Dr. Khalid Al-Abdulqader, CEO of the National Center for Plant Development and Combating Desertification, highlighted the kingdom's ambitious afforestation target and the collective efforts of over 120 agencies that have culminated in the planting of over 100 million trees in the kingdom. date.
In his speech during the opening of the fourth edition of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum, in conjunction with Riyadh hosting the COP16 conference, Dr. Abdul Kader pointed out that land restoration plays a key role in adapting to climate change and helping to mitigate . Carbon emissions, reducing drought, and increasing food security, as it causes ages… Land accounts for 23% of greenhouse gases emitted annually.
Al-Abdulkader said combating desertification and drought requires a comprehensive approach that is not limited to just planting trees, so the National Afforestation Program focuses on providing appropriate conditions for the natural growth of vegetation in natural pastures and national parks. Depending, given the current situation of the state, the COP16 conference presidency will lead to joint efforts to restore the land.
He stressed that the Kingdom led national efforts to keep pace with the global trend towards neutralizing land degradation through the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees, equivalent to the rehabilitation of 40 million hectares of land. Which draws attention to the introduction of modern technologies. Geographic information systems were also used to identify areas most suitable for farming, to monitor desertification conditions and encroachment on vegetated lands.
Dr. Khalid Al-Abdulkader discussed the Centre's partnership with farmers and local communities in their efforts to rehabilitate natural pastures and natural parks by establishing modern practices for managing them.