The U.S. Embassy, The American Chamber of Commerce,

and The Royal Commission for Riyadh City

Celebrate 51st Earth Day by Joining 50 Billion Trees Initiative

April 22nd, 2021

Riyadh

On April 22, Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Mission to Saudi Arabia Martina Strong, together with the American Chamber of Commerce’s Tarik Solomon and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s Riyadh Green Project, represented by Anas Najmi, joined the Kingdom’s 10 Billion Trees Initiative by planting 21 trees in the Tuwaiq Gardens section of the Diplomatic Quarter. The event coincided with this year’s Earth Day celebration and underscored the close partnership between the RCRC, the United States, and the American business community on environmental protection and sustainable development.

In her remarks at the event, Chargé Strong emphasized that the United States and Saudi Arabia have made bold commitments to lead the fight against climate change, and she highlighted the economic benefits of putting sustainability at the top of the agenda. She said, “Our cooperation with Saudi Arabia on climate and environment adds another dimension to our bilateral partnership. On Thursday, President Biden, His Majesty King Salman, and leaders of 40 other nations came together in the Leaders’ Summit on Climate Change to press for more ambitious national goals to reduce emissions and mobilize public and private sector resources.”

Representing the RCRC and the Riyadh Green Project, Advisor Anas Najmi highlighted the impact that the tree planting would have saying, “we are here to plant trees – trees represent well-being, not only to the environment but also to the residents and visitors of this great community and city.”

Tarik Solomon, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce added, “With its green initiatives – including the largest afforestation project in the world to date – Saudi Arabia is sending a clear signal that it seeks to lead the charge on climate change. This is also a call to business leaders to improve their sustainability practices. The American business community in Saudi Arabia stands ready to do its part.”

Thursday’s tree planting followed a panel discussion on April 21 entitled “Green Initiatives and a Renewable Energy Future in Saudi Arabia.” Speakers from the Green Riyadh Project discussed the sustainable development practices of the city and noted that the economic benefits of Green Riyadh are projected to exceed SAR71 billion by 2030. All speakers added that, on top of the economic and environmental benefits, responsible stewardship of planet Earth will lead to a more beautiful world; just one more reason why, in the words of CDA Martina Strong, we should “celebrate Earth Day, every day.”