Middle East Green Initiative Joins COP17 to Combat Desertification

The Secretariat General of the Middle East Green Initiative (MEGI) is participating in the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17 to 28, 2026. This marks the initiative’s first appearance at the global summit, where it will present its efforts to combat desertification, restore degraded land, and strengthen regional environmental cooperation, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Context and Background

The Middle East Green Initiative, launched under the leadership of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2021, represents a landmark regional framework aimed at addressing environmental degradation across the Middle East and beyond. Its 35 member states are working collectively to confront desertification, land degradation, and climate change, translating environmental objectives into tangible programs and projects.

COP17, convened by the UNCCD, brings together governments, international organizations, financial institutions, and civil society to advance global action on desertification. The conference provides a critical platform for MEGI to share its regional model and forge new partnerships.

Key Details

During its first participation at COP17, the Middle East Green Initiative is highlighting the actions of its member states in tackling desertification. A major target is the planting of approximately 50 billion trees, equivalent to restoring 200 million hectares of degraded land.

The initiative is promoting a cooperation model based on regional governance, knowledge sharing, and expanded partnerships. It emphasizes nature-based solutions to restore land, develop vegetation cover, combat desertification, and mitigate climate change effects.

Ibrahim Alturki, Secretary-General of the Middle East Green Initiative, underscored that this first participation in COP17 is a key opportunity to reaffirm member countries’ commitment to intensifying joint efforts. He noted that these actions represent a shared regional and international responsibility, essential for advancing global climate action, supporting sustainable development, and protecting the future of societies in the region.

Through its presence at COP17, the initiative aims to enhance dialogue with countries, international organizations, financial and scientific institutions, as well as the private sector and civil society, to build operational partnerships capable of supporting projects with environmental, social, and economic impact.

Implications and Impact

The Middle East Green Initiative’s participation at COP17 signals a significant step in regional environmental diplomacy. By showcasing its large-scale restoration targets and collaborative approach, the initiative strengthens the Middle East’s role in global climate action. It also opens avenues for increased international support and investment in land restoration projects, which are vital for food security, water availability, and economic resilience across the region.

Furthermore, the initiative’s focus on nature-based solutions aligns with global best practices and offers a replicable model for other regions facing similar challenges. The partnerships forged at COP17 will be instrumental in scaling up efforts and achieving measurable results.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Middle East Green Initiative is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy, enhance quality of life, and promote environmental sustainability. Under the Vision, Saudi Arabia has committed to ambitious national greening targets, including the planting of 10 billion trees within the Kingdom. Through MEGI, Saudi Arabia extends its environmental leadership across the region, reinforcing its position as a responsible global actor and a catalyst for sustainable development. As the initiative continues to grow, it will play an increasingly vital role in shaping a greener, more resilient future for the Middle East and the world.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Middle East Green Initiative?

A1. The Middle East Green Initiative is a regional environmental framework launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2021, aiming to combat desertification, restore degraded land, and address climate change across the Middle East and beyond.

Q2. What is COP17?

A2. COP17 is the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17 to 28, 2026, focusing on global efforts to combat desertification.

Q3. Why is the Middle East Green Initiative participating in COP17?

A3. The initiative is participating to present its efforts in combating desertification, restoring degraded lands, and strengthening regional environmental cooperation, marking its first appearance at the global summit.

Q4. How many member states are part of the Middle East Green Initiative?

A4. The Middle East Green Initiative comprises 35 member states, all working collectively to address environmental challenges such as desertification, land degradation, and climate change.

Q5. What is the tree-planting target of the initiative?

A5. The initiative aims to plant approximately 50 billion trees, which is equivalent to restoring 200 million hectares of degraded land across the region.

Q6. Who is Ibrahim Alturki?

A6. Ibrahim Alturki is the Secretary-General of the Middle East Green Initiative. He emphasized that the COP17 participation is a key opportunity to reaffirm member countries’ commitment to joint environmental efforts.

Q7. What are nature-based solutions mentioned in the article?

A7. Nature-based solutions refer to actions that use natural processes to restore land, develop vegetation cover, combat desertification, and mitigate climate change effects, such as reforestation and sustainable land management.

Q8. How does the initiative promote regional cooperation?

A8. The initiative promotes regional cooperation through governance, knowledge sharing, and expanded partnerships, aiming to enhance the impact of regional efforts against environmental and climate challenges.

Q9. What is the significance of the initiative’s first participation at COP17?

A9. The first participation allows the initiative to showcase its regional model, engage with international stakeholders, and build operational partnerships to support projects with environmental, social, and economic impact.

Q10. What partnerships is the initiative seeking at COP17?

A10. The initiative seeks to strengthen dialogue and partnerships with countries, international organizations, financial and scientific institutions, the private sector, and civil society to support impactful environmental projects.

Q11. How does the Middle East Green Initiative align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A11. It aligns with Vision 2030 by promoting environmental sustainability and economic diversification. Saudi Arabia’s national target includes planting 10 billion trees, and through MEGI, it extends this leadership regionally.

Q12. What is the UNCCD?

A12. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a global agreement addressing desertification and land degradation, with COP17 being its 17th conference of parties.

Q13. Where and when is COP17 taking place?

A13. COP17 is taking place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17 to 28, 2026. It gathers governments, organizations, and experts to advance action against desertification.

Q14. What are the main goals of the Middle East Green Initiative?

A14. The main goals are to combat desertification, restore degraded lands, increase vegetation cover, mitigate climate change, and foster regional cooperation for environmental sustainability.

Q15. How does the initiative translate objectives into action?

A15. It translates objectives into concrete programs and projects, such as large-scale tree planting, land restoration, and nature-based solutions, implemented across its 35 member states.

Q16. What role does Saudi Arabia play in the initiative?

A16. Saudi Arabia launched and leads the initiative, providing strategic direction and resources. It also aligns the initiative with its Vision 2030 environmental goals and global climate commitments.

Q17. What are the expected outcomes of COP17 for the initiative?

A17. Expected outcomes include enhanced partnerships, increased international support, and greater recognition of regional efforts to combat desertification, leading to scaled-up environmental projects.

Q18. How can other countries benefit from the initiative’s model?

A18. Other countries can benefit by adopting similar regional cooperation frameworks, implementing nature-based solutions, and sharing knowledge to address desertification and climate change effectively.

Q19. What is the significance of planting 50 billion trees?

A19. Planting 50 billion trees is a monumental effort to restore 200 million hectares of degraded land, which will enhance carbon sequestration, improve air quality, and support biodiversity across the region.

Q20. How does the initiative engage with the private sector?

A20. The initiative engages the private sector through partnerships and dialogue, aiming to leverage innovation, investment, and expertise to support environmentally and economically impactful projects.

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