Environment minister highlights Kingdom's role in green initiatives across Arab region
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental issues is helping to drive green initiatives across the region, the Kingdom's minister of environment, water and agriculture said.
Speaking at the 18th meeting of the Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe in Cairo, Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli underscored the Arab region's growing environmental momentum.
That surge, led by Saudi Arabia, he said, had driven key initiatives like the Middle East Green Initiative, which seeks to enhance regional collaboration to combat land degradation, protect green spaces, ensure food security and adapt to climate change.
Al-Fadhli praised the center's efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Arab and European regions and to share environmental and developmental expertise, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The meeting focused on improving the center's operations and efficiency, with discussions highlighting the need to redefine its goals to meet current and future challenges.
Delegates also reviewed the center's strategic plans, assessed its institutional and financial capacity for sustained program delivery and explored ways to enhance regional cooperation in the circular economy to support sustainable development goals, the report said.
Al-Fadhli highlighted the Arab region's efforts to tackle global environmental challenges, with Egypt hosting the 27th UN Climate Change Conference in 2022 and the UAE hosting COP28 in 2023.
Saudi Arabia last year hosted COP16 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and announced the establishment of the Global Water Organization in Riyadh, reflecting the region's commitment to environmental conservation.
Al-Fadhli reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's dedication to working with environmental stakeholders regionally and globally, to address environmental challenges and promote a sustainable future.
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Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Why the world can't afford a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz
RIYADH: As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, attention has turned to the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow, 33-kilometer-wide stretch of water separating Oman and Iran carrying a fifth of the world's daily oil supply. While this strategic waterway remains open for now, analysts have told Arab News any further escalation could put the vital shipping route at risk if Iran chooses to impose a blockade or attacks vessels. A little over a week into the confrontation, which began on June 13 when Israel began striking Iran's nuclear sites, scientists, military commanders and cities, daily exchanges of fire have killed hundreds. Now, with threats of a maritime blockade looming should the US decide to join the conflict on Israel's side, global energy markets are on edge. Any disruption could send prices skyrocketing, destabilize economies and trigger a new energy crisis. 'The Strait of Hormuz is not just a waterway; it is the artery of global energy. Any blockade would trigger a chain reaction the global economy is not prepared for,' Saudi geopolitical analyst Salman Al-Ansari told Arab News. According to the US Energy Information Administration, 20 million barrels of oil — 20 percent of global consumption — pass through the Strait of Hormuz every day, along with one-fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas trade, primarily from Qatar. The oil lane is so vital because no real alternatives exist. Most Gulf oil cannot be rerouted without massive delays. It is the only deep-water route capable of handling the world's largest crude tankers. The EIA has estimated that 84 percent of its crude flows to Asia, with China, India, Japan and South Korea as top buyers. In February last year, the Washington-based Center for Security Policy analyzed Iran's escalating activity in the Strait of Hormuz and said 76 percent of the crude oil transiting the waterway was destined for Asian markets. When geopolitical tensions spiked over the past week after Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel, Brent crude surged from $69 to $74 per barrel in a single day — even though no ships were blocked. Jassem Ajaka, an economist and professor at the Lebanese University, said this shows just how sensitive markets are to the mere suggestion of instability. 'The closure of the Strait of Hormuz will inevitably lead to a rise in the price of a barrel of oil to over $100, meaning the price will increase by about $25 in a single jump — something the global economy is not accustomed to,' Ajaka told Arab News. He added: 'Oil is a strategic and vital commodity, and when its price rises, inflation will rise with it because it is involved in 95 percent of other goods. The extraction of raw materials, the manufacturing of food products and other items will see their prices increase.' Al-Ansari noted that 'with Iran and Israel already in direct confrontation, the risk of escalation in this critical corridor is dangerously real. Iran sees the strait as its ultimate pressure point. Shutting it down would ignite a global oil shock, push inflation higher, and send vulnerable economies into panic.' Ajaka explained high oil prices would confront central banks worldwide with a dilemma over whether to lower or raise interest rates. He added insurance prices would rise, contributing to inflation, and that it would also cause disruptions in supply chains across several countries. 'In the case of Lebanon, for example, it would result in a complete electricity blackout, as the country relies entirely on fuel oil coming from Iraq,' he added. Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, moved 5.5 million barrels per day through Hormuz last year. That is 38 percent of total crude flows in the strait, according to tanker tracking data produced by the London-based real-time insights delivery firm, Vortexa. While the Kingdom has contingency pipelines, they are not a perfect solution. The East-West Pipeline, with a capacity of 7 million barrels per day, can divert crude to the Red Sea, but it is already running near full capacity due to recent Houthi attacks on shipping. The UAE's Fujairah Pipeline, with 1.8 million barrels per day capacity, is also heavily used, leaving little to spare. Iran's Goreh-Jask Pipeline, designed for 300,000 barrels per day, is barely operational, having handled just 70,000 barrels per day before shutting down in late 2024. If the Strait of Hormuz were blocked, the EIA said Saudi Arabia and the UAE could only reroute about 2.6 million barrels per day — far less than the 20 million that normally passes through. Given that the economies of most Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, rely heavily on oil exports, a closure of the Strait of Hormuz would deal a severe blow to their economic stability, according to Ajaka. 'The extent of the financial damage would hinge on how long the strait remains blocked, with prolonged disruptions likely triggering budget deficits across the region,' he said. For energy-hungry Asian economies, a blockade would be catastrophic. 'This narrow stretch carries nearly a third of the world's seaborne oil. Its closure would cripple global trade routes, choke energy supplies and slam the brakes on economic growth from Asia to Europe,' said Al-Ansari. China relies on the Strait of Hormuz for nearly half its crude imports. India, Japan, and South Korea would face severe shortages, forcing emergency releases from strategic reserves. Global shipping costs would explode as tankers would need to take longer routes around Africa. 'The first Asian economy to be affected by any closure of the Strait of Hormuz would be China,' said Ajaka. 'If the repercussions of the strait's closure spill over into multiple economies, it could lead to a global recession — posing another challenge in terms of how to revive the global economy.' The US is less vulnerable, importing only half a million barrels per day from the Gulf, equivalent to 7 percent of total US imports. But it would still suffer from skyrocketing global prices. Al-Ansari emphasized that the crisis is not merely about oil: 'It is about the fragile balance that keeps markets stable and societies moving.' Iran has historically threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz but has never done so. In a recent op-ed for Arab News, Abdulaziz Sager, founder and chair of the Gulf Research Center, said a full closure 'would harm Iran's own economy given that it relies on the waterway for its oil exports.' Despite Iran's heavy reliance on the waterway, Behnam Saeedi, a member of the parliament's National Security Committee presidium, was quoted by Mehr news agency on Thursday as saying a blockade remained on the table. 'Iran has numerous options to respond to its enemies and uses such options based on what the situation is,' he said. 'Closing the Strait of Hormuz is one of the potential options for Iran.' Mehr later quoted another lawmaker, Ali Yazdikhah, as saying Iran would continue to allow free shipping in the strait and in the Gulf so long as its vital national interests were not at risk. 'If the US officially and operationally enters the war in support of the Zionists (Israel), it is the legitimate right of Iran in view of pressuring the US and Western countries to disrupt their oil trade's ease of transit,' said Yazdikhah. However, it is not a decision Iran would take lightly. 'If Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, it will undoubtedly lose economically and militarily,' said Ajaka. 'Any country that wants to wage war will lose if it does not have foreign currency reserves, as war depletes these reserves — preventing it from making the decision to close the strait. 'The only circumstances that might lead Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz are if it feels its regime is on the verge of collapse,' he added. As Iran already seems to have been backed into a corner, there is every chance it could take this final leap. As Al-Ansari said: 'Iran is already economically crippled and is facing an existential reality. The scenario of closing the strait should never be ruled out.' Past incidents have shown the global impact of regional events. In 2019, attacks on Saudi tankers near Fujairah and the Abqaiq drone strikes briefly cut 5 percent of the global oil supply. World powers, therefore, have a major interest in keeping the strait open. 'Any closure of the Strait of Hormuz would prompt military intervention by the US and the UK,' said Ajaka. On June 17, US officials informed The New York Times that Iran had positioned missiles and military assets for potential strikes on American bases in the Middle East if the US entered the conflict. Other officials also warned Iran could resort to mining the Strait of Hormuz in the event of an attack — a strategy designed to trap US warships in the Persian Gulf. In the event of a blockade, Ajaka suggested Western and Asian nations would likely tap into strategic petroleum reserves to mitigate immediate shortages. However, he added this would only provide temporary relief, as non-OPEC countries have already maxed out their production capacity, leaving OPEC members as the only potential source of additional supply. 'If the strait is closed and oil prices rise, oil-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, may resort to halting production cuts and instead increase output to curb the sharp rise in prices,' he said. 'One other possible measure would be for the US to ease restrictions on oil-producing countries like Venezuela to increase oil supply in the market.' Nevertheless, Ajaka said: 'The core position of oil — and the fundamental reason for the necessity of security in the Middle East — is that the Arabian Gulf must remain the ultimate guarantor.'
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
New campaign urges Saudis to safeguard artifacts
RIYADH: The Heritage Commission launched the 'Aadat' national awareness campaign to enhance public understanding of the importance of Saudi antiquities. The campaign underscores the vital role of artifacts in reinforcing the Kingdom's cultural and national identity, reflecting the succession of civilizations across its land over millennia. It is part of a broader series of initiatives by the commission to spotlight Saudi antiquities and raise awareness of threats they face, such as encroachments and illegal trafficking. The campaign promotes the idea that protecting antiquities is a shared responsibility, rooted in a deep appreciation of their role in the nation's cultural heritage. The campaign promotes the idea that protecting antiquities is a shared responsibility, rooted in a deep appreciation of their role in the nation's cultural heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported. It adopts a comprehensive approach using various media and outreach tools, including field campaigns in public areas, markets, malls, and universities across multiple regions. The commission also plans to introduce interactive pavilions to showcase key archaeological sites and highlight the Kingdom's geographical and cultural diversity. It stressed that the campaign continues its ongoing efforts to safeguard artifacts, which are rich in symbolic and cultural meaning. Each artifact, the commission noted, tells a story from the past, and its preservation is essential to maintaining the national memory for future generations. The commission announced last week that 744 new archaeological sites have been added to the National Antiquities Register, raising the total to 10,061 across the Kingdom. This milestone underscores the richness and diversity of Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage and reflects the commission's ongoing commitment to documenting and preserving these sites. The newly registered sites are spread across several regions: Riyadh (253), Makkah (11), Madinah (167), Qassim (30), Eastern Province (13), Asir (64), Tabuk (72), Hail (13), Northern Borders (2), Jazan (23), Najran (86), and Jouf (10). Stressing the importance of community involvement in heritage preservation, the commission urged citizens and residents to report unregistered sites via the Balagh platform, social media, or the Unified Security Operations Center at 911.
Arab News
5 hours ago
- Arab News
Israel vs. Iran: Why Riyadh is committed to de-escalation
As anyone who has followed the recent statements coming out of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs will tell you, the Kingdom has made its stance regarding the recent regional tensions unequivocally clear: The current aggression against Iran is not only unacceptable, but also a dangerous provocation that threatens the stability of the entire Middle East. It is important for observers to note that Saudi Arabia today views Iran not as an adversary, but as a fellow Muslim nation facing a grave and unjustified assault. In condemning this attack as a blatant violation of international norms, Riyadh has voiced strong solidarity with the Iranian people, rejecting any breach of their sovereignty. This principled position reflects the Kingdom's long-standing belief in non-intervention and mutual respect among nations. What is particularly alarming is the apparent objective behind the timing of these hostilities: to derail sensitive negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Saudi Arabia sees this as a calculated move to sabotage dialogue that could de-escalate one of the region's most intractable challenges — the Iranian nuclear file. Since the landmark Beijing agreement in March 2023, Saudi-Iranian relations have, slowly but surely, entered a promising new chapter. While it is true that previous hostilities could not easily be forgotten, trust-building measures have been gradually taking root, with bilateral committees working across various domains to ensure differences do not escalate unchecked. This fragile progress — and the greater idea of a peaceful and prosperous Middle East — is precisely what stands to be lost if the drums of war drown out diplomatic momentum. Riyadh has also emphasized that regional stability hinges on stronger cooperation among Muslim nations. Under the umbrella of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Kingdom believes in the potential for a united front that can foster peace and development, so long as intentions are sincere and not clouded by geopolitical ambitions. The current aggression is not only unacceptable, but also a dangerous provocation. Faisal J. Abbas | Editor-in-Chief In a flurry of diplomatic engagement, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been on the phone with world leaders, all the way from Washington to London to the Far East, calling for collective action to halt what could possibly be a regional disaster. He has also spoken directly with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, underscoring Saudi Arabia's commitment to de-escalation and its willingness to mediate. This leadership extends beyond political gestures. On the ground, the Kingdom provided shelter, medical care, and transportation to over 70,000 Iranian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia due to the conflict. Acting on the crown prince's directive, the Kingdom funded their stay and coordinated their safe return home — a humanitarian move reflecting the values Saudi Arabia consistently upholds. Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has been tirelessly engaging with global counterparts, rallying support for a ceasefire and meeting directly with his Iranian counterpart to explore diplomatic solutions. Notably, Riyadh had urged Tehran — well before the outbreak of hostilities — to engage with Washington's final offer seriously, warning that the US stance on the nuclear issue should not be underestimated. Looking forward, should Iran face humanitarian challenges in the aftermath of this crisis, there is no doubt that the Kingdom will be among the first to offer aid. This is not merely altruism — it is a strategic and moral imperative rooted in the belief that the well-being of neighboring nations affects the collective fate of the region. Crucially, Saudi Arabia has drawn a firm line: No belligerent party will be permitted to use its airspace, land, or waters. Riyadh's neutrality is active, not passive — it is deliberate, disciplined, and unwavering in its commitment to de-escalation. Needless to say, the deliberate targeting of civilians, bombing of media outlets and hospitals, and threats to the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader are condemnable and appalling; but by continuing to accept them we risk normalizing unacceptable war crimes. Hopefully, there will be some adults in decision-making rooms around the world who will agree that this escalation needs to stop before we reach the point of no return.
