Ibex Protected Area Becomes the First Saudi Site to Meet International Standards and Join the IUCN Green List

Riyadh, October 09, 2024, SPA -- The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has announced that the Ibex Protected Area in Saudi Arabia, managed by the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), has been added to the IUCN Green List. This makes it the first protected area in Saudi Arabia to meet all required criteria and join the prestigious list, which contains only 77 sites out of more than 300,000 protected areas worldwide.
This recognition highlights the site’s adherence to best practices and global standards in managing and safeguarding protected areas.
The IUCN Green List is a global verification system that sets the bar for excellence in nature conservation. It identifies and honors protected areas that demonstrate effective management, fair governance, and positive outcomes for both nature and local communities.
Inclusion in this list signifies that the Ibex Protected Area has met demanding benchmarks, with natural resources successfully safeguarded, biodiversity enhanced, and habitats improved over time.
In an NCW press release issued today, NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban said: “The inclusion of the Ibex Protected Area in the IUCN Green List affirms our commitment to conserving habitats and achieving the 30x30 goal of protecting 30% of Saudi Arabia’s land and marine areas by 2030.”
He said that NCW is working with partners in the wildlife field to register all national protected areas on this significant list, contributing to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objective of having environmentally and culturally significant sites recognized globally.
Qurban added: “This accomplishment shows that NCW efforts are up to international conservation standards and is testimony to our dedication to preserving Saudi Arabia’s rich biodiversity. It supports the sustainable management of natural resources, ensuring that our conservation efforts benefit current and future generations. Being on the Green List boosts the global reputation of the Ibex Protected Area and reinforces our commitment to developing sustainable conservation practices.”
Located in the Riyadh region, the Ibex Protected Area was established in 1988 in response to local community requests. It consists of a large plateau within the Tuwaiq mountain range, numerous valleys, streams, and sandy areas. Its biodiversity and ecological richness have made it a distinguished natural site both regionally and globally.
The protected area is home to thriving populations of mountain ibex; it is a vital habitat for the species that has flourished there for thousands of years.
The area serves as a model of integrity of habitats across the Tuwaiq mountains in central Saudi Arabia. It supports a variety of plant species, including acacia, samur, and sidr trees, as well as numerous shrubs, grasses, and herbs, providing habitat for many species such as mountain ibex, Arabian gazelle, rock hyrax, foxes, rodents, birds, and reptiles.
-- SPA