RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, it is also taking significant strides toward environmental stewardship.
The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification is organizing the International Exhibition and Forum on Afforestation Technologies’ second annual “Greening Arabia” event, which will run from Dec. 2-13.
The event promises to be a vibrant hub of innovation and collaboration, featuring participation from government bodies, private enterprises, non-profit organizations, and leading experts from around the globe.
Attendees will include prominent local and international companies specializing in cutting-edge afforestation technologies, making it a unique opportunity to explore the latest advancements in combating desertification and drought.
IEFAT is a pivotal platform for discovering new environmental, economic, and knowledge-based opportunities.
The forum fosters strategic partnerships that can drive impactful change by bringing together diverse stakeholders — from environmental and renewable energy industries to sustainable enterprises and non-profits.
“Greening Arabia” aims to harness advanced technologies to enhance afforestation in arid environments and rehabilitate degraded lands.
The event will encourage participation in the Saudi Green Initiative, empowering local and international communities to embrace afforestation as a vital practice. It will also showcase innovative tools and methodologies, giving specialized companies the chance to present their groundbreaking products and projects.
Participants will engage in discussions on best practices in environmental economics, creating a shared vision for a sustainable future. The forum will identify investment opportunities in greening technologies and vegetation cover.
The COP16 president, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, said: “This is a pivotal moment for our planet. Land restoration is vital to securing a prosperous future for generations to come.”
He made his statement at the “Road to Riyadh” event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Sept. 27.
“It is crucial the international community unites to deliver ambitious and lasting solutions that curb land degradation, combat drought, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources,” added Al-Fadley.
He noted that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 reflects its commitment to both domestic and international environmental preservation and restoration, highlighting the Saudi Green Initiative, the Middle East Green Initiative, and the G20 Global Land Initiative.
‘Greening Arabia’ offers pioneering forum for a sustainable future
https://arab.news/9m62j
‘Greening Arabia’ offers pioneering forum for a sustainable future
- The event promises to be a vibrant hub of innovation and collaboration
Saudi Arabia advances in Universal Health Coverage index
- Life expectancy in Kingdom rose from 74 in 2016 to 79.7 in 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has made notable progress in the Universal Health Coverage Service Coverage Index, reinforcing its position among leading nations in global health indicators, according to the latest data released by the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
The Kingdom recorded a score of 83 points in the latest UHC update, marking a nine-point increase within two years and placing Saudi Arabia among countries classified as having high-level health service coverage.
The steady rise reflects sustained improvements over the past two decades and underscores the impact of the Kingdom’s Health Sector Transformation Program under Saudi Vision 2030.
The UHC Service Coverage Index is one of the internationally recognized Sustainable Development Goal indicators and measures access to essential health services across key areas, including preventive care, treatment, and system capacity.
Progress in the index is closely linked to broader development outcomes such as improved quality of life, reduced disease burden, and enhanced social well-being.
Saudi Arabia’s advancement has been driven by a strategic focus on preventive healthcare, strengthened primary care services, expanded early screening programs, and increased health system readiness.
The transformation has also been supported by rapid digitalization, including platforms such as Sehhaty and the Seha Virtual Hospital, which have expanded access to care and improved service efficiency nationwide.
These reforms have translated into measurable public health gains. Life expectancy in Saudi Arabia rose from 74 years in 2016 to about 79.7 in 2025, bringing the Kingdom close to its Vision 2030 target of 80 years and highlighting the effectiveness of preventive and treatment programs.
Health Minister Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel said the progress reflected the tangible outcomes of Vision 2030 and sustained leadership support.
He said: “The improvements we see today in international health indicators demonstrate the real impact of the Kingdom’s health transformation, which prioritizes prevention, primary care empowerment, and digital health solutions. Raising life expectancy to 79.7 years is the result of an integrated effort focused on improving people’s health and quality of life.”
Saudi Arabia’s progress in the UHC index further strengthens its standing among G20 countries and underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to building a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable health system, with people at the center of national development.
