Saudi National Greening Program Showcases Land Restoration at CRIC 23

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the National Greening Program (NGP) of Saudi Arabia showcased the Kingdom’s sustainable land management achievements at a panel discussion held on the sidelines of the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 23) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), hosted in Panama. The presentation highlighted national efforts to combat desertification and land degradation, aligning with targets set to achieve land degradation neutrality under the UNCCD framework.

Context and Background

CRIC 23 brought together representatives from 197 parties to the convention, offering a platform to explore best practices in sustainable land management, exchange expertise, and discuss sustainable development goals. The session aimed to strengthen the UNCCD implementation framework and advance effective land restoration solutions worldwide. Saudi Arabia’s participation underscores its active role in global environmental governance and its commitment to addressing shared ecological challenges through structured multilateral dialogue.

The National Greening Program is a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s environmental strategy, operating within the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The program’s participation at CRIC 23 aligns with the Kingdom’s growing international engagement on climate change and land restoration issues, building on its leadership roles in regional and global environmental initiatives.

Key Details

During the panel, Eng. Turki Al-Mutairi from the NGP outlined Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive master plan and roadmap for land rehabilitation and afforestation projects across all regions of the Kingdom. The roadmap is being implemented in three distinct phases, each with measurable targets for land restoration and tree planting.

The first phase, running from 2021 to 2030, aims to rehabilitate 2.5 million hectares of land and plant 215 million trees through nature-based solutions. As of the CRIC 23 session, more than 500,000 hectares had been rehabilitated and over 151 million trees planted. The second phase extends to 2060, targeting rehabilitation of 22.8 million hectares and planting of 4.7 billion trees through expanded afforestation across all sectors. The third and final phase focuses on long-term sustainability, with goals to rehabilitate 40 million hectares and plant 10 billion trees by 2100.

These figures illustrate a significant national commitment to reversing land degradation and expanding vegetation cover, contributing to global goals under the UNCCD. The phased approach also demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s attention to measurable outcomes and adaptive planning in environmental stewardship.

International Implications

Saudi Arabia continues to advance international cooperation on environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation through its presidency of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the UNCCD. This leadership role positions the Kingdom to facilitate dialogue among parties and promote collective action on land restoration and drought resilience.

The Kingdom’s efforts are further reinforced by regional initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, which aim to reduce emissions, enhance vegetation, and protect ecosystems across the region. Together, these programs reflect Saudi Arabia’s broader vision of environmental stewardship as a driver of economic diversification and quality of life improvement.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Saudi Arabia’s participation at CRIC 23 and the ambitious targets of the National Greening Program are directly aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes environmental sustainability, economic diversification, and enhanced quality of life. By showcasing its achievements on an international stage, the Kingdom reinforces its position as a committed global partner in sustainable development and land restoration. The phased roadmap running through 2100 underscores a forward-looking national strategy that links environmental action with long-term prosperity, contributing to a greener future for Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the National Greening Program?

A1. The National Greening Program is a Saudi Arabian initiative focused on land rehabilitation, afforestation, and sustainable land management. It supports the Kingdom’s efforts to combat desertification, enhance vegetation cover, and achieve land degradation neutrality in line with national and global environmental targets.

Q2. Where did the National Greening Program showcase its efforts?

A2. The program participated in a panel discussion held on the sidelines of the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 23) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, hosted in Panama.

Q3. What is CRIC 23?

A3. CRIC 23 is the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. It gathers parties to the convention to review progress, exchange expertise, and discuss best practices in sustainable land management.

Q4. How many parties attended CRIC 23?

A4. CRIC 23 brought together representatives from 197 parties to the convention, making it a broad international platform for discussing land degradation and sustainable land management issues in a structured, collaborative manner.

Q5. Who represented the National Greening Program at the panel?

A5. Eng. Turki Al-Mutairi from the National Greening Program represented the program at the panel. He outlined Saudi Arabia’s master plan for land rehabilitation and afforestation, detailing the phased implementation and targets of the program.

Q6. What is the first phase of the National Greening Program?

A6. The first phase, running from 2021 to 2030, targets the rehabilitation of 2.5 million hectares of land and the planting of 215 million trees. It relies on nature-based solutions and is currently in progress, with significant achievements already recorded.

Q7. How many trees have been planted to date under the program?

A7. To date, more than 151 million trees have been planted as part of the National Greening Program. Additionally, over 500,000 hectares of land have been rehabilitated during the ongoing first phase of the initiative.

Q8. What is the target for the second phase?

A8. The second phase of the National Greening Program extends to 2060 and aims to rehabilitate 22.8 million hectares of land and plant 4.7 billion trees through expanded afforestation across all sectors in Saudi Arabia.

Q9. What does the third phase of the program focus on?

A9. The third and final phase focuses on sustainability, targeting the rehabilitation of 40 million hectares and the planting of 10 billion trees by 2100. This phase ensures long-term environmental gains and ecosystem resilience.

Q10. What is land degradation neutrality?

A10. Land degradation neutrality is a state where the amount and quality of land resources needed to support ecosystem functions and services remain stable or improve. Saudi Arabia’s National Greening Program aligns with national targets to achieve this goal under the UNCCD framework.

Q11. What is Saudi Arabia’s role in COP16 of the UNCCD?

A11. Saudi Arabia holds the presidency of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the UNCCD. In this role, the Kingdom facilitates international cooperation on land restoration and climate change mitigation, building on its national initiatives.

Q12. What is the Saudi Green Initiative?

A12. The Saudi Green Initiative is a national project designed to combat climate change, reduce emissions, increase vegetation, and protect the environment. It supports Saudi Vision 2030 and complements the objectives of the National Greening Program.

Q13. What is the Middle East Green Initiative?

A13. The Middle East Green Initiative is a regional effort led by Saudi Arabia to coordinate environmental action across the Middle East. It focuses on reducing emissions, planting trees, and protecting ecosystems, promoting regional cooperation in sustainability.

Q14. Why is Saudi Arabia participating in international environmental panels?

A14. Saudi Arabia participates in international panels to share its expertise, showcase progress, and learn from global partners. This engagement helps strengthen the implementation of global agreements and reinforces the Kingdom’s commitment to environmental sustainability and diplomacy.

Q15. How does the National Greening Program support Saudi Vision 2030?

A15. The National Greening Program supports Saudi Vision 2030 by enhancing environmental sustainability, improving quality of life, and contributing to economic diversification through nature-based solutions and green jobs, aligning with national development priorities.

Q16. What are nature-based solutions?

A16. Nature-based solutions are approaches that use ecosystems and natural processes to address environmental challenges. The National Greening Program relies on these solutions for land rehabilitation and afforestation, promoting sustainable management and ecosystem restoration.

Q17. When was the first phase of the NGP launched?

A17. The first phase of the National Greening Program was launched in 2021 and is scheduled to run until 2030. It marks the initial stage of Saudi Arabia’s long-term roadmap for large-scale land rehabilitation and tree planting.

Q18. What is the total target for trees by 2100 under the NGP?

A18. By 2100, the National Greening Program aims to plant a total of 10 billion trees. This target is part of the third phase, which focuses on sustainability and long-term environmental resilience across Saudi Arabia.

Q19. How does the NGP contribute to combating desertification?

A19. The NGP combats desertification by rehabilitating degraded land and increasing vegetation cover through structured afforestation programs. These actions help prevent soil erosion, enhance biodiversity, and restore ecosystem balance in arid regions.

Q20. What is the significance of Saudi Arabia showcasing its efforts at CRIC 23?

A20. By showcasing its achievements at CRIC 23, Saudi Arabia demonstrates leadership in sustainable land management and strengthens its international partnerships. The participation emphasizes the Kingdom’s commitment to collective global action on desertification and climate change under Vision 2030.

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