RIYADH: Uruq Bani Ma’arid, one of Saudi Arabia’s most ecologically significant protected areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been admitted to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas.
The recognition confirms the site’s global ecological importance and highlights the Kingdom’s growing leadership in conserving arid-land habitats, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia’s inclusion of Uruq Bani Ma’arid follows earlier Green List achievements, notably the Ibex Protected Area and the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve.
These milestones reflect sustained progress toward excellence in protected-area management, according to the SPA report.
Uruq Bani Ma’arid covers 12,765 sq. km at the western edge of the Empty Quarter — the world’s largest continuous sand desert — and harbors the greatest biodiversity in the region. In 2023, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding natural value.
The union’s Green List sets the global benchmark for effective and equitable protected-area management. To qualify, sites must demonstrate transparent governance, measurable conservation outcomes and meaningful engagement with local stakeholders.
Uruq Bani Ma’arid met the criteria through integrated planning, resilient ecological monitoring and habitat restoration programs, the SPA reported.
Under the stewardship of the National Center for Wildlife, Uruq Bani Ma’arid has implemented a breeding and reintroduction program for the endangered Arabian oryx.
Mohammad Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, said: “Uruq Bani Ma’arid exemplifies what science-guided conservation can achieve in extreme landscapes. Its inclusion on the IUCN Green List reflects our dedication to protecting biodiversity and delivering real conservation impact at both national and global levels.”
He added that the milestone supports Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the global 30x30 biodiversity target — protecting 30 percent of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030 — and aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, a core pillar of Vision 2030.
