Ministerial Council
The Ministerial Council is the highest oversight authority of the Middle East Green Initiative, responsible for setting its strategic direction and ensuring that its activities and projects are aligned with its long-term objectives. The Council reviews and approves strategic plans and budgets, appoints the Secretary-General, approves the Secretariat's organizational structure and internal regulations, and endorses high-level strategic decisions submitted by the Executive Committee.
Each Member Country is represented on the Council by one minister whose national responsibilities relate to the Initiative's scope of work. The Council Chair is elected on an annual rotating basis, and the Council meets at least once a year, with additional meetings held as needed. Decisions on strategies and policies are taken by consensus, while decisions on activities and projects are determined by majority vote.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is responsible for operational decision-making within the Initiative and approves operational plans in line with the strategies and policies endorsed by the Ministerial Council. It reviews proposed projects and funding allocation recommendations before their submission to the Ministerial Council, approves technical support plans, reviews policy proposals before referring them to the Council, and may establish subcommittees to support its work.
The Committee comprises deputy ministers or representatives of equivalent national authorities in Member Countries, whose responsibilities include the environment, forestry, agriculture, climate, land degradation or related fields. Decisions on strategies and policies are taken by consensus, while decisions on activities and projects are adopted by majority vote. The Committee meets at least twice a year, with additional meetings held as needed.
General Secretariat
The Secretariat serves as the Initiative's executive and coordinating body. It supports the work of the Ministerial Council, the Executive Committee and the Scientific Advisory Committee, and follows up on the implementation of their decisions. It also prepares policy proposals and operational plans, coordinates national initiatives, and supports Member Countries in project selection, design, implementation, results monitoring and reporting. The Secretariat promotes knowledge exchange, capacity-building and technology transfer; facilitates access to specialised expertise; develops partnerships; and engages with investors and non-member countries to mobilise support for the Initiative. It is led by the Secretary-General and is permanently headquartered in Riyadh. Arabic and English are the official working languages, with documents translated into French as needed.
The Scientific Advisory Committee
The Scientific Advisory Committee provides non-binding technical and scientific advice to the Ministerial Council, Executive Committee and Secretariat upon request. It supports the preparation and review of strategies and policies, contributes to project assessment and knowledge-exchange activities, and prepares reports and technical papers on matters referred to it by the Initiative's governing bodies.
The Committee comprises specialized experts from international and regional organizations, alongside leading expertise in the technical and policy fields relevant to the Initiative's scope. Member Countries and organisations may nominate members, subject to approval by the Executive Committee. Membership is for a renewable three-year term, and the Committee may establish specialized subcommittees according to the nature of the tasks assigned to it.
We unite Member Countries' efforts to restore land, protect vegetation cover and build a more sustainable future.