RIYADH — Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, made a phone call Thursday to French President Emmanuel Macron, the Saudi Press Agency reported. During the telephone conversation, they discussed the environmental challenges facing the region in addition to their economic, social, and health implications. They also reviewed the announcement of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, which seek to address climate change challenges. The initiatives include afforestation programs and the production of clean energy by using modern and innovative methods and new technologies. They affirmed that the initiative is one of the most ambitious global initiatives aiming to reclaim degraded lands and achieve a reduction in the global carbon levels. The French president welcomed the initiatives and expressed his country"s interest in exerting all possible efforts to support these initiatives and achieve their objectives.