Saudi Arabia participated on Monday in the International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms held in Tehran, where it discussed it Sand and Dust Storm Warning Regional Center.   CEO of the Saudi National Center of Meteorology, Ayman bin Salem Ghulam, stressed the kingdom’s efforts to mitigate climate change and combat sand and dust storms, citing the Saudi Green Initiative, introduced by the Crown Prince in March 2021, which is designed to tackle both local and global environmental challenges.  The Middle East Initiative aims to plant 50,000,000,000 trees, which is equivalent to five percent of the global afforestation target.  Saudi Arabia has made significant investments in research and technology in collaboration with regional and international partners. Ghulam said that the Kingdom signed agreements with neighbouring countries to strengthen cooperation in early warning systems, research, and technology transfer.  He also highlighted the recent recognition by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) of the consultation and evaluation system for warning of sand and dust storms for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as one of its regional headquarters.  He said the Sand and Dust Storm Warning Regional Center received accreditation as one of its regional centres by the WMO.  The CEO of the National Center of Meteorology called for attending the Saudi-hosted first international conference on sand and dust storms in the Arabian Peninsula next March, and the 16th for the parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification end of next year.