Environment and Green Economy: Uniting Efforts to Achieve Sustainability 2030
In a strategic move aimed at unifying national efforts and strengthening joint institutional work, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasized the importance of integration between the public and private sectors to maximize environmental and economic impact. This came during a specialized workshop organized by the Ministry at its headquarters in Riyadh, entitled “Enhancing Integration between the Environmental System and the National Committee for Sustainability and the Green Economy,” in the presence of the Deputy Minister for Environment, Dr. Osama Faqih, and with broad participation from leaders of environmental centers and relevant entities.
A national context that supports sustainability
These moves come at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing unprecedented environmental activism stemming from Saudi Vision 2030, which has placed the protection of the environment and natural resources at the heart of its priorities. This trend has been reinforced by the launch of major initiatives such as the "Saudi Green Initiative," which aims to increase vegetation cover and reduce carbon emissions. The shift towards a "green economy" is a fundamental pillar for diversifying national income sources, as preserving the environment is no longer a luxury, but an economic and developmental necessity that contributes to creating promising investment opportunities and improving the quality of life for citizens and residents.
Workshop objectives and themes
The workshop primarily aimed to establish a strategic framework that integrates the Ministry of Environment and the National Committee for Sustainability, ensuring coordinated efforts and avoiding duplication of work. Participants discussed mechanisms for enhancing governance and clearly defining roles and responsibilities to guarantee efficient planning and implementation of national projects. The workshop also highlighted the crucial role of specialized environmental centers in implementing policies and programs and explored opportunities for integrating sustainability concepts into the core economic operations of the private sector.
Pivotal role of the private sector
Dr. Osama Faqih explained that partnership with the private sector is a fundamental pillar for achieving national goals, noting that the expected role of companies and institutions extends beyond compliance with environmental regulations to include active investment in green projects with economic and social returns. This encompasses adopting innovative and advanced technological solutions to address environmental challenges and contributing to the provision of sustainable operational solutions.
Recommendations to enhance integrated work
The workshop concluded with a set of important recommendations, most notably the formation of a follow-up committee and specialized working groups to translate discussions into concrete programs and initiatives on the ground. Agreement was also reached on establishing joint working mechanisms to support priority investment opportunities and ensure the sustainability of environmental gains.
It is worth noting that the workshop witnessed the participation of key stakeholders, including the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce (represented by the National Committee for Sustainability and Green Economy), the National Center for Environmental Compliance, the National Center for Wildlife Development, the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, the Environment Fund, and the National Center for Waste Management “Mawan”, reflecting the comprehensiveness of the proposal and the seriousness of the approach towards a green and sustainable future.
