Riyadh: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) held the first introductory regional meeting, with the participation of representatives from 16 Arabic-speaking countries across North Africa and West Asia, including Saudi Arabia. The meeting aimed to support participating countries in preparing national reports for submission to the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

According to Saudi Press Agency, the meeting discussed Saudi Arabia's experience and efforts in developing vegetation cover and combating desertification. It also introduced the UNCCD national report, including its scope, components, and the timeline for its preparation. In addition, the meeting provided an overview of the upcoming workplan, which includes organizing a regional workshop, as well as technical support and continuous follow-up mechanisms throughout the reporting stages in 2026.

The release added that the meeting was held following UNCCD's selection of NCVC as one of seven regional institutions concerned with technical support and capacity building during the national reporting process. This selection reflects NCVC's position as a regional platform for cooperation and knowledge exchange, strengthens parties' readiness for the upcoming reporting cycle, and enhances alignment of national reports with the Convention's requirements, in support of its strategic objectives at the national and regional levels.

NCVC continues its efforts to advance national environmental targets by implementing initiatives and projects to develop vegetation cover and combat desertification, in line with the Saudi Green Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030, and within the framework of Saudi Arabia's current Presidency of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD.