RIYADH — Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, the mayor of Riyadh, stressed the importance of cities in tackling environmental issues. He made this statement at the inaugural session of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh. “Cities are not merely centers of challenges, but also platforms for launching innovative and sustainable solutions,” he stated.
The worldwide event, which will run until December 13, brought together leaders and experts from around the world to adopt a proactive approach to this global catastrophe and to speed up international efforts to address drought challenges.
The mayor emphasized how Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, as well as King Salman, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, helped make Riyadh a pioneer in sustainable urban development. One notable flagship project is the Green Riyadh Project, which intends to plant 7.5 million trees to improve biodiversity, lower temperatures, and improve air quality.
He mentioned the creation of more than 100 significant parks, including King Salman Park and King Abdullah Park, which enhance the quality of life for locals and visitors and offer natural areas that support wellbeing. “Other significant environmental projects include the rehabilitation of the 4,000-square-kilometer area of Wadi Hanifa, turning it into a model of ecological restoration and a unique environmental and tourism destination,” he said.
Also Read:
Minister Al-Samaani Opens a Technical Bureau to Improve Qassim’s judicial System
