RIYADH: Chargé d’Affaires of the US Mission to Saudi Arabia Martina Strong, together with representatives of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), the Green Riyadh Project, and the American Chamber of Commerce joined the Saudi Green Initiative’s effort to plant 10 billion trees in the Kingdom by planting 21 trees in the Diplomatic Quarter’s National Park. The event coincided with this year’s Earth Day celebration on April 22 and underscored the close partnership between Saudi Arabia, the US, and the American business community on environmental protection and sustainable development. Strong emphasized that the US and Saudi Arabia have made bold commitments to lead the fight against climate change, also highlighting the economic benefits of putting sustainability at the top of the agenda. Strong said: “Our cooperation with Saudi Arabia on climate and environment adds another dimension to our bilateral partnership. On Thursday, President Biden, His Majesty King Salman, and leaders of 40 other nations came together in the Leaders’ Summit on Climate Change to press for more ambitious national goals to reduce emissions and mobilize public and private sector resources.” Representing the RCRC and the Green Riyadh Project, adviser Anas Najmi highlighted the impact that tree planting would have saying, “We are here to plant trees, (which) represent well-being, not only to the environment but also to the  residents and visitors of this great community and city.”   Tarik Solomon, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce, said: “With its green initiatives — including the largest afforestation project in the world to date — Saudi Arabia is sending a clear signal that it seeks to lead the charge  on climate change. This is also a call to business leaders to improve their sustainability practices. The American business community in Saudi Arabia stands ready to do its part.”   The tree planting followed a panel discussion on April 21 titled, “Green Initiatives and a Renewable Energy Future in Saudi Arabia.” Speakers from the Green Riyadh Project discussed the sustainable development practices of the city and noted that the economic benefits of the project are projected to exceed SR70 billion ($18.6 billion) by 2030.