Ramsar chief visits Farasan Islands for wetland talks

1 / 4
Musonda Mumba, secretary-general of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, visited the Farasan Islands Protected Area as part of advancing global cooperation on wetland protection. (SPA)
2 / 4
Musonda Mumba, secretary-general of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, visited the Farasan Islands Protected Area as part of advancing global cooperation on wetland protection. (SPA)
3 / 4
Musonda Mumba, secretary-general of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, visited the Farasan Islands Protected Area as part of advancing global cooperation on wetland protection. (SPA)
4 / 4
Musonda Mumba, secretary-general of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, visited the Farasan Islands Protected Area as part of advancing global cooperation on wetland protection. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 02 December 2024
Follow

Ramsar chief visits Farasan Islands for wetland talks

  • The islands play a vital role in sustainable development and conserving biodiversity

RIYADH: The secretary-general of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Musonda Mumba, visited the Farasan Islands Protected Area as part of advancing global cooperation on wetland protection.

The islands, one of the convention’s most prominent sites in the Kingdom, play a vital role in sustainable development and conserving biodiversity.

The visit included field tours and a presentation by the National Center for Wildlife on the national wetland conservation roadmap, highlighting the islands’ support for migratory birds and endangered species.

Located in the southern Red Sea, the Farasan Islands comprise over 170 ecologically diverse islands of significant heritage value.

Saudi Arabia’s membership of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands reflects its commitment to addressing environmental challenges, including climate change.


Saudi mine-clearance project in Yemen destroys 4,235 explosive devices in a day

Updated 22 January 2026
Follow

Saudi mine-clearance project in Yemen destroys 4,235 explosive devices in a day

  • Project Masam aims to rid Yemen of all mines to help ensure the highest standards of safety and security for the Yemeni people

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam cleared 4,235 mines, unexploded ordnance and other explosive devices in a single day from Bab Al-Mandab region in southwestern Yemen, as part of its mission to protect civilians.

Osama Al-Gosaibi, the project’s director general, said it aims to rid Yemen of all mines to help ensure the highest standards of safety and security for the Yemeni people.

On Wednesday, the project’s teams destroyed 33 anti-tank mines, 31 anti-personnel mines, 86 miscellaneous shells, 2,750 assorted rounds, 1,291 breakers and valves used in devices, 12 grenades, two Katyusha rockets, a missile, 15 shell arrows, and 14 other explosive devices.

Masam’s teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and areas around schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and delivery of humanitarian aid.

The project trains local people to become demining engineers, provides them with modern equipment to do the job, and also offers support to Yemenis injured by explosive devices.