Riyadh to host first international sand and dust storm conference next week
Riyadh is set to host the inaugural International Conference on Sand and Dust Storms next week, from March 4-6, organized by Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology and the World Meteorological Organization.
The conference will bring together over 200 global specialists to discuss research and solutions for these environmental challenges, including their health, economic, and ecological impacts.
Key topics such as dust formation, climate effects, health risks, and mitigation will be on the agenda, underscoring the need for action given the storms' disruption to health, energy production, air quality, and weather patterns.
International and regional efforts have been made to address these issues and develop strategies to reduce their impact. The Middle East is a significant source of dust, with the region facing an increase in storm frequency and intensity due to land and vegetation changes, necessitating further research.
Saudi Arabia has been proactive in combating climate change and dust storms, initiating the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) as part of Vision 2030.
The ambitious SGI, targeting net zero emissions by 2050, includes extensive tree planting and land restoration to enhance environmental sustainability and combat desertification.
The Kingdom has also launched the Middle East Green Initiative, aiming to plant 50 billion trees and contribute to global reforestation efforts. These steps affirm Saudi Arabia’s dedication to sustainable development and climate change mitigation.