Saudi NCVC Joins NEFRC Steering Committee in Rabat

A delegation from the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) participated in the fourth Steering Committee Meeting of the Near East Forestry and Range Commission (NEFRC), held in Rabat, Morocco, according to a press release from the Center. The meeting, reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), concentrated on the agenda and logistical arrangements for the upcoming 27th session of the NEFRC, which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host in September 2025, and reviewed progress on the recommendations issued at the 26th session.

Saudi Arabia’s participation underscores the Kingdom’s expanding role in regional environmental diplomacy and its commitment to sustainable land management, a priority that intersects directly with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The NCVC, a government entity tasked with protecting and restoring vegetation cover, combating desertification, and overseeing rangelands and national parks, used the Rabat meeting to help shape the agenda for the September gathering it will host. The NEFRC functions as a key regional hub for policy dialogue and technical cooperation, addressing forestry and rangeland management challenges across the Near East and North Africa. Its work supports policy development, coordinates conservation efforts, and promotes best practices to advance sustainable forest and rangeland management.

Context and Background

What does it mean for a regional commission to choose Saudi Arabia as the venue for its next major session? The decision to hold the 27th NEFRC session in the Kingdom reflects the confidence that regional partners place in Saudi Arabia’s environmental stewardship and its growing capacity to convene high-level multilateral discussions. The Near East Forestry and Range Commission was established under the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to serve as a forum where member states can coordinate policies on forests, rangelands, and related natural resources. Its sessions bring together senior officials, technical experts, and representatives from across the Near East and North Africa to address shared challenges such as desertification, drought, and the degradation of arable land.

The NCVC’s presence in Rabat was therefore not a routine appearance but a substantive contribution to the preparatory work that will define the September session’s agenda. According to the press release, discussions in Morocco focused on both the agenda and the logistical arrangements for the 27th session, as well as a review of progress made on the recommendations from the 26th session. This dual focus—looking forward to the next gathering while assessing the implementation of past decisions—illustrates the commission’s results-oriented approach and the seriousness with which member states treat their commitments. For Saudi Arabia, hosting the session is an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in a field where it has already invested heavily, from large-scale afforestation programs to the Saudi Green Initiative.

Why does forestry and rangeland management matter so much to the region? The Near East and North Africa are among the world’s most water-scarce and desertification-prone areas. Forests and rangelands in these regions provide critical ecosystem services: they stabilize soils, regulate water cycles, support biodiversity, and sustain rural livelihoods. When these landscapes degrade, the consequences ripple through food security, migration patterns, and economic stability. The NEFRC’s mandate to guide policy development and coordinate conservation efforts is therefore not merely technical—it is central to the long-term resilience of the region. Saudi Arabia’s active participation signals that it views these issues as strategic priorities rather than peripheral environmental concerns.

Key Details

The fourth Steering Committee Meeting of the NEFRC took place in Rabat, Morocco, and was attended by a delegation from the NCVC. According to a press release from the Center, the discussions centered on the agenda and logistical arrangements for the 27th session of the NEFRC, which Saudi Arabia will host in September 2025. The meeting also reviewed the progress made on the recommendations from the 26th session, providing an opportunity for member states to assess collective achievements and identify areas requiring further attention. The NEFRC serves as a key regional hub for policy dialogue and technical cooperation, addressing forestry and rangeland management challenges. It plays a crucial role in guiding policy development, coordinating conservation efforts, and promoting best practices to advance sustainable forest and rangeland management across the region.

The NCVC’s mandate is broad and deeply relevant to the commission’s objectives. Through various programs and initiatives, the Center remains committed to fostering a thriving and sustainable vegetation cover in Saudi Arabia. It works to protect, restore, and enhance forested areas, rehabilitate degraded lands, and conserve biodiversity. Moreover, it oversees rangelands and national parks, enforces regulations against illegal logging and environmental violations, and safeguards natural resources and ecosystems—all in alignment with its vision for a greener, more sustainable future. This comprehensive approach positions the NCVC as a natural leader in regional conversations about land restoration and desertification control.

How does hosting the 27th session change Saudi Arabia’s role in the commission? As host, the Kingdom will move from participant to convener, setting the stage for discussions that will shape regional policy for years to come. The September 2025 session is expected to draw delegations from across the Near East and North Africa, along with technical experts and international observers. By hosting, Saudi Arabia can showcase its own achievements in vegetation cover development and desertification combat, while also facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices among member states. The logistical arrangements discussed in Rabat are a testament to the preparatory work already underway, ensuring that the session will meet the high standards expected of a country with Saudi Arabia’s convening power.

International and Regional Impact

What are the broader implications of this meeting for regional cooperation? The NEFRC’s work transcends national borders because forests, rangelands, and desertification do not respect political boundaries. A sandstorm that originates in one country can blanket cities in another; a degraded watershed can affect water supplies downstream. By bringing together member states under a shared technical and policy framework, the commission creates a mechanism for coordinated action. Saudi Arabia’s participation in Rabat, and its upcoming role as host, reinforce the principle that environmental challenges require collective solutions. This aligns with the Kingdom’s broader diplomatic approach, which emphasizes multilateral engagement and regional stability.

The meeting also highlights the growing integration of environmental issues into international diplomacy. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has elevated its profile on global environmental platforms, from the Saudi Green Initiative to the Middle East Green Initiative, which aims to plant billions of trees across the region. The NCVC’s work is a cornerstone of these efforts. By participating in the NEFRC Steering Committee, the Center ensures that Saudi Arabia’s voice is heard in the formulation of regional policies and that the Kingdom’s experience informs best practices. This two-way exchange—sharing Saudi expertise while learning from other member states—strengthens the collective capacity to address shared challenges. It also builds goodwill and demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to being a constructive global partner.

Economic and Strategic Significance

Why should economic policymakers pay attention to forestry and rangeland management? The answer lies in the direct link between land health and economic productivity. Degraded rangelands reduce the carrying capacity for livestock, threatening the livelihoods of pastoral communities. Deforestation and soil erosion undermine agricultural productivity and can increase the cost of water treatment and disaster response. By investing in vegetation cover and sustainable land management, Saudi Arabia is protecting its economic assets and reducing long-term risks. The NCVC’s regulatory role—enforcing laws against illegal logging and environmental violations—also creates a predictable legal environment that encourages responsible investment in land-based sectors.

Moreover, the Kingdom’s leadership in this field opens opportunities for international cooperation and knowledge transfer. As host of the 27th NEFRC session, Saudi Arabia will be positioned to facilitate partnerships, attract technical expertise, and showcase its own innovations in desertification control. These interactions can lead to joint research projects, capacity-building programs, and technology exchanges that benefit both Saudi Arabia and its regional partners. The economic dimension extends to the private sector as well: sustainable forestry and rangeland management can support emerging industries such as ecotourism, carbon sequestration, and the production of non-timber forest products. In this sense, the NCVC’s work is not only environmental but also economic, contributing to diversification and job creation.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does the NCVC’s participation in the NEFRC connect to Saudi Vision 2030? The Vision, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, sets out a comprehensive roadmap for the Kingdom’s future, including ambitious environmental goals. Among its objectives are the protection and enhancement of the environment, the sustainable management of natural resources, and the improvement of quality of life for citizens and residents. The NCVC’s mission—protecting, restoring, and enhancing vegetation cover, combating desertification, and conserving biodiversity—is a direct expression of these goals. By engaging in regional forums like the NEFRC, the Center helps to ensure that Saudi Arabia’s domestic efforts are aligned with international best practices and that the Kingdom contributes to regional stability and sustainability.

As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 27th session of the NEFRC in September 2025, the Kingdom will have an opportunity to demonstrate the progress it has made under Vision 2030. The session will serve as a platform to highlight Saudi initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, which aim to plant billions of trees and restore millions of hectares of land. It will also reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role as a responsible global citizen, committed to addressing shared challenges through cooperation and dialogue. The NCVC’s participation in Rabat is thus a step in a longer journey toward a greener, more sustainable future—one that aligns with the Kingdom’s aspirations for prosperity and global leadership.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC)?

A1. The NCVC is a Saudi government entity responsible for protecting and restoring vegetation cover, combating desertification, overseeing rangelands and national parks, and conserving biodiversity in the Kingdom.

Q2. What was the purpose of the fourth Steering Committee Meeting of the Near East Forestry and Range Commission (NEFRC)?

A2. The meeting focused on the agenda and logistical arrangements for the upcoming 27th NEFRC session, which Saudi Arabia will host in September 2025, and reviewed progress on recommendations from the 26th session.

Q3. Where was the fourth Steering Committee Meeting held?

A3. The meeting was held in Rabat, Morocco, according to a press release from the NCVC reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

Q4. What is the NEFRC?

A4. The NEFRC is a regional commission that serves as a hub for policy dialogue and technical cooperation on forestry and rangeland management challenges in the Near East and North Africa.

Q5. When will Saudi Arabia host the 27th session of the NEFRC?

A5. Saudi Arabia will host the 27th session in September 2025, as confirmed during the Rabat meeting.

Q6. What role does the NEFRC play in the region?

A6. It guides policy development, coordinates conservation efforts, and promotes best practices to advance sustainable forest and rangeland management across the region.

Q7. What did the Rabat meeting review regarding the 26th session?

A7. The meeting reviewed the progress made on the recommendations from the 26th session, assessing achievements and identifying areas for further action.

Q8. Why is the NCVC involved in regional meetings like the NEFRC?

A8. The NCVC is committed to fostering sustainable vegetation cover in Saudi Arabia and contributes to regional policy dialogue and technical cooperation to address shared environmental challenges.

Q9. What are some of the NCVC’s key responsibilities?

A9. The NCVC protects, restores, and enhances forested areas, rehabilitates degraded lands, conserves biodiversity, oversees rangelands and national parks, and enforces regulations against illegal logging and environmental violations.

Q10. How does the NCVC’s work align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A10. The NCVC’s mission aligns with Vision 2030’s environmental goals, including protecting the environment, sustainably managing natural resources, and improving quality of life.

Q11. What is the significance of Saudi Arabia hosting the 27th NEFRC session?

A11. Hosting the session demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s leadership in environmental stewardship, provides a platform to showcase its initiatives, and facilitates regional cooperation.

Q12. What are the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative?

A12. These are ambitious initiatives aimed at planting billions of trees and restoring millions of hectares of land across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

Q13. How does desertification affect the Near East and North Africa region?

A13. Desertification threatens food security, livelihoods, and biodiversity, and can contribute to migration and economic instability in the region.

Q14. What are the economic benefits of sustainable forest and rangeland management?

A14. It protects agricultural productivity, supports rural livelihoods, reduces disaster response costs, and can create opportunities in ecotourism and carbon sequestration.

Q15. What did the NCVC delegation do at the Rabat meeting?

A15. The delegation participated in discussions on the agenda and logistics for the 27th session and reviewed progress on previous recommendations.

Q16. How does the NEFRC promote technical cooperation?

A16. It facilitates the exchange of best practices, coordinates conservation efforts, and provides a platform for member states to share expertise and innovations.

Q17. What is the role of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in relation to the NEFRC?

A17. The NEFRC operates under the framework of the FAO, which supports its mandate to address forestry and rangeland issues in the Near East and North Africa.

Q18. Why is combating desertification a priority for Saudi Arabia?

A18. Desertification poses risks to food security, water resources, and economic stability, making it a strategic priority for the Kingdom’s long-term sustainability.

Q19. What can be expected from the 27th NEFRC session in September 2025?

A19. The session is expected to bring together regional delegations to discuss policy, share best practices, and advance sustainable forest and rangeland management across the region.

Q20. How does the NCVC’s participation in the NEFRC benefit Saudi Arabia?

A20. It strengthens Saudi Arabia’s regional leadership, ensures its voice in policy formulation, and facilitates knowledge exchange that supports the Kingdom’s environmental and economic goals.

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