Jeddah: Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment Manal Awad reviewed the outcomes of the declaration issued by the second meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) held in Jeddah. The meeting was led by Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and Chair of the Ministerial Council Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Al-Fadli, with council members from 30 countries participating.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Awad highlighted that the ministerial declaration reaffirmed the council's dedication to improving regional cooperation to combat land degradation, stop desertification, increase resilience to drought, and adapt to its significant environmental, social, and economic impacts. She noted that measures implemented during the initiative's initial phase have laid the groundwork for the operational phase, including projects to restore vegetation and rehabilitate degraded lands in member states.

Awad commended the council's call for member states to continue setting ambitious national targets for land reclamation and vegetation growth in accordance with relevant multilateral environmental agreements, integrating these national goals into the initiative's regional objectives. She also highlighted the council's praise for the projects carried out by member states, including Egypt, which help achieve the initiative's regional goals.