Saudi envoy calls on PM, extends invitation for 'Middle East Green Initiative' summit

Premier accepts invitation; Saudi crown prince had announced campaign earlier this year

ISLAMABAD:

The Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday and invited him to participate in the Middle East Green Initiative scheduled for October this year.

"The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan today," read the statement released.

"The Saudi Ambassador presented a formal invitation to the Prime Minister, extended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for participation in a Summit focusing on the 'Middle East Green Initiative' to be hosted by the Kingdom in October 2021," it added.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy, called on Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI today. pic.twitter.com/G99F3SSoKi

— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) July 30, 2021

"The Prime Minister graciously accepted the invitation," the statement added. 

It may be recalled, the communique added, that the initiatives of the Saudi Crown Prince, announced earlier this year, align closely with the Prime Minister’s climate change initiatives – 'Clean and Green Pakistan' and '10 Billion Tree Tsunami'.

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"Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are also collaborating closely to develop synergies in their climate-change related strategies," the statement said.

The statement further said that the invitation was an acknowledgement of Pakistan’s leading role in combating climate change."

In May, PM Imran appreciated various landmark initiatives taken by the visionary leadership of Saudi Arabia. One that requires a special mention was the 'Saudi Green Initiative' and 'Green Middle East Initiative', he added.

The prime minister further said that the threat that climate change posed to this planet and our region was real and it was high time for action.

"Pakistan has already initiated Clean and Green Pakistan and Ten Billion Tree Tsunami," the PM said. "We believe that our priorities and goals in this regard are aligned and we can therefore learn a lot by sharing experiences. Pakistan will extend every possible support toward the success of the Green Initiative."