Saudi Arabia Restores One Million Hectares, Strengthening Global Land Resilience Efforts
27 March 2026, Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced the restoration of one million hectares of degraded land under the Saudi Green Initiative, marking a significant development in large-scale land rehabilitation efforts in arid regions.
The milestone comes amid increasing global pressure on land and water systems, with intensifying droughts, stressed food production systems, and land degradation affecting nearly half of the world’s population.
“This milestone shows that restoring land at scale is not only possible, but already underway,” said Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, in a recorded message. She noted that in the context of rising drought and water stress, the achievement highlights how policy alignment, scientific application, and long-term commitment can support environmental recovery and economic resilience.
Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, stated that the restoration reflects coordinated action across government institutions, private sector stakeholders, and communities. He added that the initiative contributes to strengthening ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and advancing the country’s Vision 2030 framework.
The restoration programme has been implemented under conditions of limited water availability and extreme climate variability. It incorporates a mix of science-based and technological interventions, including cloud seeding programmes, early warning systems for sand and dust storms, and the expansion of protected areas. These measures have contributed to improving land productivity and ecosystem stability.
Land restoration is increasingly being viewed as a core component of sustainable development strategies. Healthy land systems play a central role in ensuring food security, maintaining water cycles, and supporting economic systems, particularly in vulnerable regions.
“Land is a critical asset,” Dr. Fouad added. “Degradation weakens water systems, reduces agricultural output, and increases vulnerability. Investment in land restoration supports long-term stability and development.”
Saudi Arabia’s efforts also align with broader international initiatives such as the Middle East Green Initiative and the G20 Global Land Initiative, hosted under the UNCCD framework. The country’s role in global platforms, including its presidency of the UNCCD Conference of the Parties, has contributed to advancing international dialogue on land degradation and drought resilience.
The milestone highlights the importance of aligning national-level implementation with global environmental frameworks. It demonstrates how policy commitments can translate into measurable outcomes on land restoration.
As preparations continue for the seventeenth session of the UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP17), scheduled to take place in Mongolia in August 2026, the development provides an example of the scale and pace of action required to address land degradation and support sustainable livelihoods globally.
“Restoring land is a pathway to resilience, stability, and long-term growth,” Dr. Fouad said. “This progress reflects what can be achieved through sustained commitment and coordinated action.”
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