Saudi Arabia Wins UN Ecosystem Restoration Award

Saudi Arabia has received a United Nations World Restoration Flagships award in recognition of its large-scale efforts to expand vegetation cover, restore degraded land, protect ecosystems, and enhance biodiversity across the Kingdom. The award was presented during a high-level event at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), hosted in Mongolia in August 2026.

The recognition centers on the Kingdom's National Greening Program, identified as a global ecosystem restoration initiative under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. To date, the program has planted more than 159 million trees nationwide, restored nearly one million hectares of degraded land, and contributed to the reintroduction of threatened wildlife species into Saudi ecosystems.

These efforts are aligned with the broader goals of the Saudi Green Initiative, which include expanding nature reserves over a significant share of national territory and long-term targets to plant billions of trees and restore tens of millions of hectares of land by 2030.

Why it matters

The World Restoration Flagships framework highlights the Kingdom's program as one of the leading global examples of ongoing, large-scale, and long-term ecosystem restoration aimed at reversing land degradation and strengthening landscape productivity. Alongside international recognition and technical support, selected flagships can receive financial support of up to USD 500,000 with eligibility focused on programs based in developing countries.

For residents and communities across the Kingdom, the recognition reflects tangible progress toward greener cities and healthier natural landscapes. It is directly tied to Saudi Vision 2030 environmental targets, including combating desertification, addressing the impacts of drought, and responding to climate change through improved land governance and restoration planning.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving