The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud stressed that achieving sustainable development requires a comprehensive methodology that takes into account the different development circumstances around the world, adding that enhancing the level of international cooperation is the optimal solution to meet the challenges of climate change.

The remarks were made during the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' speech during the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate. Following is the full text of the speech:

"Your Majesties, Highnesses and Excellences

Dear Participants
In the beginning, we would like to thank President Biden for holding this summit to combat climate change which threatens life on our planet.

These challenges recognize no national borders. The objective is sustainable development. And in order to achieve this, there must be a comprehensive methodology that takes into account the different development circumstances around the world.

The Kingdom has incorporated the notions of sustainable development into its Vision 2030, launching in accelerated steps packages of strategies and regulations such as the National Environmental Strategy with the aim of producing 50% of the Kingdom's energy need by 2030 using clean renewable sources.

Enhancing the level of international cooperation is the optimal solution to meet the challenges of climate change. During our G20 presidency last year, we advocated the need to adopt the notion of circular carbon economy, launching two international initiatives to curb land degradation and to protect coral reefs. HRH the Crown Prince announced recently two new initiatives: the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, which aim at reducing carbon emissions in the region by more than 10% of global contribution. They also aim at planting 50 billion trees in the region in addition to a number of unique initiatives.

These two initiatives have been endorsed by the international community. We will work with our partners to achieve their goals by hosting this year, the Green Saudi Initiative Forum and Middle East Green Initiative Summit.

Finally, we would like to affirm our keenness on and commitment to cooperation to combat climate change in order to create a better environment for future generations, wishing success for our efforts to protect our planet.

May peace be with you."