RIYADH: The winners of the Kingdom’s Award for Environmental Management in the Islamic World were announced on Thursday, Saudi Press Agency reported. The awards, which were attended by Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, the Saudi minister of environment, water and agriculture, recognize outstanding achievement in promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development across 21 Islamic countries. In the first award category, which spotlighted achievements in research and environmental practices, Saudi Arabia claimed the top spot for its program dedicated to monitoring the degradation of mangrove tree forests. Iraq also secured first place for inventing an electronic reactor for salt rock energy production. Egypt earned second place for an innovative solution involving the recycling of marble and granite industry waste to create composite materials. Kuwait shared second place for its inventive approach to smart waste-sorting containers. Morocco clinched third place for its research in environmental legislation, particularly within Al-Maliki jurisprudence, and its application to address environmental challenges in the Islamic world. Qatar shared third place for its pioneering work in the joint impact of green human resource management and organizational culture on environmental organizational performance. In the second award category, which recognized the contributions of non-governmental organizations and civil society, Indonesia emerged as the top achiever for its circular economy program focused on plastic waste management. Mali also shared first place and secured second rank for its social initiative aimed at harnessing solar energy in rural areas. Yemen claimed second place for its efforts in environmental guardianship and climate protection led by the Environment and Development Organization in Taiz governorate. Pakistan stood out in second place for its community volunteer program aimed at ecosystem restoration and combating climate change in Balochistan. Algeria secured third place for its establishment of artificial coral reefs to safeguard marine life in the Nadji Mustaganem Diving and Marine Environment Club. Palestine was recognized with third place for its use of biodegradable materials in agricultural projects. In the third category, acknowledging the leadership of women in environmental initiatives, the UAE and Morocco jointly claimed first place for the Women’s Leadership in Environmental Management Award. Saudi Arabia and Iran shared second place for their contributions to the Women’s Leadership in Environmental Research Award, particularly in the assessment of coastal wetland plants in the Arabian Gulf. Libya and the Philippines were rewarded with third place and the top rank for their work in the Women’s Leadership in Public Interest Organizations Award. In the fourth category, the Green City Environmental Work Award, the environmental program in the Kingdom’s Yanbu Industrial City received the highest recognition. Jordan’s Environmental Studies and Awareness Division earned second position, while Malaysia secured third place.