At COP 16, Saudi Arabia Underscores Commitment to Environmental Protection

The Saudi delegation participated in the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) in Kali, Colombia, held from October 21 to November 1, 2024. This significant gathering of representatives from 196 countries convened under the theme "Peace with Nature". The delegation led by CEO of the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) Dr. Mohammad Qurban. Saudi Arabia's participation in COP 16 underscores the Kingdom's deep commitment to advancing global biodiversity preservation. At the conference, the Saudi delegation reaffirmed the Kingdom's ambitious goal to protect 30% of its land and marine areas by 2030, which aligns with the United Nations' biodiversity conservation objectives. This pledge reflects Saudi Arabia's proactive approach to conserving natural habitats, safeguarding endangered species, and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change. The Saudi delegation emphasized the importance of expanding data sources for biodiversity monitoring, stressing that compre hensive and accurate reporting is essential to strengthen conservation strategies. They also advocated for enhanced integration of regional efforts with global biodiversity goals while highlighting the critical need for capacity-building programs in the Arab region that focus on collaborative learning and information exchange. Saudi Arabia was awarded the prestigious "Green List" certification at COP 16 in recognition of its achievements at the King Salman Royal Natural Reserve and the Ibex Protected Area. This recognition highlights the Kingdom's dedication to sustainable biodiversity practices and effective ecosystem management. Reflecting on this recognition, Dr. Qurban commented, "Our participation in COP 16 reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting global biodiversity efforts and advancing the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted at COP 15 in 2022. This ambitious framework provides a roadmap for achieving harmony with nature, with the 30x30 target-a commitment to protecting and restoring 30% of land and ocean areas by 2030-as a key objective". He added, "The Saudi delegation's involvement in this conference reflects the Kingdom's dedication to ecosystem protection and biodiversity enhancement, in alignment with Vision 2030, the Saudi Green Initiative, and the National Environmental Strategy". He expressed optimism about the conference's potential to drive meaningful global biodiversity outcomes and inspire innovative solutions that contribute to sustainable development. The Saudi delegation also used this platform to showcase national conservation initiatives, including preparations for the 16th Conference of the Parties to Combat Desertification, which Saudi Arabia will host from December 2 to 13, 2024. Delegates extended invitations to their global counterparts and provided insights on conference documents that reflect Saudi Arabia's national priorities. Source: Saudi Press Agency