Saudi Arabia and UNEP Sign Landmark MoU to Strengthen Regional Climate Action and Emissions Reduction

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, held high-level discussions in Riyadh today with Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. The meeting centered on advancing global climate cooperation and deepening collaboration on key initiatives aligned with the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The talks highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing leadership in climate initiatives, including its flagship programs—the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. Both initiatives underscore the Kingdom’s ambition to expand renewable energy deployment, reduce emissions, and drive sustainable transformation across the region through frameworks such as the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE).

A significant outcome of the meeting was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Energy and UNEP. The agreement formalizes cooperation under the Regional Cooperation for Emissions Reduction Initiative, aimed at supporting climate action across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The MoU will enable joint efforts to promote clean energy technologies, develop region-specific climate policy frameworks, and facilitate knowledge-sharing to help countries achieve their climate targets. It reflects a mutual commitment to enhancing resource efficiency and reducing carbon emissions through a balanced and sustainable approach.

Under the agreement, areas of collaboration will include:

Policy research and development of climate policy recommendations;

Partnerships with international and regional organizations;

Joint participation in climate and CCE-related conferences and events;

Exchange of technical knowledge, innovations, and best practices;

Creation of regional climate networking platforms to foster collaboration.

Officials from both sides emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation in tackling the urgent climate challenges facing the MENA region. The MoU is expected to accelerate the implementation of low-emission pathways and sustainable energy solutions in line with global climate goals.

The partnership signals a continued deepening of Saudi Arabia’s engagement on international climate platforms and reinforces its strategic vision to become a regional hub for sustainable innovation and environmental leadership.