Riyadh: The 2024 National Greening Season has been launched under the patronage of Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and Chairman of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) Abdulrahman Alfadley. According to Saudi Press Agency, the event, held under the theme "We Plant it for Our Future," brought together prominent environmental leaders, including NCVC CEO Dr. Khaled bin Abdullah Al-Abdulkader, as well as senior executives from partner organizations supporting the National Greening Program. This initiative, bolstered by the involvement of multiple sectors, reaffirms the Kingdom's commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. In his remarks at the event, Dr. Al-Abdulkader emphasized the Kingdom's strategic focus on greening efforts. "This year, we aim to deepen awareness of the essential role that afforestation plays in expanding vegetation cover, mitigating land degradation, and promoting environmental sustainability," h e said. "Our objectives also include curbing harmful practices and encouraging the planting of native species to support biodiversity and resilient ecosystems." Dr. Al-Abdulkader further highlighted the Kingdom's ambitious progress under the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to grow 10 billion trees and rehabilitate 40 million hectares. He also highlighted that this target will be achieved through partnerships across the public and private sectors, non-profit organizations, and a vibrant culture of community volunteerism, all of which are aligned with the Kingdom's sustainable development goals. According to the release, the 2024 National Greening Season prioritizes efforts to enhance vegetation cover, address land degradation, and raise awareness of greening's role in countering desertification and preventing unsustainable practices like uncontrolled grazing and illegal logging. By focusing on planting native species that are well-suited to local ecosystems, the season aims to foster long-term environment al resilience. This year's campaign builds on previous successes, marking a new phase in the Kingdom's greening journey. To date, over 95 million trees have been planted across the Kingdom, with efforts spanning the public, private, and non-profit sectors. These achievements have rehabilitated 118,000 hectares of land and protected over 4.3 million hectares. The current season aims to further advance the Saudi Green Initiative's vision of growing 10 billion trees. The NCVC continues its mission to develop, protect, and monitor vegetation sites throughout the Kingdom, rehabilitate degraded areas, oversee rangelands, and safeguard forests and national parks. These efforts play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life across Saudi Arabia.