Latest news with #sustainablemanagement
Arab News
16-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Center's agreement aims at combating desertification
JEDDAH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has signed an agreement with the Gansu Desert Control Research Institute to enhance cooperation in combating desertification. The deal was signed by Khaled bin Abdullah Al-Abdulkader, the CEO of the center, during the visit of Abdulrahman Al-Fadli, the Saudi minister of environment, water and agriculture, to China. The signing followed a decision by the Council of Ministers in December 2024. The agreement aims to foster collaboration in combating desertification, sand encroachment, drought, land degradation, and the impact of drought in arid areas, while promoting the sustainable management of drylands. Al-Abdulkader also held strategic meetings with several prominent Chinese companies to explore potential collaborations with a view to attracting investment to Saudi Arabia. Discussions took place on initiatives such as natural asset management, rangeland rehabilitation, desert resort development, and the transfer of greening and desertification control technologies, supporting Saudi Arabia's vision for a green economy and sustainable land use. Al-Abdulkader met BGI Group representatives in Beijing to explore cutting-edge technologies for mangrove cultivation, which plays a key role in coastal protection, vegetation expansion, and environmental sustainability. He also held discussions at Shanghai Mengfu Environmental Protection Technology Company, focusing on innovative solutions for converting invasive plant species into marketable, eco-friendly products. In the field of environmental design, Al-Abdulkader met representatives from LWK Engineering and Landscape to oversee the company's portfolio of ecological design projects and examine opportunities for collaboration in the planning and development of national parks, botanical gardens, and wetland areas. These engagements reflect the center's commitment to strengthening international partnerships, promoting green investment, and adopting forward-looking solutions that contribute to sustainable environmental development, in line with Saudi Arabia's strategic objectives.
Malay Mail
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Malaysia calls for UN forest forum to become binding convention boosting global conservation commitment
PUTRAJAYA, May 12 — Malaysia has proposed that the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) be strengthened into a formal convention to enhance national commitments towards the sustainable management, conservation, and development of forest resources. The proposal was presented during the 20th session of the UNFF (UNFF20), held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States, from May 5 to 9. The Malaysian delegation was led by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo A/L Kim. In a statement, NRES said Malaysia called for the transformation of the UNFF from a voluntary and non-legally binding instrument into a more formal, convention-based framework. 'This would strengthen the commitment of countries in the sustainable management, conservation, and development of forest resources,' the statement read. During the session, Malaysia also shared its views and input in line with NRES aspirations, particularly its efforts to maintain forest cover, which currently stands at 54.31 per cent of the country's total land area. Malaysia also emphasised the importance of implementing land-use policies such as the National Forestry Policy (DPM) and the National Policy on Biological Diversity (DKBK) 2022–2030. The country further highlighted the need to support the forestry sector through technology transfer, capacity building, and financial assistance for developing nations. In addition, Malaysia highlighted the crucial role of forests in addressing climate change and conserving biodiversity, including their function as carbon sinks — an important element in achieving the national target of net zero emissions by 2050. This is in line with Malaysia's commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). 'These efforts contribute directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land),' the statement said. The UNFF serves as a platform for policy development, especially in implementing sustainable forest management (SFM), and facilitates continuous dialogue among governments, international organisations, and other forestry stakeholders. Over 300 delegates from 70 countries, including Malaysia, attended the meeting. — Bernama
Arab News
07-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Houthi ceasefire deal
New land restoration guide to unify afforestation efforts RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has taken another step toward its ambitious afforestation goals with the publication of the official Land Restoration Guide for Non-Agricultural Areas. The guide is a comprehensive manual that will serve as a unified reference to direct environmental restoration projects across the Kingdom. It aims to ensure sustainable land management practices and support the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative, one of which is to plant 10 billion trees — the equivalent of rehabilitating 40 million hectares of degraded land. The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification announced its publication on Wednesday with an event titled 'The Road to Restoring 40 Million Hectares.' Organized under the national afforestation program, the event brought together a range of experts to align on best practices and scientific approaches to land rehabilitation. Sameer Maleakah, director of the center's afforestation department, highlighted the Kingdom's ambitious environmental restoration goals. 'So far, we've restored over 313,000 hectares across various regions of the Kingdom,' Maleakah told Arab News. 'But it's not just about planting. Restoration begins with protecting the degraded areas — those affected by overgrazing, illegal logging, or desertification caused by human activities. 'We return these areas to their natural state, and once restored, they foster biodiversity, richer vegetation and denser tree cover. These sites then serve as natural parks or forests — whether mountainous or valley-based,' he added. Maleakah also highlighted the importance of inclusive action. 'It's crucial to involve local communities, civil society organizations and take full advantage of existing legislation, rainfall and cloud-seeding technologies to ensure success.' The center's CEO, Dr. Khalid Al-Abdulkader, echoed the importance of the program in his opening remarks, saying that land restoration is not only vital for environmental sustainability, but also plays a major role in food security, combating climate change and supporting rural livelihoods. With more than 141 million trees planted to date and restoration efforts underway using rainfall and treated water, the center continues to position the afforestation program as a long-term investment in Saudi Arabia's ecological and developmental future.
