«Green Economy» In the Arab World: National Strategies and Regional Cooperation

Аннотация

This article explores the ecological transformation processes and the implementation of «Green economy» principles in the Arab world. It examines national strategies for sustainable development, investments in renewable energy, and the pivotal role of international cooperation. Particular attention is given to the experiences of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Egypt as leading regional actors in this domain. The study highlights the increasing significance of the green agenda in shaping contemporary political and economic priorities across the region. Keywords: «Green economy», the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Saudi «Vision 2030», NEOM, the Noor Abu Dhabi, The Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex, COP27. eras do not end due to the depletion of resources, but Introduction: The global environmental crisis is no rather as a result of technological advancement and longer an abstract threat—it has become an urgent shifts in values. Today, in the context of the climate reality affecting all nations without exception. Rapid crisis and the global energy transition, Yamani’s words population growth, the depletion of natural resources, resonate with renewed significance — becoming, in climate change, and environmental degradation essence, a reflection of the spirit of our time. demand a fundamental rethinking of traditional economic growth models. In this context, the «Green The «Green economy» is defined as one which economy» emerges as a strategic pathway capable of promotes welfare and social equity whilst significantly reconciling economic development with social equity reducing environmental risks and natural resource and environmental sustainability. scarcity. The overarching principles that govern this initiative encompass energy efficiency, sustainable Today, states around the world, especially those whose production and consumption, biodiversity economies have traditionally depended on oil and gas, conservation, and the development of green are forced to adapt national strategies to the new technologies. In the context of Arab countries, an environmental realities. Many Arab countries, aware of important aspect is the balance between economic the consequences of climate change and limited water growth and the conservation of natural capital in the and energy resources, have started to actively context of arid climates and limited water resources. introduce green growth elements into their socio- economic development programmes. In this context, In 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted sustainability and environmental security are becoming the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with a an integral part of modernisation policies and long- target date for achievement set for 2015. Recognizing term planning. the need to sustain and expand global efforts, the international community launched the development of As former Saudi oil minister Ahmed Zaki Yamani, who a new set of global objectives — the Sustainable held office from 1962 to 1986, remarked, «The Stone Development Goals (SDGs) — during the Rio+20 Age didn't end because we ran out of stones» . This Conference in 2012. Encompassing economic, social, metaphor serves as a timely reminder that historical International Journal Of History And Political Sciences 31 https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ijhps International Journal Of History And Political Sciences (ISSN – 2771-2222) and environmental dimensions, the SDGs were opportunity for investors in clean technologies. adopted for the period 2015–2030 and aim to ensure a According to McKinsey, Saudi Arabia could attract decent quality of life for all, in accordance with the investments totaling $150 billion in renewable energy principles of sustainable development. The by 2030 as part of its ambition to become a clean implementation of the SDGs is the shared responsibility energy powerhouse. of all UN Member States. One of the main initiatives is the NEOM project, which According to the United Nations Environment includes the construction of an artificial city called "The Programme (UNEP) report, a «Green economy» entails Line" with a length of 170 km. The $500 billion project the transformation of production and consumption is positioned as a "living futuristic laboratory" that is patterns towards sustainable development. designed to be fully powered by renewable energy sources based on wind and solar energy. The This issue is of particular relevance to the countries of significance of food in this context was emphasised by the Arab world, which possess the richest deposits of the head of the food department, Dr. Juan Carlos oil and gas. The ability of these nations to adapt to new Motamayor, who noted that the fate of our planet over realities, rethink economic priorities and become active the next 30 years would be determined by our current participants in the global 'green turn' will