UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly praised the importance of the Middle East Green Initiative Summit, in its second edition, to confront the challenges of climate change. He indicated that such initiatives allow the leaders of the countries of the region to address these challenges in appropriate ways. In his speech at the MGI summit, which was held Monday in Sharm El Sheikh, Cleverly explained that climate, energy and food crises and conflicts have increased in the recent period, which increases the vulnerability of food imports in the Middle East and Africa. The UK State Secretary drew attention to the effects of climate change on the Middle East, including dust storms, forest fires and floods that swept a number of countries, expressing hope for the success of the MGI to make the future more sustainable. The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council President Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi too praised the MGI, which enhances opportunities for environmental cooperation with all concerned parties around the world, noting that the initiative is an effective contribution from the Saudi Arabia to reduce the temperature of the planet and reduce the negative effects of climate change. Al-Alimi said that the initiative represents a platform for regional cooperation to promote the preservation of vegetation cover and support international and regional efforts aimed at creating environmental cooperation opportunities that transcend borders and enhance opportunities for peace and development among peoples. He stressed that his country will work with Saudi Arabia to make the initiative a success as a model for cooperation and environmental and humanitarian work, expressing his hope that the initiative will help rehabilitate the biodiversity and plant systems in Yemen. Also, the Chairman of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereign Council, Lt. Gen. Abdelfattah Al-Burhan praised the efforts of Saudi Arabia in addressing seriously the effects of climate changes in the Middle East. Al-Burhan noted the importance of holding the summit to confront the challenges of climate change, indicating that this initiative is the appropriate scientific and practical mechanism to address the negative effects on climate change. He reiterated his country's commitment to the initiative's programs and projects and to provide all Sudan's natural capabilities of land and water to implement the plans and projects of these initiatives. The Indian Minister of Environment Bhupender Yadav hailed the launch of the MGI by Saudi Arabia, praising this initiative aimed at transforming green economies. Yadav said that the world needs to adopt more green initiatives to protect the environment and achieve green economic opportunities in the region, noting that India is committed to work to reduce carbon emissions and maintain sustainable development goals with a view to promote green resources. The Indian minister expressed his hope that the MGI would play its role in addressing climate change, stressing the importance of increasing green cover and promoting green resources and the green economy through good management of natural and environmental resources. — SPA
