UN Praises Saudi Arabia's Success in Restoring One Million Hectare of Degraded Land

JAKARTA - The United Nations (UN) has praised Saudi Arabia for achieving a major national environmental milestone in the form of the restoration of one million hectares of degraded land, in line with global environmental goals.

"This achievement reflects a unified approach and a clear commitment to deliver real change on the ground, showing that land restoration is possible even in some of the most challenging environments in the world," the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported last month.

The Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Yasmine Fouad, praised the Kingdom's leadership in adopting major international environmental initiatives, including the Middle East Green Initiative and the Global Land Initiative, as well as its presidency of the Conference of the Parties.

He said Saudi Arabia has helped increase global ambitions and strengthen collective action, stressing that the restoration of degraded land is not only an environmental priority but also an achievement of development and humanity, as reported by Arab News from, Friday (17/4).

These efforts directly improve food security, support the local economy, create jobs, and improve the quality of life in affected communities, while addressing broader global challenges such as climate change, stability in fragile regions, and displacement related to land degradation, he added.

Fouad said the restoration of one million hectares of land "is not just a number" but a strong message at a time when the world is facing accelerating land degradation and worsening drought.

He added that this achievement underlines the importance of strong partnerships between the government, the private sector, and civil society, showing that multilateral cooperation is essential to achieve meaningful transformation.

"It is known that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has presented a global model for ecosystem recovery by adopting nature-based solutions, utilizing innovation, and aligning policies with practical implementation," he said.

These efforts are part of the broader Saudi Green Initiative and are based on a rigorous scientific methodology for measurement and verification to restore ecosystem function, increase biodiversity, and ensure sustainable resource management for future generations.

Fouad expressed appreciation for the Kingdom's continued efforts to advance the global environmental agenda, noting that this achievement marks an important step in a long journey that requires continued commitment, faster action, and broader partnerships.

Land restoration, he added, is an investment for the community, stability, and a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.