URBAN AFFORESTATION FOR RESILIENCE

Join us on October 31 for World Cities Day, focusing on enhancing urban resilience in arid and semi-arid landscapes to combat desertification. Experts and stakeholders will discuss desertification, a critical issue, as Riyadh prepares to host COP16 of the UNCCD in December. The event will feature a keynote address, a panel discussion, a Q&A session, and networking opportunities. Topics include understanding desertification, which refers to land degradation in arid areas due to human pressure and climate change. This event aims to gather various categories of experts, each playing a crucial role in the topic: intergovernmental agencies, which set global standards and good practices; national institutional representatives, who impact the public policy agenda in KSA; and technical experts, who bring state-of-the-art techniques and innovative approaches to tackle challenges. We believe the private sector also has a responsibility to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goal targets. Rapid urban growth pressures natural resources, increasing the risk of desertification. However, cities can drive positive change through urban afforestation, green infrastructure, and sustainable land management, enhancing resilience against desertification and contributing to global environmental sustainability. By integrating these practices, the private sector can play a pivotal role in promoting urban afforestation, enhancing resilience and sustainability.