NCVC CEO Dr. Khaled Al-Abdulkader Discusses Local Communities' Vital Role In Forest Sustainability At International Forum

Dr. Khaled Al-Abdulkader, CEO of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), recently attended a significant international meeting on forests in Agadir, Morocco. This event supported the United Nations Forum on Forests. During his speech, Dr. Al-Abdulkader reiterated Saudi Arabia's dedication to involving local communities in forest management and strategic planning.

Saudi Arabia is actively engaging with local communities through various initiatives aimed at sustainable forest management. Dr. Al-Abdulkader stressed that empowering these communities is crucial for long-term forest protection. This empowerment comes through incentives for sustainable resource use and awareness programs.

The country has implemented numerous projects to strengthen the bond between people and forests. These include adopting agroforestry practices, promoting nature-based solutions, regulating grazing in forest areas, and reducing wildfire risks. Such efforts are vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Saudi Arabia supports community-based forest use by establishing honey production zones and investing in economically valuable plant species. Additionally, rural development projects contribute to food security and promote ecotourism, further enhancing community involvement.

Dr. Al-Abdulkader highlighted key national initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. The former aims to plant 10 billion trees within Saudi Arabia, while the latter targets 50 billion trees across the region. Local communities play a central role in these strategies.

The National Greening Program has already planted over 142 million trees, marking significant progress towards the Saudi Green Initiative's goals. This program serves as a roadmap for achieving these ambitious objectives.

Global Environmental Participation

Saudi Arabia is committed to enhancing community engagement through participation in global environmental events such as COP16 and World Environment Day 2024. These platforms allow the country to showcase its dedication to sustainability efforts worldwide.

The nation is also pursuing its bid to host the 27th Session of the Near East Forestry and Range Commission. This move underscores Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in regional and global sustainability initiatives.

This international engagement aligns with Saudi Arabia's current presidency of COP16 under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It highlights the country's leadership in promoting global land restoration and sustainability actions.

Through these comprehensive efforts, Saudi Arabia demonstrates its commitment to fostering sustainable development both locally and globally while ensuring active community participation in environmental conservation.

With inputs from SPA