements are part of a broader cooperation framework covering afforestation and land rehabilitation projects, nature-based tourism support, expertise exchange, capacity building through training, and community environmental awareness.
The center continues to promote collaboration across sectors to expand environmental awareness and advance sustainability goals through knowledge exchange, coordinated community efforts, joint outreach programs, and initiatives supporting national environmental objectives.
