Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia’s Uruq Bani Ma’arid Protected Area has been placed on the prestigious IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. The site, managed by the National Center for Wildlife Development, joins only 90 locations worldwide to achieve this global recognition for effective and equitable management.
This accomplishment reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing commitment to protecting biodiversity and applying the highest conservation standards. Globally, there are more than 300,000 protected areas, but only a select few meet the IUCN Green List’s rigorous requirements.
Global Recognition for Uruq Bani Ma’arid’s Biodiversity
Uruq Bani Ma’arid lies on the western edge of the Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter), the world’s largest sand desert. Covering 12,765 km², it is Asia’s only connected sand desert and home to diverse wildlife. The area hosts over 900 species of plants and animals, including:
- Arabian oryx
- Sand and mountain gazelles
- Sand cats and striped hyenas
- Birds, reptiles, and endangered species
In September 2023, the site became Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, reinforcing its global ecological value.
The IUCN Green List has four pillars: effective planning, threat monitoring, biodiversity protection, and community engagement. Areas on the list must demonstrate sustainable management, good governance, and measurable conservation results.
Supporting the Saudi Green Initiative and the 30×30 Goals
Uruq Bani Ma’arid’s inclusion aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife Development, highlighted this milestone as part of the Kingdom’s broader environmental ambitions.
Saudi Arabia aims to conserve 30% of its land and marine areas by 2030—the “30×30” target. Other Saudi reserves already listed on the IUCN Green List include:
- Al-Wa’ul Reserve
- King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve
- King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve
- Sharaan Reserve
These recognitions position Saudi Arabia as a leader in the region’s conservation and sustainable management of nature.
The Saudi Standard’s View: Global Standards Driving Saudi Conservation
Including Uruq Bani Ma’arid on the IUCN Green List reflects more than technical success. It signals Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global biodiversity protection. With the Green List regarded as one of the most credible conservation benchmarks, this achievement shows that the Kingdom’s protected areas can meet—and exceed—international expectations.
As Saudi Arabia works toward Vision 2030’s environmental targets, such recognitions build credibility, attract global partnerships, and encourage continued investment in nature conservation. However, maintaining this momentum requires consistent community engagement, monitoring, and adaptive management to ensure these areas continue to thrive for generations.
Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect biodiversity and manage conservation areas
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