Jeddah: The second session of the Ministerial Council of the Middle East Green Initiative is scheduled to begin this Thursday in Jeddah. The event will be chaired by Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley, who is currently the chair of the council. The meeting will see participation from 31 regional member states from Asia and Africa, with the United Kingdom attending as an observer.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the session reaffirms the commitment of member states to the directives and pledges adopted during the two previous Middle East Green Initiative summits. Leaders at these summits stressed the need for collective efforts to combat climate change through projects focusing on mitigation, expanding vegetation cover, and protecting biodiversity.

The meeting marks the beginning of a new phase for the initiative following the completion of its foundational stage and the establishment of its General Secretariat in Riyadh. The council is expected to adopt key decisions that will launch the initiative's implementation phase and its flagship projects.

The Middle East Green Initiative aims to plant 50 billion trees and rehabilitate 200 million hectares of degraded land among member states. This effort represents 5% of global vegetation restoration targets. The initiative also seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 670 million tons, which accounts for around 10% of global contributions. These objectives aim to improve air quality, reduce soil erosion, protect wildlife habitats, and mitigate climate change impacts.

Saudi Arabia launched the Middle East Green Initiative at its first summit in Riyadh in October 2021. At the second summit in Sharm El Sheikh in November 2022, the Kingdom announced financial support for the initiative, the hosting of its secretariat in Riyadh, and coverage of its operational costs for the next decade.