Saudi Green Initiative Forum to focus on climate resilience and sustainability 

Launched in 2021, the SGI aims to engage all sectors of society in climate action. SPA
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Updated 02 December 2024
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Saudi Green Initiative Forum to focus on climate resilience and sustainability 

RIYADH: Nature-based solutions for climate resilience and community adaptation will take center stage at the fourth edition of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum, set to run from Dec. 3 to 4 in Riyadh. 

The event, held alongside the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, aims to address pressing global environmental challenges, including land rehabilitation, carbon reduction innovations, and sustainable financing. 

The forum will also address the role of natural solutions in helping communities adapt to climate change and the need to enhance efforts to preserve the Kingdom’s rich biodiversity, according to a statement. 

This aligns with the UNCCD’s goal of restoring 15 billion hectares of land by 2030, as a recent UN study indicates that 90 percent of the Earth’s soil is at risk of degradation by 2050. 

During the Riyadh COP16 conference, the SGI exhibition will open its doors to visitors to learn about the Kingdom’s efforts in reducing emissions, planting trees, and protecting the environment through innovative, interactive experiences. 

The exhibition will provide valuable insights into the Kingdom’s qualitative initiatives, focusing on three key goals – reducing carbon emissions by 278 million tons annually by 2030, planting 10 billion trees, and protecting 30 percent of Saudi Arabia’s land and marine areas.

It will also host the “Saudi Green Initiative Dialogues” series, launched in 2023 and returning this year with participation from international experts. The discussions will cover the latest trends and innovations in climate and sustainability, fostering new opportunities for a more sustainable future. 

Launched in 2021, the SGI aims to engage all sectors of society in climate action and support Saudi Arabia’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2060. 

The initiative underscores the Kingdom’s climate efforts, addressing challenges like rising temperatures, low rainfall, sand and dust storms, and desertification, all aimed at enhancing quality of life and building a sustainable future for generations to come. 

Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 highlights its commitment to environmental protection. As the largest multilateral conference the Kingdom has ever hosted, it mobilizes global cooperation to drive the necessary changes and actions for the future of the planet. 


Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.