Key points
- Uruq Bani Ma’arid is one of Saudi Arabia’s most ecologically significant protected areas
- It spans 12,765 square kilometres at the western edge of the Empty Quarter
- IUCN Green List sets the global benchmark for effective protected-area management
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 (IUCN) Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas.
This recognition confirms the site’s global ecological importance and highlights the Kingdom’s expanding leadership in conserving arid-land habitats, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia’s inclusion of Uruq Bani Ma’arid follows earlier Green List achievements, notably for the Ibex Protected Area and the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve. These milestones reflect sustained progress toward excellence in protected-area management.
Equitable protected-area management
Uruq Bani Ma’arid spans 12,765 square kilometres at the western edge of the Empty Quarter—the world’s largest continuous sand desert—harbouring the greatest biodiversity in the Empty Quarter. In 2023, the landscape was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding natural value.
As per the Saudi Press Agency, the IUCN 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 these criteria through its integrated planning, resilient ecological monitoring, and habitat restoration programs.
Endangered Arabian oryx
Under the stewardship of the National Centre for Wildlife, Uruq Bani Ma’arid has successfully implemented a breeding and reintroduction programme for the endangered Arabian oryx.
Commenting on the occasion, CEO of the National Centre for Wildlife Dr Mohammad Qurban stated, “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 scales.”
He also added that this milestone supports Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the global 30×30 biodiversity target, protecting 30pc of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. It also aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, which integrates conservation as a core pillar of Vision 2030.
