Ministry of Agriculture: The General Directorate of Pastures and Forests organizes a scientific seminar on the prospects of renewable energy and promoting environmental awareness in Palestine

Ramallah: April 15, 2026

The General Directorate of Rangelands and Forests at the Ministry of Agriculture held a specialized scientific seminar entitled "Future Prospects and Enhancing Environmental Awareness: The Importance of Sustainable Renewable Energy in Palestine," with broad participation from representatives of partner institutions and relevant stakeholders.

The seminar began with a welcoming address by the Director General of the General Directorate of Forests and Rangelands, Eng. Thaer Al-Rabi, who welcomed attendees from the Wildlife Society, the Energy Authority, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Ministry of Local Government, the Environmental Quality Authority, the Investment Promotion Authority, the Southern Electricity Company, and the Ministry of Agriculture staff.

Al-Rabi emphasized the importance of this seminar in promoting environmental awareness and highlighting future prospects in the field of renewable energy, given its crucial role in protecting forests and nature reserves, reducing pressure on natural resources, and preserving biodiversity. He also pointed out the necessity of moving towards utilizing sustainable energy sources in Palestine in light of the current circumstances and the challenges facing the agricultural sector. He added that expanding the use of renewable energy contributes to reducing reliance on traditional energy sources, easing the burden on farmers, and promoting environmental sustainability and preserving natural systems for future generations.

For his part, Imad Al-Atrash, Director General of the Wildlife Society in Palestine, addressed the importance of renewable energy and its role in mitigating the effects of climate change and desertification. He emphasized the urgent need for agricultural lands and Bedouin communities to adopt alternative energy sources, particularly solar energy, as a sustainable option for fuel and electricity.

Al-Atrash pointed out that expanding the use of renewable energy strengthens the resilience of the agricultural sector in light of the increasing energy challenges globally, especially in the Mediterranean region, in addition to its role in mitigating the effects of climate change and achieving food security.

He also stressed the importance of implementing practical projects that serve farmers, including installing water pumps for wells, desalination plants, operating olive presses, and supporting the Ministry of Agriculture's nurseries, all of which contribute to increasing the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production. This seminar comes within the framework of the Ministry of Agriculture’s efforts to promote the concepts of sustainable management of natural resources, and to integrate the uses of renewable energy in the agricultural sector, in order to achieve a balance between economic development and environmental preservation, and to enhance the resilience of farmers in the face of various challenges.