The fourth edition of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum will take place on December 3-4, 2024, in Riyadh, hosted within the Green Zone of the UNCCD COP16 conference. The event, themed “Action is in our nature,” marks the return of the flagship climate and environment forum to the Kingdom since its launch in 2021 by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Saudi Green Initiative. According to the SGI press release, the forum will convene hundreds of global policymakers, business leaders, and subject matter experts in a dedicated SGI Pavilion to explore best practices, innovations, and progress against SGI targets.
Context and Background
The 2024 SGI Forum coincides with the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), taking place in Riyadh from December 2 to 13. This will be the largest-ever UNCCD conference, the first held in the Middle East region, and the largest multilateral conference ever hosted by Saudi Arabia. The SGI, launched by the Crown Prince in 2021, aims to drive climate action across all levels of society and achieve net zero emissions by 2060, addressing regional environmental challenges such as high temperatures, low rainfall, dust storms, and desertification.
Key Details
Since the launch of SGI, significant positive impact has been achieved: over 4 GW of renewable energy capacity installed, more than 95 million trees and shrubs planted, and over 1,660 endangered animals rewilded across the Kingdom. The SGI Pavilion at COP16, spanning 4,000 square meters, will welcome the public with interactive journeys, multimedia showcases, and daily SGI Talks—an expert-led speaker series that launched in 2023. Visitors can learn about the 80+ initiatives already launched as part of SGI and exchange ideas on scaling up climate action.
International Impact
This year’s forum builds on past successes: the first SGI Forum in 2021 saw the Crown Prince unveil Saudi Arabia’s 2060 net zero goal; the 2022 edition in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, launched a circular carbon economy knowledge hub and a regional center for emissions reduction with UNESCWA; and the 2023 forum in Dubai revealed a 300% increase in installed renewable energy capacity since 2022. The 2024 edition underscores Saudi Arabia’s leadership in global environmental dialogue, reinforcing its role as a convener for multilateral climate action.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The Saudi Green Initiative directly supports Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification, environmental sustainability, and improved quality of life. By hosting the largest UNCCD conference ever and advancing renewable energy, reforestation, and wildlife conservation, the Kingdom demonstrates its commitment to a greener future. The SGI Forum serves as a platform to deepen international collaboration, showcasing how Saudi Arabia is scaling up action to combat desertification and climate change, contributing to a sustainable legacy for current and future generations.
20 Questions
Q1. What is the Saudi Green Initiative Forum?
A1. The Saudi Green Initiative Forum is a flagship climate and environment action event launched in 2021 by the Crown Prince to drive climate action across society and highlight Saudi Arabia’s progress in achieving net zero emissions by 2060.
Q2. When and where will the 4th SGI Forum take place?
A2. The 4th SGI Forum will be held on December 3-4, 2024, in Riyadh, within the Green Zone of the UNCCD COP16 conference, which runs from December 2 to 13.
Q3. What is the theme of the 2024 SGI Forum?
A3. The theme of the 2024 SGI Forum is “Action is in our nature,” emphasizing the Kingdom’s commitment to tangible environmental action and collaboration for a greener future.
Q4. Who launched the Saudi Green Initiative?
A4. The Saudi Green Initiative was launched in 2021 by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, who chairs its Supreme Committee.
Q5. What is UNCCD COP16?
A5. UNCCD COP16 is the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, hosted in Riyadh from December 2 to 13, 2024—the largest-ever UNCCD meeting.
Q6. Why is hosting COP16 significant for Saudi Arabia?
A6. Hosting COP16 is significant because it is the largest multilateral conference ever held in Saudi Arabia, the first UNCCD COP in the Middle East, and showcases the Kingdom’s leadership in addressing desertification.
Q7. What achievements has SGI made since its launch?
A7. Since 2021, SGI has installed over 4 GW of renewable energy, planted over 95 million trees and shrubs, and rewilded over 1,660 endangered animals across the Kingdom.
Q8. What is the SGI Pavilion at COP16?
A8. The SGI Pavilion is a 4,000-square-meter interactive space in the COP16 Green Zone, featuring multimedia showcases, expert talks, and information on 80+ SGI initiatives open to the public.
Q9. What are SGI Talks?
A9. SGI Talks are an expert-led speaker series that launched in 2023, held daily during COP16, allowing visitors to learn from experts and exchange ideas on climate and environment action.
Q10. How does SGI support Vision 2030?
A10. SGI supports Vision 2030 by promoting environmental sustainability, economic diversification through renewable energy, and improving quality of life, aligning with the Kingdom’s long-term development goals.
Q11. What is Saudi Arabia’s net zero target?
A11. Saudi Arabia aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2060, as announced by the Crown Prince during the first SGI Forum in 2021, using a circular carbon economy approach.
Q12. What types of sessions will be at the SGI Forum?
A12. The forum will include dozens of tailored sessions exploring best practices, innovations, and progress against SGI targets, convening policymakers, business leaders, and experts from around the world.
Q13. Where was the first SGI Forum held?
A13. The first SGI Forum was held in Riyadh in October 2021, where the Crown Prince unveiled Saudi Arabia’s 2060 net zero goal and launched the initiative.
Q14. What was announced at the 2022 SGI Forum?
A14. At the 2022 SGI Forum in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, the Kingdom launched a circular carbon economy knowledge hub and a regional center for emissions reduction in collaboration with UNESCWA.
Q15. What progress was reported at the 2023 SGI Forum?
A15. At the 2023 SGI Forum in Dubai, Saudi Arabia reported a 300% increase in installed renewable energy capacity since 2022 and the planting of over 43 million trees toward the goal of 10 billion.
Q16. How can the public attend the SGI Forum activities?
A16. The public can visit the SGI Pavilion in the COP16 Green Zone in Riyadh during the conference, with free access to interactive exhibits, SGI Talks, and expert discussions.
Q17. What environmental challenges does SGI address?
A17. SGI addresses regional environmental challenges including high temperatures, low rainfall, dust storms, and desertification, improving quality of life and climate resilience.
Q18. How many initiatives are part of SGI?
A18. More than 80 initiatives have been launched as part of the Saudi Green Initiative, covering renewable energy, reforestation, wildlife conservation, and emissions reduction.
Q19. What is the circular carbon economy?
A19. The circular carbon economy is an approach that focuses on reducing, reusing, recycling, and removing carbon emissions, central to Saudi Arabia’s strategy for achieving net zero by 2060.
Q20. How does the SGI Forum foster global collaboration?
A20. The SGI Forum fosters collaboration by bringing together hundreds of international policymakers, business leaders, and experts to share knowledge, scale up action, and deepen partnerships for environmental sustainability.
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