Latest news with #MiddleEastGreenInitiative
Arab News
27-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Environment minister highlights Kingdom's role in green initiatives across Arab region
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental issues is helping to drive green initiatives across the region, the Kingdom's minister of environment, water and agriculture said. Speaking at the 18th meeting of the Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe in Cairo, Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli underscored the Arab region's growing environmental momentum. That surge, led by Saudi Arabia, he said, had driven key initiatives like the Middle East Green Initiative, which seeks to enhance regional collaboration to combat land degradation, protect green spaces, ensure food security and adapt to climate change. Al-Fadhli praised the center's efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Arab and European regions and to share environmental and developmental expertise, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. The meeting focused on improving the center's operations and efficiency, with discussions highlighting the need to redefine its goals to meet current and future challenges. Delegates also reviewed the center's strategic plans, assessed its institutional and financial capacity for sustained program delivery and explored ways to enhance regional cooperation in the circular economy to support sustainable development goals, the report said. Al-Fadhli highlighted the Arab region's efforts to tackle global environmental challenges, with Egypt hosting the 27th UN Climate Change Conference in 2022 and the UAE hosting COP28 in 2023. Saudi Arabia last year hosted COP16 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and announced the establishment of the Global Water Organization in Riyadh, reflecting the region's commitment to environmental conservation. Al-Fadhli reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's dedication to working with environmental stakeholders regionally and globally, to address environmental challenges and promote a sustainable future.
Syyaha
14-05-2025
- Science
- Syyaha
Arthur D. Little Spotlights Scalable Technologies to Combat Land Degradation in the World's Harshest Climates
As climate pressures intensify globally, countries in hyper-arid zones such as the Gulf are facing some of the most acute environmental challenges. Land degradation and desertification threaten food security, water availability, and ecosystem stability. The report emphasizes that while these issues are global, their impact is often more severe in regions like the GCC, and require coordinated, technology-led solutions to address effectively.'In hyper-arid regions, innovation and the scale-up of greening technologies are no longer optional, they are essential to effectively combat desertification, restore degraded lands, and secure long-term food and water resilience. Beyond environmental benefits, these technologies unlock significant socio-economic gains by revitalizing rural livelihoods, creating green jobs, and strengthening climate adaptation capacity.' said Marielli Bou Harb, Partner at Arthur D. study identifies five transformative technologies: AI systems for precision land management, IoT-based sensors enabling real-time environmental feedback, biochar production for soil regeneration, localized composting for organic nutrient cycling, and genetic engineering where socially and culturally appropriate. These technologies are distinguished not only by their ecological promise but also by their alignment with region-specific conditions such as extreme heat, limited freshwater, and fragile soils. They have been evaluated through Arthur D. Little's proprietary foresight framework, connecting global research trends with on-the-ground applicability.'Real impact lies not just in identifying technologies, but in prioritizing those that are both promising and practical rooted in strong scientific research, adapted to the harsh realities of hyper-arid environments, and backed by growing investment and market momentum. We focus on solutions with the greatest potential to scale where they are needed most and when urgency can no longer be postponed' added Marielli Bou the GCC, national greening campaigns and restoration targets are gaining traction. Saudi Arabia's 10 billion-tree pledge and its leadership role in the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) – aiming to restore 200 million hectares – are major drivers of experimentation and innovation. Yet progress is not isolated. The UAE, Qatar, and others are advancing pilot programs that provide models for cross-border replication and scale.'Innovation thrives when minds unite entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, government, and communities, fuelling green technologies that root deep in Middle Eastern soil, growing a sustainable future for generations to come,' said Juan Moreno, Principal at Arthur D. results are emerging, including AI-driven irrigation improving water efficiency by 40 to 50 percent, biochar reducing reliance on traditional water inputs, composting increasing yields in nutrient-poor soils, and sensor networks streamlining restoration efforts through predictive maximize impact, the study calls for urgent action around four key levers: align policy and investment across GCC and neighboring countries under initiatives like MGI, expand R&D ecosystems to localize emerging global tech, create regional centers for innovation exchange and upskilling, and enable blended finance models to drive scale through public-private partnerships.'With climate pressures accelerating, the region must move from pilot projects to scalable transformation,' Juan Moreno emphasized. 'This report is a practical guide for policymakers, investors, and innovators committed to reversing land degradation and building long-term resilience.' Arthur D. Little concludes that sustainable land management in hyper-arid regions is no longer a future ambition, it's a present-day economic, environmental, and geopolitical imperative. The time to act is now.
Web Release
14-05-2025
- Science
- Web Release
Arthur D. Little Spotlights Scalable Technologies to Combat Land Degradation in the World's Harshest Climates
As climate pressures intensify globally, countries in hyper-arid zones such as the Gulf are facing some of the most acute environmental challenges. Land degradation and desertification threaten food security, water availability, and ecosystem stability. The report emphasizes that while these issues are global, their impact is often more severe in regions like the GCC, and require coordinated, technology-led solutions to address effectively. 'In hyper-arid regions, innovation and the scale-up of greening technologies are no longer optional, they are essential to effectively combat desertification, restore degraded lands, and secure long-term food and water resilience. Beyond environmental benefits, these technologies unlock significant socio-economic gains by revitalizing rural livelihoods, creating green jobs, and strengthening climate adaptation capacity.' said Marielli Bou Harb, Partner at Arthur D. Little. The study identifies five transformative technologies: AI systems for precision land management, IoT-based sensors enabling real-time environmental feedback, biochar production for soil regeneration, localized composting for organic nutrient cycling, and genetic engineering where socially and culturally appropriate. These technologies are distinguished not only by their ecological promise but also by their alignment with region-specific conditions such as extreme heat, limited freshwater, and fragile soils. They have been evaluated through Arthur D. Little's proprietary foresight framework, connecting global research trends with on-the-ground applicability. 'Real impact lies not just in identifying technologies, but in prioritizing those that are both promising and practical rooted in strong scientific research, adapted to the harsh realities of hyper-arid environments, and backed by growing investment and market momentum. We focus on solutions with the greatest potential to scale where they are needed most and when urgency can no longer be postponed' added Marielli Bou Harb. Across the GCC, national greening campaigns and restoration targets are gaining traction. Saudi Arabia's 10 billion-tree pledge and its leadership role in the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) – aiming to restore 200 million hectares – are major drivers of experimentation and innovation. Yet progress is not isolated. The UAE, Qatar, and others are advancing pilot programs that provide models for cross-border replication and scale. 'Innovation thrives when minds unite entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, government, and communities, fuelling green technologies that root deep in Middle Eastern soil, growing a sustainable future for generations to come,' said Juan Moreno, Principal at Arthur D. Little. Concrete results are emerging, including AI-driven irrigation improving water efficiency by 40 to 50 percent, biochar reducing reliance on traditional water inputs, composting increasing yields in nutrient-poor soils, and sensor networks streamlining restoration efforts through predictive data. To maximize impact, the study calls for urgent action around four key levers: align policy and investment across GCC and neighboring countries under initiatives like MGI, expand R&D ecosystems to localize emerging global tech, create regional centers for innovation exchange and upskilling, and enable blended finance models to drive scale through public-private partnerships. 'With climate pressures accelerating, the region must move from pilot projects to scalable transformation,' Juan Moreno emphasized. 'This report is a practical guide for policymakers, investors, and innovators committed to reversing land degradation and building long-term resilience.' Arthur D. Little concludes that sustainable land management in hyper-arid regions is no longer a future ambition, it's a present-day economic, environmental, and geopolitical imperative. The time to act is now.
Mid East Info
14-05-2025
- Science
- Mid East Info
Arthur D. Little Spotlights Scalable Technologies to Combat Land Degradation in the World's Harshest Climates
Five cutting-edge technologies – AI, IoT sensors, composting, biochar, and genetic engineering – highlighted as key to reversing desertification in hyper-arid regions. Study draws from over 700,000 scientific publications and patents, offering a practical roadmap to align global innovation with local realities. Urges regional frameworks like the Middle East Green Initiative to serve as platforms for policy alignment, innovation scaling, and public-private partnerships. As climate pressures intensify globally, countries in hyper-arid zones such as the Gulf are facing some of the most acute environmental challenges. Land degradation and desertification threaten food security, water availability, and ecosystem stability. The report emphasizes that while these issues are global, their impact is often more severe in regions like the GCC, and require coordinated, technology-led solutions to address effectively. 'In hyper-arid regions, innovation and the scale-up of greening technologies are no longer optional, they are essential to effectively combat desertification, restore degraded lands, and secure long-term food and water resilience. Beyond environmental benefits, these technologies unlock significant socio-economic gains by revitalizing rural livelihoods, creating green jobs, and strengthening climate adaptation capacity.' said Marielli Bou Harb, Partner at Arthur D. Little. The study identifies five transformative technologies: AI systems for precision land management, IoT-based sensors enabling real-time environmental feedback, biochar production for soil regeneration, localized composting for organic nutrient cycling, and genetic engineering where socially and culturally appropriate. These technologies are distinguished not only by their ecological promise but also by their alignment with region-specific conditions such as extreme heat, limited freshwater, and fragile soils. They have been evaluated through Arthur D. Little's proprietary foresight framework, connecting global research trends with on-the-ground applicability. 'Real impact lies not just in identifying technologies, but in prioritizing those that are both promising and practical rooted in strong scientific research, adapted to the harsh realities of hyper-arid environments, and backed by growing investment and market momentum. We focus on solutions with the greatest potential to scale where they are needed most and when urgency can no longer be postponed' added Marielli Bou Harb. Across the GCC, national greening campaigns and restoration targets are gaining traction. Saudi Arabia's 10 billion-tree pledge and its leadership role in the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) – aiming to restore 200 million hectares – are major drivers of experimentation and innovation. Yet progress is not isolated. The UAE, Qatar, and others are advancing pilot programs that provide models for cross-border replication and scale. 'Innovation thrives when minds unite entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, government, and communities, fuelling green technologies that root deep in Middle Eastern soil, growing a sustainable future for generations to come,' said Juan Moreno, Principal at Arthur D. Little. Concrete results are emerging, including AI-driven irrigation improving water efficiency by 40 to 50 percent, biochar reducing reliance on traditional water inputs, composting increasing yields in nutrient-poor soils, and sensor networks streamlining restoration efforts through predictive data. To maximize impact, the study calls for urgent action around four key levers: align policy and investment across GCC and neighboring countries under initiatives like MGI, expand R&D ecosystems to localize emerging global tech, create regional centers for innovation exchange and upskilling, and enable blended finance models to drive scale through public-private partnerships. 'With climate pressures accelerating, the region must move from pilot projects to scalable transformation,' Juan Moreno emphasized. 'This report is a practical guide for policymakers, investors, and innovators committed to reversing land degradation and building long-term resilience.' Arthur D. Little concludes that sustainable land management in hyper-arid regions is no longer a future ambition, it's a present-day economic, environmental, and geopolitical imperative. The time to act is now.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
India to work with Saudi Arabia to enhance stability of global oil markets
India has agreed to work with Saudi Arabia to enhance the stability of global oil markets and to balance global energy market dynamics, according to a joint statement issued on Wednesday (April 23, 2025). The statement came after the conclusion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia which was cut short following the terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, where terrorists killed 26 people, mostly tourists. PM Modi in Saudi Arabia LIVE on April 22, 2025 "The Indian side agreed to work with the kingdom to enhance the stability of global oil markets and to balance global energy market dynamics. They emphasised the need to ensure security of supply for all energy sources in global markets. They agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation in several areas in the energy sector, including the supply of crude oil and its derivatives," the joint statement said. The two sides emphasised the importance of cooperation in the field of green and clean hydrogen, including stimulating demand, developing hydrogen transport and storage technologies, exchanging expertise and experiences to implement best practices. "The two sides also acknowledged the need to work on developing supply chains and projects linked to the energy sector, enabling cooperation between companies, enhancing cooperation in the field of energy efficiency and rationalizing energy consumption in the buildings, industry, and transportation sectors, and raising awareness of its importance," the statement said. On climate change, both sides reaffirmed the importance of adhering to the principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement and the need to develop and implement climate agreements with a focus on emissions rather than sources. "The Indian side commended the Kingdom's launch of the 'Saudi Green Initiative' and the 'Middle East Green Initiative' and expressed its support for the kingdom's efforts in the field of climate change. The two sides stressed the importance of joint cooperation to develop applications of the circular carbon economy by promoting policies that use the circular carbon economy as a tool to manage emissions and achieve climate change objectives," the joint statement said. This was Modi's third visit to Saudi Arabia. It followed the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India in September 2023 to participate in the G-20 Summit and co-chair the first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. Both sides underscored the importance of co-operation in technology including in new and emerging domains such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, semi-conductors etc. Highlighting the importance of digital governance, both sides agreed to explore collaboration in this area. "They also expressed satisfaction on signing of the MOU between the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and Communications, Space and Technology Commission of Saudi Arabia for cooperation in regulatory and digital sectors. "Both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in tourism including through capacity building and sustainable tourism. They also noted the expansion of various opportunities in media, entertainment, and sports, supported by the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries," the statement said. The two sides affirmed their full support for the international and regional efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive political solution to the crisis in Yemen. Also Read | Saudi Arabia is a force of positivity and stability: PM Modi "The Indian side appreciated Saudi's many initiatives aimed at encouraging dialogue between the Yemeni parties, and its role in providing and facilitating access of humanitarian aid to all regions of Yemen. The Saudi side also appreciated the Indian effort in providing humanitarian aid to Yemen. "The two sides agreed on the importance of cooperation to promote ways to ensure the security and safety of waterways and freedom of navigation in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," it said.
