RIYADH — The National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) with the aim of increasing the vegetation cover inside the ministry and its branches. The MoU will also enhance the volunteering role and raise community awareness. The MoU was signed by the CEO of NCVC Dr.Khalid AlAbdulqadir, and Undersecretary for Support Services Yasser Al-Babtain, representing MHRSD The Memorandum of Understanding aims to set a framework that strengthens the bonds of cooperation and integration between the two parties to support the development of the vegetation cover. It will also enhance sustainability and the efforts of spreading knowledge, awareness and guidance on increasing green spaces by engaging the local community in programs and activities that help adopt behaviors and lifestyles that achieve environmental sustainability via voluntary participation, and increasing the percentage of vegetation cover in the targeted locations. Furthermore, it will strengthen cooperation and coordination to achieve the goals of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The fields stipulated in the memorandum include topics that contribute to achieving the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and programs to increase the vegetation cover and preserve it. Additionally, coordination, communication and organization efforts between the two parties regarding the initiative's draft studies, and the participation in developing the national parks. The topics also include cooperation in afforestation projects, as well as vegetation cover initiatives and campaigns, in addition to exchanging the experiences and information between the two parties, and activate the voluntary work by providing volunteers to participate in relevant activities and events. The cooperation fields include preparing a list of suggested sites for afforestation, and participation in determining suitable areas and types of seedlings suitable for each site. The fields in the MoU also set to provide necessary care and protection for the growth of planted seedlings, and to hold workshops and training courses on developing vegetation and preserving, protecting and sustaining it, in addition to participation in implementing initiatives, campaigns and activities to raise environmental awareness, and enhance positive behavior. It is obligatory to use modern agricultural techniques, such as the "Miyawaki" technique, which is being implemented for the first time in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East for afforestation. Miyawaki is a modern agricultural technique that helps in building a miniature forest of local plants faster and with a higher density. The MoU comes within NCVC's continuing efforts to enhance cooperation in integration with government and private agencies, and non-profit institutions for effective participation, and to unify and organize national efforts to implement initiatives aimed at developing vegetation in Saudi Arabia and rehabilitating its sites. Additionally, to increase the green spaces, combat desertification, reduce sand encroachment, and to preserve the natural sources in order to achieve sustainable environmental and economic development and improve the quality of life. The NCVC is working on developing, monitoring and protecting vegetation cover sites, as well as rehabilitating damaged ones, detecting encroachments on them, and combat logging. It also supervises and invests in pasture lands, forests, and national parks, enhancing sustainable environmental development and contributing to achieving the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.
