Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia revealed on Saturday the program for the fourth edition of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum. The two-day event, which will begin on Tuesday, Dec. 3 in Riyadh, will reemphasize Saudi Arabia’s commitment to holistic, collaborative and pragmatic solutions towards a greener future.
Taking place alongside the 16th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16), the forum will convene global leaders, climate experts, senior government officials, and industry CEOs to advance discussions and action on global climate challenges under the theme “Action is in Our Nature.”
The 2024 SGI Forum will feature ministerial discussions, keynote addresses, panel discussions, and conversations with prominent leaders.
Speakers include Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman; President of Senegal Macky Sall; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir; 4th President & CEO of Saudi Aramco Amin Nasser; Secretary General & CEO of the World Energy Council Angela Wilkinson; CEO & Chairman of the Board at TotalEnergies Patrick Pouyanné; CEO of Air Liquide François Jackow, and Director General of the IUCN Dr. Grethel Aguilar. Leading experts from global multilateral and environmental organizations, including the World Bank and the Convention on Wetlands, will also participate, providing diverse perspectives on advancing climate action.
Discussions will center around five key pillars: Greening Land for Global Good, Energy Innovation Driving Emissions Reduction, Financing the Green Transition for Sustainable Livelihoods, Nature-Based Solutions for Climate and Community Resilience, and Biodiversity Protection as a Key to Climate Resilience.
These pillars reflect the interconnectedness of global climate challenges and Saudi Arabia’s commitment to holistic, collaborative and pragmatic solutions towards a greener future. In addition to the SGI Forum, the SGI Pavilion, located inside the UNCCD COP16 Green Zone, offers visitors an immersive experience designed to educate and engage. Every day from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm for the duration of UNCCD COP16, apart from 3-4 December, visitors are encouraged to journey through five zones that highlight Saudi Arabia’s approach to Reducing Emissions, Growing 10 Billion Trees, Protecting Nature, Promoting Sustainability, and building a Sustainable Future. To finish the journey, the SGI Pavilion this year adds a Kids Zone, created to inspire Saudi Arabia’s youth to become environmental heroes.
Returning after its successful launch at COP28, SGI Talks will feature international and Saudi climate experts, offering insights and discussions on sustainability trends and innovations. These 30-minute daily sessions will take place inside the SGI Pavilion from December 5-13 at 3:00 pm, addressing topics such as renewable energy innovations, sustainable land use, and youth empowerment in climate action.
