Healthier and greener nation is focus of Environment Week 2025

Arab News

21-04-2025

RIYADH: The organizers of Saudi Arabia's Environment Week are aiming to increase public engagement to secure a thriving and greener future for the country.
The event began on Sunday and was attended by Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir.
Reema Obaid, one of the participants, told Arab News: 'We are here at the environmental awareness initiative, which is raising awareness about our environment for a healthier and greener environment.'
Obaid explained that children can gather at her booth to plant seeds or cuttings. Then they can either take their plants with them or donate them to national parks in the Kingdom.
Another activity is 'Green Leader,' under the nation's Environment Fund. It is a green bus symbolizing the country's sustainability journey from the past to the present.
Weed Al-Balawi, a participant in the initiative, said they designed it to 'deliver major concepts regarding sustainability, resource conservation, ancestral heritage, and technology in environmental conservation.'
The aim was to ensure a 'simple and enjoyable way to benefit the target group, which is the age group from primary to intermediate school,' said Al-Balawi.
She said the education stations at the event were created for the public to experience how people used sustainable practices in the past on a daily basis to coexist with nature and biodiversity.
The final station at the event showed current practices, which includes how people are now using technology to protect the environment, said Al-Balawi.
One of the examples displayed was the camel's watering place, where people would dig a small well for the animals next to the one they used for drinking.
This ancient technique was used to prevent diseases spreading from animals to humans, and to reduce the amount of wasted water.
The theme of this year's event is 'Our Environment is a Treasure' and will be held until April 26.
A highlight was the debut of the National Environmental Performance Index, a strategic tool to monitor progress and guide policy.
There were 13 agreements signed between the ministry's entities and the private sector to improve collaboration in environmental projects.