Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve in Saudi Arabia has secured its place on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List

The Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve in Saudi Arabia has officially been added to the renowned UNESCO World Heritage List, marking a momentous occasion. Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science as well as the Heritage Commission, made the announcement. This incredible accomplishment was the result of work done at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee's 45th extended session, which took place in Riyadh from September 10 to 25. The creation of Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO Natural legacy Site highlights the country's continuous commitment to preserving its natural ecosystems and cultural legacy.

The minister expressed his sincere gratitude to Saudi Arabia's leadership for this significant international recognition in a statement. He emphasised that this accomplishment was proof of the Kingdom's unwavering dedication to maintaining its culture and biodiversity, which was seen throughout its many areas. Prince Badr emphasised Saudi Arabia's commitment to cultural preservation and sustainable development while highlighting the coordinated national efforts that made this distinction possible. He emphasised the strategic importance of natural heritage and stated this commitment is consistent with the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve spans a wide area of more than 12,750 km2 and is situated along the western border of Ar-Rub Al-Khali (The Empty Quarter). It is the largest continuous sand sea on Earth and the only sand desert in tropical Asia. The Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve, which offers a stunning view of the sands of the Empty Quarter and is home to some of the biggest and most intricate linear dunes in the world, is of remarkable global importance.

The reserve stands as a remarkable example of the environmental and biological development of Saudi Arabia's flora and wildlife. More than 120 native plant species rely on it for vital natural habitats, and it also protects vulnerable creatures like gazelles and the only free-ranging herd of Arabian oryx in the world.

The Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve, a sand desert of great universal significance that creates a distinctive and varied environment, satisfies with the stringent requirements for World Heritage status. It includes five sub-groups of the Kingdom's national ecosystems, an essential element for preserving the site's biodiversity, as well as a variety of large natural habitats that are essential to the survival of important species.