Latest news with #AbdulrahmanAl-Fadley
Saudi Gazette
14 hours ago
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia to build 1,000 rainwater harvesting dams with 4 million m³ annual capacity
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has made major strides in environmental conservation, water sustainability, and food security as part of its Vision 2030 goals, according to Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadley. In a press briefing on Wednesday, Al-Fadley highlighted the implementation progress of the National Environment Strategy, including the establishment of five specialized environmental centers and the region's largest environmental fund to support green initiatives. The Kingdom has introduced new regulatory frameworks for environmental protection, meteorology, and waste management, two of which are being implemented for the first time in Saudi Arabia. Under the Saudi Green Initiative, over 500,000 hectares of degraded land have been rehabilitated and 151 million trees planted. The target is to restore 2.5 million hectares and plant over 215 million trees by 2030. Ultimately, the Kingdom aims to plant 10 billion trees across 40 million hectares. The number of national parks has surged from 18 to 500, while protected terrestrial areas now cover 18% of the Kingdom's territory, a fourfold increase. Marine protected areas have grown by 260% since 2016. Over 8,000 endangered species have been reintroduced into their natural habitats. In enforcement, more than 40,000 environmental permits have been issued, a 660% increase since the creation of the National Center for Environmental Compliance. More than 173,000 inspections were carried out, and 456 licenses were granted to environmental service providers. Air quality monitoring has also expanded, with 240 stations operating across the Kingdom. The ministry launched a national marine monitoring program and bolstered its capacity to respond to oil spills. Meteorological services now cover 100% of Saudi Arabia, aided by advanced sensing and prediction systems. The cloud-seeding program, led by skilled Saudi pilots using cutting-edge aircraft, has conducted over 711 sorties, increasing rainfall by 6.4 million cubic meters to support water resources and vegetation. The Kingdom also launched two pioneering centers, the Regional Center for Climate Change Studies, the first of its kind in the Middle East, and the Regional Center for Sand and Dust Storms, one of only four worldwide. Saudi Arabia has developed 21 strategic city-level waste management plans and identified more than 330 investment opportunities worth SR450 billion. The goal is to divert 90% of waste from landfills by 2040. A suite of incentives, grants, and a new environmental fund has been launched to support private sector innovation and academic partnerships. Al-Fadley announced that the UN Water Conference has named Saudi Arabia a global model for sustainable water practices, with significant progress under Sustainable Development Goal 6. Completed water projects now exceed SR230 billion in value, including SR10 billion in public infrastructure and over SR45 billion through private sector collaboration. The developments cover water production, transport pipelines, storage facilities, and wastewater treatment. Since 2016, water production has doubled to 16.6 million cubic meters per day — 75% of which is desalinated seawater — making the Kingdom the world's top producer of desalinated water. Strategic water storage capacity has increased by 600%, with the average supply coverage rising from one to three days in most cities. Efforts to reduce energy use have halved electricity consumption in the sector compared to 2016. The Kingdom now delivers water to more than 22,000 population centers, reaching elevations up to 3,000 meters through an 18,000-kilometer pipeline network. Reused water volume has risen from 251 million to 550 million cubic meters, now representing 32% of total usage. Saudi Arabia is building 1,000 rainwater harvesting dams with an annual capacity of 4 million cubic meters. With over 65% local content in the water sector and 97% of engineering roles held by Saudi nationals, the Kingdom is increasingly self-reliant. The National Center for Water Efficiency and Conservation has saved 120,000 cubic meters daily and aims to reach 300,000 soon. Agricultural GDP reached SR118 billion, up 8% from last year and 39% from 2020. Food production rose to 12 million tons due to supportive policies and Saudi Agricultural Development Fund initiatives. The Kingdom has achieved full self-sufficiency in dates, milk, and eggs, and between 70%–100% in various vegetables and over 70% in poultry. Exports of fish and shrimp have expanded, along with global competitiveness in select agricultural sectors. Saudi Arabia remains the world's top date exporter. The General Food Security Authority ensures the availability of 11 key staples, with an early warning system for essential goods to be launched soon. Al-Fadley also praised the role of the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC), which supplies 30% of the Kingdom's wheat imports through overseas projects.
Arab News
21-04-2025
- General
- Arab News
Healthier and greener nation is focus of Environment Week 2025
RIYADH: The organizers of Saudi Arabia's Environment Week are aiming to increase public engagement to secure a thriving and greener future for the country. The event began on Sunday and was attended by Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir. Reema Obaid, one of the participants, told Arab News: 'We are here at the environmental awareness initiative, which is raising awareness about our environment for a healthier and greener environment.' Obaid explained that children can gather at her booth to plant seeds or cuttings. Then they can either take their plants with them or donate them to national parks in the Kingdom. Another activity is 'Green Leader,' under the nation's Environment Fund. It is a green bus symbolizing the country's sustainability journey from the past to the present. Weed Al-Balawi, a participant in the initiative, said they designed it to 'deliver major concepts regarding sustainability, resource conservation, ancestral heritage, and technology in environmental conservation.' The aim was to ensure a 'simple and enjoyable way to benefit the target group, which is the age group from primary to intermediate school,' said Al-Balawi. She said the education stations at the event were created for the public to experience how people used sustainable practices in the past on a daily basis to coexist with nature and biodiversity. The final station at the event showed current practices, which includes how people are now using technology to protect the environment, said Al-Balawi. One of the examples displayed was the camel's watering place, where people would dig a small well for the animals next to the one they used for drinking. This ancient technique was used to prevent diseases spreading from animals to humans, and to reduce the amount of wasted water. The theme of this year's event is 'Our Environment is a Treasure' and will be held until April 26. A highlight was the debut of the National Environmental Performance Index, a strategic tool to monitor progress and guide policy. There were 13 agreements signed between the ministry's entities and the private sector to improve collaboration in environmental projects.
Saudi Gazette
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
'Green Leader Initiative' launched to spread culture of environmental sustainability among students
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley launched the "Green Leader Initiative" in Riyadh on Sunday. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Member, and UN Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir attended the launching ceremony. The initiative, under the slogan "Their path is green" is organized by the Environment Fund as part of the "Environment Week 2025" activities. Through this initiative, the Environment Fund seeks to strengthen community partnerships with various sectors to protect the environment and direct efforts toward achieving the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in the field of environmental sustainability. The initiative aims to spread the culture of environmental sustainability among students of all ages through interactive and innovative educational programs that span schools across the Kingdom. These programs focus on enhancing environmental awareness, encouraging action to address environmental challenges, promoting innovation for climate change, and stimulating a green transformation in society. The launch of this initiative comes within the framework of "Environment Week," an annual national environmental event aimed at spreading environmental awareness in the community, achieving environmental sustainability, preserving natural resources, and reducing all forms of pollution.
Zawya
17-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia launches loan guarantees for SMEs to stimulate investment in environmental projects
RIYADH — Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley witnessed on Sunday the signing of an agreement between the Environment Fund and the Small and Medium Enterprises Loan Guarantee Program (Kafalah) to launch a loan guarantee product to support environmental projects in the Kingdom. The agreement seeks to provide guarantees for credit facilities provided to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), contributing to stimulating investment in the environmental sector. This agreement coincides with the launch of the Incentives and Grants Program Platform to support environmental projects in the Kingdom. The agreement aims to support the financing of economically viable micro, small, and medium enterprises that face challenges in providing the required guarantees to financing entities. The Kafalah Program contributes to providing financial guarantees that cover a portion of the financing granted to these enterprises, encouraging financing entities to provide the necessary support. During the ceremony, Al-Fadley, who is also chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Fund, launched the electronic platform for the Incentives and Grants Program in the Environment Sector, one of the Environment Fund's programs to promote sustainability and stimulate projects and initiatives, in line with the National Environment Strategy. Under the agreement, the two parties will work to contribute to achieving the National Environment Strategy by stimulating environmental protection projects in the Kingdom, financing environmental initiatives, and promoting investment in the environment and meteorology sectors by providing credit facilities in partnership with approved financing entities. The agreement also aims to foster joint cooperation between the two parties by supporting and developing the target group, contributing to strengthening the ecosystem of these entities and achieving their financial sustainability. It also aims to enhance their credit capabilities by providing the necessary guarantees to financing entities, encouraging them to increase the percentage of financing for economically viable SMEs within the target group. This step comes within the framework of the ministry's efforts to enhance environmental sustainability, stimulate investment in the environmental sector, promote environmental sustainability, and support pioneering projects. It also falls within the framework of the ongoing efforts to achieve integration between the public and private sectors, which enhances innovation and financing in environmental projects and creates new opportunities for growth and investment in this vital sector, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Leaders
16-03-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Environment Fund, Kafalah Support Investments with Loan Guarantees
The Saudi Environment Fund and the Small and Medium Enterprises Loan Guarantee Program (Kafalah) on Sunday signed a new agreement to support environmental projects in the Kingdom, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The agreement, signed in the presence of the Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, aims to launch a loan guarantee product to stimulate environmental investments in Saudi Arabia. Promoting Environmental Sustainability The partnership between the Saudi Environment Fund and Kafalah aligns with the MEWA efforts to promote environmental sustainability, encourage investment in the environmental sector, and support key environmental projects. It also aligns with the continued efforts to achieve integration between the public and private sectors, further boosting innovation and financing in environmental projects and creating new opportunities for growth, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Incentives and Grants Program Platform Moreover, the agreement coincides with the launch of the Incentives and Grants Program online platform to support environmental projects in Saudi Arabia. During the signing ceremony, Al-Fadley, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Fund, launched the Program's online platform. The Program aims to promote sustainability and encourage projects and initiatives, in line with the National Environment Strategy. Partnership Objectives The agreement between the Environment Fund and Kafalah aims to support the funding of economically viable micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) which face challenges in providing the required guarantees to the financing entities. In the light of this, Kafalah Program helps in providing financial guarantees that cover part of the funding provided to these MSMEs, encouraging financing entities to provide the needed support. Under the agreement, both parties work together to achieve the National Environment Strategy by promoting environment protection projects in Saudi Arabia, financing environmental initiatives, and boosting investment in the environment and meteorology sectors through providing credit facilities in collaboration with the approved financing entities. Moreover, the agreement aims to provide guarantees in return for the credit facilities offered to SMEs, stimulating investment in the environmental sector. Bolstering Cooperation The agreement aims to strengthen joint cooperation by supporting and developing the targeted category, enhancing the ecosystem of these entities and achieving their financial stability. It also contributes to bolstering their credit capabilities through providing the necessary guarantees for the financing entities to encourage them to boost the funding proportion for economically viable SMEs within the targeted category. Kafalah Support for SMEs Kafalah Program plays a key role in supporting Saudi SMEs and increasing their financing. In 2024, it provided SAR 13.9 billion in loan guarantees. The Kafalah Program has benefited a total of 5,346 small, medium, and micro enterprises, by issuing more than 7,000 guarantees and providing over SAR 18 billion in financing. This marks a 17% increase from 2023, according to SPA. The program seeks to drive the national economy's growth by offering financial guarantees that facilitate SMEs' access to necessary funding while reducing lending risks to financial institutions. This effort involves strategic partnerships, innovative technological tools, and knowledge-based program frameworks. In recognition of its efforts, the Kafalah Program received two platinum awards at the Global SME Finance Forum, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in October 2024. The program earned the Product Innovation of the Year Award for the MENA region and the Product Innovation of the Year DFI, IFI, Guarantee Agency Award on the global scale. Short link :
