Riyadh, June 06, 2021, SPA -- Saudi newspapers highlighted in their editorials today a number of issues at local, regional and international arenas. Al-Bilad and Al-Yaum newspapers reported in their editorials that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has focused on protecting the environment and preserving the natural resources, making the environment a top priority. Additionally, the Saudi Vision 2030 has made the environment protection as a religious, national, and humanitarian duty and responsibility towards the future generations. As for the National Transformation Program, it approved and adopted several practical initiatives to protect the environment and develop meteorological services. The newspapers further added that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a pioneering role in limiting the deterioration of eco-systems and restoring them at the national level through launching a number of initiatives, the most important of which are the “Saudi Green” and the “Middle East Green” initiatives announced by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, to protect land and environment and improve the quality of life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region and the initiatives of the National Environment Strategy. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has continued its global excellence, outperforming 180 countries in two indicators of environmental performance, ranking first in the “Tree Cover Loss” and “Wetland” indicators, in addition to surpassing 172 countries in preserving and protecting natural environments and preventing the extinction of rare animal species, ranking eighth in the world in the "Species Habitat Index”, as revealed by the National Center for Performance Measurement “Adaa”, which monitors the international indicators. These achievements come as the international community has celebrated, June 5, the World Environment Day, in which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands out with many environmental achievements that have been accomplished as a result of the tremendous efforts made to protect the environment, the newspapers concluded. In another context, Al-Riyadh newspaper reported in its editorial that with Vision 2030, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has succeeded in strengthening the economy and diversifying sources of income. For instance, the entertainment and tourism sectors have begun attracting investments and achieving huge progress. The national economy has also affirmed its ability to overcome different challenges and crises. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 is not limited to the traditional economic sectors such as industry and agriculture. It rather extends and focuses on promoting innovation and invention in order to achieve further progress and prosperity, the newspaper added. Therefore, the Cabinet’s recent session has approved the establishment of an authority named Research, Development Innovation Authority. This decision will advance the future of industry and the knowledge economy in Saudi Arabia. The authority will also play a major role in the development process and creating new job opportunities for Saudi youth, the newspaper concluded. --SPA 09:38 LOCAL TIME 06:38 GMT 0004 www.spa.gov.sa/w1566859