Middle East Paper Company (Mepco), a leading vertically-integrated paper manufacturer, said it has joined hands with its waste management unit Wasco, to ink a partnership agreement with King Abdulaziz University for the launch of a leadership programme for young Saudi nationals.

The programme aims to provide Saudi youth with the right tools to lead on building and raising awareness on environmental sustainability and its importance to the community, said the company in a statement.

A first-of-its-kind campaign, titled ‘A License for Environmental Leadership’, is in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the National Transition 2020 commitments to environmental sustainability, it stated.

On the partnership, Mepco CEO Sami Safran, said: "Safeguarding our future begins with sustainability today. It is important that our youth is trained on how to lead in this vital field of environmentalism and sustainability."

"Together with Wasco, the Mepco will participate in this leadership programme to help build the knowledge base and the skills required to create the future that we all strive for. This agreement is part of our nation’s vision, and we look forward to participating in it and bringing about positive change together with our partners," he stated.

One of the largest vertically-integrated paper manufacturers in the Middle East and Africa region, Mepco offers a diverse range of paper products to customers around the world.

The objective of the campaign was to host three programmes, with around 200 trainees, over three provinces, explained Safran.

"However, the aim of the campaign is not only to decrease the usage of natural resources, but as well as to activate the partnerships between the Government entities, private sector companies, and higher level educational institutions," he added.-TradeArabia News Service