RIYADH: Affirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment toward a sustainable future, the Kingdom is set to host the third edition of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum on Dec. 4 during the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, also known as COP28.
Amid the global push for environmental conservation, the COP28 summit will unfold from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 at Expo City, Dubai, marking a significant gathering to steer the world toward a greener future.
According to an official statement, the SGI Forum at COP28 will convene influential figures, thought leaders, and climate experts, pooling their insights and recommendations to effectively address climate challenges.
“In the year of the global stocktake, the SGI Forum 2023 will be an important platform to help propel the global effort to address climate challenges forward,” said SGI in the press statement.
Initiated in 2021 by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the SGI Forum’s inaugural edition took place in Riyadh, followed by the second edition in Egypt during COP27.
As part of SGI’s initiatives, Saudi Arabia has committed to planting 10 billion trees across its landscapes and designating 30 percent of its land and sea territories as protected areas by 2030.
Furthermore, the Kingdom has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 278 million tons annually by 2030.
As one of the world’s major oil producers, Saudi Arabia is driving the broader Middle East Green Initiative, focusing on eliminating 670 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent and planting 50 billion trees across the region.
In July, the World Economic Forum’s Energy Index Report unveiled Saudi Arabia’s ascent of 24 ranks in the Energy Transition Index since 2021.
The report highlighted the Kingdom’s progress from its 81st rank in 2021 to the 57th position in 2023 within the Middle East region. These advancements align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a blueprint designed to diversify the economy and foster sustainable development.
Additionally, the WEF report commended Saudi Arabia for its innovative green initiatives, including the establishment of the Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Co., the first-of-its-kind initiative in the region.
