The city of Jeddah has become the focal point of global attention as the 27th session of the Near East Forestry and Range Commission officially commenced on September 29, 2025. The gathering, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), brings together a wide spectrum of experts, officials, policymakers, and environmental specialists.
The session will run for three days and is being seen as a landmark occasion because it coincides with the commission’s 70th anniversary, a milestone that reflects decades of efforts in the fields of forestry, rangeland management, and sustainable land use across the Near East region.
The opening address set the tone for the session by presenting a comprehensive overview of the region’s ecological wealth and the mounting challenges it faces. It was emphasized that forests across the Near East collectively cover more than 42 million hectares, while natural pastures stretch across an even more impressive 303 million hectares.
These vast landscapes not only serve as a critical natural heritage but also provide the backbone for the livelihoods of millions of people. They support grazing, agriculture, food production, and serve as biodiversity reserves. Despite their importance, however, these resources are increasingly imperiled by the destructive effects of climate change, desertification, and land degradation, which continue to escalate year after year.
The scale of the problem was further underlined by sobering global figures. At present, it is estimated that almost 40 percent of the Earth’s land is degraded in one form or another, a crisis that affects the lives of nearly 3.2 billion people worldwide. This ecological degradation is forecast to bring far-reaching consequences, including a possible 30 percent surge in food prices widespread pressure on 75 percent of the world’s freshwater reserves, and the loss of more than half of global biodiversity due to shrinking habitats.
At the same time, the removal of vegetation cover is already contributing to a measurable 24 percent rise in global carbon emission fueling the cycle of climate disruption.
Against this troubling backdrop, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself at the forefront of international environmental action. Through groundbreaking initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, the Kingdom has unveiled targets that are both bold and unprecedented. Domestically, Saudi Arabia has committed to planting 10 billion trees and rehabilitating nearly 40 million hectares of land.
At the regional level, it has pledged an additional 50 billion trees, a goal that would mark one of the largest reforestation drives in human history. Already, tangible progress has been made: more than 151 million trees have been planted under the National Afforestation Program, and over 505,000 hectares of degraded land have been restored, in cooperation with various public and private partners.
The commission’s three-day deliberations are designed to tackle a broad array of pressing issues. Discussions will focus on how to employ advanced methods and innovative technologies to maximize the benefits of forests and rangelands, while also mitigating the worst effects of climate change.
Delegates will examine strategies to enhance food systems linked to these natural resources and explore ways to promote sustainable rural development that balances economic growth with ecological preservation. The agenda also highlights the role of modern tools such as artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and big data analysis, which are increasingly being deployed to improve monitoring, restoration, and management of ecosystems.
This session is especially significant because it integrates new dimensions into its structure. For the first time, a Youth Day was held ahead of the official proceedings, providing young environmental leaders with a platform to contribute ideas, exchange perspectives, and build networks.
At the conclusion of the event, these youth representatives will present a unified set of recommendations directly to the commission, ensuring that the voices of the next generation are woven into regional policymaking. In parallel, the session also coincides with the 6th Near East Forestry Week, a platform designed to host side events, exhibitions, and dialogues that showcase innovations, case studies, and cross-sectoral solutions for restoring and managing natural resources.
Looking back, the Near East Forestry and Range Commission has played a pivotal role since its establishment in 1953. For seven decades, it has served as a consultative body where regional states can harmonize policies, share expertise, and coordinate joint responses to environmental challenges such as desertification and land degradation.
The ongoing session in Jeddah, therefore, is not just another gathering of officials; it represents continuity with a long tradition of collective action while also opening new pathways for cooperation in the age of climate urgency.
Saudi Arabia’s decision to host the commission this year reflects its growing leadership on environmental and climate issues, not only regionally but also globally. It aligns seamlessly with the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030, which places environmental sustainability alongside economic transformation as a key national priority.
By integrating the themes of forestry, rangeland management, and climate resilience into its global engagements, Saudi Arabia is also reinforcing its role as host of other significant forums such as COP16 on desertification.
Despite these ambitious plans, the path forward is not without obstacles. Large-scale reforestation and land rehabilitation demand substantial resources, consistent governance, and community engagement at every level.
Moreover, pressures such as water scarcity, fluctuating global markets, and ongoing conflicts in parts of the region complicate the task of creating sustainable systems. Nonetheless, the shared determination demonstrated in Jeddah signals that countries of the Near East are aware of both the stakes and the opportunities at hand.
Ultimately, this 27th session embodies a sense of urgency coupled with optimism. It is a platform where science, policy, and vision converge to produce practical frameworks for action.
By aligning regional strategies with international goals, especially those tied to biodiversity conservation, climate action, and food security, the commission aims to set in motion a wave of coordinated responses that can reverberate far beyond the Near East.
For Saudi Arabia and its partners, this event is more than a meeting—it is a statement of intent, a declaration that the region is prepared to safeguard its forests, restore its lands, and contribute to a greener, more resilient future for generations to come.