World leaders gather in Riyadh ahead of Saudi Green Initiative forum

Around 300 delegates will join talks over three days to discuss the Kingdom’s roadmap for delivering climate action both in Saudi Arabia and across the region

Natural park in Abha city, Saudi Arabia (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Global leaders will be in Riyadh to talk about next steps for the region’s actions on climate change, as part of the inaugural Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) forum.

The three-day event, which begins on 23 October 2021 at Al Tuwaiq Palace in Saudi Arabia’s capital city, will reveal the SGI’s roadmap for delivery and spotlight the Kingdom’s green efforts to date.

The SGI is a whole-of-government action plan designed to create lasting changes that will protect the environment. It is the start of a new era of climate action that will improve the lives of future generations.

Speakers will include Ahmed Al Khateeb, the Saudi Arabian minister for tourism, who is leading the Kingdom to become the next sustainable leisure destination, with the help of ambitious giga-projects such as Neom, The Red Sea Project, Amaala and AlUla.

The country’s minister of energy Prince Abdulaziz, will discuss how to deliver the Kingdom’s energy policies in line with the goals set out as part of the SGI, which includes reducing carbon emissions by 130 million tonnes each year.

There are also plans to rebalance the Kingdom’s energy mix so that by 2030, at least 50 per cent of energy generated domestically will come from renewable energy sources. In addition, Saudi Arabia will increase the land mass of protected areas to over 30 per cent of the country and plant 10 billion trees.

On 24 October, the inaugural Youth Green Summit will take place in the same venue, where the Kingdom’s next generation will gather to discuss the future of climate action. Attendees will participate in interactive activities and join discussions that will focus on topics such as fostering environmental literacy, advocacy, and policy making.

On the final day, international and regional leaders will gather for the Middle East Green Initiative Summit to discuss the countries’ shared environmental commitments.

Using the goals enshrined as part of the SGI as a springboard, the Kingdom will act with its neighbours to determine collective action beyond its borders.

The Saudi Green Initiative is Saudi Arabia’s plan to combat climate change.

Learn more about the initiative here