2024 designated as the Year of the Camel in recognition of Saudi Arabia's dedication to preserving its historical and cultural identity

Under the leadership of King Abdulaziz Al-Saud and his army, who unified the country on the backs of horses and camels, camels played a crucial role in the foundation of the Saudi state. Bedouins in Saudi Arabia have relied on camels for millennia for more than just food and clothes. They are vital to their way of life because of their meat and milk. Saudi Arabia's commitment to maintaining its historical and cultural identity was acknowledged when the Cabinet declared 2024 to be the Year of the Camel. Because of their remarkable capacity to adapt to the severe and dry conditions of the desert, where water and vegetation are rare, camels have earned the nickname "ships of the desert".

Their special physiological characteristics enable them to withstand thirst. Camels could survive up to 30% water loss in their bodies, but most living things would die if they lost more than 20%. A 2021 study titled "Multiomic analysis of the Arabian camel kidney reveals a role for cholesterol in water conservation" in the scientific journal Nature clarifies the function of the kidneys in enabling Arabian camels to withstand extended periods of drought and adapt to harsh desert conditions. Their kidneys eliminate water loss from their bodies by producing extremely concentrated urine. According to him, camels are highly valued in the community and have even drawn the interest of the government through festivals and races.

Every year, the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival is held at Al-Sayahid, 120 km northeast of Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia. The event is to promote the preservation and advancement of notable camel breeds while also enhancing the understanding of camels as an essential component of Saudi and Arab culture.

The Year of the Camel will feature a number of projects and programmes that highlight the significance of camels and their relationship to Saudi identity, all under the direction of the Ministry of Culture. These initiatives are meant to support national efforts to grow the camel industry and raise its share in the country's overall growth.