Green Zone Opens To Public At UNCCD COP16 In Riyadh With Engaging Activities

The Green Zone at the 16th United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) will be open to the public from December 2 to December 13. Saudi Arabia is the first host in three decades to introduce a Green Zone, welcoming visitors daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. This area will be adjacent to the Blue Zone, where official conference activities occur.

The Green Zone aims to engage civil-society organizations, NGOs, businesses, and other stakeholders. It will host activities, exhibitions, workshops, and discussions on land degradation, desertification, and drought. The goal is to promote public involvement, education, and knowledge-sharing while highlighting innovative solutions and encouraging sustainability dialogue.

A diverse program of over 120 activities and panel discussions is planned for the Green Zone. More than 213 international and local entities are participating, including governments and community initiatives. Organizers expect over 200,000 visits during the event.

Designed for all ages, the Green Zone offers various outdoor activities throughout the conference. Daily events include 13 roaming folkloric performances blending local and international art forms. Permanent features include live art displays and traditional crafts that merge culture with environmental awareness.

Interactive art installations by Dr. Mona Sanbal aim to show how daily lifestyles impact the environment. Visitors can enjoy live music, murals of Saudi wild plants, climbing plant displays, and a photography corner with panoramic views of Saudi Arabia's natural beauty.

Cultural Experiences

Cultural activities feature an outdoor reception area offering authentic Saudi hospitality with coffee-making demonstrations. A traditional Bait Al-Sha’ar tent will display heritage activities like Sadu rugs and oud music. The outdoor areas will have craft pavilions and interactive activities such as decorating mud houses.

Specialized entities will organize tours around Saudi Arabia from the Green Zone. These include "Discover Saudi" by Almosafer Group and Masarat Adventure Club offering trips to select destinations with free admission to Diriyah. Other tour organizers include King Khalid Royal Reserve's Darb, Yalla Hike, and Polaris North.

The Green Zone represents a unique addition by Saudi Arabia to the UNCCD conference of parties (COP). It adds a public dimension to spread the conference's message across society while showcasing global efforts against challenges like desertification that affect everyone globally.

With inputs from SPA