The Uruq Bani Ma’arid Reserve in Saudi Arabia has earned a prestigious spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List. His Highness Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Heritage Commission, unveiled this historic announcement during the extended 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh from September 10 to 25.
This remarkable achievement marks Saudi Arabia’s inaugural UNESCO Natural Heritage Site, underscoring the nation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its natural ecosystems and cultural heritage. His Highness Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al Saud hailed the international inscription as a testament to the Kingdom’s extensive cultural diversity and rich biodiversity.
Commending the collaborative national efforts that made this inscription possible, the Minister reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s dedication to preserving natural heritage and fostering sustainable development in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
“The inscription of the Reserve on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the first Natural Heritage Site in the Kingdom contributes to highlighting the importance of natural heritage on a global scale and reflects the outstanding value of the Reserve,” stated His Highness Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al Saud.
Situated along the western border of ar-Rub al-Khali (The Empty Quarter), the Uruq Bani Ma’arid Reserve spans over 12,750 sq km, making it the only major sand desert in tropical Asia and the world’s largest continuous sand sea. It showcases a breathtaking panorama of the Empty Quarter’s sands and houses some of the world’s most extensive complex linear dunes. The Reserve embodies outstanding universal value, serving as a remarkable testament to the environmental and biological evolution of Saudi Arabia’s flora and fauna. It provides crucial natural habitats for over 120 indigenous plant species and endangered animals, including gazelles and the world’s only free-ranging Arabian Oryx herd.
Uruq Bani Ma’arid Reserve meets World Heritage standards as a sand desert of exceptional universal value, boasting diverse landscapes vital for key species’ survival. It encompasses five sub-groups of the Kingdom’s national ecosystems, crucial for maintaining its biodiversity.
The inscription of Uruq Bani Ma’arid Reserve as a World Heritage Site reflects the concerted efforts of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, the National Centre for Wildlife, and the Heritage Commission.
This remarkable achievement joins the ranks of Saudi Arabia’s other UNESCO sites, including Al-Ahsa Oasis, Al-Hijr Archaeological Site, At-Turaif District in ad-Dir’iyah, Hima Cultural Area, Historic Jeddah, and Rock Art in the Hail Region.
