In late September 2025, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will take center stage in international environmental diplomacy as it welcomes global and regional delegates to Jeddah for the 27th session of the Near East Forestry and Range Commission (NEFRC).
The gathering, running from September 29 to October 1, will mark a pivotal moment in efforts to advance environmental cooperation across the Near East, North Africa, and neighboring regions.
Unlike ordinary conferences, this event is being framed as a turning point for integrated land management, reflecting a blend of science, policy, and innovation. The session is organized jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Saudi Arabia’s own National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, ensuring a balance of international expertise and national commitment.
At its core, the commission will deliberate on how forests, rangelands, and green ecosystems can be harnessed to fight climate change, secure food supplies, and foster sustainable livelihoods. Participants are expected to examine advanced methods to restore degraded landscapes, apply integrated forestry and agroforestry models, and create policy frameworks capable of addressing drought and desertification.
Saudi officials have highlighted that discussions will also explore the “Green Cities” concept, looking at how urban areas in arid regions can integrate tree cover, sustainable land planning, and climate-friendly architecture. Another innovative theme set to capture attention is the application of artificial intelligence and digital monitoring systems in climate-resilient land use—an approach that could redefine how countries predict droughts, measure soil health, and monitor forests.
What sets this session apart is its inclusion of stakeholders beyond governments and diplomats. For the first time, a Youth Day is scheduled ahead of the main meetings, giving younger voices from the region a platform to draft recommendations. Their proposals will not simply remain symbolic; they will be formally submitted to the NEFRC’s plenary discussions, adding a new layer of inclusivity and future-oriented thinking. Alongside this, a Land Investors’ Forum will convene on the sidelines.
The event is designed to bring together financiers, development banks, and private enterprises to explore opportunities in large-scale land restoration projects. From rehabilitating rangelands to expanding sustainable tree planting, the push is to attract capital that can accelerate on-the-ground impact.
The 2025 session carries special weight because it coincides with two anniversaries: the 70th year of the NEFRC’s establishment and the 80th anniversary of the FAO. The commission, first created in 1953, has been a long-standing forum where countries of the Near East coordinate policies on forestry and rangeland management.
Over decades, it has become a technical and political bridge across nations that face similar climate pressures—desertification, water scarcity, and fragile ecosystems. Saudi Arabia’s decision to host the session underscores its increasing profile in environmental diplomacy.
The Kingdom is currently serving as president of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16, giving it a central role in global debates on how to reverse land degradation. Hosting the NEFRC session allows Riyadh to not only showcase its domestic achievements but also to influence regional consensus on pressing environmental priorities.
Saudi Arabia has in recent years embarked on sweeping environmental programs that link directly with the themes of the Jeddah conference. The Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) stand as two flagship projects aiming to reduce carbon emissions, expand afforestation, and strengthen environmental governance across the region. At the operational level, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has reported significant achievements.
The center has rehabilitated hundreds of thousands of hectares of degraded land, planted millions of seedlings, and scattered native seeds to boost natural regeneration. It has also relocated wildlife species—including Arabian oryx, gazelles, and leopards—back into protected habitats, thereby linking vegetation restoration with biodiversity recovery. Such practical actions are expected to be showcased during the NEFRC sessions as examples of how environmental policy can translate into measurable results.
The Near East region, stretching from North Africa across the Arabian Peninsula and into Central Asia, faces some of the most severe land and climate challenges in the world. Desertification threatens agricultural productivity, while overgrazing and urban sprawl put pressure on rangelands. Recurring droughts and shifting rainfall patterns further undermine food security. The upcoming session is designed to foster a collective response to these realities.
By combining scientific research, digital innovation, traditional knowledge, and cross-border cooperation, the commission seeks to frame a regional roadmap for climate-resilient land management. FAO officials emphasize that restoring degraded land and boosting forestry is not only an environmental necessity but also a critical component of rural development and poverty reduction.
A distinctive feature of the 27th session will be its focus on urban greening. The “Green Cities” initiative emphasizes that cities, even in desert landscapes, can contribute to climate mitigation and human well-being through tree planting, water-efficient landscaping, and smart land use.
As more populations migrate toward urban centers, ensuring that cities remain livable and climate-resilient is becoming an increasingly urgent agenda. For Saudi Arabia, which is investing in futuristic urban projects such as NEOM and The Line, the conference provides a chance to connect its national urban vision with global sustainability frameworks.
Hosting the NEFRC also allows Saudi Arabia to reaffirm its growing role as a global convenor on environmental issues. Beyond energy and economics, Riyadh is actively positioning itself as a champion of climate action in arid regions. By anchoring the 27th session in Jeddah, the Kingdom signals that environmental sustainability is not an optional agenda but a pillar of its Vision 2030 transformation strategy.
As delegates gather in Jeddah, expectations are high that the 27th session will not simply generate speeches but will result in concrete commitments and actionable roadmaps.
From financing restoration projects to embedding AI in land management, from empowering youth to advancing regional partnerships, the gathering is being framed as a historic milestone for both the commission and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In essence, the session is not only about protecting forests and rangelands; it is about reshaping the way societies in the Near East interact with their land, their climate, and their shared future.