GENEVA: Saudi Arabia’s permanent delegation to the UN in Geneva organized a reception on the occasion of the Kingdom’s nomination for the UNESCO Executive Board whose election is due to be held in November in Paris.
Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Wasel, Saudi ambassador to the UN in Geneva, welcomed the guests, noting that in 1946, 20 countries, including Saudi Arabia, met in London in response to a global call to protect education, science and culture from world wars and unrest. This resulted in the founding of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
He said that Saudi Arabia was dedicated to “one unwavering and deep-rooted goal to build bridges in the service of humanity.”
Al-Wasel added that in 2016, Saudi Arabia embarked on a national transformation called “Vision 2030,” which aims to diversify the economy and develop public services sectors including health, education and tourism through a roadmap to build a better future.
He added that UNESCO’s key strategic priorities are in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, including education for all, safeguarding tangible and intangible heritage, and innovation for social and sustainable development.
Envoy: Saudi Arabia strives to promote cultural heritage
Envoy: Saudi Arabia strives to promote cultural heritage
- Al-Wasel: Saudi Arabia was dedicated to “one unwavering and deep-rooted goal to build bridges in the service of humanity”
Saudi Arabia’s Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah nature reserves win Dark Sky recognition
- The two reserves in AlUla join more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution
- AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve, also both in AlUla, received Dark Sky Park designations last year
ALULA: Two more nature reserves in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla have won recognition as Dark Sky Places, joining more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution.
The official accreditation of Sharaan National Park and Wadi Nakhlah reserves from the DarkSky International builds on AlUla’s 2024 achievement, when AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve became the first sites in the Kingdom and the Gulf region to receive Dark Sky Park designations.
The latest recognition further strengthens AlUla’s position as a leading global destination for night sky protection and astronomical tourism, said the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Dark Sky International also announced the recognition in an earlier report, noting that the Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah’s combined area of 6,146 square kilometers reflects the “expanded scope of environmental protection efforts aimed at preserving AlUla’s pristine night skies and reducing light pollution across a vast geographical area.”
DarkSky International works to reduce light pollution in both urban and rural areas and to raise global awareness of the importance of protecting the night sky.
AlUla’s protected areas are located in the heart of northwest Arabia, near the ancient oasis city of AlUla in Madinah Province.
“Towering sandstone cliffs, labyrinthine canyons, tranquil basins, and volcanic formations create a dramatic setting where geological diversity, cultural heritage, and thriving biodiversity converge beneath exceptionally dark, open skies,” Dark Sky said.
Scientists have noted that AlUla’s natural isolation from urban light sources, combined with ideal atmospheric conditions, makes it a world-class destination for stargazing, astronomy education, and immersive dark-sky experiences.
With the phased development of its reserves, AlUla is now ranked 3rd globally in the Dark Sky Park category, solidifying its status as one of the world’s premier destinations for astronomical discovery.
The RCU reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the natural environment, preserving the night sky, and promoting sustainable tourism, further positioning AlUla as a leading global destination for astronomy, scientific research, and advanced environmental experiences, in line with AlUla Vision and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
