Cairo:Saudi Arabia, through its Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, participated in the fifth Arab Forum for Environment, which took place at the League of Arab States' General Secretariat headquarters. The event focused on sustainable rangelands for enhanced resilience and preceded the 37th session of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for Environmental Affairs.
According to Saudi Press Agency, during a high-level panel discussion, Deputy Minister Osama Faqeeha highlighted the country's efforts to combat land degradation. He noted that Saudi Arabia has prioritized initiatives to restore degraded lands, including rangelands, on national, regional, and international scales.
Faqeeha mentioned Saudi Arabia's involvement in the Middle East Green Initiative and the G20, as well as its leadership role during the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. These efforts have led to significant decisions regarding rangelands and several implementation initiatives.
He also pointed out that over 2,000 plant species are found in Saudi Arabia, many inhabiting the rangelands that cover about 70% of the country's territory. Faqeeha emphasized the ecological benefits of rangelands, such as stabilizing soil, supporting wildlife, replenishing groundwater, and reducing dust storms. He warned of the detrimental environmental, social, and economic effects caused by overgrazing and early grazing.