Saudi Arabia makes strides in Vision 2030, workplace safety
Riyadh: Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al-Mushaiti has highlighted Saudi Arabia's significant progress toward Vision 2030, with 93 percent of annual indicators met and 85 percent of initiatives either completed or on track.
Speaking at the Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Riyadh, he emphasized the environment sector's commitment to sustainability and the prioritization of worker safety across all development projects.
Al-Mushaiti underscored the Kingdom's focus on human capital, demonstrated by the establishment of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health and the adoption of international best practices.
He noted the water sector's achievement of more than 190 million safe work hours and a sub-45-second emergency response time with zero serious incidents during large-scale project implementation, which he attributed to robust safety management systems.
The conference, held from May 4-6 under the theme 'The Future of Occupational Safety and Health,' brings together senior officials, experts, and specialists from Saudi Arabia and around the world to explore future directions and challenges in global labor markets.
Al-Mushaiti also outlined environmental protection efforts, including a noise and light pollution monitoring program in major cities, citing potential productivity gains of more than 11 percent, according to the World Green Building Council.
He highlighted the success of the Saudi Green Initiative, which has led to the planting of more than 141 million trees, the rehabilitation of more than 313,000 hectares of degraded land, and the protection of more than 4 million hectares.
These environmental advances enhance worker safety and contribute to safer, more sustainable work environments, Al-Mushaiti said.
In agriculture, Al-Mushaiti affirmed the ministry's adoption of Saudi Good Agricultural Practices standards, with 142 facilities accredited for safe practices, advanced pesticide control systems, and smart awareness platforms that have reduced pesticide residues to below 2 percent.
The three-day conference features scientific sessions, 60 workshops, 20 dialogue sessions, and the Global Occupational Safety and Health Hackathon, showcasing 30 innovative projects.
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